America's first supersonic fighter (at least able to go supersonic in a straight line) was the F-100. North American at the time was one of the premier aircraft manufacturers, well known for innovative and sturdy aircraft that would get the job done with minimal fuss. Very much a child of its time, the F-100 was initially armed with four cannon, but later was outfitted to carry bombs and even later, both air to air and air to ground missiles. Such was the success of the type that it served with distinction in Vietnam until replaced by the F-105. It then soldiered on in the ANG until nearly 1980.

In addition to the USAF, the F-100 was flown by France, Denmark, and Turkey in Europe. It was also heavily utilized by the RoCAF on Taiwan, most of these planes being F-100As updated with the later fin and other equipment. Several were lost flying intelligence missions over communist China.

Trumpeter's 1/72 F-100s are basically scaled down versions of their larger 1/32 and 1/48 kits of this aircraft. Unfortunately, they did not fix the errors that were prevalent in the earlier kits. Why they did not when they knew of the fauts is beyond me, but there it is.

First off let me say the the general detailing of the kit is excellent. Even with its glitches it is vastly superior to the only other F-100C that has been on the market, that being the kit by PM. There are two bang seats provided, of which yhou only use one. The cockpit is quite nicely done and fits atop a full intake trunk. There are two different designs of speed brake well and brake, though only one is called out for this version. Interestingly, both the standard and later F-102 burner can are offered. Save the 102 can for the D kit as it doesn't seem to have it.

The kit also has separate flaps and wilerons though they are designed to be modeled in the neutral position. Separate slats are given and this is the first time this feature has been offered in this scale. Other features are both styles of refuelling probe as well as a straight or stowed pitot tube. Landing gear and nicely done and  you are provided with a separate windscreen and canopy as well as a boarding ladder. For things under wings you are provided with the larger 335 gallon drop tanks, the Y-shaped Sidewinder pylon and standard inner and outer pylons, though there are no other weapons to put on these.

Now for the glitches. The biggest is the flattened bottom to the intake. Even if Trumpeter only looked at the box art, they'd have seen this is wrong. There is, to my knowledge, no aftermarket fix it part for this, though you could cut this section from other 1/72 F-100s to fix it. Probably the best donor kit is the Hasegawa version, which should be fairly easy to find on the cheap. Another glitch is that the fit is too broad and should be thinner. There is no easy fix for this and again, no resin replacement. I should also mention that the tires are too tall. Wheels are find, but I'd get resin replacements. I should also mention that while ANG F-100Cs did have the cranked refueling probe and the F-102 burner nozzle, neither of these should be used on the two markings options provided in the kit.

Instructions are typical Trumpeter and should cause no issues. There are two very colorful markings options, neither of which are identified on the placement guide, only on the side of the box, also typical of Trumpeter. The box art plane is from the 450 FDW at Foster AFB, Texas in 1956 while the other is from the 435th TFS at George AFB in 1957. Those with good eyes will notice that the wing "USAF" is only included with the wing stripes for one of the options. If doing the box art plane, you'll have to cut these free or use aftermarket decals.