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 faults 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 more detailed than the other F-100Ds on the market from ESCI, Italeri, or Hasegawa. There are two bang seats provided, of which you only use one. The cockpit is quite nicely done and fits atop a full intake trunk. Decals are provided for instruments. There are two different designs of speed brake well and brake, though only one is called out for this version. Interestingly, this kit does not include the F-102 burner can so you will have to source it from somewhere else if you wish this item. The F-100C kit has it.

The kit also has separate flaps and ailerons 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 refueling 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 fine, but I'd get resin replacements. I should also mention that while all F-100Ds did have the cranked refueling probe after about 1964/65, this should not be used on the two markings options provided in the kit. Should also point out that I've recently learned that the 335 gallon tanks included with the kit were also not issued until about the same time frame. The Italeri kit has the smaller ones so you might be able to swap those out if you have 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 493 TFS/48 TFW based in France during 1959. The other is from the 338 FBW, though no other info is provided.   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.  I have not shown the smaller decals that include instrument panels and insignia.