This was a hoot. My first thud kit was the MPC " battle damage " kit. My favorite part was the opening canopy...I'd have been in heaven with the spring loaded ejection seat kit. I gotta tell ya Mike...your channel is a wonderful look into art, models and aviation history.. As always, thank you so much!

Thanks for sharing another walk down memory lane. I remember the ejecting pilot and the other "action" items that were being put into these kits in those days.

I've always been impressed by the size of the F-105! It's huge!

Mike thanks for another wonderful video that allows those of us in our senior years to reflect back on the innocence of our youth and the great memories of early day modeling. Those simplistic model kits of the 50s and 60s kept us excited about aviation and is probably why we still love these vintage kits today. Bravo - job well done.

I had forgotten how many of these early kits featured "stands". The kits weren't too stable on most of these so I left them off and built the kits with the gear down. About the only kits that still come with "stands" are the Star Trek/movie space craft. They still have issues with stability! Awesome plane. Great lines. Looked like it was going Mach 2 just sitting on the ramp. Great video!!!!! Thanks!

I built the Monogram kit way back then. I remember the ejection seat working.

Hail to the Chief Another great video

Sooo HAPPY! I have always wondered what are "some" of the kits you had. I will grab Lil bottle of Coke, 25 cent worth of gumball machine peanut. And to finish... The Lions Club mints that every hobby shop had on the counter, and remember the wonderful "Hobby Shops!" That are fading away. Thank you Sir! BZ

It is a pity that Revell doesn't make the stands that look like a part of the globe anymore. I also loved the different decals on it. Revell should offer them again

As a pilot, modeler and aviation collector I really enjoy your videos! As a drummer, I noticed the picture of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa on the wall behind you. I have the same picture on my wall too!

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Sharp eye! That was a Slingerland promo photo, and Buddy signed mine at a Disneyland Carnation Plaza concert in 1973.

My dad worked for Republic Aviation from 1953 right out of the Korean War until he unfortunately passed away in 1969.he was part of the design and testing of this great aircraft, and worked as a traveling field service engineer until his untimely death. We went to the factory many times, and got to see the Gatling gun fire. When they tested the gun outdoors, we could hear it miles away! I built every kit ever made of this aircraft simply because it was a great fighter. Thanks for taking me down memory lane.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

2 жыл бұрын

Belated thanks for your comment, and warmest greetings to a fellow member of the great Republic family!

Mmmmm, lovely! Thanks Mike 😀

Mike, thanks for one more excellent video. Thanks "pardener".!!! I'm always here.

I’ve been watching this site ... MIKE ... you do a great job with your research... Mister you got it going ON... The kit comparison... I LUV IT CHRIS from OHIO... thanks for putting these together

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

Mike, thanks again for your time and work in posting you videos. As usual it was a great watch, love your model collection as the background when you narrate to the camera. Thanks again........

A great presentation, Mike. My favorite part was the side-by-side comparison of the fuselages from the three kits. That spoke volumes to me.

Great video and thanks for sharing the Japan builds!

I started modeling in the early 70s but I remember building some of the kits you have shown here and in your other videos. There was a hobby store in Eugene Oregon that I went to 3-4 times in the 70s with stacks of old kits piled haphazardly on shelves and counters.. many were old even then. I remember the Monogram Thunderchief and an old P-40 whose manufacturer I can’t recall. Great memories.

I was in the Navy, assigned to VA-305, an A-7B squadron when we hosted several air Force and Air Guard squadrons in an exercise known as "Lobo Flag." One of the squadrons was an F-105 . This would have been 1984 or 1985. A very impressive looking aircraft.

I remember the first F-105 kits, but I don't remember building one. But I remember these in the hobby and department stores of the day. Great video! Thanks.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

I share your love for the F105. Each of your video presentations have been as fun as stepping into a well stocked traditional hobby shop back in the early 1960s. This video hits a bases loaded home run in my humble opinion. Taking a look at the first 3 F105 model kits was a treat. The side by side comparison was awesome. Seeing some of your own models is the icing on the cake. Thank you Mike for sharing your great knowledge and passion for aviation with us.

I built the Monogram kit. That brings back some fond memories.

Mike. Another excellent video--I absolutely love it when you celebrate aviation with a focus on model airplanes. Its a real kick to watch the start of these videos and see that beautiful stack of kit boxes in primary colors. I think in this particular video, you saved the best for the last.. showing us those Hasegawa kits that you built and brush painted (!!) while you were with the USAF in Japan. Wow.. I absolutely love the "SE Asian" camo markings on the second plane. Now.. how in the world did you get those back to the US in once piece? No. you don't have to answer that.. I'm just glad that you still have them. It's always a special treat when you show us your builds. Cheers!

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark, and those two build-ups somehow survived Military Shipping and made it home. The crack in the windshield of the silver '105D model was from the 6.8 earthquake that hit Japan in '68!

Thanks for the video. I built all three kits, and was quite disappointed when I opened the Aurora box: inaccurate fuselage shape, little detail, and decal locations moulded into the plastic. Sharp-looking plane. Great job paint jobs on your models, especially for bristle brushes. I am always trying to learn from others' models.

Mike, I love the Thud! I have a couple of older Monogram kits in my stash right now. One D and one F model. Its' always an entertaining comparison between different kit manufacturers since one seldom buys the same subject by 3 or 4 different companies. Quite a variance between those 3 kits. Looking forward to the next one, Mike!

Ahh, THE Lead Sled!!!!

@chrispacer4231

3 жыл бұрын

The big dog... good for you

@patrickmorley9634

3 жыл бұрын

I thought the Phantom had the honor of that designation.

@chuck9987

3 жыл бұрын

@@patrickmorley9634 A number of planes had the unofficial name of lead sled. e.g. F-3, SR-71, F-84. F-3 and F-84 were plagued by engine development/service issues which resulted in serious degradation of performance/short service life and the term is wholly derogatory. The Phantom was not a good "turn in the horizontal" aircraft but the J-79's had enough energy to allow the pilot to combine a turn and a climb/dive to compensate. The Phantom's engines could also get this large heavy plane to go like a bat out of hell in a straight line. Same thing for the 105 and SR-71. This harkens back to the original usage of the term for car that is very fast but is large, heavy, and low to the ground (and barely maneuverable).

Great episode Mike! Thank you for the education on the actual aircraft, and on the different model kits.

Combine a knowledge of aircraft and a history of aviation models and you get a interesting history of model aircraft. Great job, Mike.

As a kid growing up on Long Island, we were literally across the street (Hempstead Turnpike) from Mitchell Field. We would sneak on to barracks side of the base and look around. We came across a small shack all locked up. Peering through the window we could see many scale models planes hanging from the ceiling. It was the base hobby shop. Little did I know I would one day work at Fairchild Republic as an Aero Engineer. What a great memory!

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Great story, thanks!

This channel is pure gold . I just recently viewed your video on the “Douglas legacy “ on the Peninsula seniors channel . Towards the end of the video, you mentioned that Robinson is the sole manufacturer left in production in California . You also mention how we went from 5 major civil airliner manufacturers in the U.S down to just Boeing. This would make for a great video topic on the consolidation/Mergers of all the major post WW2 manufactures down to just Lockheed, Boeing , Northrop Grumman.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, and what a terrific theme for a video! Tune in Saturday morning for your episode on mergers. (Will give you a proper shout-out as credit for the idea.)

@alantoon5708

3 жыл бұрын

Another good subject would be the consolidation and decline of the American plastic model industry....everything now is from Asia or Europe.

@Cghv-88

3 жыл бұрын

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 Thank you Mr.Machat. I appreciate all the hard work and effort you bring to this channel . I’m convinced it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of time before this channel exceeds 100k.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

@@alantoon5708 Good point!

Great video! The gleeming silver plastic was beautiful on those vintage kits. I have some later Aurora kits from the 1970's, and the silver plastic was not so great. Revell always had good decals,

Mike, I remember that this was your favorite aircraft, and you told me the story of how it got its name, "Thunderchief!"

Cool. My friend flew F105d during Vietnam. He was a weasel pilot. First in last out. He told me he would refuel up to eight times per mission. Was shot at with SAMS many dozen of times. Loves the thud. Wishes he was back in one. Times change. Sadly. He told me why they called it a thud. It’s the sound it makes when it hits the ground at high speeds.

Yep, I made a 105, although I cannot remember from which brand. Probably the Revell one because I seem to recall a seperate small nosecone. Being the little megalomaniac I was mine was from my own secret air force so I painted it black with a red cone and wing and vertical stabilizer tips, which actually looked quite cool. :-)

Built the Monogram kit in my youth, and the Trumpeter kit recently.

@joeschenk8400

3 жыл бұрын

The Monogram kit was reissued much later with the Vietnam era camo pattern imprinted in the plastic.

Excellent Thud video Mike. A magnificent fighter jet. I built the Revell and Monogram kits and both were pretty good representations of the aircraft. The fuselage half comparison says it all. Never built the Aurora kit, but like so many models they made, the contents inside didn't quite live up to the stunning box art often found on vintage Aurora kits.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Good observation, thanks!

Excellent video and review of the Aurora, Monogram and Revell F-105 Thunderchief model kits!

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

Boy, just finished dinner and there's a Mike Machat video waiting for me.....

@joeschenk8400

3 жыл бұрын

Your just dessert.

Republic Vs Iron Works, Mets Vs Yankees. Two great N.Y. rivalries. Best to you Scott Whitmire

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Scott!

Ahhh, memory lane...I built one of the Hasegawa Thud kits when I was in high school. What I struggled with was the correct angle of the main gears. They seemed to want to angle sharply forward, but I knew that couldn't be right... Even though I've been out of the hobby since the late '70s, I still have my scrap parts box, including the F-105 drop tanks.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting point Pete, and that's why I used the main gear from the Revell kit!

I throughly enjoyed your video!! Keep them coming!!

The last squadron of “Thuds” were station at Hill AB, Utah. I believe it was HI

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, that's correct thanks. The F-105 was officially retired there in the "THUD OUT" ceremonies, February 25, 1984.

I had that Monogram 105 with the working ejection seat. And I never fired it in my eye or anyone else's....

Great video. Thanks for your service. I built a Revell kit as part of my 1/72 history of the USAF Thunderbirds Project. New subscriber here. Thanks!

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Great to have you aboard!

Thanks! Another great video.

Great review, it looks like Monogram got it closest to the real -105 back in the day and the Hasegawa kits are quite nice for a late 60s offerings. A couple days ago I had a guy at my job ask me if the F-105 was in service when I was in the USAF, I laughed at that, I'm not *that* old! They retired that jet when I was 10 years old and I joined in '99 so by then all the Thuds were either scrapped or museum pieces! F-4s hung around for a while longer, I do remember the 20th FS at Holloman training the last of the Luftwaffe Phantoms pilots but that's another story for another time! Keep up the fine work, Mike!!

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

2 жыл бұрын

Great comment - thanks Max!

Another great trip down memory lane....had the Revell, had the Monogram with the bomb bay and seat, had the Hasagawa but never the Aurora. One of my six favorite Century Series aircraft...wait there were only six Centuries.

@chrispacer4231

3 жыл бұрын

MR. Schenk... how are you... There’s a F - 105 out in front of VETERANS POST in southern MICHIGAN... Big plane... I enjoy MODELS.. take care mister... CHRIS from OHIO

@joeschenk8400

3 жыл бұрын

@@chrispacer4231 Good to hear from you...I am OK, how you? There is an F 105 two seater G or F at the Cradle of Aviaton Museum near me...HUGE! Just watching the last of the movie Le Mans with Steve McQueen...always liked the Porsche 917 and this time in auto racing. Stay well.

@chrispacer4231

3 жыл бұрын

@@joeschenk8400 BULLIT... mustang... I have that MOVIE... Now I have to watch it... 2:00 pm live stream... lets see what happens... wife is out with friends.. Take care MISTER CHRIS

@joeschenk8400

3 жыл бұрын

@@chrispacer4231 Might not make the live show...will catch on replay...Joe

Nice builds Mike amazing to see u still have them, and the tail code is correct for a Vietnam war a/c JJ/JE/JV and later JB wild weasel. Only thing not correct for that time period would be the TAC badge on tail above JV.

Thanks for the info on both the vintage kits and the Thud itself, and of course your excellent presentation as usual. The 105's true size can only be appreciated by standing next to one.

Lovely series , thanks for your explanations

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

Great channel I actually have the hasgawa F-105 in 1/72 Mike did a great job of building his since they were done on an AF base were military inspections an so forth go on allot an seeing their brush painted it looks great.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

Great job sir. Thank you.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Appreciate the comment, thanks.

A working ejection seat ? Awesome! 😂

He’s also a great aviation artist. 👍

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

2 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

Saw a flight of four at low altitude go right over my car as I drove on U.S. 160 just west of Wellington, Kansas. McConnell AFB is not too far away.

@joeschenk8400

3 жыл бұрын

I saw a flight of four F 105s...probably Bs of the NJ Air Guard...many years ago, heading to a bombing range in the Pine Barrens...then heard the thumps of their practice bombs!

Thanks again for a great video and history lesson. It's really neat to have personal connections to aircraft stories. As always God bless you and keep you safe.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

Thank you for your video on the F-105 kits. I built a Monogram '105 back around 1960 or so. Maybe could have flown one if I'd been a better student. Got to walk around a Wild Weasel variant at the FHCAM Museum in Everett, WA. Compare the main gear doors on the '105 to those on the P-47. See a resemblance?

I'm fond of all the U.S. based model manufacturers, but after assembling my first Hasegawa, I never went back. Fuselage halfs that actually fitted together, vertical tailfins that were actually...vertical: the Japanese kit quality was incomparably better.

Love the Thud.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

8 ай бұрын

Same here!

Another great one Mike. I still have my brother's F-105G Wild Weasel in the cabinet. How many model F-15 kits did I build?

Hi Mike (it’s Krista) - noticed your tail codes were incorrect, otherwise great work.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Krista, and great speaking with you last week!

And I was born in 1949 at Misawa AFB in Japan. My dad was there for the occupation and when Korea broke out, our family came back to the USA while he went to Korea.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

2 жыл бұрын

Belated thanks for your comment, and thanks for watching!

I think the Revell F-105D kit issued in 1988 is the most accurate in 1/72 scale for that variant. According to Scalemates, it's based on the Monogram F-105G kit issued in 1984. Not sure about the later Chinese kits.

Mike do you remember the battle damaged F 105 kit? It came out in the early 70s. I had it and the other kits from that series. The F 100 , F 4 and the Mig 21. Really cool kits but I can't remember who made them.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, both Lindberg and a company called IMC made battle-damaged jets duringthe Vietnam era.

Got the Revell S kit version, but never found the Aurora issue...

I built a Aorora (I believe) kit of a "Mjig-19" when I was a kid. It looks nothing like a actual Mig -19, Where did they get this idea for an aircraft I have never ever seen or heard tell of in actuality?

Did you ever look at the IMC kit with battle damage? I think I started it years ago but never got around to finishing it.

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

2 жыл бұрын

Great question, and yes, I bought that kit while in Japan also. It was an odd model, falling somewhere between the Aurora and Monogram kits in terms of accuracy to the airplane. Thanks for watching!

I remember building a battle damage F-105 kit it had a big chunk of the right wing torn out but I can't remember if it was Monogram or not.

@cosmokazi

3 жыл бұрын

IMC

My friends brother was a thud pilot in Nam...got shot down and captured..he was realesed at the end of thecwsr with all the other pows

@celebratingaviationwithmik9782

3 жыл бұрын

'Glad he made it home!

@billbaker2725

3 жыл бұрын

After doing recurrent training..he stayed in the air force flying f15s..he retired out as a general at Luke AFB

F 105 heaviest single seater single enjine jet,

Aurora kits were junk, knew that as a kid…think monogram was the best…

Growing up in the 60’s, Monogram models were best, Revell a close second and Aurora models were a distant third. They sucked tbh.