[abu625]

I'm currently in the process of building the classic F-108 "Rapier" from ITC (Released in 1960). Here's the link to some progress shots that show the completed plane, the completed rocket booster, and the plane and booster in combination. The launch pad should be done in about a week. This model is VERY hard to find -- I understand it was pulled from production just months after its initial release -- but could be scratchbuilt by someone with some skill and ambition. In such a case, I hope these reference shots prove useful.

http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/F-108UnderConstructionPage.htm

By the way, does anyone out there know WHY ITC gave this model such a limited run?

 

[kaos]

do i understand you correctly, that's the actual itc kit you're building in those photos?? if so, where in the world did you find it??

 

[Steve244]

Maybe because the design had been changed markedly from the ITC kit and the program was cancelled in 1959? Or not. The Hawk nuclear bomber (nukular if you're from texas) was about from the same era wasn't it?

 

[abu625]

do i understand you correctly, that's the actual itc kit you're building in those photos?? if so, where in the world did you find it??

I found the kit on Ebay about two years ago. Because the kit has been started (part of the plane was put together), I was able to get it at a price significantly below what you'd pay for a "mint" version. Even so, it cost me a pretty penny -- and was worth it!

 

[abu625]

Maybe because the design had been changed markedly from the ITC kit and the program was cancelled in 1959? Or not. The Hawk nuclear bomber (nukular if you're from texas) was about from the same era wasn't it?

The ITC Rapier came out in 1960, the Hawk XAB-1 "Beta 1" in 1959. For the record, here's my version of the latter:

http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/XAB-1%20BETA-1%20PAGE.htm

Both have become very rare, indeed!

 

[John P]

I've still got one of those little parasite fighters from the bomber. I sure wish THAT baby would be reissued!

btw, by an interesting coincidence, the Sept issue of Airpower Magazine has an in-depth article on the real F-108 (which the ITC model doesn't really look much like .

 

[abu625]

In fact, Anigrand Craftswork has a resin 1/72 scale kit available for under $60. It's a good-looking kit -- and a lot cheaper than Collect-Aire's 1/48-scale monster.


http://www.anigrand.com/AA2018xf-108.html

 

[John P]

Still Collect-Aire's 1/48 monster F-108 would go nicely with the Collect-Aire 1/48 monster F-103 I have.

 

[falcondesigns]

I have them both and they are both beautiful in different ways.Anigrand makes excellent products!

 

[PerfesserCoffee]

Looks great!

Kind o' reminds me of something off of Thunderbirds!

 

[Otto69]

I'd never heard of an atomic bomber. What an amazing 1950's concept! I now have a new automated ebay search .

 

[Joe Brown]

There were several (well, 2 or 3) kits of the various nuclear aircraft concepts:

http://modelarchives.free.fr/archives_P/Aplane/Aplane_Impetus_K.html

And the Hawk Beta I:

http://modelarchives.free.fr/archives_P/Aplane/Aplane_Beta_K.html

Bunch of really cool data on that site:

http://modelarchives.free.fr/archives_P/Aplane/index.html

This one *may* have been Doug Wildley's inspiration for the Quest jet, featured in the opening/closing credits of Jonny Quest:

http://modelarchives.free.fr/archives_P/Aplane/Aplane_Bonux_K.html

 

[Stimpson J. Cat]

Your building one! Wow that is too cool. I sold a very nice example 15 years ago for about $500 and saw one change hands for nearly $1000(cash and trade combined).

By the way, does anyone out there know WHY ITC gave this model such a limited run?

The real plane was never built and so the model was cancelled. The 108 only existed as drawings, models, and a full size mock-up.