F-100F Super Sabre Wild Weasel

North American F-100F Super Sabre Wild Weasel airplane model. In November 1965 the first Wild Weasel crews deployed to Southeast Asia -- only four months after the first USAF SA-2 loss in Southeast Asia. Their four F-100Fs had been hastily modified under great secrecy with equipment that detected enemy radar sites. Reflecting the urgent need, these volunteers planned to finish their training in combat over North Vietnam, and they flew their first anti-SAM mission on Dec. 1. This first group was replaced in February 1966 by a second group that received three more modified F-100Fs.

Typically, one F-100F Wild Weasel crew hunted enemy SAM radars with electronic equipment. After pinpointing them visually, they attacked the radars with rockets. Accompanying F-105s then followed with bombs or rockets.

The pioneer Wild Weasels proved the concept and developed effective tactics, destroying nine SA-2 sites and suppressing enemy SAMs for strike forces. Even so, three of the seven F-100Fs were lost (two in combat). The more powerful F-105F Wild Weasel III replaced Wild Weasel I F-100Fs in the summer of 1966 (there was no production Wild Weasel II).

Mahogany wood. Scale: 1/48. Wingspan 10 inches, Length 12 inches.