In this review, I began by comparing Bert’s initial F-100 book, published way back in 1989 which was 72 pages in length (D&S Vol.33) priced at $9.95. With the newest Detail & Scale Series Volume 11, you’ll get 104 pages (at approximately twice the price) and you will see a dramatically increased amount of color images and increased amount of details about the F-100. If this earlier print version can be located, I recommend to pick up a copy, since there are a good number of differences of the photos offered.

I was especially impressed with two of the narratives provided in the book’s ‘Super Sabre Pilot’s Report’ and ‘The Super Sabre In Southeast Asia’ both of which well documented with numerous photographs.

The Table of Contents provides for this basic outline:

• Introduction 3
• Super Sabre History 4
• Scale Drawings 12
• Super Sabre Variants
• YF-100 19
• F-100A 21
• RF-100A 24
• F-100C 27
• F-100D 31
• F-100F 36
• Super Sabre Drones 40
• Foreign Super Sabres 42
• Super Sabres Pilot’s Report 45
• The Super Sabre in Southeast Asia 48
• Super Sabre Details
• Cockpit Details 58
• Windscreen & Canopy Details 65
• Fuselage Details 67
• Wing Details 71
• Landing Gear Details 74
• Tail Details 77
• Engine Details 79
• 20mm Cannon Details 81
• Pylons & External Stores Details 83
• Modelers Section 90

In the author’s own description of this book, they provide the best summary of makes this book so worthwhile.

“F-100 Super Sabre in Detail & Scale is a detailed study of one of the most important jet fighter aircraft designs to see operational service with the U. S. Air Force as well as several foreign nations.

The book begins with a comprehensive developmental and operational history of the Super Sabre and follows that with an all-inclusive chapter on each of the variants. From the YF-100 prototypes to the two-seat F-100F, every variant of the Super Sabre is covered with photographs, an informative text, artwork, and tables providing technical and performance data. This coverage even includes the six RF-100A “Slick Chick” reconnaissance aircraft with cockpit photos and illustrations showing where the equipment was placed inside the modified fuselage. The use of the F-100 as a high-speed drone comes next, and this is followed by a chapter covering its use in foreign service with France, the Republic of China, Turkey, and Denmark.

Next, is a pilot’s report by Don Schmenk which provides a fascinating and informative perspective from a pilot with more than 1,000 hours in the cockpit including 215 combat missions in Vietnam. This is followed by a new chapter on the Super Sabre’s service in Southeast Asia. This chapter features a detailed look at the modifications made to the F-100Fs that took part in the Wild Weasel I effort, the first development by the U. S. Air Force to create an aircraft dedicated to locating and destroying enemy surface-to-air missile and gun air defense systems.

A comprehensive chapter on Super Sabre details, long a hallmark of the Detail & Scale brand, follows. This chapter contains nine sections covering the cockpit, windscreen and canopy, fuselage, wing, landing gear, tail, engine, 20-mm cannons, and pylons and external stores details. Complete coverage of almost every square inch of the Super Sabre is provided through 136 high resolution photographs, 115 of which are in full color.

As with all Detail & Scale Series books, the final chapter covers the scale modeling history of the Super Sabre from the early kits that are now only collector’s items, to the kits that are generally available as of July 2020 for use by the serious scale modeler. The most popular standard modeling scales of 1/144th, 1/72nd, 1/48th, and 1/32nd are treated as separate sections, and the available models in each are reviewed objectively.

F-100 Super Sabre in Detail & Scale is one of the most comprehensive books on the North American F-100 ever published.”

I wholeheartedly recommend this book for any members interested in the beautiful F-100. As a modeler, I don’t think this book has any rivals.

My thanks for this review copy and my thanks to both Bert Kinzey and IPMS/USA for my opportunity to thoroughly enjoy, read, and provide this review.