I remember the first time I saw an F-105 at the Miramar air show, probably 1969 or 1970. It was huge! This kit is really nice and I am sure you will do it justice. An amazing machine.

Thank you, @jeff-carle , and @johnb for the comments. The F-105 is a giant aircraft, I’ve seen some in museums , I think it is one of the best looking fighters the USAF has used.

I don’t use Rub n Buff often, but since I had some at hand, I thought I’d use it.

Great choice, Jay (@ssgt), especially in natural metal. Your cockpit looks great. I always forget how large some of these old Monogram Century Series planes are. I built an F-102 a couple of years ago and it really took up a lot of shelf space. When I graduated from pilot training, there were still a few assignments in F-105s coming down. No one in my class got one, but the class ahead of us got one.

Coming along splendidly Jay! @ssgt 🍻 Good ol' Monogram does usually provide a lot of bang for the buck, and the kits are a great "canvas" upon which a modeler can create very nice "art". I'm excited to see this one being built as I have it and a Monogram F-106 in the stash to complete my Century Series collection.
Build on brother! 😃

Thanks David @dbutlr , it’s a nice kit. Some people don’t like the raised panel lines , but it’s never bothered me enough to sand them off or not build it.

The only operational century series jets I saw during my time in the Air Guard in the early 80s, George @gblair , was a NASA F-104 and a couple F-106s that had stopped at our base on the transit side of the ramp. There was also a F-101B with “Colorado State University” painted on the sides. The main gear doors had flames painted on them and on the nose a ghost with the name “ Gray Ghost” . It was there for years and almost over night it was gone. It is now at a museum in Topeka Kansas, in regulation AF paint scheme.

@ssgt, Thanks Jay! 🍻 My CS completed builds are a Monogram F-100D, Monogram RF-101B, the Monogram 102, and an ancient Testors (ex-Hawk) F-104A. Those birds just about fill one shelf in the display. My OCD wants all the series together...gonna be tough to do with the 105 and 106! 😁

Here's a couple of pics of the F-105 displayed at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas (Dallas suburb), taken several years ago now:

Looking super with the pilots in, my friend @ssgt!