I saw a fellow toss some garbage into the rear of a German Tornado strike fighter at a Houston air show. Most of these come equipped - like this F-102 - with intake and exhaust covers because their are idiots out there at air shows. A very nice pic, nothing beast the six 'century series' aircraft.

This photo brings back memories of my struggles with assembling model airplanes; as I recall, the Aurora F-102 kit was the first model I ever purchased, and I remember buying a Superboy comic (#91, with a cover date of September, 1961) the same day. The cover date of the comic book suggests June, 1961 as the approximate time of that memorable (to me) purchase. I was then between the second and third grades, and living in Sabine Pass, Texas.

Making models demanded skills I never could develop, and as I look at this great photo, all I can think of is my pitiful attempt to get those decals nicely placed on the sides of the fuselage. Luckily for me, the silver-colored plastic meant I didn't have to paint the darn thing.

My uncle was coming to visit us and he flew these planes in the Air Force at that time; I wanted to surprise him with a model of the plane he flew. I can't remember his reaction to my completed model, but I'm certain he was gracious about it!

Thanks for the cool photo!

--Jim