RF-3C Stiletto

Gallery Article by Rob Tracz on Feb 20 2014

 

 

The RF-3C Stiletto was a development of the X-3 Stiletto after a very promising test program. The “C” variant was a dedicated tactical recon aircraft.

The RF-3C saw service during the Cuban Missile Crisis and soon followed the North American F-100 Super Sabres in October 1961, into combat when RF-3Cs deployed to Vietnam. The RF-3C was deployed operationally during the Vietnam War, sustaining losses with the first RF-3C being lost in October 1963 to ground fire. From 1964 through June 1969, its role was gradually taken over by the RF-4C Phantom II. In some 27,000 sorties, 23 aircraft were lost, 17 in combat, including six to SAMs, two in an airfield attack, and one in air combat to a MiG-21 in January 1967. The RF-3C's speed made it largely immune to MiG interception.12 of the combat losses occurred on reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam.

 

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Three years ago I had builders block and felt that I needed to build something outside my comfort zone to give myself a kick start. I started this to join in a group build on facebook (sorry it’s so late Thomas) but got bogged down with a multitude of problems, one being the canopy which dogged me right to the end.

I have never kit bashed before and thought that this would give me the challenge to strengthen my modelling skills. This project was born out of a rat making a nest in my stash and destroying parts of several kits. 

Hope you like it.

Rob Tracz

      

Photos and text © by Rob Tracz