f-104 smoke ii service history?

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f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by aferguson » Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:31 pm

anyone know the vietnam service history and fate (if any) of Smoke II? I can't find much about it.
i never met an airplane i didn't like...

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by Tanker85 » Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:43 pm

F-104C
57-0925
(435th TFS, 8th TFW, Udorn Air Base, Thailand)
1 August 1966, at the same time that Capt Kwortnik’s flight was encountering intense ground fire, another flight of Starfighters was escorting F-105 Wild Weasels over Thai Nguyen when one of them suddenly turned into a ball of flame. This was assumed to be another SA-2 SAM hit, and the pilot Lt. Colonel Arthur Thomas Finney was posted as missing, later KIA (his remains were returned to the USA 14 August 1985). This aircraft was nicknamed “Smoke II” on its nose.

This was all I could find Andy. Maybe you have this info already.

Eric

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by aferguson » Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:53 pm

no i didn't.....that's very helpful, thanks.
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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by Island Raider » Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:29 pm

It would have been and would still be nice if the manufacturers would include a sticker or card with the planes indicating their history. Sure, some of the more well known schemes are easier for us to find out info but for the lesser known it is more difficult. It would do more to honor the pilots if they included a bit of history and maybe even a reason why they were selected to have their planes immoratlized in plastic.

Mike

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by Tanker85 » Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:03 pm

:) ditto

Eric

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by tmanthegreat » Fri Apr 29, 2011 11:03 am

Island Raider wrote:It would have been and would still be nice if the manufacturers would include a sticker or card with the planes indicating their history. Sure, some of the more well known schemes are easier for us to find out info but for the lesser known it is more difficult. It would do more to honor the pilots if they included a bit of history and maybe even a reason why they were selected to have their planes immoratlized in plastic.

Mike
In a few cases we got individual aircraft histories - such as on the special edition aircraft - however, in most cases we obviously did not and were left to do the research ourselves. I agree a card or something would have been nice.

After the above description, I can't help thinking that the name "Smoke II" was somehow fitting for that particular F-104...
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by Tanker85 » Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:44 pm

It somehow raises the question... What happened to Smoke I?

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:14 pm

In reference to your questions regarding F-104C Starfighter "Smoke II", a replica is on display at the March Air Museum, Riverside, California. Here is a Link:
http://www.marchfield.org/f104.htm
A photo of "Smoke II"'s last pilot and information can be found in this Link:
http://www.vvmf.org/thewall/Wall_Id_No=16180
"Smoke II" deployed from George AFB, Victorville, California, in July of 1966. It went down on its third mission approximately 40 miles from Hanoi. The pilot, Colonel Finney, was listed as MIA, never seen or heard from again. His status was later changed to KIA. Remains returned and buried in December, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Any further questions please ask. I am Tom Finney II, Colonel Finney's eldest son.

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by aferguson » Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:54 pm

wow, thanks very much for the detailed information.

do you happen to have a 1/18 Smoke II?
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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Wed Mar 07, 2012 11:04 am

No, I don't. I was going to ask the same thing! After finding this Site and going on the assumption that there is one, I would like any information on it, i.e., which company, availability, etc. Perhaps that info is on this Site and I'm just missing it...Thank you!

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:48 pm

John,
I just Registered here yesterday. This Site would not allow me to send a Private Reply to your message as they said I haven't "used it long enough to use this feature." So I hope you see this. I am glad your Dad made it back, and am now sorry that he is gone. I wish I could've thanked him for his service to our country. I had no idea there was a model of "Smoke II." I appreciate your very, very kind offer. Address is as follows: Tom Finney II, 421 East Rice Ranch Road, Santa Maria, California. 93455-5562 I will message here when it arrives so you know. And here's a Link with another picture; again it's at the March Air Museum, Riverside, Ca. Taken just as restoration was almost completed, in a field, as the paint was drying. Any more questions please ask. Thank you again, and for your kind words..... http://www.airfighters.com/photo/47533/ ... r/57-0925/

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by parrish333 » Wed Mar 07, 2012 4:50 pm

FIREBALL wrote:In reference to your questions regarding F-104C Starfighter "Smoke II", a replica is on display at the March Air Museum, Riverside, California. Here is a Link:
http://www.marchfield.org/f104.htm
A photo of "Smoke II"'s last pilot and information can be found in this Link:
http://www.vvmf.org/thewall/Wall_Id_No=16180
"Smoke II" deployed from George AFB, Victorville, California, in July of 1966. It went down on its third mission approximately 40 miles from Hanoi. The pilot, Colonel Finney, was listed as MIA, never seen or heard from again. His status was later changed to KIA. Remains returned and buried in December, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Any further questions please ask. I am Tom Finney II, Colonel Finney's eldest son.
What an honor to have you stop in! The 1:18 scale version of your dad's plane was made by 21st Century Toys (no longer really in business):
http://www.sshqdb.com/18/thumbnails.php?album=82

I've got one hanging in my basement - I think it's a great model; you could probably tell us how accurate/inaccurate it is! The 1:18 version comes with two AIM-9 sidewinders on a underbelly catamaran launcher, and has the wingtip fuel pods.

You could probably find one on ebay over time, but at probably a much increased cost of what it retailed for when initially released. But I'm sure that given your situation, one of the board members could help you out - maybe that's the message you're referencing above (that somebody offered to help?).

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by BLACKSNAKES » Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:14 pm

parrish333 wrote: What an honor to have you stop in!
I could not have said it better myself! A true honor to all of us!

Thank you for the links FIREBALL. I learned a lot today!

Jim
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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:16 pm

parrish 333~~Thank you for the Link! The model looks almost 100% accurate as I remember, except for one thing. The ugly refueling probe that extends forward by the cockpit is not there, likely because the aircraft looks a lot more streamlined without it. Even the 104 at the March Air Museum is without it, which I mentioned to the Staff when I visited. The probe was there when my Dad departed; it had to be as they flew non-stop from California to Guam and re-fueled inflight. Whether it remained there during combat missions I don't know, but I would venture a guess and say yes. Other than that, your model is accurate.

BLACKSNAKE~~You're welcome, and thank you!

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by aferguson » Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:23 pm

the plane does come with the fueling probe, it's just not attached in the photo. I think it looks rather jaunty myself. :)

IIRC, the Smoke II's are not all that hard to find...you should be able to pick one up on ebay over time. It is a nice model to be sure.

edit: in fact i found one online right here: http://www.aikensairplanes.com/21st%20c ... 0182s2.htm
i never met an airplane i didn't like...

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Wed Mar 07, 2012 8:09 pm

Thank you for your information, and for the Link. I can see the probe now in the Link's picture. I looks 100% accurate, as I remember from July of 1966. The Link stated the aircraft was in Southeast Asia in 1968 which is incorrect, it went down on 1 August 1966, but someone really did their homework as to the model. Thanks again.

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by snake » Wed Mar 07, 2012 10:24 pm

Welcome to the forum, FIREBALL.

It is indeed an honour to have you here.

Sorry to hear about your father, but on a positive note, his aircraft has been immortalized, and is also available in the large 1/18 scale. And it is a good rendition of his plane. :D

Obviously you should pick one up, and think that you will be impressed with it.

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:40 am

Thank you for extending the welcome mat, and for your kind words....

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by Tinman » Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:46 am

FIREBALL, before you purchase a Smoke II, I think I have an extra one in my shed, new in box. I can take a look over the weekend, and let you know. Be happy to send to you at no cost if I have it (what more appropirate home could it find, than with you?).

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Thu Mar 08, 2012 10:39 am

Tinman~~Thank you for your generous offer! Honestly, another Member here on this Site extended a similar offer to me just yesterday, although I have not heard back from his as yet. Just the same, either way, I would gladly accept your kind offer. I have a younger brother, who was only 3 when our Dad went down, who would love to have one should I end up with two of the models! So yes, please let me know and if you do have one I will give you my mailing address. Thank you again for the thought! Since I've learned of the existence of "Smoke II" I feel my Dad would've been tickled pink knowing that his aircraft has been immortalized this way....

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by Beeavision » Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:06 am

I have that aircraft hanging up above the entrance into my man cave. Very awesome jet I might add. Here is another link with more photos of the model. Click on each to see them closeup.

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/prefi ... 104c.shtml

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:20 am

Beeavision~~Wow, great Link! Thanks for sending that..........

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by Beeavision » Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:29 pm

FIREBALL wrote:Beeavision~~Wow, great Link! Thanks for sending that..........
Yeah, the pictures there however just doesn't do it enough justice until you get a chance to see the model in person. That's when the WOW factor really kicks in. :mrgreen:

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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by Light.Inf.Scout » Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:38 pm

welcome aboard! I do not believe I have one of these schemes in my inventory but did find one on ebay for cheap if you are interested. if I find one i would be happy to send it to you for free as well. couldn't find a better home than with you and/or your family.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultimate-Soldie ... 5521wt_989
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Re: f-104 smoke ii service history?

Post by FIREBALL » Thu Mar 08, 2012 2:50 pm

Light.Inf.Scout~~Thank you for the Link; good to know. And for your offer! You guys on this Site are completely awesome.....

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