Build of “Showtime 100” for the USAF Academy Aces Gallery
By Mike Blohm
This article covers my build of the F-4J Phantom II “Showtime 100” flown by Lt Randall “Duke” Cunningham and Lt JG Willaim “Willie” Driscoll for my Aces Gallery Model Display at the USAF Academy, Colorado. “Showtime 100” was the F-4J they flew during their three aerial victories sortie on May 10, 1972 that made them the only US Navy aces in the Viet Nam War.
Casey Rupley recently posted an article on the August 27, 2025 passing of Cunningham with a link to his obituary, and talked about “Showtime 100” and the multitude of kits that had been issued with the markings of that aircraft. To add-on to his posting, I thought that I would write an article on my “Showtime 100” build and invite other ASM members to send Casey pictures of their own builds as well, as a tribute to “Duke” Cunningham.
My build used the 1/72 Monogram F-4J kit and after-market “Showtime 100” markings by Yellowhammer Models #HYD 72002, and was constructed 24 years ago in September, 2001. Colors used were likely Model Master FS 16440 Light Gull Gray on the upper surface and FS 17875 Insignia White on the bottom (I miss that paint line). The four Mk 20 Rockeye munitions that they carried on that sortie were sourced from a Hasegawa 1/72 Aircraft Weapons set. These were mounted on the shoulder stations (left and right side) of each Triple Ejector Rack (TER) with the center (lower) stations empty. Four AIM-9 Sidewinders, two AIM-7 Sparrows in the aft wells, and a centerline bag were also in the load-out. The two outer pylons were empty. Overall, the kit was a nice build, and it has been my choice for multiple F-4C, F-4D, and F-4J projects.
Pictures of “Showtime 100” are included below, including a jpeg of the biography of Cunningham and Driscoll and the location of the model in the display next to Steve Ritchie and Chuck DeBellevue’s F-4D “OY-463.” I am building Jeff Feinstein’s F-4D and hope to get that done soon. There are currently about 175 American ace’s models and biographies in the display.
