Hobby Master Archive

The first USAF Worldwide Gunnery Competition “Gunsmoke” was initiated in 1949 with the goal of improving flight crew expertise with their aircraft and weapons. The meet was held biennially at Yuma and then moved to Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada. The meet wasn’t held from 1963-1980 and the last ever meet took place in 1995. The 4th FDW replaced the 83rd FDW at Seymour Johnson AFB in 1957 until 1960. With the realignment the 333rd FDS “Lancers” was formed on November 13, 1957 and activated December 8, 1957.On July 1st, 1958 the 333rd was re-designated the 333rd TFS. F-100C 54-1800 was one of the aircraft sent to represent the 9th Air Force. This aircraft was later sold to the Turkish Air Force and arrived on October 24, 1974. The last Turkish F-100D was retired in 1982.