Models of Honor: Unique promotional planes are a rare sight at Show of Shows

What was unique about President Trump’s praise was that he called for a visual aid, namely, a production model of the long-range, stealthy airframe.

The Northrop B-2 Spirit long-range bomber and the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fifth-generation air superiority fighter are two of the U.S. Air Force’s stealth aircraft. Neither was manufactured in the numbers originally slated, as production for both aircraft was cut short.

In the case of the B-2, the dissolution of the Soviet Union following the end of the Cold War meant that the U.S. did not need a fleet of 100 or more strategic bombers, and only 21, including a flying prototype modified for active service, were built. Following two crashes, just 19 are now in service.

Although the Air Force had originally planned for a fleet of more than 700 F-22s, the order was also scaled back as the U.S. became involved in the Global War on Terror. Fifth-generation air superiority fighters were too expensive and not needed for a war against insurgent forces, so the U.S. military pivoted to the multirole F-35 Lightning II instead. As a result, just 195 Raptors were built, including eight test aircraft and 187 operational production jets. The final jet was delivered in 2012.

What isn’t well known is that the same manufacturer made a very few B-2s and F-22s.

It wasn’t the full-size jets, however. Instead, Pacmin Studios produced the official promotional models for both U.S. military aircraft. These shouldn’t be confused with model kits that one would buy at a hobby store. Rather, the company has been among a small number of firms that have produced physical presentation models and exhibits for the aviation industry. Before Pacmin was contracted to build these models, a company named Topping Models handled their production.

Seeing the model versions is actually rarer than seeing the actual aircraft, as these were produced in far smaller numbers and not originally offered for consumer sales.

However, the high-quality models were offered for sale by Carson City, Nevada-based Westwall Militaria at the annual Ohio Valley Military Society’s Show Of Shows (SOS) in Louisville in January. Neither is currently available from Pacmin, but what is noteworthy is that each apparently came from the estate of Thomas Berard, the former director and top civilian official at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California, when the respective aircraft entered service.

As a civilian, Berard may have been awarded these models in honor of his role in the development, testing and early flight of the historic airframes.

During the development, testing, and service life of many military aircraft, models are often contracted to Pacmin Studios for gift-giving to those involved in the aircraft’s existence. Among those awarded the coveted models were members of Congress, the military, and contractors who contributed to the defense project.

At this year’s Show of Shows, the models were prominently in view, alongside other aviation equipment offered for sale by Westwall Militaria. As presentation models, each captures the aircraft’s finer details.

The B-2 Spirit Bomber features the stealthy silhouette of a flying-wing bomber, and key details include its air inlets and painted windshield. The F-22 Raptor offered even more detail, without giving away any secrets. It should be remembered that such models were produced just as the actual warbirds were entering service.

Beyond the rarity of each model, the F-22 is noted for being signed by Lockheed test pilot Dave Ferguson, who worked on several programs, including the Lockheed F-117 Night Hawk and the YF-22, which led to the production Raptor.

In gold pen on the model’s wing is the inscription “First Flight, 29 Sep 90, Dave Ferguson.” Ferguson retired from Lockheed Martin after flying more than 6,000 hours in 60 different aircraft. He passed away in August 2011 after a long battle with cancer. 

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