Tomcat101

Hi everyone, I appreciate the comments and friendly discussion. Not to further antagonize but I am not a big fan of the Mustang or F-16 either. I am more of a P-47 and F-14 Tomcat fan. To each there own I guess. I think I tend to like those ‘in your face’ aircraft where function trumps everything else including aesthetics. As for the F-35 I am still on the fence though beat-up looking F-35C’s are growing on me. Again perhaps I am a bit odd ball but as I preferred the Boeing X-32 in all its ugliness. As for the YF-23 it was for me at least a hands-down winner, from a design perspective, over the Raptor. Let the discussions continue.

Looks good. and well done!

Hi Everyone, Do you ever have an airplane that you should like but are completely indifferent to? For me it is the F-86 Sabre. I appreciate its performance, extensive combat experience and global export success. The Sabre is undoubtedly one of the most successful combat aircraft of the post 1945 period and yet it has never done much for me. As someone who has built model aircraft for decades I have never built an F-86 and seldom wanted to. I am hoping this build will make me think about this great aircraft differently. One of the many things I like about participating in a group build such as this, is the chance to research a subject in detail and get a better understanding and hopefully appreciation of it. I also find the hours spent and the tactile experience of putting a subject together makes you look and think about it differently. I am hoping it will be so in this case. The Kit In June of this year I attended an airshow and there were aircraft model kits for sale. Among the many items was an old Monogram 1/48 F-86 kit for ten dollars U.S. Despite my long-standing disinterest in the Sabre, how could I say no? The kit itself is typical of its time, circa 1980, with raised panel lines and the like. That said the air brakes, wheel wells and cockpit are nicely detailed. Two options are available one is for a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft from the late fifties and the other for the German Luftwaffe. The latter is decked out in the black tulip markings commemorating the success of Erich Hartman the most successful ace in history with a reputed 352 kills. While both options are attractive I am considering a different paint scheme entirely. All comments and suggestions are welcome and please let me know why you like the Sabre. Regards, Tomcat101

Hi Everyone, Is it too late to join the GB? I would really like to participate if possible. Thanks. Regards, Tomcat101

Hi Everyone, For your consideration my 1/72 scale Ryan X-13 Vertijet from Mach 2. Regards, Tomcat101

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it. Last Mach 2 kit for sure.

Looks fantastic! You did a great job with the splinter paint scheme. Well done.

I love it. That is a wonderful paint scheme. Well done.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

Looks great! I really like the camo scheme. Well done.

Top notch bug! The subtle weathering is superb. Well done.

Fantastic!

Very nice.

Hi Everyone, The end. It has a satisfying ring of finality to it doesn’t it? My 1/72 scale Ryan X-13 Vertijet from Mach 2 is complete. Some models are a joy to build from beginning to end. I regret to say that this was not one of those kind of kits. The results I’d say are mixed. It looks ok and better with every additional step you take away from it. The pieces do not align and the launch stand is hopelessly warped. It is a good kit? No. Can you build a decent version of this obscure aircraft with this kit? Yes, but it will take a lot of work and patience. My suggestion is if you have a desire to build vertical launch aircraft I’d go with the 1/48 scale BA-349 Natter from Dragon instead. All comments and suggestions are welcome. Regards, Tomcat101 As noted above my launch stand came out a bit warped.....