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