This might be an anal retentive question...

[Courageous]

My question revolves around the F-86 Sabre but could be more generic...gun sights.

My limited reference on Sabres indicate that the Type A-1CM gun sight was fitted in F-86A, E & F-10 before being superseded by the A-4?

Can I assume that the earlier type was fitted to the CL.13 Mk2 & Mk4, Mk5 & Mk6 the later type?

What happens with these sights as the years pass, are they upgraded, indeed what would be fitted in Sabres that were still kicking 30 years later?

As I said, may be an anal question.

[Tony Edmundson]

Canadair Sabres switched from the A-1CM to the A-4 during the Mk4 run, on c/n 365(13th Mk4). As to what happened to old Mk2s as

they passed to new countries, others may know more.

Cheers, Tony

[Courageous]

Cheers for getting back Tony.

The question must have been rather anal to have all the views with only your response. The reason was that I'm back-converting a number of Hobbycraft Mk6s to produce an A, E, Mk2 & a Mk4, and with canopies, open it seemed obvious to me to make sure that the 'big lump' inside the windscreen looks about right.

Thanks again Tony

[Tony Edmundson]

Hobbycraft Mk6 to F86A conversion:

Hobbycraft Mk6 to Mk2 conversion:

Cheers, Tony

[Courageous]

Very Nice Tony, especially the F-86A. I've got a couple of Pavla canopies for the 'A'. Was it difficult to modify the tail section?

[Tony Edmundson]

Very Nice Tony, especially the F-86A. I've got a couple of Pavla canopies for the 'A'. Was it difficult to modify the tail section?

Nope, first drew a rough outline with a sharpie then slowly ground away what was not needed, and backed up the reverse side with some super glue as it gets mighty thin at that area. F86A wingtips have a different nav light location, and the boat tail under

the rudder is narrower. The wing is the easiest to mod--I just reversed what the 6-3 extension added. The Sabre 6 wing is

unique as it is a 6-3 wing with slats.

[Courageous]

Thanks for the added info Tony. You tell me about boat tail and nav lights, smaller than my gun sight!

[Tony Edmundson]

I have made a couple of A1-CM gunsights for my couple of F86As, however, I won't be doing them again as they are too small and

hard to see once under the windscreen. Too labour intensive for the end result(for me). Easy to spot Sabre details like wingtip nav lights, pitot tube positions, differing nosewheels, and accurate drop tank positions demand more of my attention.

Cheers, Tony(Telford bound in a couple of days--stop by the Aerobatic Display Teams SIG and say hi)

Edited November 1, 2014 by Tony Edmundson

[Courageous]

At the end of the day, each to there own. I'll do so much to improve/ correct (if I know) depending on effort for reward and it may well be that I'll do one A-1CM gun sight and say " naahh".

As you say, Telford soon; kits, decals, tools and now ref books on list.

I'll do my best to pop round and say hi.

Stuart