plasmahal Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 Background: The North American F-86 Sabre, sometimes called the Sabrejet, was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as the United States' first swept wing fighter that could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high-speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War (1950–1953). Considered one of the best and most important fighter aircraft in that war, the F-86 is also rated highly in comparison with fighters of other eras. Although it was developed in the late 1940s and was outdated by the end of the '50s, the Sabre proved versatile and adaptable, and continued as a front-line fighter in numerous air forces until the last active operational examples were retired by the Bolivian Air Force in 1994. Its success led to an extended production run of more than 7,800 aircraft between 1949 and 1956, in the United States, Japan and Italy. Variants were built in Canada and Australia. The Canadair Sabre added another 1,815 airframes, and the significantly redesigned CAC Sabre (sometimes known as the Avon Sabre or CAC CA-27), had a production run of 112. The Sabre was by far the most-produced Western jet fighter, with total production of all variants at 9,860 units. F-86F Uprated engine and larger "6–3" wing without leading edge slats, 2,239 built; North American model NA-172 (F-86F-1 through F-15 blocks), NA-176 (F-86F-20 and −25 blocks), NA-191 (F-86F-30 and −35 blocks), NA-193 (F-86F-26 block), NA-202 (F-86F-35 block), NA-227 (first two orders of F-86F-40 blocks comprising 280 aircraft that reverted to leading edge wing slats of an improved design), NA-231 (70 in third F-40 block order), NA-238 (110 in fourth F-40 block order), and NA-256 (120 in final F-40 block order); 300 additional airframes in this series assembled by Mitsubishi in Japan for Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. Sabre Fs had much improved high-speed agility, coupled with a higher landing speed of over 145 mph (233 km/h). The F-35 block had provisions for a new task: the nuclear tactical attack with one of the new small "nukes" ("second generation" nuclear ordnance). The F-40 had a new slatted wing, with a slight decrease of speed, but also a much better agility at high and low speed with a landing speed reduced to 124 mph (200 km/h). The USAF upgraded many of previous F versions to the F-40 standard. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_F-86_Sabre Kit Manufacture: Italeri. Scale: 1/32. Type: Sabre Jet F86-F Extras used: Aires cockpit ans wheel well sets.. Paints and colours used: Primer was black Stynylrez. Paints used were AK extreme metal black base, aluminium, dark aluminium and jet exhaust. Tamiya XF-7, XF-69 and Vallejo interior green 71.010. Weathering: Flory Dark dirt clay wash. 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 What a very impressive build of this kit,superb NMF especially as I remember a grainy feel to the plastic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llking Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 very nice 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaddad Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 tasty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcap Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 Cracking NMF and a wonderful overall finish. I Like everything about it. Great model. Gary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 A fitting tribute to a great fighter pilot, Col. Woodrow Wilmot, who commanded the 8th FBG, whose Sabre this is. I had the thrill of sitting in this very Sabre when I was eight years old; my Dad was the group adjutant at that time, and I have a color slide of me sitting in Miss Teena with Col. Wilmot's helmet on, which was painted in the three colors of the 8th's squadrons, at an Armed Forces Day display at Itazuke AFB. We visited him and his family in Florida a few times in the 60's, and he taught me to water ski! He was mentioned in Gabreski's autobiography as the instructor who taught him how to be a fighter pilot. Sorry for the ramble, but your model brought back a lot of memories for me. I have the 1/48 Hasegawa and Academy kits, and will also be doing Woody's airplane! Thanks for the inspiration. BTW, a very nice build! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve4536 Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 Really nice job and excellent finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 That's a really nice finish. There's one minor improvement which could be easily made. The bottom of the nose gear strut door contacts the strut instead of hanging in midair. That small change will make your model look much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Edmundson Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 Tis a very nice finish on that. One major point also is the crank in the pitot tube goes outboard. Cheers, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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