F-86A in 1/48

[Sabrejet]

 

This is an F-86A-7 in the colours of 92nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron based at RAF Shepherds Grove, England in September 1952. The black wing bands denote temporary markings applied that same month for an exercise simulating a Korean War scenario and using the River Humber in place of the Yalu (The 92nd’s sister squadrons within the parent 81st Fighter Interceptor Wing used a single stripe (91st FIS) or no wing stripe (116th FIS)). And though the exercise order stated that only one wing per aircraft would be striped, many aircraft were painted on both wings and retained these markings as late as March 1953. By late 1952 the squadrons of 81st Fighter Interceptor Group had lost the colourful fuselage lightning flash they’d worn when they arrived in the UK during 1951; by early 1953 they began to wear ‘U.S.AIR FORCE’ stencils on the fuselage and the colourful tails also began to go at that time, replaced by more generic black-bordered yellow wing and tail bands akin to those worn by Korean War F-86s. Thus this model is a snapshot of a six-month period in the unit’s history.

 

Note also that, despite what may have been written – or even modelled – before, all units of the 81st FIG had tails painted in mid blue with yellow lightning bolts. This colour combination is described a number of times in the official Wing and Group records, and corroborated by colour photographs.

 

It’s based on the 1/48 Hasegawa/Eduard F-86F (‘Ultimate Sabre’ kit 1163) fuselage, mated to the narrow-chord, slatted wings of the Revell/Monogram F-86D (I used the ‘early’ version, kit 85-5868).

 

Speed brake wells are rebuilt to reflect the uncluttered F-86A type; tail section extensively reworked and elevators also reworked to show mass balances of the A-version.

 

Various vents and intakes were filled, modified or added, as necessary.

 

Finally, the vee-shaped screen typical of the F-86A-5/6/7 was made using the modified plastic part from the Revell F-86D (it’s thicker than the Eduard version so gives you a bit more to work with), plus acetate vee-screen centre section.

 

Paint is mainly airbrushed Mr Color acrylic, using white and black to darken and lighten various panel shades. F-86A-specific colours include the interior green landing gear bays, speed brakes and speed brake wells.

 

Markings are a mix of masked tail lightning flashes and decals. Decals comprise mainly AeroMaster stencils (148-026 - F-86 Stencils); Caracal F-86 Buzz Numbers (CDB48002) and a few from the Eduard sheet. Canopy names and squadron badges are custom decals by Bedlam Creations (https://www.bedlamcreations.com/).

 

The WIP is here:

 

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235050524-f-86a-in-148/&

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rabbit Leader]

That’s one lovely researched and completed conversion of an ‘A’ model Sabre. Surely a WIP to bookmark for future reference. Still hard to believe that we don’t have a good quality early Sabre in any scale, however your build may make some manufacturers stand up and take notice. 

 

Cheers and exceptional modelling.. Dave

[Retired Bob]

Impressive looking model, with a superb paint job.  I doff my hat  .

[RidgeRunner]

A masterpiece, SJ!

 

Martin

[Duckwizard]

This must be the most beautiful Sabre ever. A wonderful build, my congratulations.

[Baldy]

Absolutely beautiful Sabre Duncan. Superb WIP too!

 

I've thought about using a similar approach to get a slatted RAF Sabre but never took the plunge. Your WIP has given me some ideas though.

 

Did some work at Shepherds Grove a couple of years back and some of the old airfield buildings are still in use! Also got shown a few pictures of the good old days by a guy who's dad worked there when the USAF was in residence.

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

 

[Sabrejet]

7 minutes ago, Baldy said:

Absolutely beautiful Sabre Duncan. Superb WIP too!

 

I've thought about using a similar approach to get a slatted RAF Sabre but never took the plunge. Your WIP has given me some ideas though.

 

Did some work at Shepherds Grove a couple of years back and some of the old airfield buildings are still in use! Also got shown a few pictures of the good old days by a guy who's dad worked there when the USAF was in residence.

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

 

Might take a look up there sometime myself: I do like mooching round these old airfields.

[stevej60]

Beautiful finish,certainly one of the best Sabres I've seen,great job!

[Sabrejet]

Bit of daftness: this is how a 1/48 Sabre looks against a bit 48 times bigger.

 

 

[stevehnz]

A brilliant result from your labours Duncan, quite wonderful. I do like your model posed on the gun panel too, that is a bit classy.

Steve.

[airbus320]

One of the best Sabre models I’ve ever seen, the fact that it is a kitbash makes it even better!!!

 

Chris

[Wez]

11 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said:

Surely a WIP to bookmark for future reference.

Having followed it all the way through, I have to agree, a cracking reference.

11 hours ago, Rabbit Leader said:

Still hard to believe that we don’t have a good quality early Sabre in any scale, however your build may make some manufacturers stand up and take notice. 

Absolutely agreed!

33 minutes ago, airbus320 said:

One of the best Sabre models I’ve ever seen, the fact that it is a kitbash makes it even better!!!

I can only agree with this sentiment too!  A great model and great modelling, well done Duncan.

[Spitfire31]

Thoroughly impressive Sabre! It has that rare air of 'authority' that follows from meticulous research and modelling skills.

 

Inspiring work!

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

[frankie]

  WOW 

[Courageous]

What they all said. An excellent example of an A. 

 

Stuart

[Terry1954]

This has to be one of the best model F-86's I have ever seen Duncan. An absolutely stunning build, beautifully finished. Really like the NMF shades, achieved through adding black or white depending on tine needed. It works very well indeed. I must try that method myself.

 

Terry

[jeaton01]

Well done, Well done!

[Tony Edmundson]

I like it, ALL of it.   Great job!!!

 

Cheers, Tony

 

PS;   only one point came to mind Duncan,  are you sure about the red headrest on a F-86A,  I see a lot of period pics and it is faded Black/Gray on most.  Didn't the red come later with the gray cockpit.

Edited March 16, 2019 by Tony Edmundson

[russ c]

Very neat Sabre there, really nice work

[Sabrejet]

1 hour ago, Tony Edmundson said:

I like it, ALL of it.   Great job!!!

 

Cheers, Tony

 

PS;   only one point came to mind Duncan,  are you sure about the red headrest on a F-86A,  I see a lot of period pics and it is faded Black/Gray on most.  Didn't the red come later with the gray cockpit.

Not so much red as maroonish-brown on the F-86A - or at least that's the shade I was going for Tony! I have refs of F-86As with this type of headrest, which was a padded type more like an old-school car seat cushion than the later versions, which were bolted to the aluminium part of the headrest support. I have a Sabre 5 seat which came to me with the later headrest, which is in fact a plywood-backed piece of faux leather, and as you rightly say, red on those aircraft.

 

A few F-86A jocks told me that the F-86A was "The Cadillac of the Sky" but it would seem that the comfortable ride was compromised a bit on later models.

 

EDIT: I have gone back over my refs and can't find one that's obviously that maroon colour! I'll put that right - dark grey it will be!!

Edited March 16, 2019 by Sabrejet

[RMCS]

Oh yes 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Beautiful work 

[Plastikschrottler]

Brilliant work. A F-86A is "on the list" and you showed how it is done.

👍

[CaracalModels]

Excellent work!

[Sabrejet]

Just wanted to say thanks so much for all your kind comments: I started this project as more of a 'let's see how it goes' than anything else - and I wasn't expecting anything special to come out of it. I also learned to not be overawed by the big picture and just focus on one issue at a time. Not quite sure what the next model will be but I'm thinking of something esoteric and vac-formed.

 

🍻 🍻🍻