Viking Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Canadair Sabre Mk.2, 416 Squadron RCAF, Grostenquin, France 1954. 1/48 Airfix Sabre F-86F-40 backdated to a Mk.2 There is a little back story as to why I chose to build this particular model, as it is one flown by my father as a 21 year old, back in the day. This particular Sabre, 19250, was one he flew many times when on 416 Squadron RCAF based in Grostenquin, France in the early 1950''s before I was even born. It's last appearance in his logbook is on May 7th 1954 when some of the squadron flew up to Manchester Ringway and delivered their Mk.2's to Airwork for refurbishment for the Turkish airforce. (416 were receiving new Mk. 5 Sabres). It nearly all went wrong due to having to hold before landing at Ringway while a bellied in RAF Vampire was dragged away, and he actually ran out of fuel taxying off the runway. The logbook entry shows it as May 7th, 1954. The problem I had was that there is no Sabre Mk.2 available in 1/48 scale, so I never got around to building one. However, the Canadian Group Build motivated me to have a go at a conversion, using the new Airfix F-86F-40. At the same time I discovered a set of decals for this very aircraft available from Above & Below Graphics. So, no reason not to attempt the project in time for the old fella's 90th birthday in a few weeks from now. There are 2 major areas to deal with in making a Mk.2, The wing is slatted with a smaller chord and span, and the windscreen has a 'V' shaped screen fitted on the front panel. I wont go into the ins & outs of Sabre wings here but there is a build log showing warts & all how I faffed around trying to both understand what needed doing, and how to do it. Anyway, it got finished, so on with some photos. I've even got a model of his Citroen to go with it; Amazingly there is a photo of 250 on Wikipedia, so I couldn't resist photographing the model in black & white to try and mimic it! Thanks for looking, John 72 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH1969 Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Very Nice. Clean simple and Factory just rite. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve27752 Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Well made and with family history. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Lovely build, story and simple but effective conversion work. Really nice and inspirational. Cheers Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Fantastic build John, hope its pilot is as chuffed with it as he should be! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Like that a lot. Very well done. J 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selwyn Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 5 hours ago, Viking said: Canadair Sabre Mk.2, 416 Squadron RCAF, Grostenquin, France 1954. 1/48 Airfix Sabre F-86F-40 backdated to a Mk.2 There is a little back story as to why I chose to build this particular model, as it is one flown by my father as a 21 year old, back in the day. This particular Sabre, 19250, was one he flew many times when on 416 Squadron RCAF based in Grostenquin, France in the early 1950''s before I was even born. It's last appearance in his logbook is on May 7th 1954 when some of the squadron flew up to Manchester Ringway and delivered their Mk.2's to Airwork for refurbishment for the Turkish airforce. (416 were receiving new Mk. 5 Sabres). It nearly all went wrong due to having to hold before landing at Ringway while a bellied in RAF Vampire was dragged away, and he actually ran out of fuel taxying off the runway. The logbook entry shows it as May 7th, 1954. The problem I had was that there is no Sabre Mk.2 available in 1/48 scale, so I never got around to building one. However, the Canadian Group Build motivated me to have a go at a conversion, using the new Airfix F-86F-40. At the same time I discovered a set of decals for this very aircraft available from Above & Below Graphics. So, no reason not to attempt the project in time for the old fella's 90th birthday in a few weeks from now. There are 2 major areas to deal with in making a Mk.2, The wing is slatted with a smaller chord and span, and the windscreen has a 'V' shaped screen fitted on the front panel. I wont go into the ins & outs of Sabre wings here but there is a build log showing warts & all how I faffed around trying to both understand what needed doing, and how to do it. Anyway, it got finished, so on with some photos. I've even got a model of his Citroen to go with it; Amazingly there is a photo of 250 on Wikipedia, so I couldn't resist photographing the model in black & white to try and mimic it! Thanks for looking, John Sure you didn't just photoshop out the hangar in the last picture? Selwyn 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epeeman Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Brilliant, John - Very clever conversion work and a subject matter that is very different to what you normally build - great work! Regards Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Gosh I like that! Great accompanying story too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbag Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Superb John. 👍 Chris. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabo31 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 A model with history, that of course makes it very special for you. I like the F-86 very much and with this background it's really great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Spectacular 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wlad Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Great job on the Sabre, and what a gift for your father! Thank you for the references, I'll keep them handy should I decide to build a Sabre. Wlad 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Great eork and conversion!! What exactly is this V shaped panel though? Thanks!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty84 Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 22 minutes ago, exdraken said: What exactly is this V shaped panel though? It is a V-shaped glass panel on the front windscreen (in fact two glass panels glued together at an angle). It was present on early Sabre variants but abandoned on later variants. Cheers Markus 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 I didn't know your dad flew these, what a lovely tribute John. Beautifully finished. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Lovely. Please let us know how the present is received, and wish him a very happy one from the gang! bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddogatc Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 Great looking model. Great subject. Great story!🍁😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieW Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 Wonderful project, this must have been a real labour of love. You must be very pleased with how this worked out. It looks superb! Richie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djos Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 Beautiful work, and very interesting version. with addition of background story, excellent post. Thank you for sharing Regards Djordje 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Nice build, I love it. My dad served at Grostenquin too at the same time as your father, before I was born. And I later served in 416, I retired a Lynx after 7 years in the squadron (Hornets). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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