From the USAF Museum web site.  Please visit that web site for more information including photographs and full specifications.

The F-86, the USAF's first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight on October 1, 1947.  The first production model flew on May 20, 1948, and on September 15, 1948, an F-86A set a new world speed record of 670.9 mph.  Originally designed as a high-altitude day-fighter, it was subsequently redesigned into an all-weather interceptor (F-86D) and a fighter-bomber (F-86H).

As a day fighter, the airplane saw service in Korea in three successive series (F-86A, E, and F) where it engaged the Russian-built MiG-15.  By the end of hostilities, it had shot down 792 MiGs at a loss of only 76 Sabres, a victory ratio of 10 to 1.

More than 5,500 Sabre day-fighters were built in the U.S. and Canada.  The airplane was also used by the air forces of 20 other nations, including West Germany, Japan, Spain, Britain, and Australia

For a very complete article on the development and history of the F-86 check out This Web Site


This model carries the livery of aircraft 52-4350.  It was assigned to the 67 Fighter Bomber Squadron of the 18 Fighter Bomber Wing, and stationed at Osan (K-55), Korea in 1953.  It was piloted by Lt. Harvey L. Brown.

KIT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: 1/48 scale Adademy F-86F-30
Aftermarket: Eduard 48274 PE Set
True Details F-86 Wheels
Build Started: March 01, 2005
Build Completed:  

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

INTAKE TRUNK -- The intake trunk has the cockpit molded on the top half and the nose gear well molded on the bottom half.  On the inside of the intake this leaves two large hollow areas that are visible if anyone looks into the intake.  I used some thin styrene sheet to cover the area and it helped a lot.  Alternatively, Cutting Edge has a seamless resin intake (catalog no. CEC48217, available from Meteor Productions)to replace the original.  Here Is A Link To A Photo of it.  It appears that it will be necessary to cut the cockpit and nose gear well off of the original intake and put them on the resin intake, however that should not be too difficult.

The kit comes with an intake plug that can be installed or omitted.  At the front of the intake are two small flanges used to prevent the intake plug from going too far into the intake trunk.  If you choose to omit the plug the flanges should be removed.


EXHAUST TRUNK -- The exhaust trunk is in two pieces, however they go together well and the joint is minimal if you clean up the edges prior to assembly.  There are a couple of ejection pin marks that will most likely be visible so be sure to fill them prior to assembly.
EJECTION SEAT -- The Eduard PE Set completely rebuilds the ejection seat and much of the cockpit.  The original parts are used only for the back of the seat, and everything else is included in the PE set.  I haven't completed it, so I don't have any photos of the completed seat yet.
ENGINE -- The engine is highly detailed and the builder has the option of displaying it or not.  The rear half of the fuselage can be cut off to show the engine in place, and a cart is provided to hold the rear half of the fuselage.  I haven't decided how I am going to do this yet.
PAINT -- I plan to use Alclad II Laquer for the finish on this model.  I haven't used this paint much, but from what I have seen and read it does a fantastic job.  I have painted the intake trunk (Polished Aluminum) and the engine (Stainless Steel) so far and they worked out great.  I'm planning on using the "Polished Aluminum" on the fuselage, but I do have a bottle of "Chrome" as well.  I'll have to do some comparisons to see which one would look better.
AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Aircraft Type: North American Aviation F-86F-30 Saber
Wing Span:39'-1"
Overall Length:37'-0"
Height:14'-0"
Gross Weight:17,772 lbs
Engine:General Electric J47-GE-27 Turbojet
Thrust:5,910 lbs
Speed:688 mph
Normal Range:463 mi
Maximum Range:1,317 mi
Ceiling:48,000 ft
REFERENCES AND MY THANKS TO ...
ARC - Jet Walkarounds Scalehobby Forums Fine Scale Modeler Forum Aviation Enthusiast Corner
USAF Museum Aircraft Instrument Panels US National Air and Space Museum  


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