This page
has been produced after a number of readers sent in photos or information
concerning their F-86 models. I'd thus appreciate any shots of F-86
models you've made for inclusion here. Happy Modelling!
Bud Norris' F-86D DioramaNote:
Bud's diorama represents a scene on the 25th FIS flightline. Bud wrote
a lengthy breakdown on the build, so over to him:“You
will note the wrap-around red stripes behind the canopy on two of
my planes. In this squadron, the commander had 3 stripes on his aircraft,
while his deputy had two. So that is the reason for these particular
bands, made from red pinstriping tape.Be sure and attach the landing
gear assemblies straight up, as there isn't much clearance between
the drop tanks and the ground. Radomes varied from dull brown to glossy
black. In my squadron, we had to polish them with shoe polish!”
“The final phase of the diorama consists of personnel and equipment.
The Monogram F-86D kit includes a tow tractor, which we called a tug.
I used two of them in the display. The personnel and ground equipment
are from two Hasegawa 1/48 scale kits, U.S. Ground Crew Set:A (Kit
No. X48-4), and U.S. Pilot/Ground Crew Set:B (No kit no.) Although
the ground power equipment is more modern than would have been used
in the F-86D era, I can find no older-type units, and didn't feel
like scratch-building replicas of the originals, so these will have
to do unless and until earlier models are available. There are many
more figures of pilots and ground crews than you'll need unless you
build a lot of planes, so there are several left over. I used only
enough to replicate the guys who would normally be present around
three aircraft. Also, back in 1958, work clothing was different than
the BDUs worn now, being two-piece OD fatigues, so that is how I painted
the enlisted men, adding blue web belts, silver buckle, and blue rank
stripes. All of our ground power equipment and tugs were yellow. To
finish the scene, I used the Verlinden Airfield Accessories set, Kit
No. 322. This contains safety cones, tool boxes, fire extinguishers,
etc. which you can paint in appropriate colors. I made wheel chocks
from scrap kit trees, painted yellow. Everything on the diorama is
glued to the surface except the planes, the two figures working on
976, and the one mechanic sitting on the wing of 302. Unless you plan
on moving things around periodically, you may as well glue them to
the base. I used Weld-It cement, and so far, nothing has come loose
from the surface, even when the diorama is turned over. It is especially
helpful to glue the chocks into place so you will know exactly where
to position the aircraft each time you move them.”
Randy Wise's
Golden Hawks Sabre 6Randy
Wise's 1/48 Hasegawa F-86F has been nicely modified into a Sabre 6 of
the Golden Hawks aerobatic team.
Randy took the slatted wing from the Hasegawa F-86F-40 kit and mated
it to Hasegawa F-86F-30, shortening the span as he did so. Decals are
from Leading Edge Models. Inspiration for this model was the F-86 memorial
in Randy's home town, Sarnia, Ontario. Conversion also required fitting
of smoke pipes along rear fuselage.
Jack Ballard's
1/32 scale C&H; F-86HC&H;'s
conversion kit is used with the old Hasegawa 1/32 F-86F; Jack Ballard
finished his conversion in the scheme of 131st TFS, Massachusetts ANG.
Christian
Guidi's RC Sabre
Christian Guidi's Sabre
is a Mk 4 in the colours of 4 Aerobrigata, Italian AF. The model is
built from a Gleichauf kit with a Rossi 105 ducted fan engine. Upper
photo shows Christian with his model at the 1999 World Championships
in Austria (missing photo).
Lower photo was taken at the 1998/99 Italian Championships. Models
are (L-R): Sandro Rosina's BVM Sabre in Frecce Tricolori scheme (BVM
engine), Andrea Bicelli's Rossi 90-engined Gleichauf model in Cavallino
Rampante colours, Mauro Pirotti's BVM Sabre in Lanceri Neri colours
(BVM engine), and finally Christian's Gleichauf kit at rear.
Duncan's
JDF-86D
Just to prove that I do
actually complete the odd model, here is my 1/48 JDF-86D. Model is
based on the Revell 1/48 F-86D, but with light modification; resin
and brass nose probe, brass airspeed probes and brass antennae.
Decals are a mix of custom-made with stencils from the Revell sheet.
This aircraft was used as a temporary test missile controller with
the Navaho project at Patrick AFB.
Stefan Eriksson's
Canadair Sabre
(photos missing)
First model
to be featured here was made by Stefan Eriksson of Uppsala, Sweden.
Depicting Boeing's Canadair Sabre 5 chase plane, Stefan based the model
on the 1/48 scale Academy Sabre. A friend made custom decals for this
model, and Stefan modified the kit's '6-3' wing to incorporate Meteor
Productions' resin leading edge slats. The model placed 3rd in its category
in early 2002 at the Swedish IPMS nationals.
It was Stefan's first competition model and I think the photos speak
for themselves - note how he has correctly modelled this unique aircraft's
camera ports along each side of the cockpit - a great conversion.
