Paper Tiger - 1/48th Academy F-86F Sabre

The 1998 1/48th Academy F-86F Sabre kit release was a nice add-on to the Sabre offerings of the time. Some nice features (not found in the other kits) were included in this Academy versions, offered at a reasonable price. Academy's F-86F represents the earlier non-slatted wing Sabre.

Notable Kit Features:

• Nice cockpit

• Finely recessed panel lines and details

• Intake duct

• Decently detailed J47 engine (with engine stand) included

• Open gun bays option

• Bombs, Early AIM-9 Sidewinders, Two types of external fuel tanks

• Two pilot figures (standing and sitting)
  

Build Inspiration:

I put this build together to feature Harold E. Fischer Jr.'s "Paper Tiger" Sabre jet (in which he achieved double Ace status during the Korean War). Fischer achieved a remarkable combat record during his 105 missions. He was credited with shooting down 10 MiG-15 fighters, making him the youngest double ace. In his last dogfight before his F-86 Sabre Jet was hit by a Chinese fighter pilot, Fischer downed his 11th MiG. On April 7, 1953 he parachuted into enemy territory just north of the Yalu River, which separates North Korea from China.

Fischer was taken by Chinese soldiers to a prison outside Mukden, Manchuria, where he would spend the next 25 months. Three other American pilots were being held in the same prison. Nine months into his captivity, Fischer used a nail to dig a hole through the wall of his cell and escaped. Intent on stealing a MiG to make his escape south, his plans were foiled and he was recaptured and placed in solitary confinement. His imprisonment continued months past the signing of the armistice and cease-fire that stopped the fighting July 27, 1953. He and the other pilots were released May 31, 1955.

Heads-Up Report:

• Poor decals (thick and tend to silver and not in a NMF way ;)

• Weak main gear
  

Kit Additions / Modifications:

• Added nose weight

• Made seatbelts from painted tape strips
  

Finishing:

Unfortunately this 1/48th Academy F-86F Sabre build suffered from a rather half-hearted attempt at a Natural Metal Finish (NMF). In hindsight i should have had the patience to mask off various tones of different metals, but was too eager too see this one finished. I then followed up one shortcut with another, deciding to use the kit decals instead of painting the FEAF recognition markings on the aircraft. The end result fell short of what I was hoping for. Note to Self: Patience Please - Good Results Take Longer (but are usually worth it). The weakness of this kit version release was definitely the decals, so you will want to source some aftermarket markings.

The After-Build Report:

The 1/48th Academy F-86F Sabre surprised some as it followed the (highly respected) Hasegawa release two years later. Model maker were pleasantly surprised by this almost equally as nice example (not a copy) that included details like an engine, with a stand, open gun bays and weapons not found in Hasegawa's example... and offered it at a lower price point. Both the Hasegawa and Academy products build up nicely, with some advantages to either kit, depending on what your focus is. Eduard have taken Hasegawa's plastic from their F-86F-30 kit and added two small sheets of Photo-etch, a sheet of masks, and a Brassin Ejection Seat to bring this kit up a notch. There are also the (relatively) new Airfix 1/48 Sabre offerings, including one with a deployed slatted-wing. All in all, some nice options for Sabre builders to choose from (and if NMF scare you off, there are numerous camouflage finishes to select from).

Completed build #115 - August 2009 using the 1/48th Academy F-86F Sabre kit (2183)

Feel free to comment or ask questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers