Best 1/72 F-86F kit for box-stock build?

K5DH · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:39 am

I'm looking for opinions from our WIX modeling experts. What's the best resonably-priced 1/72 F-86F kit for a box-stock build? I'd like for it to have drop tanks, but that's not an absolute requirement.

VFM's F-86F served with the 322nd FDG at Foster AFB, Texas, for a few months in 1955. I've found a sheet of 1/72 F-86F decals for that unit. Now I need a model to put them on! The finished project will (hopefully) be the inspiration for restoring the full-scale model to be a nice static display aircraft.

Thanks for your help!

rcaf_100 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:54 am

Looking at photos of your Sabre, 52-4689, I can't tell if it's an F-86F-30 or F-40. I believe it was built as an F-30, but I can't see a wing fence in the photos. If your Sabre has leading edge slats, then it would be an F-40.

For the F-30, there's the Fujimi kit, the Hobbycraft kit (later re-boxed by Academy), and the new Airfix kit. (I included a link to reviews for each kit by manufacturer)

For the F-40, there's again the Fujimi kit and the Academy kit, but neither kits allow the leading edge slats to be opened.

For a quick and easy build, there's the Hobbyboss snap-together kits of the F-30 and F-40. There is very basic detail (if any) in the cockpit , but it looks like a Sabre when finished.

Hope this helps.

:partyman:

K5DH · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:17 pm

Rcaf_100, thanks for the help! You are very observant; our ship is a -30, but it has a -40 wing. Not sure how it got that way. Perhaps the wing was changed as part of an update while in service with Venezuela or Bolivia, or it may have been a replacement due to damage. It looks like I'll need to buy a -40 kit in order to accurately represent our ship's current configuration. I'll evaluate all of your suggested kits. Thanks!

spookythecat · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:42 pm

Here's my build of the HobbyBoss F-30 kit

It's a real quick build but lacks alot of cockpit detail.

viking73 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:57 pm

I'd say the Fujimi kit. It's a real beauty and just falls together.

-Derek

Mgawa · **Posted:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:18 pm

Nice info about the kits

rossjools · **Posted:** Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:52 am

, The Fujimi kit is probably the best in 1/72 scale with the academy and Hobbycraft after that. If you want an Avon Sabre (RAAF) there is the High Planes kit which has the Avon Sabre fuselage with the Academy kit or a conversion kit comprising just the fuselage.

Cheers,
Ross.

Mgawa · **Posted:** Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:59 am

Do you have any additional info and links to the High Planes kit?

rossjools · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:28 am

, G'day Mgawa,
You can just google for High Planes and it will be right there in front of you. High Planes have a selection of over a hundred kits in their catalogue.

Cheers,
Ross.

K5DH · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:48 pm

Well, after reading some kit reviews on the internet and seeing Al's pictures above, I bought the HobbyBoss F-86F-40 kit. The price was very reasonable. I had to go with the -40 because although our ship is a -30, at some point it had the wing upgraded to a -40 wing. Apparently many Sabres underwent this modification.

Next question: Any recommendations on a commonly-available rattle can paint that approximates a typical "while in active service" natural metal finish? I don't want the "air show chrome-like mirror polished" look. The weather is getting nicer and nicer here, so it will soon be time to paint! (I have to paint outdoors)

spookythecat · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:05 pm

I believe I used Tamiya Gloss Aluminum in a rattle can on mine.

rcaf_100 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:06 pm

k5dh wrote:

Next question: Any recommendations on a commonly-available rattle can paint that approximates a typical "while in active service" natural metal finish? I don't want the "air show chrome-like mirror polished" look. The weather is getting nicer and nicer here, so it will soon be time to paint! (I have to paint outdoors)

Like Spooky said, I would recommend the Tamiya rattle can Silver Leaf or Gloss Aluminum. It goes on nice and smooth.

Here's the Gloss Aluminum on an Academy Spitfire XIVe:

I also used a black wash to make the panel lines stand out on this model (it's just not that visible with the camera flash)
You may wish to do the same on your Sabre.

I have since found out that the Silver Leaf supposedly looks closer to bare aluminum than the Gloss Aluminum, so you might want to start with the Silver Leaf.

:partyman:

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