Pro-Modeler 1/48 F-86D Dog Sabre
The North American F-86D was and attempt to produce a transonic all weather interceptor with a search radar. All guns were dropped in favor of a retractable under-fuselage tray that carried 24 unguided Mk.4 rockets. Though based on the F-86 Sabre it actually had only 25% commonality with other varients. Lots of these were sold and used by Air Forces all over the world. The F-86D did set a world speed record when LTC William Barns on 16 July 1953 was clocked at 715.697 mph. Gotta love those old Monogram kits and I sure do. The detail on this kit is very good along with the fit and finish. I used no putty on this kit and placed a Terry Dean nose weight in the nose which held in down. Model Master as well as Tamiya rattle cans were used along with the kit decals, which went down very well. This is another kit where if you like stickers you have 100+ you can use. For some reason I like the look of this model showing the tray retracted, therefore it's still in the box.
Very nice detail work, Tom...I can never get my panel lines and assorted access hatches to come out that sharp. I usually end up cheating and using a mechanical pencil followed by some sort of sealer. And I agree with ya 'bout Monogram's stuff. Best domestic kits on the market back in the day before all the Japanese stuff.
Craig, go to a Hobby Lobby or any store that carries artist supplies. Pick up a Faber-Castell Pitt artist pen. It comes in various tip sizes. After painting, I run the ink down the panel lines and various hatches then wipe away any excess with a soft cloth. I then apply the final finish to the model. Works with any lacquer or even Future for that matter.
Ink and not pencil, huh...? I'll try that - thanks.
Nice work Tom, is the seat and harness part of the kit? it looks nicely detailed,here's a tip I use -Airgun pellets ,lead ones can be squashed flat easily with a pair of pliers and then fitted in all the little nooks and crannies in the fuselage,as long as they are forward of the main wheels they will counterbalance the tail and they give your kit a nice heavy feel.-try it.
N.
Neil, I do something quite similar. I mix bird-shoot pellets into two-part epoxy and then this mixture can be packed into many various voids and spaces to avoid the tail sitters.
Gary
Me too. They are great, as you can make them fit anywhere. A-20 a perfect example of little space for weight.
Neil it's all OOB with the exception of the nose weight. Thanks for the comment and tip.
Nice work - you got the look of the aluminum lacquer finish just right.
Tom, you did good job with the first release of the Sabre dog without the chute and was one of the proto-types of the class. The drag shute types started at block 45. Actually, all those were all bare metal finish and you replicated it very well, most all the 50s era USAF active TAC and ADC types like this were all Bare Metal all through those years. I know because I was there, worked all serveral types. If any were painted later in some guard units ( most were not) but if they did, they were painted Air craft Grey. never seen any though even transit. planes thanks..