1/48 CA-27 Avon Sabre
The CA-27 Avon Sabre is the Australian development of the North American F-86F Sabre.
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation improved the F-86F Sabre by installing a more powerful Rolls Royce Avon R.A.7 engine and heaver fire power of 2 Aden 30mm cannon. This required a 60% redesign of the fuselage. The jet intake was enlarged because of the greater air requirement of the Avon engine.
The Avon Sabre replaced the Gloster Meteor F8 to equip 5 RAAF fighter squadrons through the 1950’s and into the early 1960’s and then was replaced by the Dassault Mirage IIIO. Retired Avon Sabres was given to the Air Forces of Indonesia and Malaysia. 2 Avon Sabres are still flying in Australia on the Airshow Circuit.
I used the Red Roo conversion kit. This includes a replacement injection moulded fuselage and jet intake trunk, plus decals. The conversion kit is suitable for either the Hasegawa or the Academy F-86F kits. I used the Academy kit.
I used custom made decals the make a 3 Squadron Aircraft.
7 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Dan Lee said on January 5, 2020
Nice work. What NMF paint did you use?
Michael Woodgate said on January 5, 2020
Thanks Dan. Avon Sabres were painted with High Speed Silver lacquer finish.
I used Alclad AL125 RAF High Speed Silver, after giving the model a good coat of Humbrol gloss enamel.
Tom Cleaver said on January 5, 2020
That Red Roo conversion set is superb. You put it to maximum use here.
Michael Woodgate said on January 5, 2020
Thanks Tom.
Haslam Yeoman said on January 5, 2020
Top job. Always good to see Aussie aircraft.
Michael Woodgate said on January 5, 2020
Thanks Haslam.
Robert Royes said on January 5, 2020
Excellent work.
Michael Woodgate said on January 5, 2020
Thanks Robert.
George Williams said on January 5, 2020
Very smartly turned out, the decals particularly caught my eye.
Michael Woodgate said on January 6, 2020
Thanks George.
Michael Turner said on January 5, 2020
G’day Michael,
Great job.
I can see a 3 SQN theme in your recent posts.
Michael Woodgate said on January 6, 2020
G’day Michael,
Thanks mate!
Yes I have got a bit of of a theme going. I dug out my Avon Sabre I built years ago. I thought it would go nicely will my last article here, the 3 Squadron Mirage.
Wayne Landis said on January 5, 2020
Nice looking Sabre and conversion. I have read that these jets occasionally flew mock dogfights against American F-4s during Vietnam and gave the newer planes fits.
Michael Woodgate said on January 6, 2020
Thanks Wayne.
Yes that is correct. 79 Squadron Sabres simulated tactics of North Vietnamese Mig 17s in mock dogfights with USAF F-4s.
DE4EVER said on January 6, 2020
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
Beautiful work in all Michael , very clean work.
Michael Woodgate said on January 6, 2020
Thanks DE4EVER.
Greg Kittinger said on January 6, 2020
A superb, clean build – nicely done!
Michael Woodgate said on January 8, 2020
Thanks Greg.