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Academy 1/48 F-86FSabre, HAF

Started by George R Blair Jr · 149 ≡ · ↻ 7 months ago · Academy 1/48 F-86F, F-86E(M), Hellenic Air Force, Icarus Decals, Sabre

Viewing 31 - 45 of 149 posts

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John vd Biggelaar said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

That looks weird, George @gblair
To be honest, I'm not using the email notifications so I cannot confirm.
Alfred van Paaschen said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

I picked up my kit today, but I have to admit my mojo for this build dropped a bit after reading your experiences so far with constructing this particular kit, George.

I admire the skills and perseverance you show when tackling the issues you encounter during the assembly of the kit. Really next level.

I will probably chicken out and opt for a closed intake and exhaust.

Anyway, still need to finish my RNLAF T-33A which is in its final stages and will look like this (see picture).

After that I’ll start my challenge with the Sabre!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Eric Berg said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

No problem with notifications at my end either, George @gblair. I use Squadron’s 3 grit polishing/sanding sticks. Always works for me especially when trying to get rid of blems on clear parts.

I’m beginning to think Hasegawa is the way to go for a F model Sabre. What do you say?
George R Blair Jr said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:
Hi Everyone:
Eric (@eb801)
Spiros (@fiveten)
John (@johnb)
Alfred (@alfred)

This hasn't been a bad kit. It just has some annoying design choices. The molding is very close to Hasegawa, as are the panel lines. If you have this kit and haven't started, I would still jump in. It will build well. If you have this kit and the Hasegawa kit, I would probably go with the Hasegawa. I dug out my Airfix 1/48 F-86F, along with the masks and PE, so I hope to start it when the Academy build gets to the painting stage.

This kit has a number of separate panels that have to be added to the fuselage. The biggest are the large panels over the machine guns on each side. You can leave these off to show the guns, but I wanted the panels closed. There are 3 or 4 other panels on the fuselage that also need to be added. I suspect these allow Academy to change the version of the plane and substitute different panels in those areas that are specific to the different version. I spent a couple of hours trying to get a good, smooth fit on these panels. Normally I would just glue them in and sand them flush, but I am trying to be mindful of the fact that this will be a natural metal finish. I am really trying to minimize sanding marks that I will need to smooth out later. I took a vote today and decided I will display this model with the speed brakes extended. I originally was going to have them retracted, but I don't want to worry about having two more panels that need to be carefully smoothed.

Tomorrow I hope to get all the panels smoothed out and then polish the fuselage. If I can get all that done, then I hope to add the wings. Cheers everyone, and thanks for following along.
7 attached images. Click to enlarge.
1. There are only 2 flanges to support this panel, allowing the forward top part of the panel to sag into the opening.

2. No flanges on these 2 sides.
1. Added this small tab to support the forward top of the panel.
1. Lots of panels to get into place.
1. This flange holds the engine in place. It was too high and held the front of the panel that goes in this spot too high.
1. Front tab sanded to allow for high flange. Rear sat too low, so thin tabs added.
1. This is the best I could get, so sanding and polishing still needed.
1. There is another panel here, between the intake and the gear well. A lengthy session of trim, check fit, and repeat finally got it in place.
George R Blair Jr said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

By the way, Alfred (@alfred), that is a nice T-Bird. I got an hour of flying time in a T-Bird when I was a young lieutenant. Have you posted any photos of the build?
Spiros Pendedekas said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

Superb progress, my friend @gblair! Those panels indeed need attention and you did a splendid job there!
George R Blair Jr said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

Thanks, Spiros (@fiveten). I am hoping to get my panels looking like yours. Mine have a long appointment coming with a multi-grit sanding stick.
Alfred van Paaschen said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

I hope to post the T-33A somewhere next week.
John vd Biggelaar said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

A lot of correction work required, George @gblair
Thanks for the warning. Will you display both machine gun ports in open or closed positions.
George R Blair Jr said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

Hi John (@johnb): I plan to close the panels over the machine guns, but I have decided to have the speed brakes extended. It is difficult to get the panel covers to lay smoothly on the fuselage, so I hope this works.

Hi Alfred (@alfred): Looking forward to seeing your T-Bird in Headlines.
Steven Corvi said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

Nice work on a great scheme Love the F-86 in all its iterations.

Steve,
Alfred van Paaschen said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

Noted. Gunbays closed, brakes open. 😉
Thanks for the heads up!
George R Blair Jr said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:
Finally finished with some work we were doing in the garage to prepare for the summer. Last summer, we had temps in the garage over 130. Probably not good for models, and definitely not good for an old guy working out there. We installed a mini-split heat pump which should keep the temps down, but now I have to put the garage back together after moving everything out of the way.

Anyway, I filled and sanded the fuselage, then used my 4-grit sanding stick to polish the fuselage. More work to do, thanks to the all natural metal finish, but it is starting to look pretty good. Glued the wings together in preparation for joining to the fuselage. Very small gap between fuselage and wings. Acrylic putty should do the trick. I contemplated gluing the bottom wing on, and then adding the wing panels on top to eliminate gaps. A dry fit of the wings looked like there were be only a very small gap, so I thought there might be fewer problems gluing the wings together first, then attach to the fuselage. We will see soon if I have chosen wisely.

Our kids and granddaughter are coming over on Sunday for lunch, and we are planning an Easter egg hunt in the backyard. After I get the backyard ready for visitors, and then work on the garage some more, there will be some time to get the wings in place and gaps filled. Cheers everyone. Have a great Easter.
3 attached images. Click to enlarge.
1. Starting to look shiny.

2. Gun covers leveled, glued, and filled.
1. Gap looks manageable.
Spiros Pendedekas said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

Solid progress, my friend @gblair! Happy Easter!
John vd Biggelaar said 8 months, 3 weeks ago:

She really starts to look like a Sabre now, George @gblair
Sounds like you will have an exciting weekend, hiding at first, and then searching for those eggs.
Happy Easter.

Viewing 31 - 45 of 149 posts

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Academy 1/48 F-86FSabre, HAF