The Airfix 1/48 F-86F-40 is one of their newly molded kits and is supposed to be a very nice build. Although I usually only build only one model at a time, I wanted to start this kit as a way to get some relief from the problems I was having with the Academy kit.

There are several paint schemes that I still want to do, including several Sabres in foreign markings, but the schemes that are calling to me all feature lots of natural metal surfaces along with some high visibility red. I want to do a QF-86 used either by the US Army or the US Navy as an unmanned aerial target, or an F-86F used at Edwards AFB for testing and as a chase plane. I will decided which to do in the near future.

I got started by assessing what I had available for the plane, which included an Eduard Look set for this model, an Eduard canopy mask, as well as a resin ejection seat.

Everything about this kit looks to be very good. The instructions feature color to highlight parts to add in each section. The build started with the cockpit and the intake. The only thing I did in the cockpit was to scrape away the raised detail on the side consoles in preparation for adding the Eduard set. I wanted to get the intake glued together and the seam eliminated. The intakke halves were pretty good, but had some ejector pin marks that I sanded away. I used the same technique to eliminate the seam on the inside of the intake that I used on my other F-86. First you glue the two halves of the intake together. Then you seal off the forward end of the intake with tape. I then thin some Vallejo Acrylic Filler with water and pour it into the intake. I leave it in the intake for about 10 or 15 minutes and then allow it to dribble out. I then ckeck the forward part of the intake for any unsmoothness or bubbles in the filler, and then let it dry. You end up with a smooth interior to the intake.

Thanks it for today. More tomorrow.

17 attached images. Click to enlarge.

George @gblair
Taking a seat and watching with great interest! This kit is underrated imho, your reference picture looks enticing and i am eager to see how you get the nmf done!

Love the NASA scheme!

Hi Alfred (@alfred) and John (@john). I like this Airfix kit, which seems to be going well. It also has multiple panels that need to be placed in the fuselage, so we will see how the fit goes. I am also leaning toward the NASA plane.

I’m glad you picked up this Airfix Sabre. This is the tooling I have my eyes on. This or Hasegawa. You guys kinda talked me out of Academy. Looking forward to to what you have to say, George @gblair.

I have that new Academy A-10C. It's across my workbench staring right at me saying "When?". Not enough time is there, George @gblair?

Excellent progress, my friend @gblair!

Good job on the filler @gblair. Be sure to add the "BEWARE OF BLAST" decal. . . looks like it is a very appropriate decal on a target drone!