1/48 Revell F-86D Sabre

Gallery Article by Carl Jarosz on May 19 2021

 

      

F-86D Sabre 431st F.I.S.

Surprise! Yet another F-86D Sabre kit of the post-WWII era. I previously admitted by addiction to the “Dog” Sabre; the only cure I know is to build a kit for each striking decal sheet issued for this type aircraft in 1/48th scale. Which explains one of my few kits left was reserved for this 431st Fighter Interceptor Squadron’s livery in the 1950s.

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I also previously described the need to apply a layer of liquid film to a decal sheet 20 or more years old: Super Scale International’s 431st F.I.S. decals were issued in 2001, so I took no chances of a decal crumbling in my fingers without a protective layer of film.

The only after market item I purchased was for the mentioned decal sheet. I applied Ultra Bright Chrome Bare Metal Foil (BMF) to accent the deployed leading wing edges. I also used Matte BMF on the lowered trailing edge flaps. I went easy on the black detailing wash for wear markings, as photos of this unit’s Sabres reflected heightened attention to maintenance activities.

The accented painted nose on the drop tanks was shown on the decal sheet sketches, but there was no way I was about to conform any broad area decal to compound surfaces. I masked the nose detail on the tanks using flexible tape, then airbrushed the required colors.

Carl Jarosz

Photos and text © by Carl Jarosz