1/48 Revell F-86K

Venezuelan Air Force

by Omar Quintero

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As soon as Revell Germany issued their F-86D, I had in mind embarking in a project to do the modifications needed to bring this model to the K version. The K model was the answer to a NATO requirement for an all-weather jet interceptor to counter the Soviet nuclear bomber threat, and was basically an F-88D armed with four M24A 20 mm cannons and powered by a single J47-GE-33, which required an extended fuselage.

A total of 341 F-86Ks were built and operators included the Italian, French, Federal German, Dutch, Turkish and Venezuelan Air Forces.

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This kit has nice details, and it's really easy to build. All pieces fit really well and some good detailing can be obtained in the cockpit with just some painting skills. Main modifications for the K were the enlargement of the fuselage, which was done inserting two sections of plastic following scale drawings of the aircraft, and the opening of the four cannons with the always useful Dremmel rotary tool.

Venezuelans F-86Ks were painted in a bluish light grey scheme according to photo references of aircraft in service and some photos of a surviving airframe located in the Venezuelan Air Force Museum in Maracay. After trying with no luck to find a matching colour, I finally decided to do a mix using Tamiya acrylic Light Aircraft Grey as a base, until obtaining the desired tonality. A generic Venezuelan Air Force decals set from Aztec was used and the stencils are the ones that come with the kit. Some stencils silvered unluckily, no matter what I did. Model was then weathered with oil paints and finished with Testor's matt cote.

Omar

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Photos and text © by Omar Quintero