BUILDING A SAAF SABRE IN SCALE
Decal Sheets
This excellent, high quality decal sheet by Leading Edge Models has markings for the all the SAAF squadrons that operated Sabre Mk6 in South Africa, both natural metal and camouflaged options are included.
1/72 Scale
The following kits are available to model Sabres in 1/72 scale
F-86A Matchbox
F-86F Hasegawa (nominally a F-86-40)
F-86D Sabre Hasegawa
F-86D Airfix
F-86H Rareplanes
F-86F Heller (nominally an F-86F_3O)
F-86F-30, F86F-40, Canadair Sabre Mk6 Fujimi
F-86E, F86F-30 Hobbycraft
F-86 Sabre Nk IV, F-86E(M)/F Airfix
F-86D Hasegawa
None of the available kits can be built straight out of the box, as a SAAF Korean Sabre. Some conversion is needed, as follows:-
Method One
Using the Hasegawa kit - build as per instructions but remove one scale foot from each wing tip. As this kit is supposed to depict a -40 Sabre it is incorrect insofar as the wing is concerned, been a non '6-3' wing, with the extension applicable to late Fs. This is the easiest way of producing a Korean Sabre but the amount of additional super-detailing required to bring it up to standard is quite considerable. This detail could either be from scratch or using the Heller fittings.
Method Two
Using the Heller kit fuselage - remove a portion of the wing equivalent to the '6-3' extension. This has to be removed from the leading edge and not the trailing edge. It is best to use the moulded panel line behind the slats as a guide to preserve the slat detail. After rejoining the wing portions and cleaning up the joints, assemble the kit as per instructions. The raised panel on the fuselage spine just in front of the vertical tail must be removed once the two halves are joined. Once you attach the wings, modify the wing root fairing to the new wing cord and rescribe the hatch. Finish off in the appropriate colours you have chosen
Method Three
Using the Heller kit fuselage - fit the Airfix F-86D wings to it. This is done by first assembling the Heller wings, once dry cut off the wings leaving the centre section to fit to the Heller fuselage. You can then fit the Airfix wings as per normal and finish off the kit to your liking.
Remember to modify the wing root as per Method 2. The Heller wings can
be fitted to the Airfix F86D fuselage with the necessary stretch to build a
F-86L.
CANADAIR CL-13 Sabre
Utilising the Hobbycraft Sabre kit (take note that there are various boxings) one can build a SAAF Sabre with minor modifications.
Use the Heller Sabre as from the box. Remove the raised panel from the
fuselage spine in front of the fin and add two scoops under the
fuselage behind the wing trailing edge. These are in the same place as
the moulded NACA ducts that are on the fuselage. Finish off in the
colour scheme of your choice.
1/48 Scale
The following kits are available to model Sabres in 1/48 scale
F-86E ESCI (actually a mid-term F) Now released under the Italeri label
F-86F Monogram
CL-13B ESCI
F-86F-30/40/ Hasegawa (also released by Revell with some resin bits)
Airfix F-86 Sabre MkIV, F-86F-40, F-86F-30
Revell F-86D
F-86F-30 in Korea
As the Monogram kit depicts a hard '6-3' wing without slats, one can only use this kit out of the box to build Sabre 622. Any other SAAAF Sabre will require modifications to the wings, either to create the original slatted non-6-3 wing or to add slats for the later Canadair Sabre Mk6. Easier done using the Airfix or ESCI kit.
The ESCI kit has a '6-3' wing with slats, therefore the '6-3'
extension needs to be removed. As in the 1/72 kits, it is best to
remove this by using the moulded panel line as a guide. The kit can
then be finished off as per the instructions and painted.
The Airfix F-86F-40, remove the wingtip extensions and modify the wings to remove the “6-3” extension. As this kit supplies alternate leading-edge details to depict either wing it is easier as it is one less cut. Either of the other two releases will require the addition of the slats.
CANADAIR CL-13 Sabre
Utilising the Airfix F-86F-40, remove the wingtip extensions and there you go. Either of the other two releases will require the addition of the slats.
Using the ESCI kit - build as per instructions. Add whatever additional details you wish. Also needed to add the air scoops under the fuselage as per the 1/72 kits. Finish off with your chosen colour scheme.
1/32 Scale
The following kits are available in 1/32 nd scale
F-86F-40 Hasegawa
F-86F-30 Kinetic (also released under the Italeri label)
F-86F-40 Nato Sabre
To build a common SAAF Korean Sabre, the '6-3' extended wing needs to be removed as in the smaller scales. The extended wing tip must also be removed, this is done by cutting the wing outboard off, from the slats, removing the 1 foot extension and rejoining the wingtip to the shortened wing. Some careful work in the wing root area will also be needed.
Alternatively for the sole Sabre that had the "6-3" wing then the Kinetic kit can be used as is.
To build a CL-13B, either the Hasegawa or Kinetic F-86F-40 kit can be used. If using the Hasegawa kit then the appropriate wing tip modification is needed - but overall, this is fairly easy to modify. Attach the two sugar scoops under the fuselage and finish off in the colours of your choice. Remember, that the CL-138 had a different motor, therefore the kit motor cannot be used in this version.
