1/144th SCALE
Ozmods
This is a little limited run kit from down under. Due to its limited run injection moulded nature some work in cleaning up the parts and careful test fitting will be needed during building.
Trumpeter
F86F-40/ F86F-30</strong
I have not seen these kits yet.
1/72nd SCALE
Matchbox
F86A
Only early version Sabre around. Wing shape is off though. Details are typically Matchbox and are on the heavy side. Matchbox should be congratulated for being different to other manufacturers in releasing a different version to all others. Canopy is thick and heavy.
Hasegawa
F86F-40
Poor old kit. Not worth the trouble. One of Hasegawa's early releases, very basic detail included
PM Models
F86E
Very poor kit Uncertain of its origins, possibly Frog (or Hasegawa). Shapes of this kit are very suspect
Heller
F86F-30 (released as a N.A F-86F Sabre
Although released as a F86F the initial release had Luftwaffe Sabre markings of Eric Hartman which were applicable to a Sabre Mk6.
The alternative markings included where for "Mig Mad Marine", an F86F-30 of John Glenn in Korea
The kit consists of raised panel lines all over and engraved slats. The wings should be the 6-3 version but are actually closer to the original non 6-3 wing with slats. This is excellent if you are a SAAF modeller as this kit could be used for a Korean War SAAF aircraft as the slats are depicted on the model. This kit has been re-released with Mig Mad Marine as the primary markings
Airfix
F86F-30
This is the Heller kit reboxed
Sabre Mk5
New tool kit, very good.
Fujimi
F86F-30
This Japanese manufacturer set a new standard in 72nd scale kit details during the 1980's This was followed by Hasegawa on a number of their models at the time as well. This kit has superb detail throughout including a reasonably well. This is one of the best Sabre kits on the market in terms of detail
F86F-40
Japanese version with slatted 6-3 wings and extended wingtips
RF86F-40 Japanese reconnaissance version based on their F86F-40
Canadair Sabre Mk6
This is the stock standard F86F-30 with Luftwaffe markings for
Hartman's squadron. The instructions tell you to remove the wing fence, but no mention is made of the fact that this Sabre version should have slatted 6-3 wings. It would of been a better choice if Fujimi had released this kit with F86F-40 wings and modifying the wing tips to shorten them to get closer to a true Canadair Sabre Mk6.
Hobbycraft
Sabre Mk6 (Also released by Academy as a F86E) This kit is almost all Canadair CL13B Sabre and is released with the slatted 6-3 wing without the wing tip extensions. The slats are also supplied as separate items This is good news for the SAAF modeller as this kit could be used almost out of the box to represent an aircraft as operated in South Africa. Surprisingly the main ID point of the sugar scoop air intakes just aft of the wing are not included in this kit. The cockpit included in this kit is not as good as the Fujimi kit.
There are a couple of intakes/vents that could be added to accurise this kit a little more
F86F-25 (also released by Academy as a F86F-30)
This kit is as above but with the hard "6-3" wing
F86F-10
This kit is the Sabre Mk6 kit with different decals
The greatest issue with the Hobbycraft kits is to be certain which variant is included in the box. What I can say with certainty is that the Golden hawks boxing and the F86F-10 boxing are Canadair Sabre^6's
1/48th SCALE
Academy
F86F-30
This is a nice kit, released shortly after the Hasegawa kit and is slightly cheaper. The kit supplies an engine and dolly to enable this detail to be displayed. The kit is supplied with the hard "6-3" wing.
Airfix
Sabre Mk4
Monogram
F86E
Typical Monogram kit with good cockpit detail. The kit is supplied with the hard "6-3" wing. All panel lines are raised though (common to that generation of Monogram kits) The wing supplied is a hard 6-3 wing applicable to many Korean War versions
ESCI (also released under the Italeri label
F86E/ F86F/ Canadair CL13B Sabre
Although released as a F86E in its initial release this kit is more accurately a Sabre Mk6 as it gives the slatted 6-3 wing without wingtip extensions unique to the Canadair version. ESCI did supply the wing fences that were fitted to the hard 6-3 wing but no mention was made in the instructions that the scribed slats had to be filled in when building this option. But as the wings are effectively those of a Canadair CL13B Sabre this is good news for the modeller of SAAF aircraft as one can complete it in the markings of any aircraft flown in South Africa without difficulty. Unfortunately, ESCI (and Italeri) choose to release this model in 2 squadron SAAF Korea markings which are inaccurate for the actual model supplied in the box. The kit has scribed panel lines throughout. There are some issues to be aware of when building this model since ESCI tried to maximise the moulds by providing for a FJ-2. This has caused some sections to be supplied as inserts (arrestor hook panel and cockpit inserts) thus makes for additional areas of potential construction issues. Also, the under rear fuselage appears to be a little on the shallow side.
Hasegawa
F86-30
Very nice modern generation kit of the Sabre. Hard 6-3 wing All panel lines are engraved, and cockpit detail is fair.
F86F-40
New wings with slat detail but unfortunately the slats are not separate
Canadair Sabre Mk6 (also released by RevellG with different wingtips This is the F86F-40 with replacement resin wingtips to remove the 1 foot wing extensions applicable to -40 Sabres. The main ID points of the Canadair CL13B Sabre are not covered, nor indicated
QF86F Sabre Fullsize drone
This is the F86F-40 kit with different markings
Other Hasegawa boxings
There have been a slew of other boxings all being Canadair Sabre
variants. Hasegawa appear to have discovered that there is a whole range of Sabres other than American. These range from RAF Canadair Sabre MkIV through the Golden Hawks Sabre Mk5 and Frecce-Tricolori Sabre Mk6 as well as a Luftwaffe Richthofen Sabre Mk6. The Mk6 versions include resin wingtips to convert the
F86F-40 wing to the correct wingspan.
The Hasegawa kits of the Sabre are absolute gems, well detailed, good cockpits and fine scribed panel lines. Pity that Hasegawa did not drop the slats on the F86F-40 kit which is prototypical of slatted winged Sabres on the ground. This kit has been released in a multitude of boxings as well.
AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES
Airwaves</strong> have released a couple of resin conversion sets to allow the modeller to convert the Hasegawa or Academy to a slatted version. Both the early non "6-3" and later "6-3" wing slats are provided. this conversion requires the removal of part of the wing (the entire leading edge) as well as part of the fuselage belly and replacement. Fine brass photo-etched slat carry arms are included
1/32nd SCALE
Hasegawa
F86F-40
This golden oldie has been around for many many years. Still a good model, Mixture of scribed panel lines and raised (rivets etc) details
Well worth the time and effort invested in it. There was a limited released with some metal engine components included. This kit has recently been released as a Canadair Sabre Mk6 but I am uncertain if the resin wingtips have been included to convert the F86F-40 wings back to Sabre Mk6.
