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Recently released by Flightdecs is a decal sheet (actually a sheet and a half) for the Canadair Sabre, featuring five
subjects. The decals are designed to fit the Hasegawa F-86F-30, but Flightdecs recommends both the Hasegawa, or Academy
F-86F-30 as acceptable kits. Of the three different marks of Sabre on this sheet, one Mk.2, two Mk.4, and two Mk.6,
only the Mk.4 can be built right out of the box. Also included with the decal sheet is a pair of resin "sugar scoops".
These cooling scoops were unique to Canadair Sabres and are a necessary and welcome inclusion in the decal package.
Having performed the installation of these scoops, I can tell you that it is an easy and trouble free installation
and definitely improves the accuracy of the final product.
The decals are printed by Cartograf, so you are assured of excellent colour density and next to perfect registration. There is no need to apply different layers of decals to come up with the final image as none of the decals are de-registered (if that is a real word).
So let's see what you get for a choice of markings.
Option 1 is a natural metal RCAF Sabre Mk.2 from 413 Squadron, while based at Zweibrücken, Germany in 1954. This machine features a red nose cap and has a striking blue fuselage band with the squadron crest in the middle. The tip of the radome, anti-glare panel and leading edge of the fin tip are black.
Option 2 is a camouflaged German Sabre Mk.6 with JG71 Richtofen, coded JA-120 while with the Bundesluftwaffe during the early 60's. This one sports the famous Red/Black Tulip paint scheme on the nose and tail, which dates back to World War II. Alternate markings are provided to allow you to model JA-111 which is a natural metal Mk.6 reported to have been flown by Erich Hartmann.
The third option aircraft is for a camouflaged RAF Sabre Mk.4 from 234 Squadron while based at Geilenkirchen, Germany in 1954. It is in the standard NATO scheme of Grey and Green over PRU Blue. As with option 1, the tip of the radome, anti-glare panel and leading edge of the fin tip are black and the nose cap is red, with yellow trim.
The final aircraft is an RAF Sabre Mk.4 flown by Squadron Leader A.F. Osbourne of 66 Squadron white stationed at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire during 1956. As with the German Sabre, this machine is finished in a NATO scheme of Grey and Green camouflage with aluminium painted undersurfaces. Like option number four, the radome and vertical fin cap are also unpainted fibreglass. The anti-glare panel is black and nose cap and tail are RAF Roundel Blue.
Interestingly, on all the camouflaged aircraft, the pattern is the same except for the German Sabre, which has the colours reversed and harkens back to the 1930's when the RAF was using the alternating mirror image patterns. If you are tired of seeing U.S. Sabres done up in the run-of-the-mill Korean War markings, then this sheet is for you.
Review sample was provided by Flightdecs
Reviewed by Randy Lutz C4650
The decals are printed by Cartograf, so you are assured of excellent colour density and next to perfect registration. There is no need to apply different layers of decals to come up with the final image as none of the decals are de-registered (if that is a real word).
So let's see what you get for a choice of markings.
Option 1 is a natural metal RCAF Sabre Mk.2 from 413 Squadron, while based at Zweibrücken, Germany in 1954. This machine features a red nose cap and has a striking blue fuselage band with the squadron crest in the middle. The tip of the radome, anti-glare panel and leading edge of the fin tip are black.
Option 2 is a camouflaged German Sabre Mk.6 with JG71 Richtofen, coded JA-120 while with the Bundesluftwaffe during the early 60's. This one sports the famous Red/Black Tulip paint scheme on the nose and tail, which dates back to World War II. Alternate markings are provided to allow you to model JA-111 which is a natural metal Mk.6 reported to have been flown by Erich Hartmann.
The third option aircraft is for a camouflaged RAF Sabre Mk.4 from 234 Squadron while based at Geilenkirchen, Germany in 1954. It is in the standard NATO scheme of Grey and Green over PRU Blue. As with option 1, the tip of the radome, anti-glare panel and leading edge of the fin tip are black and the nose cap is red, with yellow trim.
The final aircraft is an RAF Sabre Mk.4 flown by Squadron Leader A.F. Osbourne of 66 Squadron white stationed at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire during 1956. As with the German Sabre, this machine is finished in a NATO scheme of Grey and Green camouflage with aluminium painted undersurfaces. Like option number four, the radome and vertical fin cap are also unpainted fibreglass. The anti-glare panel is black and nose cap and tail are RAF Roundel Blue.
Interestingly, on all the camouflaged aircraft, the pattern is the same except for the German Sabre, which has the colours reversed and harkens back to the 1930's when the RAF was using the alternating mirror image patterns. If you are tired of seeing U.S. Sabres done up in the run-of-the-mill Korean War markings, then this sheet is for you.
Review sample was provided by Flightdecs
Reviewed by Randy Lutz C4650