1/48 F-86A: it's almost here...

[Sabrejet]

It's the one that many people have waited many years for, but it's finally almost here. The long-awaited F-86A in 1/48 will be officially announced at the Mosonshow on 20/21 April but the manufacturer has given me the OK for a sneak-peek at what's to come.

 

Manufacturer is Clear Prop! and I've been working with the amazing team there for a few years, making sure we capture all the subtleties of this landmark Sabre. So here a couple of images of the plastic: more to follow this weekend. 

 

Suffice to say, multiple subtypes will be possible via the insertion of interchangeable parts etc.

 

Good work Clear Prop! - you deserve to sell these in the millions!!!

[Jetdog]

Christmas comes early to us modelers!   Yahoo!

[Ben Brown]

Woo hoo!

 

Ben

[ThePhantomTwo]

Cool,sounds like E's maybe a future release then. I really want an A as soon as it's available!

[airmechaja]

Keep us updated if you can. 

[Raptor01]

About time, looking forward to an A with the armored V windscreen.  Hope for some early 1951 4th FIW ACE Markings.  I built Eagleston’s Sabre before it got shot up using CE -A conversion & decals.  A V screen scratch build is always the toughest feature.  Definitely stoked on this one.

 

John

[Miramar Road]

It's amazing how nobody has really stepped up to do an A Model Sabre in plastic. These were the first F-86's to reach Korea and wrangle air superiority away from the MiG-15's. Very historical aircraft in an air combat perspective, but the F model has been the only one available anywhere. I understand why the F model kits are much more prevalent, they were exported to practically every US-aligned country during the Cold War. However, the F-86A was a true pioneer in jet combat.

 

Anyways, I'm really happy Clear Prop is tackling this. I've been building their really nice Curtiss Hawk 75 in Thai AF markings and it is a gem of a kit. Hopefully my favorite Air Force Sabre variant, the Sabre Hog, isn't too far behind!

[JeffreyK]

5 hours ago, Miramar Road said:

It's amazing how nobody has really stepped up to do an A Model Sabre in plastic. These were the first F-86's to reach Korea and wrangle air superiority away from the MiG-15's. Very historical aircraft in an air combat perspective, but the F model has been the only one available anywhere. I understand why the F model kits are much more prevalent, they were exported to practically every US-aligned country during the Cold War. However, the F-86A was a true pioneer in jet combat.

 

Anyways, I'm really happy Clear Prop is tackling this. I've been building their really nice Curtiss Hawk 75 in Thai AF markings and it is a gem of a kit. Hopefully my favorite Air Force Sabre variant, the Sabre Hog, isn't too far behind!

I had it on my mind for years, but considered the subject to be too "hot", as in like you I was expecting a mainstream manufacturer to do an F-86A soon(ish). Years ago I had just started on a T-33 development when I got burned by GWH within weeks. But then years passed and nothing happened...

And now it's a non-mainstream, low pressure (but quality) manufacturer. I'm quite surprised.

J

[Sabrejet]

No surprises here at all. I've dealt with a few manufacturers on Sabre projects and they have often been stuck in a narrow-minded obsession with "hard-edge F-86F" or "F-40". I tried and tried with one mainstream manufacturer to get a narrow-chord day-fighter variant, explaining at great length that this is where the yawning gap in the market is, but to no avail. I can't explain it, and it doesn't even make business sense to me: the casual buyer (probably the major part of sales) won't care if it's a slatted wing or not, and the enthusiasts will keep coming back for more.

 

I've yet to measure the Clear Prop! parts against the Eduard/Hasegawa or Academy F-86F fuselages but my impression is that an F-86E-1/5/10 or Sabre 2 should be a simple cross-kit conversion. Don't hold your breath for a specific kit of those yet.

 

And on the subject of F-86H or CAC Sabre: I doubt that either will be available as injection-moulded kits for the foreseeable future, for the same reasons it's taken so long to get an F-86A. We may not like it, but that is how it is. I have also tried to get decent manufacturer's drawings for the H-model, and thus far they have proven elusive. My suggestion is for an enterprising aftermarket resin expert to get an aircraft scanned and take a huge leap of faith. From what I read, the market is ready for a Hog.

 

But for now I hope we can be happy that we finally have one 'missing link' crossed off the list. There are many colour schemes for the F-86A which have never been done in any scale (including aftermarket), so plenty of scope for something special.  

[ya-gabor]

Where will Clear Prop be represented at Moson???

I dont see them in the list of participants (or I missed something), well not under their own name anyway.

 

Will look for it at the weekend.

 

Best regards

Gabor

[Solo]

2 words: no rivets.
In 2024...

[GeneK]

17 hours ago, Sabrejet said:

 My suggestion is for an enterprising aftermarket resin expert to get an [F-86H and/or CAC Sabre] aircraft scanned and take a huge leap of faith. From what I read, the market is ready for a Hog.

Absolutely!

 

1997:

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/collect-aire-models-4818-f-86h-sabrejet--167539

https://www.arcair.com/Gal2/1401-1500/Gal1427-F-86H-Rouch/00.shtm

 

Gene K

[Geoff M]

F-101, F-102, F-106, B-58, B-36, etc.  All planes that never flew in anger, all kitted in various scales. 

 

1 hour ago, Illu said:

I’m going to play devil’s advocate here:  I don’t think “the market” is ready for an F-86H.  If it was, don’t you think Special Hobby, who did it in 1/72, would have leveraged their effort to do it in 1/48?  The H never flew in combat, and while it did have some nice markings in the pre-camouflage days, it’s not a super fondly remembered aircraft in the panoply of USAF aircraft.  Aside from maybe a couple of dozen die-hards who care enough to join sites like this, I doubt the market for an F-86H is very big at all.

scales.

 

[Paul Boyer]

I'll challenge your statement that the F-101 and F-102 "never flew in anger." But I get your point. On the Navy side Furies, Cutlass, Skyray, Cougar, Tiger, Demon weren't in combat and have been pretty well represented in plastic (yeah, I know, no decent Tiger in 1/48 yet). The USAF's F-89 Scorpion has seen its share of styrene as well.

[Sabrejet]

What's the obsession with 'never been in combat'? Are these types (which folks worked and often died whilst flying) somehow less worthy? It's a strange non-argument.

[ya-gabor]

Dear Sabrejet!

 

WHERE will ClearProp be presenting the new kit at Moson????????????????????????????????  The Moson show is a "fairly big" event with two big halls and three vendors areas!!!! It is like search for a needle in the haystack?

 

They (ClearProp) are not on the list of participants/vendors! So WHERE will they show the new kit or ideas about it??????????????

 

Best regards

Gabor

[Sabrejet]

Clear Prop! at Arena trade place 15N.

[Sabrejet]

A quick check of the F-86A parts against the Airfix aft section looks promising. It's not a definitive answer (I'll see if I can check on precise profiles) but the fuselage depth looks similar enough that it shouldn't be too difficult to match up and get a quick and easy (ish) F-86E.

[ya-gabor]

20 minutes ago, Sabrejet said:

Clear Prop! at Arena trade place 15N.

 

Yes, there is a trade stand at N 15 but it is for :

 

Kanea Models

N - 15

 

There is absolutely no mention anywhere that it is for Clear Prop!

 

If a visitors wants to find this table then have a look here:

 

 

N 15 is up on the balcony in the main sports hall

 

 

Best regards

Gabor

[JeffreyK]

24 minutes ago, Sabrejet said:

A quick check of the F-86A parts against the Airfix aft section looks promising. It's not a definitive answer (I'll see if I can check on precise profiles) but the fuselage depth looks similar enough that it shouldn't be too difficult to match up and get a quick and easy (ish) F-86E.

 

Good on both fronts 🙂 First that you can create an E but also that the cross section of the ClearProp kit is good (meaning without Hasegawa's error) since Airfix used a 3D scan to check against. Shapes being the only real plus side of that kit. I've had it in my hands but still decided against buying one...maybe should get one now 🙂. And several ClearProp As of course.

J

 

[Sabrejet]

I have to admit I hadn't noticed the fuselage curvature on the Hasegawa kit but can confirm Jeffrey is correct. I'd say it's not noticeable, having compared two completed models (Airfix and Hasegawa) earlier today. But once you see something....

 

Anyway the Clear Prop! fuselage doesn't feature the bulge/curvature, so all good.

 

And N-15 (15-N) is correct: hosted by Kaena Models.

[Sabrejet]

1 minute ago, Illu said:

Who said it was an obsession? It’s merely an observation.

 

"The H never flew in combat..." - an observation, along with, "The F-86H is not a transport aircraft". So irrelevant then.

[Sabrejet]

1 minute ago, Illu said:

@Sabrejet why don’t you start a model kit manufacturing company, then you can do an F-86H for us? 

 

I assume you haven't read the thread, or understand my inputs in various F-86 kits, aftermarket and decal sheets to date...

[Jetdog]

Back to the F-86A. Please!   We have all waited for this model for years and Duncan is to be commended for all his contributions and hard work getting a correct kit of this version to market.  I have worked with Duncan on the  restoration on the F-86L at the MAPS Museum, and there is NOBODY better suited to supply correct information on the F-86. Period.  His observations about pre-Korean war markings is spot on- there are many excellent early schemes that us modelers will love to have.  Decal manufacturers release multiple schemes per sheet.  No reason there cannot be both pre- Korean and Korean markings on each sheet.   And hopefully many sheets!

 

Now the icing on the cake for me will be markings for this All Weather Flying Division F-86A

 

 

 

[Sabrejet]

7 hours ago, Jetdog said:

Now the icing on the cake for me will be markings for this All Weather Flying Division F-86A

 

It was suggested, believe me! I think that some of these schemes are seen as too 'niche', even for enterprising manufacturers. It's a shame, because I just love a great colour scheme no matter where it's from or who flew it. It'll probably have to wait for the aftermarket to catch it. 🤔