Monogram F-86D Ejection Seat Question

[Drifterdon]

I thought I had read somewhere that the Monogram F-86D ejection seat was molded with the ejection handles in the firing/fired position.   I'm trying to find that article but a search of the interweb is coming up negative.   Is this really a thing or am I imagining it?   Or was it some other kit besides the F-86D?

 

Don

[Sabrejet]

Yes it's correct; the handles are raised in the 'armed' position. They should be lowered. Main pic shows the handles lowered: arrowed is the raised position as in the kit.

Edited July 17 by Sabrejet

[Sabrejet]

Another clearer shot: seat in the foreground with armrests raised; those in the background with armrests lowered.

[Drifterdon]

Perfect!  Thank you sir.

[BWDenver]

Although note, the photo is for F-89D-1 through F-86D-35.  The primary visual change was the relocation of the Shoulder Harnes Lock handle to the seat frame and off the hand grip.  Additionally, the seat headrest also changed, along with the addition of "Thunderstorm Lights" to the head rest.

 

So if you're building an F-86D SN 50-455 to 51-8505, use the photo above.  After 52-3598, move the shoulder harness Lock to the seat frame.  See side by side below.

 

The Monogram kit appears to have selected the F-86-40 on seat configuration.

 

Bryan

Edited July 29 by BWDenver

[Drifterdon]

Great info Bryan.  Thanks for posting sir.   Don

[Drifterdon]

So looking at these pics they almost appear to be painted black.   Instructions would have you paint them same color as base cockpit (grey).

[Sabrejet]

Depends on the year; circa 1955 cockpits began to be painted medium grey. Thus with most F-86Ds you'll be fine with grey rather than black.

[BWDenver]

Starting with the B-66 DoD AC started using Dark Gull Grey for the cockpit color.  The reason for the change was it was more "physiologically soothing" according to a USAF Greybeard Seat manager I talked to at Wright-Patt in 1990.

 

As the AC were cycled through major maintenance, they changed the cockpit to DGG.  attached is a shot of an F-86A seat familiarization trainer at Wright-Patt.  At the time most interiors were painted interior Green, but some AC venders used their own colors until Dod standardized on DGG.

 

The seat is the early version with the open sides.  When a control rod was added to the sides from the seat firing handle, the removable side panels were added to the seat.

 

Bryan

 

 

Edited August 12 by BWDenver