I love the beautiful and aggressive lines of the last of F-86 Sabre naval derivatives, designed as a low altitude attack aircraft and first flown December 4, 1956. Its entirely new wing and weapons systems enabled it to carry up to 6000 lbs of underwing load, including nuclear weapons. Before retiring in 1962, being progressively replaced by Douglas’s “scooter”, the A-4 Skyhawk, it served in 9 navy squadrons and 3 USMC squadrons. Emhar produced a 1/72 injected kit with raised panel lines, also reboxed by Revell. The great pity is that no manufacturer have been able so far to reproduce correctly the subtle nose shape of this bird, and in any scale, so, much filling and sanding is essential in order to get closer to reality. The NAVAL FIGHTERS FJ-4/FJ-4B book by Steve Ginter is a must as reference material. Despite some purist-hair-rising inaccuracies, like an upside down nose gear front door, I am rather happy with my “Fury Bravo” which I handpainted with Humbrol Gull Grey and white, and silver for leading edges, then sprayed with Humbrol satin varnish upon decalling.
Photos and text © 2005 by Alexandre Bigey August 07, 2005 |
