Revell 1/48 F-86D Sabre Dog

Because of the rapid development of aircraft design, North American already has proposals for updated F-86s in the late 40s. One was the F-86C heavy escort fighter while the other was the F-86D short range interceptor. As promising as both designs were, the long range aircraft was dropped leaving the F-86D. This aircraft at one time was designated F-95A as less than 25% of its parts were in common with the earlier Sabres. However in the mystical world of appropriations, there was money for an updated plane but not a new one so the F-95A quietly disappeared.

Armed with 2.75 inch 'Mighty Mouse' FFAR (Folding Fin Aerial Rockets), which were really just improved R4M rockets as used by Me-262s in the last week of WWII, the F-86D was supposed to be guided to the target by a ground controller. When within the on-board radar's range, the pilot  would then home in on the target and fire his salvo of 24 rockets into the hapless bomber. With 7.55 pounds of warhead per rocket, it was deemed enough to bring down a Soviet bomber.

The J-47 engine provided 5,000 lbs of thrust and an afterburner boosted that to 6,500. Sufficient for the time, but a far cry for the enormous power of today's engines. However it did produce a top speed of 692 mph at sea level which was faster than the F-89C and F-94C by nearly 50 mph. Hughes  developed the E-4 fire control system that developed much less power than contracted for and was always a troublesome, maintenance intensive system, as were most early fire control radars. 

However the Air Force was proud of its new interceptor and set a low level (125 feet) speed record of 698 mph in late 1952. This record was bested 6 months later by another F-86D at nearly 716 mph. This record lasted less than  three months when it was broken by a succession of aircraft including the Hawker Hunter, then the F4D-1 Skyray and then the F-100 Super Sabre, all within a matter of a few months.

The F-86D did go on to provide much needed aerial protection for many years, equipping as many as 20 FIS units. Later, most F-86Ds were modified to F-86L specifications. This included the new SAGE data link system and rewinging with the a slatted '6-3' wing that had 12 inch extentions on the tip. These F-86Ls were eventually to equip 28 Air National Guard units starting with the 108th Illinois ANG at Chicago in 1957 (This unit is currently based at Scott AFB and flying KC-135E tankers). By the early 1960s, the number of units still flying the Dog Sabre had dwindled to a handful and were all gone by the middle of the decade. Now you can only find them in museums or on poles guarding VFW halls and American Legion posts.

This version of the Dog is an early one so there is no parachute housing. Typical of the early version, the fuselage features flush mount NACA scoops, one on either side of the aft fuselage. These pieces are separate and are a snap fit insertion. Not to start rumors about follow on versions of the Dog, but why would they do that? Never mind that there are two later type external scoops left over on the parts tree when you are finished with the model! You’ll find nice scribing on this kit and they didn’t forget representations of vortex generators on the stabilizers and aft fuselage.

MODEL OPTIONS

The kit features many options including extended slats, separate flaps, speed brakes and optional rocket tray. The boarding ladder can be used or a small piece inserted so as to be depicted in the stowed position. The canopy can be opened or closed, as well. The radarscope hood on the main panel is also separate. Nice touch as it was a removable item not necessarily in place and often-left sitting on the seat! Cockpit is well detailed & complete with pilot figure. Under wing stores consist of two fuel bags on pylons, complete with a sway brace for each. (Don’t forget to drill the locator holes for the pylon pins if you use the tanks!)

Upper and lower views of the

F-86D rocket tray.

I should mention that there is a tractor and bomb cart included in this release. These items are from a prior release of the Pro Modeler Ground Equipment kit released a few years ago.

I built two models, one in a clean configuration and the other with everything hanging out. Both are on the gear, on the ground, so I can’t comment on closing the slats (which would require removal of actuators.) or how well the gear doors will fit if closed. 

Here is what I found using the optional items in open/closed positions:

In both versions I left the canopy open, but it can be closed if you cut the mounting actuators from the aft end. I also used a pilot figure, included in the kit, in one model. Speed brakes can be positioned opened or closed. Closed, they are a perfect fit. The slats are in the lowered position as they should be if the aircraft is on terra firma. Although the flaps are separate pieces, they have tabs that force them into a lowered position; it was not common for them to be in a lowered position when the aircraft was parked. Fortunately, you can cut off the tabs and reposition them to fit even with the rest of the wing. The left flap fits fine but the right one requires a little sanding before it will butt into position. The six-piece Mighty Mouse rocket tray can easily be shown extended or closed. In the lowered position, you just attach it to the bottom of the fuselage. On the actual aircraft a piece of metal came down to fill the void in the fuselage, when the rocket tray was extended. So there is no internal well area to be depicted, just the belly of the airplane. If you don’t use the tray, there is nothing to replace or cover up.