In the early 1950s, there was a great need for an aircraft capable of intercepting invading Soviet bombers and being able to knock them down. It was felt that guns were not what would work and many aircraft were designed to use unguided rockets, similar to the German R4M folding-fin rockets. It was felt that this mass of rockets would be sufficient to bring down at least one or two bombers and it was possible to fire them in groups rather than all at once.

Another requirement for these aircraft were that they would have to have the latest in air intercept radars. The ground stations would get them within a few miles and there the aircraft's on-board radar would be used to guide the jet into position. This equipment was relatively large, low powered (compared to today's radars), and tempermental as only vacuum tube equipment can be.

The F-86 was a proven airframe. It was modified into a bomber interceptor with the required radar and rocket armament, and given the the designation F-95. Well, Congress didn't have any money for a new aircraft type, but it did have the bucks for a modified version of a proven aircraft. The F-95 then quickly became the F-86D, an aircraft that had only wings, and undercarriage in common with the earlier Sabre!

Considering that other bomber interceptors were two seaters with a dedicated radar operator, the F-86D pilot must have really had his hands full when it came to trying to intercept incoming aircraft! However, the aircraft did fulfill a need and was built in rather large numbers compared to other contemporaries like the F-89 and F3D. F-86Ds were also used by other countries such as Japan, Jugoslavia and Korea.

Hasegawa's kit is all that we have come to expect from Japan's premiere 1/72 aircraft kit maker. It has engraved panel lines, super detail, a complete cockpit, decent intake trunking, a two piece canopy. The instrument and console panels are provided by decals, also typical of Hasegawa kits.

This aircraft depicts a slatted wing version of the F-86D. Most of these aircraft were later refitted with the 6-3 unslatted wing, so you need to check your references to see which applies. The fuselage for Japanese F-86Ds were slightly different in that the Japanese aircraft had some different scoop configurations. Again, you need to check references to see if this fuselage needs any modifications to accurately build the airframe you are doing. Finally, I should mention that Japanese F-86Ds all had the longer wing of the F-86-40. This particular kit does not appear to have that longer wing. This wing was also retrofitted to some USAF F-86Ds and to all F-86L models. The longer wing was not slatted. 

Options are drop tanks, and a rocket tray that can be displayed up or down. You can also display the canopy in the open position. Actually, the drop tanks are not an option as the F-86D rarely flew without them.

The Instruction sheet is typical of Hasegawa and superb. Decals are for two aircraft, both quite colorful. The first is from the 4th FIS at Misawa, Japan with a black and red checkered tail. The other is for a 324 FIS / 327 FIG aircraft with a red and white striped fuselage band and a white striped tail. Typical of Hasegawa decals, the white is really a cream color. 

For those building this kit, there is a relatively new Ginter book on the F-86D which should help with the scoops and wings.

It looks like a great kit and like many of the 1/72 Hasegawa kits, is one that I have not seen built before. This despite the fact that it has been out for over four years!

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

Update: Dimitriy Levin has sent in this info for a more recent (2005) boxing of this kit.

1. 210110 from 512th FIS, RAF Bentwaters, in aluminum with yellow
fuselage bands, as seen on the boxart.
2. 52-3898 "Tweety" from 25th FIS, Naha AB, Okinawa, in aluminum with a
checkered tail.

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