Originally developed as the F-95 because it was so different from the previous F-86 variants, the plane was relabeled F-86D because there was money for an updated F-86, but none for a new plane! This strange set of circumstances was not only prevalent in the 50's but is also something the one sees today. The F-18E/F are externally similar to the previous versions, but much of the newer plane is not interchangeable with the older version so is basically a new plane. Same with the AV-8A and AV-8B, for example.

Anyway, an interceptor was needed to combat the perceived threat from Soviet long range bombers so a new fuselage with an upgraded engine and a new fire control radar system was mated to the wings and tail planes of the F-86. This Sabre did not carry guns but had its total armament consisting of small folding fin air to air rockets; basically improved versions of the German WWII R4M rockets carried in the last weeks of the war by Me-262s. A later version for export was given a stretched nose and 4 20mm cannon in place of the rockets. This was built by Fiat as the F-86K and supplied to many NATO countries. The D model was also exported to Japan, Yugoslavia and a few other countries after they were no longer front line equipment in the US.

With all the recent hoopla over the ProModeler 1/48 F-86D, many modelers forget that this aircraft was released in 1/72 and is a very nice model. Previously 1/72 modelers had to do with the Airfix version. While that was an acceptable kit, it wasn't up to current standards of detail that we've come to expect in our kits. It also had a nose section that just didn't look exactly right.

The Hasegawa F-86D is a 1990s tooling with this particular boxing carrying a 1996 date, so it isn't that old at all. It is molded in the typical grey plastic of Hasegawa and provides a reasonably well equipped cockpit, with decals for instruments as it normal with Hasegawa in this scale. Unusually, the bottom of the bang seat is molded in with the cockpit tub. The intake is nice and long, molded in an upper and lower piece that will take a bit of work to remove the seam. Canopy comes in two parts and can be posed open.

The wings are the short span slatted versions that are normal for an F-86D. The kit also has the parabrake housing that was retrofitted to all the earlier versions by 1955, so if using aftermarket decals, be sure to check your references. The abundance of vortex generators that are on the real aircraft are present on the kit and you even have some additional ones that you can add on. The kit provides rear fuselage cooling scoops that were used on all Japan based USAF F-86Ds and later retrofitted to a number of airframes. Again, you need to check your references if using aftermarket decals to see if your subject aircraft carried them.

The instructions are typically good as one expects from Hasegawa. The decal options are for two aircraft. The first is the box art plane from the 4th FIS based in Misawa, Japan. The other is for an 324 FIS/ 327 FIG Sabre, base not mentioned. The decals themselves are well printed, a bit thick and with the usual Hasegawa ivory color in place of pure white.

It is the best F-86D in 1/72 scale and should you be wanting a nice Sabre Dog, then this is the one for you.

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