ANGELO LODETTI

Aircraft Scale Models

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Fiat F-86K Sabre Dog

1. History

On May 22, 1955, the first F-86K produced in Italy flew to Turin, the export version of the North American F-86D fighter monoreactor, produced in over 2,500 units. The new aircraft began to collaborate in Turin as, with the exception of the two prototypes and a first series of 120 assembled aircraft connected in the United States, another 221 F-86K were produced under license in Italy by Fiat. Of these, 63 equipped, starting in November 1955, the Air Force St which, also receiving some French and Dutch specimens, came to use article 93 F-86K. First fighter jets of the Air Force, the "Kapponi", as these aircraft were immediately renamed, initially equipped the 1st Wing with two groups based on Istrana (Treviso) and one in Pisa. With the F-86Ks, the 51st was performed and, for a short period, the 4th Air Brigade which, having received the first Lockheed F-104G "Starfighters", sold them to the newly created 36th Wing of Gioia del Colle (Bari) . Another user of the "Kapponi" was the 5th Wing of Rimini which, until 1973, operated with the 23rd Group equipped with these aircraft, gradually replaced (as in other Departments) by the Aeritalia F-104S "Starfighter". Interceptor capable of reaching speed to that of sound, supersonic diving, the F-86K was also the first Air Force combat aircraft to be equipped with air-to-air missiles, the indirectly guided AIM-9B Sidewinder. More information at this website : http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/storia/museostorico/Pagine/NorthAmericanF86K.aspx

2. The Kit

A nice kit, with a correctly-swept wing with a 35-degree sweep on the leading edge. The shapes are very regular and well proportioned, the lines of the panels very well done, I have added some rivets. Difficult to insert the wings to the fuselage, it will be necessary to add a small support. Special Hobby messed up the main gear well on the initial release, and has corrected it with a resin gear well on subsequent kits.The Special Hobby decals are very thin and will fold up like a cheap suit on the first opportunity if used without modification.

3. Cockpit and Seat

With the help of real photos I could significantly improve the cockpit. is accurate and the photo-etch seat belts give it a good look.

4. Fuselage

The fuselage complete with negative panels is dimensionally scaled, but requires some minor adjustments. I just went over the panels with the addition of other rivets

5. Wing and Tailplane

The wings look good. For them it was necessary to engrave just a few missing panels.

6. Canopy

After assembling the model I installed the canopy. This was masked with paper, then painted. This painting included the frame of the internal armoured windscreen. When the canopy is finished it can be positioned and secured with cement.

7. Painting

This is the sequence of the surfaces that I painted.

1. Clean the whole with alcohol

2. Paint with a very diluted layer of Mr. Surface 1200

3. Neo matt acrylic color Mr. Hobby

4. All the final surface with AK aluminum metal

5. Final semi-gloss with Johnson's Pledge Revive it - floor glass

8.Landing Gears and Wheels

The undercarriage looks good, because a resin gear well on kits. I replaced the wheels with the Eduard resin

9. Weathering

The wear of the model can certainly not be carried out randomly, especially in the case of the F-86 K , which must respond to a precise logic. Let's see how: first of all we need to highlight the paneling lines. There are different techniques for this purpose: Personally, I use dry brush strokes with aluminum-colored powders in various shades and acrylic and oil colors for soft effects.

To complete the work it is necessary to pass a coat of semi-gloss with Johnson's Pledge Revive it - floor glass transparent on the whole model.