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In-Box Review
132
F-86K
F-86K Sabre Dog
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by: Richard Tonge [ TINBANGER ]

History
The F-86K was a version of the F-86D build for five NATO countries:- West Germany, Italy,Norway,France and Holland.
Armed with 4 X 20-mm M24A1 cannons and a fire control system the F-86K also was capable of carrying a pair of AIM-9B Sidewinder's on underwing hard points.
The main visual difference to the F-86D is the extended wings and longer fuselage to help balance the aircrafts centre of gravity due to the cannons being added.
An APG-37 radar system was installed in the nose.
120 aircraft were built in North America and 221 by Fiat of Italy.

Contents
The model arrived in a sturdy top opening (16” x 10” x 4”) box, the top showing the German version and the sides of the box showing five decaled version.
The box is full to the brim with seven sprues moulded in gray plastic packed it sealed plastic bags..
In the bottom of the box we find a Decal sheet the size of the box bottom packed in a zip-loc bag.
Canopy and other clear parts are found wrapped in plastic in a solid cardboard box.
A small PE seat belt set and fin parts are packed with the decals.
A twenty four page 10” x 7” instruction manual finishes of the content count.

  • Sprue A : Two upper and two lower wing sections are moulded with recessed panel lines and very fine recessed rivet details.
    Wing slat guides are moulded in the top wing sections and on the under side is some wheel well details
  • Sprue B: Possibly positional wing flaps and non positional wing slats come moulded in pairs also we find the wing pitot tube.
  • Sprue C: The large items on this sprue are the fuselage sides and and under belly panels from the tail split forward.
    Cannons and their housing frames along with ammo belts make up the rest of the sprue.
    We will find the instrument cover detail included here.
    All parts are well detailed and free from any flash.
  • Sprue D: Thirty seven parts go into making a very nice looking General Electric J47E jet engine along with twelve parts to make the exhaust assembly pipe for the tail section.
    Nose wheel strut is moulded in one piece, we are given a choice of two styles of spokes for the wheel rims.
    Tyres are moulded onto the rims and have a “weighted” look to them.
  • Sprue E: ( This sprue is labeled as “G” on the parts page/sprue and in the instructions!).
    Large fuel drop tanks take up space on this sprue, the tanks are moulded in two half’s horizontally.
    Two AIM9B missiles are made up of nine pieces each.
    Hard point mountings are made from two parts
    Main landing gear wheels are moulded “weighted” in two half’s each.
    Wheel well frames round off this sprue.
  • Sprue F; Tail from the fuselage split is moulded in nine pieces along with the air intake tunnel.
    The air intake tunnel has some ejector pin blocks and indents the will require removing and some filler.
  • Sprue G: ( This sprue is labeled as “E” on the parts page/sprue and in the instructions!).
    Twenty two parts make up the cockpit tub and ejector seat.
    The instruments and switches on the side panels and main control panel are moulded on if you would like to paint them or there are decals supplied
    Five piece radar dish and nose cone completes the front end.
    The air brake doors are detailed inside and out but the mounting arms are the same length so the door will open horizontal to the aircraft body when they should drop away and down careful trimming should fix this with no problem.
  • Sprue GP; Clear canopy,lenses and gun site are well protected in a plastic bag within a strong cardboard box.
    All fourteen parts a crystal clear and the canopy is mould line free!
  • PE: As mentioned earlier a small PE seat belt set and fin parts are packed with the decals,these will require painting.

Decals
One large 14” x 8” sheet has marking and stencils for five different nationality's and one small decal sheet consisting of the instrument panels and squadron tail flashes.
The decals look to be thin and have minimal clear boarders.
Colours look to be true, the decal have a high gloss finish to them.
Decals for:-

  • JD-352,3. JG74 Gemany 1964
  • ECTT 1/13 Artois,Colmar 1957
  • XII Gruppo 36 Stormo
  • Royal Norwegian Air force
  • 3556th CCTSQDN, Perin AFB 1960

Instructions
Twenty four pages (two blank) follow the usual build steps starting with the cockpit.
All steps are clearly printed in black and white, there should be no problem jumping ahead and building sub-assembly's if you wish.
One double page and four single pages are in full colour showing painting and decal placement.
Paint colour on the colour prints are listed as Mr Gunze and BS numbers although throughout the instruction book colours are listed as FS numbers.

Conclusion
This model has a lot of detail parts that look like they should fit together nicely, the moulding is flash free with a few as noted ejector pin marks on the intake tunnel, having said that I could not find any sink holes on any parts!
This model calls out to be built as a diorama, to show off the fine details and a great start for super detailing.
A build blog to follow.
Thank you to Glen at Kitty Hawk Models for the sample.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on Aeroscale.
SUMMARY
Highs: Fine recessed panel lines and rivet heads. No flash or sink marks
Lows: Air intake ejector pin blocks.
Verdict: This should be a problem free build and shouts out to be built as a diorama. Recommended!
Percentage Rating
97%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: KH32008
  PUBLISHED: Jan 01, 2016
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.21%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 86.52%

Our Thanks to Kitty Hawk!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Richard Tonge (tinbanger)
FROM: ONTARIO, CANADA

I started building model aircraft with my brother and dad at about 7 years old(Yellow single engine float plane). Born in England so mostly built Airfix and Frog Kits! Moved over the pond in 1979. Main interest any type/era aircraft. Tinbanger call sign comes from my sheetmetal days. I am also ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Richard Tonge [ TINBANGER ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

I should have built this one instead of the Special Hobby 1:48 kit... Looks great, with much better detail and clear parts layout. Thanks Richard for this review!
AUG 20, 2016 - 09:29 PM
   
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