F-86H Sabre Hog ANG

Special Hobby, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Special Hobby's 1/72 scale F-86H will be available online from Squadron.com

The need for a new fighter-bomber aircraft for the USAF Tactical Air Command arose during the Korean War.  In March 1951 an order was placed for a new version of the Sabre fighter designated F-86H.  This version was to be powered by the new and more powerful J73 engine which also meant a bigger and larger fuselage to cater for the bigger engine and its increased airflow.  The six .50 calibre machine guns were eventually replaced with 20mm cannons.  The wing was also strengthened to contain four external wing pylons.

This 1/72 scale Sabre Hog from Special Hobby is very impressive and fills an important gap in the line up of F-86 Sabre kits.

On opening the box we are presented with a very detailed multi media kit comprising 53 finely engraved injection moulded plastic parts, 50 photo etched parts, one photo film instrument panel, and two clear injection moulded canopy parts.

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For a limited run kit the parts are attached by light sprue gates and have no flash on any of the parts.  Having built many limited run kits over the years I have been impressed by the constant improvement in the detail and moulding that these manufacturers are applying to the mouldings.  The detail in this kit is nothing short of superb.  Every panel line is crisply replicated and every piece of surface detail is present.

Superb cockpit detail is provided by the way of 26 parts and all this detail will be visible through the crystal clear canopy whether it is modelled in the open or closed position.  There is a cockpit floor, side consoles, rudder pedals, ejection seat, seat harness, instrument panel, control column, and rear bulkhead provided.
The intake and exhaust nozzle have real depth making the kit look very realistic.  A good representation of the main landing gear bay is provided along with a finely detailed main and nose landing gear and these require very little clean up and refinement.

The decals are crisp, accurate in colour and in register and provide for 3 different ANG schemes.  The schemes are for 2 natural metal aircraft from the 101st TFS Massachusetts ANG and 121st TFS Columbia ANG, and a camouflaged aircraft from the 138th TFS New York ANG.

The kit is very detailed with a high number of parts and a trial fit of the major parts shows no real issues with fit.  I think that this will make into a very nice and accurate little kit.

Highly Recommended to moderately experienced modellers.
 

Thanks to MPM / Special Hobby for the review sample

Review Text Copyright © 2008 by Mick Evans
Images Copyright © 2008 by Brett Green
Page Created 23 June, 2008
Last updated 23 June, 2008

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