Canadair Sabre Mk. 6

by Ian Robertson

Canadair Sabre Mk. 6

Hasegawa's 1/48 scale F-86F Sabre is available online from Squadron.com

The Canadair Sabre Mk6 was the fastest of the F-86 Sabre variants. Based on the F-86F Sabre, the Mk6 was fitted with an Orenda 14 engine and wide chord '6-3' wing with leading edge slats. My model is of a Sabre Mk6 from RCAF 421 "Red Indian" Squadron, #2 Wing, Grostenquin, France (1953-63).

The basis for my model was a Hasegawa 1/48 F-86F-40.

Additions to the kit included leading edge slats (LES), a seamless intake from Cutting Edge, Aires cockpit, and Leading Edge RCAF "2 Wing" Mk6 Sabre decals.

While the replacement cockpit and LES greatly enhanced the model, I'd hesitate to buy the seamless intake in the future due to its high cost and minor enhancement. Metal weights were glued to the interior areas of the nose to prevent the nose wheel from elevating off the ground.

Conversion Summary

Using the detailed instructions included with the Leading Edge decals, as well as other sources, the following alterations were made to the basic model:

1. Wing length was shortened to remove the 12" (x2) wingtip extension of the F-40 variant

2. Raised section surrounding vent in front of tail was removed

3. Port side refueling hatch was removed

4. Scoop in front of starboard speed brake was removed

5. Underwing fuel tanks were taken from a Hasegawa F-86F-30 kit to match photos of RCAF Sabres

All painting except for metallic colors were applied using Polly Scale acrylics. The cockpit was painted scale black with a reddish-orange headrest. The camouflage consisted of Dark Sea Grey, Dark Green, and PRU Blue. The wing tanks and the interior surfaces of the LES were painted natural metal using SnJ aluminum metalizer. The radome at the tip of the nose was painted "radome tan".

The painted model was given several coats of Future floor wax for a gloss finish. Normally I apply just a single coat of Future, but because of the extensive stenciling I decided a glossier coat was required to prevent silvering of the small, predominantly clear decals. Leading Edge's stencils were clear, crisp, impressively minute (unlike most stencils, which to my eye often seem way over scale), and they settled beautifully without silvering.

In fact, all the decals were outstanding.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Model, Images and Article Copyright © 2002 by Ian Robertson
Page Created 04 January 2002
Last updated 04 June 2007

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