| Scale | 1/72 |
| Manufacturer | Microscale Decals |
| Decal Sheet ID | AC72-0058 |
| Decal Sheet Title | F-86 Sabre |
| Types Featured | F-86A |
DISCLAIMER: USAF SIG does not vouch for the accuracy or otherwise of any item - we review what we see so that you, the modeller, can make up your own mind! However, where we are aware of errors or omissions, we will note this in our review.
Microscale sheet AC72-0058 provides markings for three F-86A/Es flown from Korea during 1952. The aircraft are:
- F-86E-10-NA 51-2722 (incorrectly identified as an F-86A) "Virginia Belle / Gopher Patrol" from the 335th FIS, 4th FIG and based at Kimpo AB, South Korea during 1972. This aircraft was credited with shooting down a MiG-15 over Korea on May 31, 1952 and two more over Korea on September 4, 1952. It was subsequently shot down by MiGs near P-y-do, Korea Sepember 4, 1952. The pilot bailed out and was rescued. It carried "Virginia Belle" in white on the nose, a full colour indian head on both sides of the fuselage and "GOPHER PATROL" in red on the mid-fuselage. The Indian head is not handed (i.e. points forward on one side and backwards on the other) and it is unclear whether this is correct or not;
- F-86A-5-NA 49-1175 "Peg O My Heart" / "Tiger Shark" flown by 1st Lieutenant J.E. Fields from the 336th FIS, 4th FIW from Kimpo AB during 1952. It carried a red/white shark nose and 336th FIS Rocketeers" artwork underneath the cockpit on both sides;
- F-86E-10-NA 51-2831 "Wham Bam" flown by 1st Lieutenant Martin Bambrick from the 336th FIS, 4th FIW during 1952 (with an incorrect nose data block marked as F-86A 52-1831). It carried "WHAM BAM" in red on the fuselage with Bugs Bunny artwork.
All three aircraft were natural metal and carried yellow fuselage, wing and tail bands outlined in black. Microscale provide the black outlines but the yellow has to be painted by the modeller. Stars'n'bars and stencilling sufficient for all three aircraft is provided, and the USAF and "buzz numbers" are in the unique style applied by the North American factory.
Instructions are full colour and comprise a left side view of each aircraft, scrap views of the right side where needed and a separate 4-view with stencilling information.
This is a useful sheet, although it is recommended that the modeller check photographs! The only drawback is the lack of a decent F-86A for the second option!
Review and images by Chris St Clair
DISCLAIMER: USAF SIG does not vouch for the accuracy or otherwise of any item - we review what we see so that you, the modeller, can make up your own mind! However, where we are aware of errors or omissions, we will note this in our review.