Airfix has sprung yet another surprise on modellers this month, with the announcement of another ‘secret’ kit… a 1/48 North American F-86F Sabre, as Stu Fone reports.
For those of you familiar with Airfix’s earlier Sabre offerings, its newly unveiled version (A080111) has runners from both the Canadair Mk.4 and F-86-F-40 boxings – to allow earlier versions of the F-86F to be built. These had the shorter wing from the Mk.4 kit (this wing is known as the ‘-30’ in US terminology), but different fuselage fittings and instrument panel – these items come from the F-86F-40. In terms of contents, this means you get Runners D and B, which provide parts for the relevant wings. In common with several other recent re-releases from Airfix, you can build either of the two previous versions along with the ‘combo’ offering of the shorter-winged F-86F airframes. The two decal options, both depicting natural-metal machines with high-visibility markings, are as follows:
• F-86F-30, 52-5140/FU-140, ‘Arctic Gladiators’ aerobatic team, 720th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, USAF, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, 1955
• F-86F-25, 51-13477/FU-477, 514th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, USAF, RAF Manston, Kent, UK, 1954
Above: Combined parts from Airfix's previous 1/48 F-86 kits, plus new decals, fill this fresh release.
If that wasn’t enough, Airfix has also announced that, for those who buy direct from the Airfix shop, there is a free, limited-edition collector’s coin with the first 500 pre-orders. Aside from common parts, Airfix has added both of the sub-type-specific runners to this Sabre release, enabling you to build an earlier F-86F variant out of the box or either of the other long- or short-winged versions. This new 1/48 F-86F Sabre will be available imminently and can be purchased direct from Airfix or official stockists for £41.99.
Read about Airfix's new 1/72 Meteor F.8/FR.9 release here
