Canadair CL.13B ‘Sabre’ FR.6 of the SAAF 3 Sq., Waterkloof AB, 1982

Dizzyfugu · January 21, 2017, 11:30:27 AM

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
The North American F-86 Sabre, sometimes called the Sabrejet, was a transonic jet fighter aircraft, produced by North American Aviation. The Sabre is best known as the United States' first swept wing fighter that could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high-speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War (1950–1953). The success of the F-86 Sabre in numerous engagements with MiG-15s flown by Russian and North Korean pilots during the Korean War is well known. Much less well known are the activities of the aircraft's tactical reconnaissance variant, which flew for the first time as a part of the 67th Tactical reconnaissance Wing based at Kimpo Air Base in Korea.

Early in the war, the wing was operating a mixture of RB-26C Invaders, RF-51D Mustangs and RF-80A Shooting Stars. Whilst these aircraft all performed creditably in the difficult circumstances, what was needed was a newer aircraft with increased performance. A recce version of the state-of-the-art F-86 was the obvious solution, but the F-86's coming off the production line were needed for air-to-air operations. Consequently, all requests to higher authority for an RF-86 were rejected.
An undaunted team of three officers from the 15th TRS (Maj Bruce Fish, Maj Ruffin Garay and Capt Joe Daley) were not deterred but rather took the issue into their own hands. They obtained a scrap nose section of an F-86A and demonstrated how a single camera could be installed by removing two of the aircraft's six Browning 50-cal machine guns. Now that the project was shown to be feasible, the Commanding Officer of the 67th TRW, Col Edwin 'Chick' Chickering persuaded FEAF to release two high-hour F-86As to be modified for reconnaissance duties.

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

This initial project was called 'Honeybucket', after the twin bucket container Korean farmers used to carry human waste to their fields to use as fertiliser. The two F-86As (48-187 & 48-217) were modified at Tachikawa in Japan. Each was equipped with a single high-speed K-25 bomb-scoring camera mounted horizontally in the right gun bay, shooting into an angular mirror assembly through a single camera port under the right ammunition bay. One single cannon on the starboard side and all the port side cannons remained and operated as usual. These two converted aircraft began operations from Kimpo in Dec 1951.

The success of the two 'Honeybucket' RF-86 Sabres convinced FEAF that additional aircraft were required. Consequently, project 'Ashtray' began when a further 10 ageing F-86As were selected for conversion into reconnaissance aircraft. However, the 'Ashtray' RF-86 aircraft were configured differently to the original 'Honeybucket' Sabres. Some 'Ashtray' RF-86As, but not all, dispensed with the fighters APG-30 gunsight radar in the nose and the two lower guns. They were equipped with a 36-in focal length forward oblique camera that took photos through a pair of small doors that opened and closed like the floor ashtrays of cars in that era – hence the name. The 'Ashtray' aircraft were also equipped with a 6-in focal length camera vertical camera in the lower fuselage, located halfway between the nose gear and the main gear. The large size of the K-9 cameras resulted in a large fairing being fitted over the modified ammunition bay area, giving the 'Ashtray' aircraft very distinctive cheeks.

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

After the Korean War had ended, the US Air Force decided to utilize the RF-84F Thunderflash as its standard tactical reconnaissance aircraft. However, Japan, South Korea and Nationalist China continued to operate RF-86Fs, and some other countries modified their F-86 accordingly after the Sabre was relegated to second line duties, too. One of these countries was South Africa.

The country had originally acquired 22 U.S.-built F-86F-30s on loan and operated them during the Korean War, where they saw action with 2 Squadron. Later, the SAAF procured 34 more Canadian-built CL.13B Sabres. The Sabre fulfilled its original fighter role until 1963. Thereafter they were replaced as front line fighters by the Mirage III and most machines were phased out or handed over to 85 AFS (Advanced Flying School) at AFB Pietersburg, where they were used for advanced combat training.

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

But not all of the remaining Sabres met this fate: six Sabres with only few flying hours were earmarked for conversion into tactical photo recce aircraft. The modifications were carried out domestically, though, without official foreign support. These machines were patterned after the late RF-86F and had a horizontal K-14 camera, in place of the K-9 camera, which shot through a mirror complex with an aperture underneath the fuselage. Two further downward K-14 cameras were also installed and the underside of the forward fuselage, which was again bulged to cover the camera installation. These teardrop-shaped fairings were longer and deeper than the original RF-86F fairings because the upper pair of 0.5" machine guns was retained (the lower gun ports were faired over and initially painted onto the fuselage flanks), as well as the gun ranging radar in the air intake's upper lip.

The six machines, re-numbered with the tactical codes of 391 – 396, were attached to 3 Squadron, based at Waterkloof AFB, and saw frequent use from 1964 on. For instance, the SAAF loaned aircraft and flew occasional covert reconnaissance sorties in support of the Rhodesian military from 1966 onwards. Notable operations included Operation Uric and Operation Vanity in 1979.

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

From 1966 on the SAAF was also committed to the Border War, which was fought in northern South West Africa and surrounding states. At first, it provided limited air support to police operations against the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (the military wing of SWAPO, which was fighting to end South African rule of South West Africa), but operations intensified after the defense force took charge of the war in 1974.

The SAAF also provided air support to the army during the 1975–76 Angola campaign, and in the many cross-border operations that were carried out against PLAN bases in Angola and Zambia from 1977 onwards, the SAAF's RF-86 were frequently involved.

During their operational service life, two machines (391 and 393) were lost – 393 being shot down at low level over southern Namibia in early 1975, the pilot being killed, and 391 crashed due to hydraulic failure on a training sortie in 1980, the pilot ejecting into safety.
The Sabre fighters continued to serve the SAAF in the advanced training role until 1980, the remaining four reconnaissance Sabres even soldiered on until 1984.

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 1½ in (11.32 m)
Height: 14 ft 1 in (4.5 m)
Wing area: 313.4 sq ft (29.11 m²)
Empty weight: 11,125 lb (5,046 kg)
Loaded weight: 15,198 lb (6,894 kg)
Max. take-off weight: 17,560 lb (7,965 kg)
Internal JP-4 fuel load: 437 US gallons (1,650 L)

Powerplant:
1× Avro Canada Orenda 14 turbojet, rated at 7,440 lbf (33 kN)

Performance:
Maximum speed: 710 mph (mach 0.93/1142 km/h)
Stall speed: 124 mph (108 knots/200 km/h)
Range: 1,270 mi (2044 km)
Service ceiling: 54,000 ft (16,460 m)
Rate of climb: 11,800 ft/min (59.9 m/s)
Wing loading: 49.4 lb/ft² (236.7 kg/m²)
Lift-to-drag: 15.1
Thrust/weight: 0.42

Armament:
2x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M3 Browning machine guns with 300 RPG
4x underwing hardpoints for a 5,300 lb (2,400 kg) payload,
including 2x 200 US gallons (760 L) drop tanks on the wet, outer pair of pylons

The kit and its assembly:
This whiffy Sabre had two inspirations. One was simply the fact that I had a surplus F-86 kit in store, which had been part of an Italeri "Frecce Tricolori" set – I had originally been keen on the set's G.91...
The other impulse came from the livery side: I really like SAAF's Mirage F.1CZs which carried in the Eighties a mix of the original, bright tactical camouflage in Sand/Olive Drab/Light Admirality Grey, but coupled with PRU Blue undersides (and sometimes a blue, fin, too), together with toned-down/oversprayed markings. Creating a recce Sabre with its characteristic cheek fairings was just the final step of the story, since I felt that I needed a certain twist to justify a vintage aircraft in relatively modern markings.

The F-86 in the Italeri set is actually an Academy F-86F with short wings. While the kit has good (engraved) details, fit, esp. of the internal parts, is not perfect. The cockpit/air intake arrangement was fiddly to put into its place, and matching the air intake to the internal duct was a rather shaky affair. Furthermore, some PSR was necessary to blend everything together. No major issues, though.

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The camera fairings and the cheek bulges were scratched. The cheek bulges are actually drop tank flanks from a PM Model Sea Fury, while the camera ports were scratched with 1.5mm styrene sheet and putty. The lower gun ports were faired over with putty, too.
There is actually a Fujimi RF-86 available in 1:72, but I wanted to get rid of the Academy kit – and the home-made result does not look that bad at all, even though everything might be a bit bigger than on a real RF-86...

Painting and markings:
As mentioned above, SAAF Mirage F.1CZs from the late Seventies/early Eighties were the design benchmark. The high waterline PRU Blue was matched with the SAAF F-86s' original tactical livery (e. g. used on the trainers operated by the 85 AFS). The colors I used are simple Humbrol 63 (Sand), 155 (Olive Drab/FS 34087) and 230 (PRU Blue).

Some serious weathering/bleaching was done through dry-brushing and panel post-shading, since the African sun would certainly take its toll on the airframes, and the model shows the fictional aircraft towards the end of its long career. Especially the PRU Blue would deteriorate into a pale, greenish blue-grey, and I tried to mimic this on the flanks and drop tanks. Several enamel tones were used, including Humbrol 225 and 94 (Sand tones), ModelMaster's FS 34087 and 30118 for the Olive drab as well as Humbrol 144, 145 and Revell 57 on the blue.

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The markings/decals were puzzled together from various sources. The national markings (full color for the upper wings, but toned-down for the flanks and underneath the wings) come from a Zotz aftermarket sheet. Other marking like the fin flash and the sqaudron emblem come from an Xtradecal Mirage F.1C sheet. The tactical code was made from single TL Modellbau letters (the font is very close to the RAAF/SAAF typeface), and all stencils or warnings had to be improvised since the Frecce Tricolori livery/OOB decal sheet is totally bare of them - I found some original F-86 stencils, but some Afrikaans markings were taken over from the SAAF F.1C set, too.

Finally, the kit was sealed with a coat of matt acrylic varnish (Italeri), for a really dull finish, and some fine highlights with silver were brushed to leading edges and around the cockpit.

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Canadair CL.13B 'Sabre' FR.6 (RF-86F-30), aircraft '394' of the South African Air Force (SAAF) 3 Squadron, Waterkloof AFB, 1982 (Whif/modified Academy kit) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

A relatively quick build, even though the scratched camera fairings took some time and PSR work. But the venerable Sabre in a rather modern low-viz scheme is an interesting sight - the deep and greenish PRU Blue makes a weird contrast to the upper bush land colors.

Gondor · January 21, 2017, 12:57:18 PM

That's really nice Dizzy

Gondor

JayBee · January 21, 2017, 01:10:15 PM

Given that I am aware that there was an actual RF-86 but can not say how close yours is to the configuration...........

yours is FANTASTIC

The idea of SA colours is also inspired.

I love it, YAE!

PR19_Kit · January 21, 2017, 01:17:24 PM

Ah yes, I may have seen one of those '....somewhere in Namibia....' in the early 80s when I was working there.

That's damn good Thomas, it works really well in that scheme.

DogfighterZen · January 21, 2017, 06:03:08 PM

Great work as always! Although they're for cameras, those bulges give the Sabre a beefier look.

Dizzyfugu · January 22, 2017, 12:18:36 AM

Thank you very much, glad you like it.

Yes, with those hamster cheeks the Sabre looks a bit tadpole-ish, or like having serious toothaches. Anyway, I tried to stay close to the real RF-86 configuration, even though my hand-made add-ons are a little more massive and crude than the real thing. But it works, and the paint scheme suits the Sabre well - I am also, once again, amazed how good the scheme works over South-African territory.

Cheers!

Snowtrooper · January 22, 2017, 03:10:59 AM

"Massive and crude" suits both for the backstory (domestic jury-rigged conversion) and the plane (early jets somehow get better-looking the more lumps and bumps they get). Nice

NARSES2 · January 22, 2017, 05:33:56 AM

That does look good

Particularly like the high demarcation for the colour scheme

Dizzyfugu · January 22, 2017, 06:03:11 AM

Yup. Was an experiment, inspired by the SAAF (and Gabon) Mirage F.1CZs that carried this hybrid scheme for a while:

Always found it very attractive, and the F-86 looks good with it, too, even though it looks a little fallen out of time.