The CA-34 Super Sabre

[rickshaw]

The CA-34 Super Sabre

After the success of the CA-27 Avon Sabre, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) looked to capitalise on it's close relationship with the the North American aircraft corporation in the United States.  An obvious follow on, as occurred in the USAF was for the RAAF to adopt the F-100 Super Sabre a supersonic development of the F-86 Sabre.

Lawrence Hartnet, the head of CAC was keen and lobbied the RAAF heavily.  The RAAF, anxious to move up, into the Supersonic Club was interested and test flew the F-100A in 1955.  While critical of some of the handling of that version of the Super Sabre, the RAAF was interested in some of the proposals being put forward by North American to the USAF to improve the aircraft.  They were also interested in the hints that a dedicated strike version was being designed, built on the F-100.  The RAAF saw potentials in using a common, supersonic airframe for both the Fighter and the Strike roles in their inventory.

Hartnet hoped to repeat the commercial success he'd had with the F-86 Sabre, negotiating a license production agreement.  He also hoped to utilise the same Rolls Royce Avon engine, albeit an up rated version, to give economies of scale and improved performance and reliability.

Convincing the government of the day, which was flush still with money from the Wool boom which the Korean War had created, was not unduly difficult.  A squadron of F-100Ds were purchased directly from North American in 1957.  Equipped with more advanced avionics, larger wing and tail fin, landing flaps, most of the vices of the early versions were at least partially if not completely cured.  Issued to 76 Squadron, the "Black Panthers", the aircraft served for over a decade and as far afield as in Malaysia and even Thailand.  Armed with four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and four 20mm cannon they were a formidable fighter and with several 500 or 1000 lb bombs or rockets, a useful fight-bomber.

The plans however, to purchase more never came about.  With the rapid advance of aeronautics, within a few years Mach 2 fighters were the standard and the F-100D had been overtaken by technology.  Coupled with its lack of an onboard radar which limited its utility in the interceptor role to strictly clear weather use only, the search started for a general replacement in 1959.  Further, the abandonment by the USAF, of the dedicated strike version, the F-107 meant that the search for replacement for the aging Canberras had to start again as well.

The Aircraft depicted is from 76 Squadron in 1960, stationed at RAAF Base, Point Cook, Victoria.









The kit is the old Esci F-100D which scrubs up very nicely indeed.  Painted by rattle can and brush.

[Father Ennis]

Outstanding job !!!     

[PR19_Kit]

What Father Ennis said ^^^^ 

That looks SO right Brian, superb job.

[kitbasher]

Ditto the above.

I keep fighting the temptation to do a RAF version, I think this has now convinced me o give up the fight and go with the urge!

[comrade harps]

Very nice and makes perfect sense. 

[rickshaw]

Thank'ee all for your kind comments.  The Esci kit is a beautiful model, goes together with little filler and looks so right.   

[NARSES2]

Come out really well Brian  Some of those old ESCI kits are real gems

[Captain Canada]

Great idea. Love the look of the final product. I always like to see an a/c that looks like silver dope instead of nm, as so many were. That, and I love the Aussie roundel, and the Super Sabre has been one of my favourite planes since I was a wee lad !



I like the last pic, almost looks like a ghost is chasing the black cat and grabbing him by the tail....perfect for Halloween !

[rickshaw]

My story is that what "Natural Metal" looks like after a few months in the elements isn't what most modellers portray it as.  Oxidisation dulls it pretty rapidly and most squadrons didn't keep them polished enough to prevent it dulling the metal.

[McColm]

Good work 

[Dizzyfugu]

My story is that what "Natural Metal" looks like after a few months in the elements isn't what most modellers portray it as.  Oxidisation dulls it pretty rapidly and most squadrons didn't keep them polished enough to prevent it dulling the metal.

That's true: creating a convincing NMF, esp. in a deteriorated state, is a real challenge - sometimes it can even look like a dull light grey.

Nice model, BTW - Aussie whifs are always entertaining and credible, well done