#5 DONE +++ N.A. F-86K, 'SD-103' of 2./HävLLv 31, Ilmavoimat, late Sixties @p.3

[zenrat]

Excellent.  This pic...

...is now the desktop background on my laptop.

[Snowtrooper]

Incredibly lifelike, I must say.

The model proves again that the key to achieve realistic results is not to exaggerate recessed panel lines (after all, if that were true, Matchbox kits would still be the best on market) but to bring out the differences between surfaces, as you have done with the fuselage access panels for example. Love the realistic weathering too, with the dapples on the spine and subtle paint chipping here and there.

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You could easily handwave the earlier move to camouflage, say, by saying that when the FAF began implementing the roadway dispersal plan in 1965 (as they did in OTL), it became essential to camouflage the planes as they could not be hidden into a hangar anymore; an airfield is already a big huge bullseye, but out "in the field" a glistening NMF could well be enough to betray the location of the auxiliary airstrip. Or alternatively, in DACT against the Gnats (which had been delivered in the standard DG/DSG RAF day fighter camo) it was found out that the camouflage was an asset in dogfight - FAF had deduced that they would have to face fighters and fighter-bombers too instead of only strategic bombers, and AIM-9B/AA-2 having a short range and being rear aspect only meant that any air combat would become a dogfight anyway.

[Dizzyfugu]

The model proves again that the key to achieve realistic results is not to exaggerate recessed panel lines (after all, if that were true, Matchbox kits would still be the best on market) but to bring out the differences between surfaces, as you have done with the fuselage access panels for example. Love the realistic weathering too, with the dapples on the spine and subtle paint chipping here and there.

Thanks a lot. I think my working style is pretty individual, because I primarily use enamels and brushes. On the other hand, I feel that I have more control of what I want to achieve - and like to integrate mistakes,flaws and imperfections. After all, really "clean" service aircraft in pristine condition are rare - many "good" model I encounter are just that. Great craftmansship, but there's a lack of "soul" and inconsistency that adds some life to a model. And, in the end, it's the overall package of the model, the pics and the story for it that counts. If that's believable (if not entertaining?), mission accomplished.  And in this case the Sabre Dog is a good product, from my personal pouint of view. And I am positively surprised how good the old Airfix kit looks, despite the fuselage extension.

Great you (all) like it!