The F-86D, and subsequently the ‘K’ version, was a major redesign of the F-86 Sabre that performed with distinction in the skies over Korea in the early 1950s.

This redesign, although at first looks, is most definitely ‘Sabre’ in design, was more or less an entirely new, uprated airframe, being greater in length than its forebear, due to its larger afterburner. The nose shape was quite distinctive too, with its radome and pinched-in intake, perhaps giving a slightly canine appearance to the aircraft. The type’s original designation of F-95A, for political reasons, was changed to F-86D, in a cynical plot to gain the type more support if it was seen by Congress to be a development of an existing machine, and not a new type, which is mostly was. Unlike the F-86, which was fitted with six Browning machine guns, the new ‘Sabre Dog’ had no such armament. Machine guns were ditched in favour of a retractable rocket tray that sat below the cockpit section of the forward fuselage.  This rocket tray carried 24 x 2.75 inch ‘Mighty Mouse’ FFAR rockets, and the developmental version of the new Super Sabre, the YF-95, was actually designed around the carrying of this new weapon.

Whereas the original F-86 Sabre was generally classed as subsonic, the new F-86D was classed as transonic, although to be fair, the original Sabre was also within the window of performance that was classed as transonic too. Development of the new ‘D’ variant was begun not long after the Sabre project itself, with the two types having their maiden flights only within two years of each other. The North American F-86D ‘Sabre Dog’ first took to the air in 1949, and entered service in 1951.

Pilots tended to find the new machine a little sensitive on the stick, and take-off/landings took some getting used to, with the landing distance being higher than was preferred. Problems with electronic fuel control system also dogged the ‘Dog’, as did crashes that were attributed to engine problems.  Despite these issues, the F-86D was successful enough to attract the attention of foreign purchasers.

The F-86K, the subject of this kit, was the export (NATO) version of the F-86D, and differed in a number of ways from the US-operated type. Firstly, the retractable rocket tray was deleted in favour of the re-introduction of guns, with there being 4 x 20mm M24A1 cannon fitted into the forward fuselage cheeks, as was the machine gun setup on the original F-86. A fire control system was also installed, helping the pilot with target elimination accuracy.

Other changes over the ‘D’ included an extended wingspan and a longer fuselage. The latter was due to the centre of gravity needing to be reinstated after the installation of the cannon, and the differential in weight between this and the rocket installation, meant that an 8 inch plug was introduced to the forward fuselage in order to retain the original centre of gravity.

The F-86K was introduced into service in 1955, and around 340 were built, with the initial machines constructed by North American, and the remainder assembled by Fiat.

 

SKU KH32008
Barcode # 2000000038735
Brand KITTY HAWK
SCALE 1:32

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