Hasegawa 1/48 F-86F-30

[jeaton01]

This is another one for the Rowland Freedom Center, and also to be an in flight display. Hasegawa issued the RF-86F as a -40 with the longer wing, probably because that was the version Japan operated. Since I am making an earlier Project Haymaker RF-86F-30 I took the resin conversion parts from the -40 and will apply them to a F-30 Hasegawa kit. So far I have installed the film magazine bulges on the gun doors and done the necessary cutting on the fuselage for the camera ports which are under the cockpit in belly fairings. The gear doors on the wing have been installed and they fit in the closed position perfectly. The speed brakes are also on in the closed position, also a good fit. I am concluding that these 1/48 Hasegawa F-86's are a fun build!

 

[moon puppy]

Nice start John.

 

[jeaton01]

Thanks for the interest, everyone. I have been working on interior bits. People seem to have problems with the nose "cone" fitting. It does seem to be a bit large but that won't be too hard to deal with. Also, issues were noted with getting the cone properly aligned with the inlet duct if the order of the instructions is followed. Since I am doing it gear up the nose gear bay is dispensed with, but in any case it seems better to fit the nose cone to the duct before installing it in the fuselage. I should have done one more step of test fitting, as it appears the inlet duct is just a bit too long leaving a small gap at the join to the fuselage. Next time I'll add that step. At this point the duct is permanently installed to one side of the fuselage, and I am fitting the big nose gear door to one side now. The cockpit is pretty much together. I can see that you could resolve the diameter problem with the nose cone by shortening the duct and the fuselage sides slightly, but that may be risky.

 

[moon puppy]

I never could get the mid body decal to lay down right. Really would love one in my lineup.

 

[jeaton01]

I prefer to do those with paint, but then the last F-86 I did was Academy and I didn't even try with their decals.

 

[jknaus]

Gorgeous.
James

 

[jeaton01]

Thanks, James. I'm rather pleased with it.