This is the Monogram 1/48 F-86 done in the
color scheme of the Skyblazers flight demonstration team. They were part
of the USAFE and were a flight team similer to the Thunderbirds that preformed
in Europe. The idea to build this plane was planted when talking to my
online friend John A. Carr while I was working on a project of completing
a set of the USAF Thunderbirds, all in 1/72 scale. He told me about an
article he had seen describing the Skyblazers. He then e-mailed me the
article and I was hooked. The kit is done OOB with only a minimum amount
of detailing to the cockpit and wheel wells. I was basically after the
color scheme.
Shortly after deciding to do this project I ran
across an item on Hyperscale's Plane Trading where Ron Willocks had a decal
sheet for sale that would work nicely. The only problem was that the sheet
did not have enough stars to complete the plane I decided on. Since I
don't have the slightest idea of how to use a computer printer to make
decals (maybe I'll learn someday) I contacted another online friend that does
know how, Scott Murphy. Scott graciously agreed to make them for me
and I was on my way. The kit went together well with a minimum of
problems. After getting the plane built it was given an overall coat of
Testors spray silver. The red, white and blue nose band came with the
decal sheet while the fuselage band behind the canopy did not. That one is
painted on using Parafilm M as a mask. Same it true of the bands on the
wing tip. And believe me it was a masking nightmare. After the
painting the decale went on. I had to use the star and bar markings from
the kit as the after market sheet did not have them. They were the worst
of all the decals to snuggle down the way I wanted them. After liberal
amounts of solvaset they finally were satisfactory. The rest of the decals
went on with no problem. The rest of the small parts were then added , and
she was finished. It makes a colorful addition to the line of grays and
greens of the combat planes in my display. Enjoy all. Mike
PS: I would like to express my thanks to
John Carr for the inspiration on starting this project, as well as Ron Willocks
for selling me the sheet and last but not least Scott Murphy for making the the
extra stars for me. Thanks guys for all your help.
Mike
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