1/48 Italeri TF-86F Sabre Transonic Trainer

Gallery Article by Ulysses Almeida on Feb 2 2017

 

      

On February 3, 1953, the North American company proposed a two-seat training version of the Sabre, perhaps hoping that the success of Lockheed in adapting its single-seat F-80 to the T-33 two-seat trainer could be duplicated for the F-86 Sabre. On September 9, the USAF authorized the conversion of F-86F-30 serial number 52-5016 to the two-seat configuration. The wing, tail assembly, and powerplant were the same as those of the standard F-86F, but no armament was fitted. The rebuilt aircraft was designated TF-86F. However, on March 17, 1954, on its ninth flight, disaster struck. While doing a slow roll on takeoff, NAA test pilot Joe Lynch lost control of his plane and the aircraft crashed. Joe Lynch was killed. Another conversion to a two-seat Sabre was authorized on March 23 to replace the one which had crashed. The final F-86F-35 off the production line (53-1228) was modified to the two-seat TF-86F configuration. It was similar to the first TF-86F, but was armed with a pair of 0.50-in machine guns in the nose and was equipped with a pair of underwing racks for drop tanks or bombs. Early-F-86F style wing slats were fitted. In addition, a small ventral fin was added to the aft fuselage to correct what was thought to have caused the crash of the first prototype.

The second TF-86F (53-1338) made its maiden flight on August 5, 1954. In order to try and sell the two-seat Sabre to the USAF, a demonstration tour of training bases began on September 2, 1954. Bob Hoover was the point man for these demonstrations, going from one training base to another, offering pilots a ride in the second seat and giving them an opportunity to see what it was like to fly through the sound barrier. The TF-86F aircraft was delivered to Nellis AFB on January 31, 1955. However, on February 7, the USAF announced that the TF-86F would not be getting any production orders, the contract going instead to a two-seat version of the F-100 Super Sabre.

Even though the number two TF-86F never got any production orders, it nevertheless served for many years as a chase plane at Edwards AFB. It was eventually scrapped.

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I built this model using an old F- 86F and the ITALERI model 2684. It was not difficult to adapt the extra seat and extend the front fuselage. The quality of the ITALERI model is superb, the panel lines are very clearly marked and the fitting is perfect. Interestingly enough, the canibalized kit was a REVELL 04562 Canadair CL-13B Sabre. They are exactly the same. The hardest part was making a copy of the canopy in wood. I used a PET bottle and a heat blower to mould the canopy. Making the decals for the model was pretty easy. The paint is REVELL for the red and a common aluminum oil for the fuselage. The black is also a common flat oil paint. It was fun making this kit.

A rare version of the F-86 and an interesting one in my opinion. Only two ever produced, one being lost in an accident and the surviving plane served as chase plane for long time. A must have for an enthusiast of the F-86. A true rare bird.

Ulysses Almeida

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Photos and text © by Ulysses Almeida