SCALE MODELS

F-86F-30 Sabre

2008-05-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

1:72
Fujimi
Version -- “THE HUFF” of the 39th FIS flown by Lieutenant Jim Thompson. Korean War, 1952.
The North American F-86 Sabre (sometimes called the Sabrejet) was an American transonic jet combat aircraft. The F-86 was developed in the late 1940s and was one of the most-produced Western jet fighters of the Cold War era. A variant of the F-86 was produced in large numbers in Canada, as the Canadair Sabre; the main variants were considerably modified with more powerful Avro Canada Orenda engines. The Canadair Sabre was acquired by several NATO and other air forces. U.S. variants were also built in Italy and Japan. A significantly-redesigned variant was built by CAC in Australia as the CAC CA-27, also known as the Avon Sabre.

The F-86 entered service with the United States Air Force in 1949, joining the 1st Fighter Wing's 94th Fighter Squadron "Hat-in-the-Ring" and became the primary air-to-air jet fighter used in the Korean War. With the introduction of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 into air combat in November 1950, which out-performed all aircraft then assigned to the United Nations, three squadrons of F-86s were rushed to the Far East in December. The F-86 could out-turn and out-dive the MiG-15, but the MiG-15 was superior to the F-86 in ceiling, acceleration, rate of climb, and zoom (especially until the introduction of the F-86F in 1953); MiGs flown from bases in Manchuria by Chinese, Korean, and Soviet VVS pilots, were pitted against two squadrons of the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing forward-based at K-14, Kimpo, Korea.

Many of the American pilots were experienced World War II veterans while the North Koreans and the Chinese lacked combat experience, thus accounting for much of the F-86's success. However, whatever the actual results may be, it is clear that the F-86 pilots did not have as much success over the better trained Soviet piloted MiG-15s. Although Soviets piloted the majority of MiG-15s that fought in Korea, North Korean and Chinese pilots increased their activity as the war went on. The Soviets and their allies periodically contested air superiority in MiG Alley, an area near the mouth of the Yalu River (the boundary between Korea and China) over which the most intense air-to-air combat took place. The F-86E's all-moving tailplane has been credited with giving the Sabre an important advantage over the MiG-15. Far greater emphasis has been given to the training, aggressiveness and experience of the F-86 pilots. Despite rules-of-engagement to the contrary, F-86 units frequently initiated combat over MiG bases in the Manchurian "sanctuary."

51st FIG "Checkertails" at K-13 air base (Suwon, South Korea) are prepped for a mission

The needs of combat operation balanced against the need to maintain an adequate force structure in Western Europe led to the conversion of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing from the F-80 to the F-86 in December 1951. Two fighter-bomber wings, the 8th and 18th, converted to the F-86F in the spring of 1953. No. 2 Squadron, South African Air Force also distinguished itself flying F-86s in Korea as part of the 18 FBW.

By the end of hostilities, F-86 pilots were credited to have shot down 792 MiGs for a loss of only 78 Sabres, a victory ratio of 10 to 1. Postwar totals officially credited by the USAF are 379 kills for 103 Sabres lost, amounting to a ratio of nearly 4 to 1. Modern research by Dorr, Lake and Thompson has claimed the actual ratio is closer to 2 to 1.

The Soviet claims of downing over 600 Sabres together with the Chinese claims are considered exaggerated by the USAF. Recent USAF records show that 224 F-86s were lost to all causes, including non-combat losses. But direct comparison of Sabre and MiG losses seem irrelevant, since primary targets for MiGs were heavy B-29 bombers and ground-attack aircraft, while the primary targets for Sabres were MiG-15s.

Of the 40 USAF pilots to earn the designation of ace during the Korean war, all but one flew the F-86 Sabre.

Text: Wikipedia

Mig-15 Fagot

2008-05-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

Dragon
1:72
Is there any aircraft modeler who doesn’t know about the Mig-15? Basing their design on captured German material, the Russian MiG Bureau’s famous Mig-15 first flew on the power of a British Neme jet engine, a number of which were exported to the USSR in 1947. Production aircraft first met USAF F-86 Sabres in the skies over Korea as the first true jet fighter combatants. Enormous numbers of Mig-15s (and the improved Mig-15bis) were built, the type serving in dozens of different airforces.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIV

2008-05-23T05:21:00.001-07:00

Academy
1:72

The first Griffon powered Spitfires suffered from poor high altitude performance due to having only a single stage supercharged engine. By 1943 Rolls-Royce engineers had developed a new Griffon engine, the 61 series, with a two-stage supercharger. In the end it was a slightly modified engine, the 65 series, which was used in the Mk XIV. The resulting aircraft was as great an improvement over the Mk IX as the Mk IX had been over the Mk V. Although initially based on the Mk VIII airframe, common improvements made in aircraft produced later included the cut-back fuselage and tear-drop canopies, and the E-Type wing with improved armament.
It could climb to 20,000 ft (6,100 m) in less than seven minutes and its top speed, which was achieved at 26,000 ft (7,900 m), was 448 mph (721 km/h)
The first test of the aircraft was in intercepting V1 flying bombs, and the Mk XIV was the most successful of all Spitfire marks in this role. The Spitfire XIV was also famous for being able to catch the notorious German jet, the Messerschmitt 262.The Mk XIV was used by the 2nd Tactical Air Force as their main high-altitude air superiority fighter in northern Europe.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VB

2008-05-23T05:06:00.000-07:00

1:48
Hasegawa

This was the first production version of the Spitfire to use "clipped" wingtips as an option, reducing the wingspan to 32 ft 2 in (9.8 m). The clipped wings increased the roll rate at lower altitudes.

Rolls Royce “Torpedo Phantom II Convertible” 1934

2008-05-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

1:24 scale plastic kit from ITALERI

A one-of-a kind car, this particular auto was built in 1934 specifically for the Rajkot Maharajah, to replace his 1908 Silver Ghost The flamboyant torpedo way was constructed by Thrupp & Mabertey, an outstanding English coach builder and has highly polished aluminum wings and bonnet when as the rest of the body is colored saffron, a color that has religious significance in India. The Maharajah's logo displayed on the doors and windows contains his motto: "Dharm praja reja" (an imperial ruler of all men of all faiths). Also, the two Rolls Royce crossed R badges have the black color scheme in honor of Sir Henry Royce' who died at the time the car was constructed. This famous Phantom II has taken part in many rallies throughout Europe and has been constantly jud-ged the most outstanding vehicle.

More information of a model --
http://www.modellversium.de/kit/artikel.php?id=3512

Levant schooner

2008-05-21T01:43:00.000-07:00

Scratch built model miniature in 1:1250 scale.
The model is on show at Peter Tamm collection.

Vosper Fast Patrol Boat Perkasa

2008-05-21T01:28:00.000-07:00

Tamyia`s a great high-quality model 1:72 scale.

Vosper & Company was a British shipbuilding firm founded in 1871 and came to specialize in small craft. During WWII, the company became well known for their motor torpedo boat designs. After the war, Vosper continued to develop small fast patrol craft, one of which was the Brave Class. These boats were equipped with 3 Bristol Proteus engines, which powered the boat to top speeds of over 50 knots. They were armed with one 40mm Bofors cannon, two 20mm Oerlikon cannons, and four torpedoes. The Perkasa was one of several Brave Class boats exported to the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Wright Flyer

2008-05-20T02:35:00.000-07:00

Museum quality model in 1:3 scale for the Museum of Technologies, Haifa.
Model by Alexander & Inna Blokhin

The Wright Flyer (often retrospectively referred to as Flyer I and occasionally Kitty Hawk) was the first powered aircraft designed and built by the Wright brothers. The flight is recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics, as "the first sustained and controlled heavier-than-air powered flight"
Text: Wikipedia

1:48 Curtiss P-40K «Warhawk»

2008-05-15T02:55:00.000-07:00

1:48
AMT/ERTL

Прекрасная модель. Полистирол мягок, податлив, декали в меру тонкий, расшивка выше всяких похвал. В наборе даны 2 версии хвостового оперения и 2 версии декалей — но какие! Машина, данная в модели, принадлежала майору Эду Холмайеру из 16-й эскадрильи, что базировалась в Канмнинге, Китай. Так вот, вариант, приходящийся на середину февраля 1943 г., требует из декали обозначения побед (5 яп. флажков) отрезать 3 флажка. 2 вариант — середина лета 1943 г. — все 5 побед. Вот и всё. Просто и понятно. Но! Мой восторг вызывает ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНЫЙ подход авторов кита и фирмы к делу: чёткое соблюдение исторической последовательности. Согласитесь, не часто в моделях есть столь точные данные о предмете работы. Хотелось бы добавить немного о загаженности машины. Из множества фотографий, отображающих авиацию во время боевых действий в Индокитае, будь то 2-я Мировая или Вьетнам, хорошо заметно состояние авиатехники после даже небольшого периода службы. Посмотрите на обтёртые «Фантомы» и «Скайредеры» — и представьте себе 1943 год. Сомневаюсь, что в этом году, мат. тех. база была лучше укомплектована чем во время Вьетнама. Ну, а данные о сроке службы хотя бы прилагаемой машины позволяют дать почву для некоторой игры фантазии. Полгода в джунглях! Так что, вам судить.

P. S. Окрашивал любимым HUMBROL — кистью. Копоть, пыль и грязь — пастель.

A-4F Skyhawk

2008-05-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hasegawa kit
1:48

Destroyer "Steregushchy" (Guardian). (1904)

2008-05-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

The model of the torpedo boat such as "Falcon" whose name is inextricably related with heroic defense of Port Arthur. The development is given as of the moment of destruction of a torpedo boat (1904) - in military painting. It is an excellent card model. In the complete set the Andreewskiy flag is from silk. Unequivocally we recommend this kit for everyone who is interested in the Russian-Japanese war.
Informacion of kit --
http://www.papermodeling.net/en/62/

M3 Stuart

2008-05-14T04:45:00.000-07:00

Tamiya kit.
Scale 1:35

Opel Blitz + Flak.38

2008-05-14T04:30:00.000-07:00

Opel Blitz (Italeri) and Flak.38 (Tamiya) kits in 1:35 scale.

HMS Barfleur

2008-05-14T04:21:00.000-07:00

Scratch built model in 1:1200 scale.
Materials - wood, plastic, card and tin.
Model is made according to John Bowen`s plans.

RWD-8

2008-05-14T04:08:00.000-07:00

Maly Modelarz (1983-№9)
Card model
Scale 1:33