Kinetic 1/32 F-86F-30 Sabre “Korean War”

By Boyd Waechter

This is the second Kinetic 1/32nd F-86F Sabre that I have built and I have enjoyed each one of these builds. If I’m not mistaken, this is Kinetic’s first 1/32nd scale kit, first produced in 2009 as a F-86F-30 Korean War hard wing and then released that same year as a F-86F-40 kit with slats and extended wing tips (my first build of this kit). The kit has also been released by Lucky Model as a “Special” in the same F-86F-30 Korean War box, but with Golden Hawks decals as a RCAF Mk.5 Sabre (beautiful decals printed by Leading Edge Models) painted overall gold. The F-86F-40 kit has also been re-released by Wolfpack with South Korean markings in a SEA style camouflage. And lastly, the kit was re-released in 2013 by Italeri in USAF “Skyblazers” and “The Huff” markings. So, this kit has made the circuit with different manufacturers and new sets of decals. But, despite all of these releases, all of these kits are getting very hard to find and usually demand a price of over $100 if you can find one.

This F-86F-30 hard wing model was built primarily out of the box with the exception of the ejection seat which I traded out for a better looking seat by True Details, I think designed for the Hasegawa 1/32nd scale F-86F kit. I used AK’s Xtreme Metalizer paints and the “Mig Mad Marine” markings were done by Warbird Hobbies (excellent decals). This airplane was flown by Major John Glenn when assigned to the 25th FIS, 51st FIW.

Although produced 17 years ago, these are excellent kits and in my opinion a much better model than the very old Hasegawa kit which is long in the tooth. Kinetic’s decals go on well and the sheet gives you about 150 stencils that will take a while to apply (ask me how I know!). Any of these Kinetic kits, regardless of who released them, are highly recommended. A very easy and enjoyable build.

Kinetic 1/32 F-86F-30 Sabre “Korean War”

By Boyd Waechter

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