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Euro Decals ED-32101 Very Colourful Sabres


Iain

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Pah are  we not modellers, we aren't put out off with such trivial matters.. let us hasten to our benches and make  A's E's and Rf-86s  and not be downhearted , 

 

Make the decals and we'll find some way to use them !

 

 

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A couple of things on the Norwegian aircraft:  332 Sqn at Rygge AB received their first F-86F Sabre in 1957 and was designated as the operational conversion unit for the Sabre.  These would have been delivered with the original seat.  In 1960-62, the Sabres were modified to take Martin Baker seats (I believe they were Mk.5).  332 Sqn flew the F-86F until 1963, when they were transferred to Gardermoen AB to become an all-weather interceptor unit on the F-86K.  They were deactivated the following year, so the date on the decal instructions can't be right.  There is (or at least was) a Sabre preserved at Gardermoen wearing this colour scheme however, so maybe that's where they got it from?

 

The Flying Jokers were established in 1957, first on the F-84G, but swapped for Sabres when 332 Sqn transitioned to the newer aircraft (though they were not really "new").  The number of aircraft also increased from four to six, and in 1959, the colour scheme changed to red, white and blue trim and a smoke generating system was added.  In the winter of 1960/61, the colour scheme changed again with a playing card featuring a joker adorning the tailfin.  This lasted until 1962 as the squadron was preparing to convert to the F-86K

 

Some Sabres were delivered with the 6-3 hard wing, but they were later modified to get the extended span slatted wing.  I found a photo in the 1994 edition of "Fra Spitfire til F-16", showing all six Jokers in formation in the colour scheme of the decal (dated 1959),  and they all appear to have the leading edge slats.  As for the seat - there is one photo of AH-X (53-1128) in the same colour scheme that is said to be taken at Rygge in 1960, and that has the Martin Baker seat. I haven't found photos of the aircraft in question with the original seat, but the time frame of the modifications would make it likely it had the original seat when first painted up in these markings.

 

Bummer about the blue stripe in the pennant - this is poor proof checking of the artwork and the screen, not poor printing.  The Norwegian roundel is very demanding of registrations, and these seem to be quite good as well as having the proper proportions.  The best way would be to ask anyone not building the Norwegian aircraft whetheyr they can spare a roundel.

Edited by jenshb
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