Subject: Re: Aug 17, 2004 article.
From: "Steve Bamford ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "The Ambassador" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 21:05:12 -0700

Hi Alex,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks for sending it in.   

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com
 
Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: The Ambassador 
  To: Steve Bamford 
  Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 12:45 AM
  Subject: Aug 17, 2004 article.

  Dear Steve,

  Here's an article for Indonesian Independence Day on Aug 17, 2004.

  Alex

    
  1/72 Indonesian Air Force Avon Sabre CA-27 Mk.32

  <Avon Sabre-52.jpg>

  Background

  Australian Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-26 was the most radical license-built variant of the Sabre which mated an F-86F airframe with a 7,500 lbs Rolls Royce RA 7 Avon Engine. Although the changes looked simple, it required a lot of changes on the airframe itself. Wider intake, relocated engine mounting and additional small air intakes on fuselage were some of the differences unique to this variant. The armament was also changed to a pair of Aden 30mm cannons.

  The production variant was then called CA-27, which the Indonesian version was CA-27 Mk.32. Mk.32 used the new built Mk.26 Avon engine, had '6-3' wing and had provision for underwing ordnance in addition to a pair of drop tanks. Indonesia received 18 Avon Sabres from RAAF in February 1973 and another five from Malaysia in 1976.

  The Model
  I used Fujimi F-86F Sabre "USAF MiG Killer" kit and Tasman Models Conversion Kit which gives a whole fuselage and intake in limited injection plastic, vac-formed canopy and a decal sheet of 2 RMAF Sabres, 3 RAAF Sabres and one Indonesian AF options.

  The injection plastic itself is quite good (except the rear part near the fin) and smooth but the sprue was thick. Very thick in my opinion especially where the sprue meet the parts. Removing the parts was not quite a problem but the fin was cropped when I removed it. Also, the airbrakes were in closed position on the conversion kit. These things made me wonder if I could use the Fujimi aft-fuselages and mated them to the Tasman's. I cut the Fujimi & Tasman fuselage just in front of the airbrake area and frankly speaking, I had prepared to expect the worst when dry-fitted them, but amazing! They mated nicely! 

  <Avon Sabre-04.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-06.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-07.jpg>

  Constructions went on. I received a lot of help from the Sabre Master, Duncan Curtis on the Indonesian Sabre cockpit. I tried to detail the cockpit (and the canopy actuators) as much as I can, based on the photos supplied. I had to trim the Tasman's cockpit area to make the Fujimi's cockpit parts fitted nicely but the nose landing gear well needed a lot of filling. 

  <Avon Sabre-38.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-40.jpg>

  Tasman instruction tells to widen the intake trunk a few mm, but with careful handling, I could join the new intake to the trunk without modification. I also glued the intake to the trunk securely first, then inserted them when the fuselages were joined. The result was great. This made the intake didn't match nicely to the fuselage, but I didn't have to handle the interior-side of the trunk. It's much easier to fill the exterior of the intake.

  Fujimi wing was the next step. Quite a lot of filling and sanding required here, but not a big problem.  At first, I wrongly used Japanese-Sabre wings for this project, but before too late, I could switch the donor kit to USAF Sabre. I had to add a pair of small intakes in front of the fin. Using a template and chisel, they were easily added.

  Painting and decaling was the next step as usual. I didn't do the scheme Tasman suggested, but I chose to do an Indonesian aerobatic team "Spirit 78" scheme. Besides the scheme was used until the Indonesian Sabre retired, but personally I remembered that back in 1978, 5 Avon Sabres flied in tight formation, at very low level in front of me!

  <Avon Sabre-28.jpg>

  I used Tasman's Indonesian insignias and flag, and numbers from a friend, Masato Ota who printed me an Indonesian Sabre sheet with his ALPS printer. I used Tamiya Spray AS-12 Bare Metal Silver for the silver background color, and painted the other colors using Tamiya Orange and Pactra Insignia Red for the main stripes. Masking the stripes was quite painful as there are a lot of curved lines everywhere..

  Final construction and details were painting and installing landing gears, canopy, wing pitot, etc. Also taking pictures are now a part of modeling steps. J

  <Avon Sabre-49.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-57.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-59.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-60.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-62.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-63.jpg>

  The real aircraft (Avon Sabre TS-8603) is now stored in Bandung. 

  (Photo by Duncan Curtis)

  Also here are some pictures of my Avon Sabre together with another Indonesian aerobatic team "Spirit 85" Hawk Mk.53

  <Avon Sabre-67.jpg>

  <Avon Sabre-68.jpg>

  Article of Indonesian AF Hawk Mk.53 can be seen here:

  http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/301-400/Fea343_Hawks_Sidharta/Fea343.htm

  And history of our AF here:

  http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/401-500/Fea440_Indonesian-

  I would like to thank these gentlemen:

  -         Duncan Curtis

  -         Masato Ota

  For their great help.

  Alexander Sidharta

  Jakarta, Indonesia