Leading Edge Models

RCAF "2 Wing" Mk6 Sabre decal sheet

Product # 32.07 and 48.13 and #72.18

Product Article by Steve Bamford

 

 

 

Here is the newest decal sheet from Leading Edge featuring the Canadian built F-86 Mk6 Sabres of RCAF 2 Wing.  Following the VERY popular release of the RCAF "1 Wing" F-86's, Leading Edge has released this decal sheet covering the RCAF F-86's of "2 Wing".  What can I say......this decal sheet has some VERY appealing F-86's in the typical RCAF F-86 camo.  The quality is typical stunning Leading Edge quality.  This colourful decal sheet depicts the Canadian built F-86.  These were identical to the US versions except the Canadian versions had more powerful engines.  The difference in engines always gave the Canadian pilots the edge when going up against the American F-86's in flight demos.  I learnt this bit of info from a Canadian former F-86 pilot I bumped into at an airshow a couple of years back.  But I digress...back to the decal review.  This decal sheet...has enough markings and full stencils to do one of 3 Canadian F-86's....either from 416, 421 or 430 squadrons.  This sheet will probably sell very well (like the RCAF F-86 "1 Wing" decal sheet) due to it's high quality  and the amazingly readable tiny, tiny stencils....and there's a lot of stencils.  It's actually freaky how readable the stencils are.....even the stencils on the 1/72 sheet look readable.  As you can see below...there are actually 2 decal sheets in the 1/48 scale.  I've heard people have been buying this sheet just for the stencils alone....and after seeing the high quality of the printing, I can understand why.  But for myself, I was in love with the camo schemes with the colourful markings on the tail as well and the appealing Maple Leaf roundels.  Some Canadian Maple Leaf roundels are not as attractive as these ones.  There are 3 pages of instruction sheets.  The first page shows all the decal markings placement for the 3 different planes.  The second instruction sheet shows the stencil placement, painting instructions and modifications needed to be done to the kit to make it a true Canadian F-86.  These modifications are all very minor.  The third page of the instruction sheets has 3 line drawings of the cockpit control with text telling what each switch etc is.  Also on this instruction sheet are line drawings of the ejection seat and line drawings of the wing  tips showing what modifications to do to make the wing tips correct in 1/32 and 1/48 scale.  By the way...the flag on the tail is the Red Ensign....the flag Canada used before it's current Red Maple Leaf flag.  This decal sheet is very good value and will make a very enjoyable build and a stunning model when complete.   

Steve Bamford

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford