Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series US35814
North American F-86E Sabre Diecast Model
USAF 51st FIW, Gabby Gabreski, Suwon, South Korea, 1952 | |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| North American F-86E Sabre | | 6.75" | | 6.25" |
Although F-86E-10 LADY FRANCES was the personal mount of five-kill ace Major Bill Wescott, who named it after his wife, the fighter was also periodically flown by Colonel Francis S. Gabreski, CO of the 51st FW and a 28-kill ace from WWII. Gabreski had already destroyed two MiGs with the 4th FW prior to arriving at Suwon. He would subsequently down 4.5 communist jets while leading the 51st, with his all-important fifth kill, on April 13, 1952. Gabreski chose to fly with the 25th FS simply because the unit was combat ready ahead of the 16th FS. Wescott also enjoyed success on April 13, claiming two MiG victories. Although Wescott left the 51st FW in late August 1952 (after serving as CO of the 39th FS for two months), 51-2746 remained a part of the 25th FS until it was lost on November 21 that same year. The Sabre's pilot, 2nd Lt. Peter D. Blakely, ejected when he ran out of fuel after engaging a formation of MiG-15s that were attempting to attack F-84s just south of the Yalu River. Blakely landed on Cho-do Island and was quickly returned to Suwon.
Designed to meet a USAAF requirement for a day-fighter/escort fighter/dive-bomber, the F-86 was first flown on October 1st, 1947. The Sabre's swept-wing "flying tail" configuration and a hydraulic flight-control system were some of its many firsts in technology and design that have now become standard for jet-powered aircraft. Armed with six 50 caliber machine guns, the F-86 saw extensive action in the Korean War, where it was often pitted against the MiG-15. The Sabre pilot had to be in visual contact and within gun range of the enemy in order to attempt a shoot-down, thereby making this aircraft the last true "dogfighter" in Air Force inventory. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale F-86 Sabrejet series salutes this classic Cold War era jet. The large canopy slides open to reveal the detailed cockpit interior and pilot figure. The nose of the model is correctly rendered with machine gun ports surrounded by simulated heat shielding, and there are detailed turbofan blades inside the engine's intake. The model features an easily configurable speed brake at the rear that, when configured in the deployed position, locks in place revealing details inside the airframe and actuator arm. Each release includes fixed fuel tanks mounted to the model's solid metal swept wings.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
