North American F-86F Sabre v MiG 15

Today’s build dusted off from my modelling back catalog includes not one but two iconic aircraft from the Korean War: the North American F-86F Sabre and MiG 15. Both models came boxed for the Airfix Club's 2011 limited edition release. A Korean War combo not to be missed and the perfect end to this phase of my lockdown build project! 

The MiG-15 has had numerous name checks over the past few weeks as I've worked my way through the British and American aircraft of the period. It was such a phenomenal and surprising adversary to appear in the North Korean sky that, in the early days, the United Nations had nothing to counter it. Interestingly, at the start of the war, the North Korean Air Force was only equipped with vintage World War II Soviet prop-driven fighters. It was only after China entered the conflict, feeling threatened by the growing risk of having an American supported aggressor on its border, which turned the tide through the introduction of MiGs. The MiG-15 quickly gained air superiority forcing the United Nations to cease daylight flights and in particular the bombing which was having such a devastating effect on the North's ability to continue the war. Interestingly, although not admitted until 40 years later, these MiG pilots were neither Chinese nor Koreans but Russians!  

MiG-15 .. the Airfix and Museum versions 

Fortunately, the US Air Force had just brought into service the only fighter in the world that could come close to matching up to the MiG in even battle. During its development, the design of the North American F-86 Sabre had been switched from a straight-wing to swept wing, which added 70 mph to its top speed. Followers may have noticed a theme surrounding straight v swept wings and the latter was the way to go! In 1950, it entered service in the United States as an air defence interceptor but as the MiG made its presence all too well known in Korea, a wing of F-86 Sabres was rushed overseas to participate in its first combat missions against the Mig-15 in December.

The MiG-15 and the F-86 Sabre were well matched. The MiG, smaller and lighter, had less range, but it was faster and climbed better but was less stable at high speeds. In the area of firepower, neither could be said to be optimally armed. The Sabre had six 50 mm caliber machine guns each with a rate of fire of 1,200 rounds per minute, but were too light to take down a MiG unless the engagement was close-in. The MiG had three cannons, two 23 mm and one 37 mm, but they fired too slowly for good accuracy against the fast-moving Sabre. However, if a MiG managed to score a hit, its high explosive canon shells could rip up to a square meter hole in a Sabre meaning few would fly again even if their pilots managed to get their stricken Sabre back to base, meanwhile,  the MiG-15s with their thicker skin could take far more punishment. I feel the need for a game of Top Trumps!

North American F-86F Sabre

Both aircraft went through a number of upgrades during the war with the Sabre finally switching to canon just as the armistice was signed in 1953. The MiG-15 was probably one of the most widely produced jet fighters of any nation. In excess of 13,000 were manufactured and licensed foreign production may have raised the production total to almost 18,000. While, between 1949 and 1956, even with its extended production run, 7,800 Sabres saw service with a further 1,815 airframes having been provided for the Canadair Sabre, the subject of one of my first Lockdown builds.

Next week, Nam .. I love the smell of polystyrene cement in the morning!

Brand: Airfix 
Title: Airfix Club Ltd Edition North American F-86F Sabre | MiG 15
Number: A82011
Scale: 1:72
Type: Multi-kit
Released: 2011 | Rebox (Updated/New parts)