Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron

High Planes Models is an Australian company based in Corryong, a country town in the state of Victoria.  They have been around for quite a few years now and specialize in limited-run kits and conversions.  Lately, they have ventured into the decal world and, as with their kits, the decal sheets they produce feature markings that are not produced by the main-stream decal companies. 

Sheet 4805 is a case in point.  It features markings for six Royal Air Force (RAF) Canadian Sabre F4s.  The individual machines and their markings are: 

XD727 of 92 Squadron based at RAF (Station) Linton-On-Ouse in 1958.  Camouflage finish is dark green and dark sea grey upper surfaces over (painted) aluminum undersurfaces.  Supplied markings comprise: 

• Red and yellow chequerboard squadron markings for the fuselage that includes the type D roundel (as do all of the squadron markings on this sheet)
• Yellow letter D individual aircraft code for the vertical stabilizer
• Black XD727 serial for the rear fuselage.

XD753 of 66 Squadron (The Commanding Officer's aircraft) at RAF Linton-On-Ouse in 1955.  Camouflage finish is dark green and dark sea grey upper surfaces over aluminum undersurfaces with a roundel blue vertical stabilizer and roundel blue and white nose.  Supplied markings comprise: 

• Blue and white squadron markings for the fuselage
• A white lighting bolt with the letters AFO in yellow for the vertical stabilizer
• Squadron crests for both sides of the nose
• Squadron Leaders pennants for both sides of the fuselage
• Black XD753 serial for the rear fuselage.

XB664 of A Flight, 67 Squadron, Wildenrath, Germany in 1955.  Camouflage finish is dark green and dark sea grey upper surfaces over aluminum undersurfaces.  The supplied markings comprise:

• Red and blue, with thin yellow outlined squadron markings for the fuselage
• Squadron crests, which are applied over the white portion of the fin flash.
• A red band with a thin yellow outline for the top of the vertical stabilizer
• Black XB664 serial for the rear fuselage

XB630 of 71 Squadron, also at Wildenrath, Germany in 1955.  Camouflage finish is dark green and dark sea grey upper surfaces over PRU undersurfaces.  The supplied markings comprise:

• Black, white and yellow squadron markings for the fuselage
• 72 Squadron eagle insignia on a white circle background for both sides of the nose
• Yellow letter P for the top of the vertical stabilizer
• Black XB630 for the rear fuselage

XB956 of 112 Squadron at Bruggen, Germany in 1956.  Camouflage finish is dark green and dark sea grey upper surfaces over PRU undersurfaces.  The supplied markings comprise: 

• 112 Squadron's famous shark mouth marking for the nose – a one-piece decal.
• A pair of "eyes" for the nose
• A white letter T for the top of the vertical stabilizer
• Black XB956 serial for the fuselage

The final option is XB928 of 130 Squadron in the mid 1950s.  Camouflage finish is dark green and dark sea grey upper surfaces over aluminum undersurfaces.  The supplied markings comprise:

• Red and blue with thin white outlined squadron markings for the fuselage
• White letter G on a black circle background for the top of the vertical stabilizer
• Black XB928 serial for the rear fuselage

Large black serials are also supplied for the lower surfaces of the wings.  These are a bit of a mish-mash.  Complete serials (two of each) are supplied for under wing for XB664, XB928 and XD753.  However, you will have to use your scalpel to modify these serials, plus use the extra 30, 56 supplied to complete the serial for the remaining three options. 

A single set of upper and lower wing roundels are supplied as is a single fin flash.  Stencil data is limited to the larger items and includes, ejection seat triangles, wing walk outlines, beware of exhaust warnings, fuel filler points, no-step outlines for the wing flaps and a set of black stripes for the lower rear fuselage (trestles markings?).

The placement guide is A-4 in size and shows both left and right hand side full colour profiles of each subject as well as an upper and lower surface plan view of the dark green and dark sea grey over aluminum undersurface and a single lower surface PRU plan view.  The placement guide gives the British Standard numbers for each camouflage colour and matches these to both Humbrol and Model Master paints.  Tamiya paints also get a mention as a match to Roundel Blue.   

The decals themselves have been printed in Australia.  The printer is not identified but they look every bit as good as Microscale decals.  They are sharply printed and in perfect register. 

The placement guides – there are two sheets – and the decals come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

A nice sheet.  If you want to add something different to your F-86 collection then this is the sheet for you.  Nice one Meggsy! 

Recommended. 

Footnote: 

What was a Sabre Mk 4 and can you model one from either the Haseagwa or Academy kits?  Yes you can.  In fact, High Planes Models have re-packaged the Academy kit along with this sheet as an all-in-one package.  Go to their website and see for yourself http://www.corryongcec.net.au/~hiplanes/4805.htm 

If you want to know even more about the Mk 4 Sabre and what wing was fitted to it, go to the IPMS Canada website where there is a thread on the subject http://www.ipmscanada.com/threads/th10-RCAF%20Sabre%204.html

Review Copyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 08 November, 2004
Last updated 08 November, 2004

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