Hi Rich,

I have not had the pleasure of trying to work with older decals as of yet.  Looks like you are winning the battle!  I think the F-86 was one of my first kits when I was a kid.  Of course it was only 1/72 scale back then.

Ken

Ken;

Way back in the mid 60's my brother and I got a combo kit, 1/72 Sabre and Mustang. I don't know who the manufacturer was. I remember I could never make up my mind which one I liked better.

I picked up one of each though, the Mustang is Hasegawa, and I think the Sabre is Academy. They are tiny, but the detail is great, brings back memories.

Rich;

So, do you feel like you are cheating yet Rich? OOB?

Is there a Micro-sol product to de-fur cats?

I have to say, of all the styrene around, I still like the silver colored the best. I can almost smell tube glue when i see pictures like that. -oh yeah, and a finger prints on the canopy......

Dom

I almost always use the liquid decal film on older decals, and some newer ones that tend to be thin, like some of the Academy kit decals.  If the decals are both old and discolored, I scan them into my computer at very high resolution (usually 1200dpi) and then use Paint Shop Pro by Corel to either clean them up, or to use as a template to make duplicates from scratch.  Then just use some decal film inkjet paper, and wala..  Brand new sharp and clear decals.  Ask Dom how they come out.   I have made him a few sets for some of his older kits.  They almost always come out cleaner than the original.  And it also solves the age old problem with decals made a long time ago using the older offset processes where the registration between the different color runs didn't match up 100 percent.  But even after I print out these, I use either gloss coat or dull coat (depending on the application) on the printed decal sheets to seal the image.  You just have to remember to cut the decals exactly on the edges of the printed parts.

I love the F86.  It's one of those simple classics.  I have a 1/32 version kit as well, but I didn't have the ambition to get into that one at this time.  I don't have anyplace to display or even store something that big since we care currently living with my Mom-in Law.  But as soon as we get our own place.... Look out... I have a ton of larger kits I have been dying to do.  I have done the old Monogram F86 quite a few times.  It's a nice kit, but the fit on this one looks to be a bit better.

Rich

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Rich,

I have not had the pleasure of trying to work with older decals as of yet.  Looks like you are winning the battle!  I think the F-86 was one of my first kits when I was a kid.  Of course it was only 1/72 scale back then.

Ken

PS:

I suppose if I had one of these, life would have been perfect!

North American slowly morphed the 'Stang into the Sabre.

Believe me, I would have liked to have done some more than OOB but...

A.  AM parts and details are out of budget for the time being.

B.  I don't think anyone ever made any aftermarket add ons for the Scalecraft kit.

and

C.  I just want to get this done as neatly as possible. lol

The silver is nice. but it can be a somewhat bother when dealing with decals.  I don't know how they used to formulate it but sometimes you will end up with weird decal issues.  Considering I have to prime it in flat black anyway, and it's one of those cases where it really isn't much help.

Anyone have any spare F86F decals out there?  All I have is F86D AM sheets.  And these OOB original decals are hosed.

Bockscar

Ken;

Way back in the mid 60's my brother and I got a combo kit, 1/72 Sabre and Mustang. I don't know who the manufacturer was. I remember I could never make up my mind which one I liked better.

I picked up one of each though, the Mustang is Hasegawa, and I think the Sabre is Academy. They are tiny, but the detail is great, brings back memories.

 

Rich;

So, do you feel like you are cheating yet Rich? OOB?

Is there a Micro-sol product to de-fur cats?

I have to say, of all the styrene around, I still like the silver colored the best. I can almost smell tube glue when i see pictures like that. -oh yeah, and a finger prints on the canopy......

 

Dom

I have a 1/48 Fury, but it's in storage.

Bockscar

PS:

I suppose if I had one of these, life would have been perfect!

North American slowly morphed the 'Stang into the Sabre.

Yeah,

Rich has done some amazing 're-cals' for me. It's a nice addition to an older kit to have a fresh set of decals. Very crisp details too.

Which reminds me, I don't think I've actually applied decals to anything since I did the control panel OOB for the F-4P....I was a young man back then.....

dom

Rich;

You might be able to talk me out of a Monogram 1/48 set, I'll check the stash - sure you know what they look like.

Well;

This hobby is never boring, I gotta say.

I checked my first Mono F-86, and the previous owner clipped the yellow and black wing-tip and waist bands.

I checked the Combination Set with the Mi-15, it only has the decals as they are on the box-cover, and the MIG's canopy set and clear sprue is MIA.

I have an expensive Academy box-cover only set, an AM set for the F-86D,

and lo and behold, a fresh Esci set with decals for 4 variants - might be a good bet.

Probably the same ESCI set that came with this kit.  I'd "Re-Cal" them as you put it, but I can't get a clean scan of them.  There are speckles of brown crud of some type all over them.  I think the previous owner may have had a case of "colacaneplosionitis" near the decals...

I'm not picky about what decals on this one, just something usable.  Otherwise it's getting the same paint job as the Sabre in the movie "The Last Chase", which has no real marking and is pretty boring.  Great Movie Though..

Bockscar

Well;

This hobby is never boring, I gotta say.

I checked my first Mono F-86, and the previous owner clipped the yellow and black wing-tip and waist bands.

I checked the Combination Set with the Mi-15, it only has the decals as they are on the box-cover, and the MIG's canopy set and clear sprue is MIA.

I have an expensive Academy box-cover only set, an AM set for the F-86D,

and lo and behold, a fresh Esci set with decals for 4 variants - might be a good bet.

 

Yeah Rich;

The same set. If you are not in too big a rush, I could scan them on the weekend, I think I have figured out how to scan at 1200, if not, I may have to snail them.

I have a mono "Huff" set with the dragon I could scan as they are loose.

The ESCI set would be better.  There are a few fit differences between the two and that could cause issues with them.

Bockscar

Yeah Rich;

The same set. If you are not in too big a rush, I could scan them on the weekend, I think I have figured out how to scan at 1200, if not, I may have to snail them.

I have a mono "Huff" set with the dragon I could scan as they are loose.

Hi Everyone,

I stopped by the Auto Paint store today and picked up some of that striping tape for detailing cars with.  It is a lot thinner.  I was working with it but completely forgot that it has a clear top layer that you are supposed to peel off after you apply it.  I had gone a good ways when I noticed the clear layer starting to come off.  It turned into a real mess.  So I scraped the whole thing and will start over.  I painted another wire and will wait for it to dry and then start again.  But it will look real nice when I get it done.  It will easily be 1/48 scale this time.

SOMM (the other Ken)

Hi Everyone,

I got a very pleasant surprise today!  That Cutting Edge A-26A (B-26K) Nimrod Conversion kit that I won on eBay arrived today.  When I opened the package, I was pleasantly surprised to find along with the conversion kit the Albatros Modelworks "Naughty Invaders" decals along with the resin nose plug and a Squadron vac-u-form canopy!  It's my birthday again!   

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

I got a very pleasant surprise today!  That Cutting Edge A-26A (B-26K) Nimrod Conversion kit that I won on eBay arrived today.  When I opened the package, I was pleasantly surprised to find along with the conversion kit the Albatros Modelworks "Naughty Invaders" decals along with the resin nose plug and a Squadron vac-u-form canopy!  It's my birthday again!   

Ken

Hey wow Ken, congrads! I have that decal sheet and it's some really sharp work.

Well, thanks to Dom I was able to get a usable scan at high resolution of the ESCI F86 decal sheet.  I am attaching it here in case anyone needs it.  It's been cleaned up and restored as best as I can.  At full resolution, it is like 4509x4534.  Note that the sections of the decals, that need to be white, such as inside the stars and bars are colored with an RGB Value of 253,253,255 so when printed, you can print the background clear since it is pure white and will print clear on transparent decal paper, and the not quite white areas will not be noticeably different from pure white.  I also added some color to the instrument panel decals.

Gamera

Hey wow Ken, congrads! I have that decal sheet and it's some really sharp work.

SHHIIIIISSSHHHHH.....

Very nice Re-Cals Rich!

Nice job Rich!!  

Okay.  Got quite a bit done tonight.  With the exception of a bit of touch up paint to do on the ejection seat, the main fuselage is now together, as are the wings.

Here's the Cockpit sub assembly before being put in the fuselage.

Here is a shot of the two fuselage halves painted light gray inside, before assembly.

Now the two fuselage halves together with the cockpit module in place.

Here is a closer shot of the cockpit module in place in the fuselage.

And finally a shot of the wing assembly together and clamped for the evening.

She is moving along at a good pace.  Tomorrow I plan on getting a start on the landing gear painting, which si the part I really have problems with.   I'm going to have to get some more aluminum paint for the fuselage and wing modules.  I like the finish better than the silver that the instructions call for.  Have a good night everyone.

Rich

Hi folks.  This is way way off topic, but I really needed to get this info to as many folks as possible. 

My Sister Susan lives in Maine, and is having a major crisis.  Her Step Son has a large brain tumor and is going to have to go under the knife.  My Sister is holding a fund raiser to help defray the costs of the surgery and I was wondering if anyone living in that part of the country could attend.  Here is a link to a story in a paper about it.

http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2012/04/19/news/news06.txt

Susan has had a hard life.  We were both put into foster care when we were kids and separated for a long time.  Now we live close to 1000 miles apart.  She has been working her entire adult life in the social services area, and helping everyone she could.  Every day she drives for hours each way into MA to her job helping folks.    If anyone in the area could attend, I would really appreciate it.  I won't be able to.  Gas prices are just way way to high for that trip for me.  But if I can even get a few people to go, I think she would appreciate it as well.

All of the information on the event is in the story I gave the link for.  So if you can attend great, or if you know anyone who could, please pass the URL along.

Thanks everyone.

Rich

Rich, great job on the decals and the cockpit.

Maine is quite a good distance from me but I'd like to pray for your family if it's ok with you? My thoughts are with you and your family.

Cliff

The benefit is actually being held in Lynn MA.  Near where she works.  Thanks for your prayers.  Every bit helps. :)

Rich

Gamera

Rich, great job on the decals and the cockpit.

Maine is quite a good distance from me but I'd like to pray for your family if it's ok with you? My thoughts are with you and your family.

Cliff

Rich, the Sabre is looking great. 

You and your family have my prayers as well.

Buzz

Here are some more images

Pardon the lousy quality of this one.  It's the large canopy section which has been masked and painted.

Here's the main fuselage and wing modules mated.  Not too bad for an older kit.

And finally a front view of the main fuselage and wings.  I will be leaving the air brakes and landing gear doors as well as the gear itself, unattached until I have the main painting done on this assembly.

Rich,

Whoops I'm sorry!

The F-86 is really coming together there.

Cliff

Rich;

That is a very tough message, I know your

sister must be going through a lot of worry

herself right now, we too are praying for Nick,

because every bit helps.

i saw his picture there with your sister,

great kid. All the best.

Dom

Hi Rich,

I wish the best for Nick.

Your Sabre is looking great! 

SOMM (the other Ken)

Thanks guys.  And thanks for the donation Dom.  Every little bit helps.  I am just afraid this might force her to sell her house or something.  She has to pay the full deductible for the surgery with no assistance.  The real crappy bit is that they will eventually have to have the surgery repeated since they can't get all of the tumor because of where it's situated.  Susan is a tough lady, she always has been.  But this kind of thing is going to make anyone struggle.

Yeh the F86 is coming along nicely.  I have to be careful.  The plastic is a bit fragile.  I actually cracked a wing trying to sand off a tough burr.  Luckily it didn't crack all the way through, so a bit of glue was able to repair it.  I'll be attaching the canopy tomorrow and letting it dry overnight before starting the fuselage painting.

Rich

It was nothing Rich, I donated just one haircut.

I don't know if Nick builds kits, but if he does, I'd be happy to donate a kit.

That Escii is a nice rendition of the Sabre. I like the triangular intake, it gives

the Sabre a mean look. Your details are looking very good.

I want to use the Esci or Monogram intakes as templates for my 1/32

kits, not because they are the most accurate, but it gives the Sabre a

real nice aggressive look. I have a big 1/32 Hasegawa with a round intake,

and unfortunately, I think one of Rich's cats paid me a visit and crashed it

on the floor!...lol....

I want to re-putty the intake to look more like the Esci.