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The
Sky Lancers were a relatively unknown Royal Canadian Air Force air demonstration
team that formed in Europe during 1955.
They proved so successful that another team came together the following
year; once again using equipment and personnel from Canada’s contribution to
Europe’s defense.
However, during a spring rehearsal three of the four aircraft crashed.
The Sky Lancers never flew again.
This
1/48th scale model represents a Canadair Mk.5 Sabre in the markings
of the lone surviving aircraft from that fateful crash.
I used the U.S.A.F. F-86F Hasegawa kit, filling in two fuselage vents to
complete the conversion to the Mk.5 variant.
A True Details cockpit went into the front and this included a nice rear
sill to fill in that bare spot.
The
exterior colors represent the typical N.A.T.O. scheme carried by most N.A.T.O.
aircraft during the fifties.
Although this was an air show bird, it was still an operational airframe
so my weathering was a bit more dramatic.
I highlighted the panel lines with thinned black oil paint, but I also
added some very minor wear via silver paint flecks and pastels.
The overall effect is subtle enough not to be that obvious.
Yet when compared to a freshly painted model, the differences are plain
to see.
Decals
are from Aero Graphics.
The white scallops on the wings and tail were translucent.
I had to use two decal sheets and double-up on the scallops.
The “Sky Lancers” script on the fuselage comes in two parts (the main
lettering and the edging).
Neither matches up exactly.
I spent extra time maneuvering the edging decal around to get the best
fit. The
defect doesn’t jump out at you, but I know it’s there.
I like this Sabre as it offers a nice contrast to my other F-86 models.
Randy
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