Warbird Information Exchange

I just bought one of those pre-built 1/18 scale F-86 Sabre models (actually it's a Luftwaffe CL-13). At $30 new in the box, I simply couldn't pass it up. Nothing against our German friends, but I don't have any interest in the Luftwaffe markings. I plan to shoot it with shiny aluminum paint and decal it up like a USAF airplane. I know, it's not actually an NAA airplane, and purists will be offended, but in this case, I don't care! So. . . where can I get some USAF decals for it? Decals, people, decals! Where do I get 'em?

(once finished, it will go on display at VFM)

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

With the dimensions of the 1:1 markings, using a scale conversion chart, and some detective work in the past I've found existing decals that would work for what I needed. It would require looking @ really big sheets like 1/48th B-29 or 32nd sheets, you might also try sheets for control line and flying scale kits. Take your dimensions and a 6 inch scale down to the local R/C store and talk with the counter person. OR, get some friskit @ the local artsy-craftsy store and cut and spray your own.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

It might be worth getting in touch with this guy:
http://www.canmilair.com/index.htm

Although I haven't personally seen his decals, my dad did up one of the 1:18 Sabres as a Golden Hawk using a set of CanMilAir decals and he seemed pretty pleased.

-Tim

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Keep 'em Flying.

If you do get in touch with CanMilAir, be sure to clearly specify what scale you're after as he does everything from 1:1 on down. The Golden Hawk decals almost arrived in full scale vinyl cutouts but the thousand-odd dollar price confirmation kind of put up a red flag.

-Tim

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Keep 'em Flying.

Not sure what you mean by that last part, Tim. My 1:18 scale RCAF Golden Hawk Sabre decal set you mentioned is $63.00. I offer the aviation modeller 35 different Sabre decal sets and the largest and most expensive set in 1:18 scale is $72.00. I recently provided a customer with RCAF Golden Hawk markings at 1:5 scale for an RC competition in a combination of waterslide decals and cut vinyl and the entire package came to under $500.00.

Markings done in cut vinyl for a 1:1 scale Sabre would run into the multiple thousands due to the sheer size and number of markings. My full-size Sabre service markings package alone contains almost 180 individual stencils and would cost about $2,500. For a complete warbird repaint, a total package with national insignia, lettering and the service markings would probably be that much again. I believe there are 13 airworthy Sabres left flying in the world today and CanMilAir supplied the markings on two of them.

I can put together USAF markings for an F-86 Sabre in 1:18 scale quite easily, but as I have not been asked to do so in the past, I really can't say how much it will cost, but it would be a safe bet that it would be the same price as my other Sabre sets in that scale - $63.00 to $72.00 max. If special artwork was required, like nose art or tail art, that would have to be factored in as an additional charge.

Check out my 1:1 scale projects HERE and my scale model gallery HERE. Click on "Tags" to filter for "18 scale" or "Sabre".

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Cheers,

Wm. (Bill) Burns
CanMilAir Decals

Hey Bill, glad to see you're here to answer any and all questions yourself. About the scale issue comment I made, I wasn't involved myself but I had heard the decals for the 1:18 Sabre my dad did were originally ordered in the wrong scale. I suspect someone missed a key when they typed up the order and either asked for 1:1 or 1:8 instead of 1:18

Here's how the Sabre turned out:

I believe Tamiya rattle can paints were used throughout and the decals were CanMilAir's as already mentioned. I'm told working with the large size water slide decals was pretty painless. Anyways, the model was given to a former Golden Hawks lead and he just loves it.

-Tim

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Keep 'em Flying.

That would certainly explain it!!
I check in here every now and then, certainly not on a regular basis.



It looks awesome Tim! What is the builders name so I can post it in my Gallery?

Bill

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Cheers,

Wm. (Bill) Burns
CanMilAir Decals