F-86D Sabre (oz1288)

About this Plan

F-86D Sabre. Radio control scale gas model, for Merco .61 power.

Quote: "Once in a while a jet aircraft lends itself to being an acceptable scale model with the use of an engine driving a propellor. And generally the prop disk is unseen while the model jet tears through the sky. Such is the model presented this month.

Mr Franz Meier is one of Switzerland's top model builders. Over the last few years he has built quite a number of models, notable among them is the F-86D Sabre Jet which has proven very popular in Western Europe. A number of versions have been flown in that area and now Flying Models is pleased to present this scale model to the American modeling public. Mr Meier has also built a scale model of the Hawker Hunter Mark 58 (the designation for the Swiss version of the F.6 Hunter). In addition he recently completed the well-known Ling-Temco-Vought FSA-2N Crusader and a scale model of the Douglas AD-6 Skyraider used in Viet Nam by both the US Air Force and US Navy.

In keeping with the tradition of offering the best in R/C Scale Models, FM hopes to present more of these out-standing designs in the future.

The Sabre-Jet was one of the most widely seen jets in the European skies after World War II, sporting many color schemes and bearing the insignias of several NATO nations. Because of its clean lines and the shape of the radar domed nose, it is possible to install engines as large as the .61 size without disturbing the contour of the fuselage. While the plans show the engine mounted on the side, thereby assisting in the cooling of the engine, it is possible (and space permits) to mount the engine inverted and completely cowl your choice of powerplants. Further, the design lends itself to the experimenter who would enjoy the roar of a model pulse jet engine coming from the tail pipe in true jet atmosphere.

Proper precautions must be taken to insulate the hot pipe from the radio components, but flight with a jet engine is feasible as long as the Center of Gravity location is not changed.

The model Sabre Jet powered with a Merco .61 engine takes off in less than two hundred twenty-five feet with the flaps, set at 15°. With this engine the flying characteristics are excellent and it is possible to fly the AMA stunt pattern after it is properly trimmed out and the pilot learns the idiosyncrasies of a swept wing model. With the flaps down the trim does not change appreciably, but rather improves the flight characteristics at low speed, especially during the landing approach. When the model gets tail heavy as the fuel is burnt during flight, it becomes more responsive to aileron commands..."

Update 03/11/2013: Replaced this plan with a clearer version, thanks to JJ.

Update 18/10/2017: added article, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Alternate version of the plan. Scan of original magazine pages, by 50+AirYears.
Article.

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