Sabre, Corolla and Yugumo

Before I totally embarrass myself by my less than veteran model making capabilities I’d like to talk a little bit about the model I will be tackling this time around.

The Hasegawa Model Kits Limited Edition Egg Plane F-86 Sabre "Taiwan Air Force" model kit is based on a Manga/Animie design popular with the younger generation.                  

The swept-wing "Sabrejet" was well known for its fighting prowess against Chinese forces in the Korean War.

After the war ended the Taiwan Air Force pressed the Sabre into service when it received over 320 of the aircraft, including some AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

The Taiwanese were well prepared when the Second Taiwan Crisis occurred in 1958 as the Sabre’s and their missiles provided a deterrent against the Chinese MiG-15s and MiG-17s.

While the model ‘compresses’ the look of the Sabre’s impressive design the original aircraft profile can be spotted despite its squat appearance.

The kit comes with three part trees and easily removable parts, with little flashing along, with an instruction sheet and decal sheet.

Opening the model kit box I noticed only a few parts were necessary to assemble the model.  While the parts were few they featured lots of detail.

I removed the parts with a special snipping tool, cleaned off what little flashing remained and after about an hour I had the entire model assembled.

It was easy to put together following the detailed instructions.

Over the past several models I’ve assembled I’ve discovered that applying glue should be done sparsely as it is easy to use too much, requiring the model to wiped off and leaving slight rough areas on the pieces if not done quickly.

I opted out of painting the model silver (mainly because I didn’t have any silver paint).  That and a few other items I need to purchase for future model making.

I painted the interiors of both the front jet intake and rear vent and three tires.

On this particular model it was easier to paint the details once the model was assembled.  I’m sure on other larger models pieces may need to be painted before assembly.

On to the decals.  I filled a small bowl with water and submerged each decal in the water as needed.  It’s best to clip each decal from the decal sheet and submerge one at a time as needed.

It was a little awkward applying some of the decals (especially the smaller ones).  I did manage to tear a couple, but was able to piece them together so as not to notice.

This is where tweezers come in handy, some cotton swabs and a small paintbrush allowed to position, dry and maneuver the decals.

I discovered by watching a YouTube tutorial that here are two liquids necessary for good decal placement.

One liquid put on the spot where a decal is to placed allows model makers to move the decal about more freely in a larger segment of time.

The other liquid applied to the surface of the placed decals partly softens the decals and allows the decal to conform better to the surface of the model picking up small surface features such as rivets, seams, etc.

All-in-all I’m pleased with the final model.  It certainly came together better than my last attempt.  There were a few mistakes but I’m learning as I go.

Once I purchase the additional items I need my next model will be more complicated.  Wish me luck.

The 1/24 Scale Toyota Corolla WRC 1998 Monte Carlo Rally Winner Limited Edition model kit recreates in perfect detail the champion design of driver Carlos Sainz’s winning vehicle.

While he won first prize in the initial heat he failed to win top honors instead placing in the top level finishes.  He later would go on to win other awards.

The Toyota Corolla WRC is a bundle of power with its short streamline design, low profile and impressive horsepower for such a small vehicle.

The hobby kit consists of eight part trees and a chassis.

Parts detach easily from part trees requiring very little trimming and fit snuggly together with no gaps or mismatches.

Parts are precise, accurate and easy to assemble using the assembly instructions as a guide.

Paint and a plethora of decals apply smoothly with a little extra care necessary for the decals.

Rubber tires and full interior and exterior details make this a fine addition to any auto lover’s collection.

Had it not been for the fact that much of the U.S. Navy’s fleet were out in the open sea when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the world may have been a very different place, especially in the United States.

For a small country Japan boasted an impressive Navy, Army and Air Force.

One of its most impressive assets was the Japanese Navy Destroyer Yugumo.

Recreated in 1/700 Scale the Yugumo limited edition model kit from Hasegawa Hobby Kits is impressive, even in such a small scale.

Seven part trees and the ship’s body make up the small kit, but the details are huge.

Deck guns, conning towers, railings, smoke stacks and other deck and body details are many-all done in perfect scaled down detail.

Model makers need to have a delicate touch when assembling the model taking special care to not damage the small parts.

The original Yugomo made many transport runs in its naval career.  First to land troops and retrieve retreating forces the ship fought in many war campaigns until she saw a thunderous end via gunfire and torpedo strikes.

Despite being an enemy ship the Yugumo deserves the respect for its ‘Valor beyond question.’