A giant-scale turbine fighter from the Korean War

A giant-scale turbine fighter from the Korean War

Paul LeTourneau built his amazing Korean War jet fighter from a Tomahawk Aviation Kit. The huge 1/3.5-scale F-86 Sabre Jet is truly a sight to behold. Paul powers his 122-inch-span F-86 with a KingTech 260. Equipped with a Powerbox smoke system, the 118-inch-long Korean warbird eats up a lot of sky.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A giant-scale turbine fighter from the Korean War

Paul poses with his impressive Sabre Jet. You can really see how huge this turbine jet is.

Model Airplane News: Paul, you really did an amazing job with the F-86. What is the material you used to cover the F-86 and how do you apply it?
Paul LeTourneau: The finish is made using aluminum tape from McMaster Carr and Flight Skin from Solo Props. The tape has PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) on the back so you just peel the paper backing off and apply it. I used my fingers and a burnishing tool to rub it down. I then used 0000 steel wool to dull and burnish the aluminum finish.

MAN: How did you create the rivet and screw details?
PL: I use a mix of brass tubes and other homemade tools to imprint the rivets and screw heads onto the aluminum tape. Some of the lap joints are the panel lines molded into the airframe, and I created others with an overlap of aluminum tape.

MAN: What paint and clear coat do you use?
PL: I am pleased how the finished Sabre Jet came out. Really the finish is not exotic; I masked everything off and then I use Rustoleum 2X spray paint (in a spray can). I then dulled it up some with a good scrubbing with steel wool.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A giant-scale turbine fighter from the Korean War

The Sabre Jet is detailed inside and out, including the properly detailed and outfitted pilot figure.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A giant-scale turbine fighter from the Korean War

Paul preps his amazing F-86 for another flight.

MAN: What about the aircraft markings?
PL: The markings are painted on using paint masks as well as some rub-on dry transfer nomenclature markings from Tailor-Made Decals in Germany. The pilot is from Tailored Pilots (in my option, the absolute best pilots on the market).

MAN: What radio gear and servos did you use?
PL: I fly with a Spektrum DX18 transmitter. The onboard radio setup uses a combination of JR 8711HV and JR 8911HV. I also have dual Spektrum AR20310T receivers installed for redundancy.

MAN: How long did it take to complete the Tomahawk Aviation kit? How about the retracts?
PL: From start to finish, it took about seven months to complete, including the finishing and the engine installation. The retracts are beautifully designed and they are pneumatically driven. They are from Tomahawk.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A giant-scale turbine fighter from the Korean War

Smooth and stable, the F-86 has exceptional flight performance.

MAN: And now for the big question… How does it perform? Is the Sabre Jet demanding or easy to fly?
PL: The Sabre Jet really performs creditably well; it’s extremely smooth during flight and is easy control In general terms. For landings, I setup with an overhead approach, I then perform a mid-field break to land. At that point I drop the gear along with the speed breaks and approach flaps. When I am established on downwind, I drop the remaining flaps and I begin to reduce the power to about 1/4-throttle. When I’m on the base leg, I reduce the power to idle and fly it to the ground. The F-86 lands extremely slow (but it will float), so you just need to be sure to reduce the power early enough; otherwise the plane will float right by your intended landing target.

MAN: Any advice for someone wanting to build and fly one?
PL: Obviously this not a beginner’s jet, however you should certainly work your way up and really learn how to land your jets in the intended spot and not “just where it decided to touch down.” Also you really have to be sure to be able to put the financial cost in the back of your mind to enjoy the plane and how it flies. Everyone who has flown mine has been extremely happy with its performance and flying characteristics. The plane really is a huge credit to the design work and construction quality from the Tomahawk Aviation team.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A giant-scale turbine fighter from the Korean War

At a Warbirds over Delaware event, Paul flew his F-86 with a giant-scale F4U Corsair in a formation flight to represent the Korean War.

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | A giant-scale turbine fighter from the Korean War

The jet even has a smoke system to accompany its impressive performance.

By Gerry Yarrish | Photos by Gerry Yarrish & Scott McClurg

 

Updated: June 9, 2022 — 2:30 PM

5 Comments

  1. I worked this model during my 30 years USAF tour. They did their designed mission up thru ANG duty at Niagra and Martin Field in Balto. The last 175TIRES jet was retired at Ft.Lauderdale in the late 1960’s and the Pilot Col.Radochi did. An impressive air show for its final flight. It’s on display @Ft.Lauderdale part. Your model is her accurate in detail. Thanks for sharing!

  2. So cool we had the d model at our TAC base in Germany 57-60
    and most of our pilots were Korean aces

  3. I’m into models but this is very impressive. Imagine many man hours to build and fly safely. Well done and thanks for showing this. In years to come this will be a valueble historic model worth a lot. Cheers Leigh

  4. Gosh, that’s nice! Thanks for sharing it!

  5. Wow!!!! A very nice jet Sir! My dad flew FJ-4’s, I’ve always thought North American made a great looking jet!

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