Hasegawa HA07526

North-American F-86F-25/F-30 (F-40 wing) Sabre (4) - 'Camouflaged desert Swords' (designed to be used with Hasegawa and Revell kits) Hasegawa F-86F-40, Revell Sabre Mk.6) * F-86F-25 51-13244 / 3-133 - 103rd TFS, Imperial Iranian Air Force, in Natural Metal Finish, deployed to Kamina AB,Congo, in 1963 as part of the UN Fighter Wing during the Katanga crisis. * F-86F-25 51-13224 / 3-140 - 41st TFS, Imperial Iranian Air Force, in Asia Minor camouflage scheme,4 TFB Vahdati, 1969 * F-86F-25 51-13240 / 275 - 1st Fighter Bomber Sqn, Imperial Ethiopian Air Force, in Asia Minor camouflage, Asmara AB, 1972 * F-86F-30 52-4576 / 'DRAGON' - 9th TFS, 5th TFW, Philippine Air Force, in Jungle camouflage, Edwin Andrews AB, Mindanao,1973. The Imperial Iranian Air Force received the first of 52 F-86F-25/F-30 Sabres, updated with the F-40 slatted wings and 4 underwing hardpoints, in 1960. Normally based at 1 TFB Mehrabad, four IIAF Sabres operated out of Kamina AB, between January and May 1963, as part of the United Nations Fighter Wing during the Katanga secession. The IIAF F-86Es were very active, flying more operational sorties than the co-based Swedish and Philippine contingents combined, one of the Sabres suffering damage due to ground fire. Around 1965, the Iranian F-86 fleet has been repainted in the Asia Minor camouflage scheme. The Sabres were used in the fighter-bomber and training roles until 1971. Several Iranian Sabres were delivered to the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force during November 1970. These aircraft saw intensive use in the COIN role against Eritrean rebel forces during the 1970s, using bombs and napalm. The Philippine Air Force used their F-86F-30 (updated with F-40 wings) in combat against the MNLF in Mindanao during 1973-1976. Several F-86Fs were lost during these COIN missions due to intense ground fire. 'Dragon' was one of the 9th TFS Squadron Sabres that received a locally designed 'Jungle' camouflage. This scheme was applied directly on the NMF and heavy wear and chipping appeared quickly, due to the tropical climatic conditions of Mindanao. 52-4576 was shot down during early 1974, the pilot ejecting safely.

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