One more QF-86

Duckie

Duckie

SOH-CM-2024
WIP...

China Lake, 1988, base commander's aircraft.

...about 50% done.

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Oh man, this baby will go great with my China Lake scenery. Can't wait. Great work Duckie!!!
 
Duckie said:
:biggrin-new: You can tell that little birdie the fat lady's about to sing!
Click to expand...

Dont be messing with Birdies emotions. That can get ugly. Birdy dont play.

This is an interesting aircraft though. I would not think that a base commander would have a QF bird for a personal aircraft. Though the F-86 is a special case. Kind of like a Shelby Cobra. Just one beautiful, iconic, classic machine. QF birds usually are close to end of life on the airframe and from what I have read, the units that are pilot flown are allowed to do so up to about 300 hours before use in a terminal mission. I suppose the base commander could get his pick of the litter in terms of lowest hours etc though?
 
ejoiner said:
Dont be messing with Birdies emotions. That can get ugly. Birdy dont play.

This is an interesting aircraft though. I would not think that a base commander would have a QF bird for a personal aircraft. Though the F-86 is a special case. Kind of like a Shelby Cobra. Just one beautiful, iconic, classic machine. QF birds usually are close to end of life on the airframe and from what I have read, the units that are pilot flown are allowed to do so up to about 300 hours before use in a terminal mission. I suppose the base commander could get his pick of the litter in terms of lowest hours etc though?
Click to expand...

I've read many of the QF86s made it well into the nineties and that several "famous" ones survived many hits by air to air munitions. Generally, if they survived the missile hit to return and land they were repaired and made ready for another mission. There's a photo of one with 4 AARAMs, 1 Sparrow, 1 Phoenix, and 1 gun hit mission marks that was repaired each time and eventually became an airshow aircraft! I also think I read somewhere that most, if not all, of the privately owned F-86s today are QFs.

This CO was there from 86 to 89 and maybe he had 2 or 3 QFs during his stint at China Lake. Maybe his bumper sticker read "My other ride is a QF-86!"

Pretty cool little hot rod to tool around in, huh?
 
Last edited:
Hey findus and Eric, thanks for the comments. Much appreciated and glad you like the repaint. Sorry it took a minute to acknowledge but had a busy weekend.

Thanks again!

Cheers,
Steve
 
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