Bestfong 72084 1/72 RoCAF F-86 part 2
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PRICE: |
HK$85.00 |
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KIT: |
Various 1/72 F-86s. |
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REVIEWER: |
Richard F |
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UNITS: |
10 aircraft options |
Back in 1958, the MiG-flying air force of the People's Republic of China got a
nasty surprise when the Sabre-flying air force of the Republic of China (aka
Taiwan) started popping off heat-seeking missiles at them. This was, in fact, a
game changer. The so-called Second Taiwan Straits crisis was resolved not long
after the Sidewinder was introduced. Of course, the missile's presence wasn't
the only, or even primary, factor - US forces and the implicit threat of the use
of nuclear weapons were central too. But in
giving the
RoCAF air force an advantage, the missile did make the PRC think twice about the
relative balance of air power between the two (and by the way, that was about
the last time anyone could use the word "ChiComms" with any legitimacy. If you
hear someone use that word today, referring to current events, you know you are
speaking to an exceptionally ill-informed person).
The dog fights over the disputed area were the first time in history
guided air to air missiles had been used in real combat.
There was one other effect of the RoCAF's use of Sidewinders from its Sabres in
that crisis, at least according to legend. One of these Sidewinders was fired
at, and hit, a MiG. But it didn't explode, and in fact the MiG pilot was able to
get back to his base. The Russians got hold of it and their engineers defused
the warhead and then reverse engineered the missile. Thus the AA-2 Atoll was
reputedly born. Some say that the Atoll was so close a copy that even the parts
numbers on the Soviet missile were the same as its American forebear.
This decal sheet gives you all you need for at least two Taiwanese Sabres dating
from that historical episode. It is more comprehensive than the other Bestfong
decals I've picked up lately, and I am fairly certain you can actually decorate
two models with the markings you find here (there are three actual options, but
enough decals that you can choose two of the three). The colour instruction
sheet gives paint numbers for Gunze Mr Color but these are obvious on these ones
because they're bare metal.
Note: you get TWO of the pictured decal sheets in the set.
I picked up mine from www.kitshobby.com in
Hong Kong. Their website is in Chinese, but proprietor Kit speaks and writes
English fluently.
Richard F
June 2015If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please
contact
me or see other details in the
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