Canadair Sabre Mk 6 – JG 71 Richthofen, Luftwaffe, Erich Hartmann, Ahlhorn AB, Germany, 1960

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA4320: Canadair Sabre Mk 6 JA-111 of JG 71 Richthofen, Luftwaffe, Erich Hartmann, Ahlhorn AB, Germany, 1960. Production run of 600 models

Length 6.75 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

In 1956 Eric Hartmann became part of the newly formed West German Luftwaffe and soon was appointed the first Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 71 “Richthofen”. This new squadron was an all-jet unit equipped with Canadair Sabre CL-13 Mk.6. Hartmann’s aircraft was built as JC+368 and later became JA+111. He had it painted the same black tulip scheme used by him on the Eastern Front during WWII. In 1959 Hartmann was promoted to the post of Kommandeur Jagdgeschwader 71 “Richthofen”, Ahlhorn, West Germany. During WWII Hartmann flew 825 missions and scored 352 victories.

Designed to meet a USAAF requirement for a day-fighter/escort fighter/dive-bomber, the F-86 was first flown on October 1st, 1947. The Sabre’s swept-wing “flying tail” configuration and a hydraulic flight-control system were some of its many firsts in technology and design that have now become standard for jet-powered aircraft. Armed with six 50 calibre machine guns, the F-86 saw extensive action in the Korean War, where it was often pitted against the MiG-15. The Sabre pilot had to be in visual contact and within gun range of the enemy in order to attempt a shoot-down, thereby making this aircraft the last true “dogfighter” in Air Force inventory.