North American RF-86A 48-246

These are 1/72 scale decals for the North American RF-86A Sabre, serial 48-246, assigned to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the United States Air Force — one of the covert reconnaissance variants of the Sabre that flew some of the most dangerous missions of the Korean War.

The RF-86A was a field-modified reconnaissance conversion of the F-86A Sabre, created in response to an urgent need for a fast, survivable photo-reconnaissance platform capable of operating in the heavily contested airspace over North Korea. With cameras fitted into the nose and gun bays in place of some or all of the standard armament, the RF-86A traded firepower for intelligence-gathering capability — relying on the Sabre's speed and agility to survive in an environment patrolled by MiG-15s. These conversions were carried out under the classified "Ashtray" program, and their existence was not widely publicized at the time.

The 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, operating as part of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing based at Kimpo Air Base (K-14), South Korea, flew some of the most hazardous missions of the conflict — penetrating deep into North Korean and at times Manchurian airspace to photograph airfields, supply lines, and military installations. The intelligence gathered by RF-86A crews was critical to planning UN air operations throughout the war, often obtained at great personal risk to the pilots who flew them.

A rare and seldom-modeled reconnaissance variant of the iconic Sabre, representing one of the most secretive and dangerous missions of the Korean War. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.