Bestfong 72084 1/72 RoCAF F-86 part 2
PRICE: HK$85.00
KIT: Various 1/72 F-86s.
REVIEWER: Richard F
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 2015

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

Back to the Main Page

Back to the Decal Review Index Page