| Model manufacturer: | Hobbymaster |
| Order code: | HA4321 |
| Scale: | 1:72 |
| Material: | Combined (Metal / Plastic) |
| Weight: | 0.9 kg |
| Registration number: | A94-983 |
| Dimensions: | 15.9×15.7×6.3 cm (L×W×H) |
| Air company: | RAAF |
| Aircraft manufacturer: | Sabre |
High-quality metal model of the military aircraft North American F-86 CAC Saber Mk.32, 75th Squadron "Black Diamonds" of the Royal Australian Air Force in detailed design. The package includes a stand and a chassis.
While the fighting against communist forces that began during the Korean War in 1950 ended on 27 July 1953, Australia was far from fighting the communist tide. Southeast Asia was a hotbed of international tension and communist insurgency in the 1950s and 1960s. The RAAF was heavily involved in this fight during the 1950s (although the Korean War was ongoing), the 1960s and during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1972.
In the early 1950s, the RAAF was equipped with de Havilland Vampire and Gloster Meteor jet fighters. The Vampire was approved for purchase in 1946 and the RAAF eventually operated 80 F.30 fighters and the FB.31 fighter-bomber variant. The first 3 were British examples and the remainder were built under license in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) from 1949, with the last delivered in 1953.
Vampire fighters were originally operated by the 75th and 76th squadrons. Between 1952 and 1954 they were posted to the Commonwealth garrison in Malta, but flew British-supplied Vampires. During this deployment they flew the Australian Vampires of the 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 25th Civil Aviation Squadrons (CAF).
The Vampire did not see combat with the RAAF, and all front-line single-seat operations ceased in 1954. Between 1955 and 1956, Hawker de Havilland converted fifty Vampires to target-towing aircraft for aerial weapons training. The single-seat Vampire continued in service with CAF squadrons until it was phased out in 1960.
In 1958 the Gloster Meteors were replaced in the front line of squadrons by the more advanced CAC Sabre, but continued to serve with CAF squadrons until the aircraft was officially withdrawn in 1963. Other Meteors continued in trial service with RAAF No. Department of Supply Air Test and Test Unit in Edinburgh and Woomera Rocket Range in South Australia until the late 1960s and 15 ex-RAAF F.Mk.8s were converted to U.Mk.21 unmanned drones for rocket testing at Woomera ( most drones were subsequently destroyed by rockets).
