Spending my NAVY time in VA-216 when I started thinking about a carrier airplane I migrated toward the A4 as that is the airplane I spent the most time around. After looking over the plans for Richard Perry's A4 I've pretty much given up on the idea of building an A4 for several reasons. The only other airplane I've had any first hand knowledge of is the FJ-4. Va-216 was in the process of trading out it's FJ-4's for A4's when I joined the squadron in 62.

The FJ-4 was really a Saber modified for the NAVY and we know the Saber has been successfully built as a stunt ship. So think I'll see if I can't build a profile version of the FJ for my fun carrier airplane. Wondering if anyone has done this and if planes might be available?

Flying Models Magazine has an F-86 profile that could be adapted. The fuselage would have to be reshaped to get the FJ-4 and carrier gear would need to be added. < http://www.flying-models.com/plan_photos/CF0956.jpg >

Bob

You are correct. The F-86 is not a Naval Aircraft. But...The FJ-2 thru FJ-4 are navalized adaptations of the F-86 design. For a Profile Carrier model the difference is in some basic outlines and the landing gear. Piece of cake to make the changes.

GOOGLE "FJ Fury" for a quick rundown on the aircraft history.

Bob

The FJ series test article was flown in sea trials by Bob Hoover and it was in fact an F-86 modified with minimal sea going mods. They learned a lot from the trials as the airplane's fuselage was badly wrinkled after the series of arrested landings.
From the Bob Hoover autobiography.

I thought a neat idea for C/L Carrier would be to use a blown foam scale EDF model in the 36 to 42 inch size. They're light and fast yet can be slowed down enough for a landing. Though probably not a good "hanging" model, it might be fun.

Chris...

The Flying Models F-86 is a Don Hutchinson design, just ordered the plans which should be a great help.

Thanks