STEP 8
See notes above on the main instrument panel that was made differently. 

This step particularly deals with fuselage assembly. I took a different approach to glue together the left forward fuselage C27 and left rear fuselage part F4. This to ensure a nice clean fit and to avoid a big step in the seam. (So the he bulkhead parts D6 were not required). 

Strips of thick plastic were used to strengthen the bond. Let dry for an hour on a flat surface and it turned out that although the fit is pretty good, still some sanding is needed. 

Please note that the right halves are NOT joined together. They will be mated later on to the left fuselage to get better alignment. 

Inside the fuselage halves, I taped tape to avoid see throughs the very nice slots and intakes that are nicely moulded opened up. 

The NACA ducts parts C19 and C21 (shown in step 18) were also set in place here to get a better flush fit. These were usually seen of JASDF and Asian Sabredogs but seldom on USAF aircraft. They fit very well. Please note that there are variations on these ducts between F-86D Sabre Dogs, so check a real photo of the model you want. 

Also, the brake recess parts D40 and D41 were set in place, I needed to make them 1 mm shorter in length.

STEP 9
The main gear bays are well detailed. make sure not to mix up the parts. Interior green is usually the colour. Some wiring and hydraulic piping will be added later on. Wait with fitting it further until left and right fuselage halves are joined. 

STEP 10
The ventral FFAR rocket tray can and will be set in "deployed" lower position. Part C28 was used inside the recess. The rocket tray and bay insides were airbrushed metal and set aside for later installment. (When you choose a closed tray, ensure it is blended in during STEP 12 with the fuselage). 

STEP 11
There are some parts for the AN/APG-37 weather- and intercept- radar, but the nose would be set closed so this step was skipped.

STEPs 12 + 13
First, the self made rear exhaust pipe combined with the part D50+D56 (see step 13) was set into the rear fuselage. Fit is good. The deep exhaust pipe looks good. 

Next I now attached the right rear fuselage to the left halve. Fit is very good. In order to get some internal strength, I added a couple of thick sprue bars to avoid compressing and squeezing the fuselage. 
.

The tub and seat of step 2 were painted at this point as this is much easier now before installment inside the fuselage. (Seat is kept loose and seat harness to be added later).  I added pieces of card in front of the steering pedals to avoid see through (not yet seen here). 
The rear cover plate E61 is undeep but I could not find pictures that suggest otherwise. Simply installed. The trub and the upper instrument coaming panel C7 will be further detailed later on. 

There are also PE metal seat straps. 

After paint was dried, I inserted the cockpit tub. In order to fit the cockpit tub, I installed it into the fuselage side "U-shaped" slots. I cut of the lower notches in order to avoid interference with the lower intake duct. I had to remove about 2 mm from the stubs at the tub to get a good alignment inside the fuselage. 

Next came the assembly of the ducts and lower forward fuselage section as described in step 9. 

Also, insert WEIGHT into the nose. I picked a heavy metal bar and installed it on top of the forward duct forward of the cockpit. Note also the peice of card set in place at the forward tub edge to prevent "see through". 

The fuselage as a whole was now assembled. 

As noted before, the lower fuselage fairing part C17 was joined with ducts and the nose gear bay earlier. The fitting of the central lower fuselage belly with bays and forward lower fuselage was surprisingly easy! 

A gap was there between the mid C20 and forward lower section C17 but probably that was my own fault. A strip of 1 mm was inserted, gaps filled and sanded when dried.

Still, I had some small gaps and step at the rear joint. But nothing that can not be solved with some putty and sanding. All in all, not too bad for such a complex kit.

The nose wheel doors and main gear doors were assembled but NOT yet set in place. To be set at a later stage to avoid damage.

The nose intake ring C12 is fitted (there is a spare one for the F-86K with the gun port). I also fitted the radar nose part E3. Fit is even with the intake duct pretty good but obviously some filler was still needed. 

Now, first do a puttying and sanding when dry onto the main fuselage assembly. 
This as handling is easier without yet the wings installed. 
I use usually white car filler from ALABASTINE. 

It turned out that only some small amounts of putty were needed. A very nice engineered model indeed. 

..
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and the rear sections. 

STEP 14
The vertical tail has nice separate rudder. It was not yet set in place, will be done after wing halves are fitted. 

The stabilizer lower areas nicely shows the various vortex generators, although they are a bit flat. But leave as is. 

STEPs 15 + 17
The wing halves are nice with separate flaps, ailerons and slats. On real Sabres these are often drooped down for a parked aircraft. Obviously, do not yet fit these now. Assemble only for now the flaps and ailerons parts. 

First glue each wing halve upper and lower section. BUT DO NOT GLUE entirely at the aft section near the gear bay. This will make fitting each wing halve onto the fuselage combined with the main gear bays struts (as seen in step 9) easier.

STEP 18
Each wing halve is fitted onto the fuselage. The fit is remarkably good! Do not press too hard. Let glue flow in place at the joints. Make sure there is a bit dihedral, the kit is good here. Leave the wing to dry for a couple of hours.

There is a small "ridge" at the joint, but I believe that is correct.  I added a piece of card at the rear and will put some filler and sand flush later. 

The upper wing-fuselage joint is very good indeed!

Do not fit yet the stabilizer parts. Meanwhile proceed with....
 

FINAL ASSEMBLY NOT YET
Fitting stabilizers, wing slats and flaps and stores are not yet done. First some main paint work is done before adding the undercarriage gear, air brakes and so on.

The model is now ready to receive the first base grey coat to check for any flaws and seams. 

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