North American F-86E
North American F-86E Sabre
The F-86 is by far the best known of the first generation of American jet fighters. Initial design work on the F-86 began in May 1945 and resulted in the first prototype which flew in August 1947. The Sabre was the first swept wing jet fighter to enter American service, and the first to be able to exceed Mach 1 in a dive. The Sabre made its name during the Korean War fighting against the Soviet designed MiG-15. The F-86E is an improved version of the F-86A day-fighter. The Sabre was used extensively around the world with twenty-five different countries eventually flying the aircraft. Sabres were also license built in Australia, Canada, Italy, and Japan.
Service History
Manufactured by North American Aviation, Inglewood, California and delivered to the U.S. Air Force on April 23, 1951.
April 1951 To 23rd Fighter Interceptor Wing, Preaque Isle AFB, Maine.
| Wingspan | 37 ft 1 in. |
Wingspan |
| Length | 37 ft 6 in. |
Length |
| Height | 14 ft 8 in. |
Height |
| Weight | 16,357 lbs (loaded) |
Weight |
| Max. Speed | 675 MPH |
Maximum Speed |
| Service Ceiling | 48,300 ft |
Service Ceiling |
| Range | 785 miles |
Range |
| Engines | One General Electric J47-GE-13 turbojet with 5,200 pounds of thrust |
Engine |
| Crew | 1 |
Crew |
Manufacturer
North American
Markings
51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, Suwon Air Base, Korea, 1952
Designation
F-86E
Serial Number
50-0600
August 1951 To 23rd Fighter Interceptor Detachment, Dover AFB, Delaware.
August 1951 To 75th Fighter Interceptor Detachment, McGuire AFB, New Jersey.
October 1951 To 23rd Fighter Interceptor Detachment, Eglin AFB, Florida.
November 1951 To 601st Aircraft Repair Squadron, Kisarazu Air Base, Japan.
December 1951 To 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, Suwon Air Base, Korea.
August 1953 To 6408th Maintenance and Supply Group, Kisarazu Air Base, Japan.
January 1954 To 6400th Air Defense Wing, Far East Air Material Command, Tachikawa Air Base, Japan.
May 1954 To 35th Fighter Interceptor Wing, Johnson Air Base, Japan.
August 1954 Deployed to Yokota Air Base, Japan.
January 1955 To 6408th Maintenance and Supply Group, Kisarazu Air Base, Japan.
April 1955 To Sacramento Air Materiel Area.
September 1955 To North American Aviation for overhaul.
March 1956 To 119th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, New Jersey Air National Guard, McGuire AFB, New Jersey.
August 1957 To 167th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard, Martinsburg, West Virginia.
November 1957 To 156th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, North Carolina Air National Guard, Douglas, North Carolina.
September 1959 Dropped from inventory and placed on display at Freedom Park, Charlotte, North Carolina.
September 1989 Purchased by Bob Niemann from a government scrap sale and transported to Brackettville, Texas.
Circa 1990 Sold to Pacific Fighters, Chino, California.
Circa 1994 Sold to Jim Walker, Scottsdale, Arizona. Intended for restoration to flying status.
2003 Sold to Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona.