Air Power
NORTH AMERICAN F-86A "SABRE"
The F-86, the USAF's first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight on October 1, 1947. The first production model flew on May 20, 1948, and on September 15, 1948, an F-86A set a new world speed record of 670.9 mph. Originally designed as a high-altitude day-fighter, it was subsequently redesigned into an all-weather interceptor (F-86D) and a fighter-bomber (F-86H).
As a day fighter, the airplane saw service in Korea in three successive series (F-86A, E, and F) where it engaged the Russian-built MiG-15. By the end of hostilities, it had shot down 792 MiGs at a loss of only 76 Sabres, a victory ratio of 10 to 1.
More than 5,500 Sabre day-fighters were built in the U.S. and Canada. The airplane was also used by the air forces of 20 other nations, including West Germany, Japan, Spain, Britain, and Australia.
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 37 ft. 1 in.
Length: 37 ft. 6 in.
Height: 14 ft. 8 in.
Weight: 13,791 lbs. loaded
Armament: six .50-cal. machine guns and eight 5 in. rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs
Engine: General Electric J-47 of 5,200 lbs. thrust
Cost: $178,000
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 685 mph.
Cruising speed: 540 mph.
Range: 1,200 miles
Service Ceiling: 49,000 ft.
