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| The F-86, the USAF's first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight on Oct. 1, 1947. The first production model flew on May 20, 1948, and on Sept. 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 United States 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 J47 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. |
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| Bibliography: National Museum of the USAF |