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F-86 Sabre

(Redirected from F-86)

The first proposals for the North American Aviation F-86 Sabre were made in 1944, but construction was not begun until after World War II. Many elements of German jet design were implemented in the Sabre, after the American liberation troops captured a number of working Messerschmitt Me 262 experimental jets from the Nazis. The XP-86 prototype, which would become the F-86 Sabre, first flew on October 1, 1947. Some people contest that the XP-86 broke the sound barrier on this flight, 14 days before Chuck Yeager went supersonic in the Bell X-1 making test pilot George Welch the first pilot to achieve this milestone.

The Sabre was the first U.S. production aircraft to be fitted with ejector seats. The seats were fitted with an explosive charge which ejected the pilot at a high speed from the aircraft.

The F-86 was manufactured as both a fighter-interceptor and fighter-bomber. As such, several variations of the F-86 Sabre jet were introduced over time, with improvements and different armaments implemented. Early models such as the F-86(A) had thrust of only 5,200 lbf (23 kN) while later models such as the F-86(F) had as much as 10,000 lbf (44 kN) from its single engine. F-86(F)'s were the main fighter variation that saw action during the Korean War.

The fighter-bomber version (F-86H) could carry up to 2000 pounds (900 kg) of bombs, including an external fuel-type tank that could carry napalm. Both the interceptor and fighter versions carried six Browning M3 .50 in (12.7 mm) caliber machine guns in the nose (Later versions of the F-86H carried four 20 mm cannon instead of machine guns). Guns were harmonized to converge at 1000 feet (300 m) in front of the aircraft with one tracer bullet for every five rounds. Most rounds used during the Korean War were API (Armor-piercing incendiary) bullets containing magnesium which ignited upon impact. Unguided 2.75 inch (70 mm) rockets were used on some of the fighters in target practice, but 5 inch (127 mm) rockets were later used in combat operations. The planes could also be fitted with an external ejectable fuel tank that added a few more hours of air time.

Sabre at museum
Enlarge
Sabre at museum

Action in the Korean War

The F-86 Sabre entered service in 1949 and was the primary United States Air Force jet fighter used in the Korean War. It often was placed in combat against a nearly equal Soviet MiG-15.

Superior US pilot training versus Korean and Chinese training accounted for some of the US success in the air war with a reported kill ratio of 14 to 1 by the Air Force in MiG Alley. MiG Alley was a hotbed for air-to-air combat near the Yalu River between the boundaries of Korea and China.

Other factors included Soviet pilots' reluctance to engage Americans over battlefields for fear of being captured. Technically, the Soviet Union was not involved in the Korean War, and as such could not afford captured pilots. So-called "black-nosed" MiG's often had Soviet or Chinese instructors at the controls and were well-known by American pilots.

Review of recently released Soviet documents that had been classified top secret until the fall of the Soviet Union shows that the American pilots claimed to shoot down more than twice the number of MiG-15s that ever served in Korea. The disparity between Soviet and American accounts of the air war is startling. Neither side's loss records can confirm the majority of the victories claimed by the other side. Many of the air engagements reported can actually be corroborated by both sides, but then each would claim several victories and neither would show any losses. Soviet sources claim a very favorable kill ratio: over 1,300 MiG-15 victories against only 345 MiGs lost.

Triple-jet aces flying the F-86 in the Korean War included Captain Joseph C. McConnell who later died as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base in the crash of an F-86H. Colonel James Jabara at Kimpo Air Base was also a triple-jet ace. Famous astronaut John Glenn also flew an Air Force F-86 during the war as a Marine Corps exchange pilot; his plane was painted with the name "MiG Mad Marine."

Production history

The type was produced under licence by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in Australia, re-engined with the Rolls Royce Avon , and also by Canadair in Canada. Later improvements led to the F-100 Super Sabre, which was a larger aircraft with more powerful engines.

Approximately 9500 were constructed. Several are still held by private owners, including a handful that still fly at airshows and aviation events.


Specifications (F-86A)

General Characteristics

  • Wingspan: 37 ft 1 in (11.3 m)
  • Length: 37 ft 6 in (11.4 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.5 m)
  • Weight: 13,791 lb (6,300 kg) loaded
  • Armament: Six 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns and eight 5 in (127 mm) rockets or 2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs
  • Engine: One General Electric J-47 turbojet of 5,200 lbf (24 kN) thrust.
  • Cost: $178,000
  • Crew: One

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 685 mph (1102 km/h)
  • Combat range: 1,200 miles (1900 km)
  • Service ceiling: 49,000 ft (14,900 m)

See also

External links

Related content
Related development

FJ Fury - North American YF-93

Similar aircraft

MiG-15 - Dassault Mystère - Saab 29

Designation series

XP-83 - F-84 - XF-85 - F-86 - XF-87 - XF-88 - F-89

Related lists List of military aircraft of the United States - List of fighter aircraft

Last updated: 08-19-2005 17:51:31
Last updated: 10-29-2005 02:13:46