The North American F-86 Sabre is one of the greatest fighter aircraft of all time. It entered service with the USAAF in 1949, and was the fist US swept wing jet fighter. The design took advantage of flight research data seized at the end of WWII from the German Luftwaffe that was used to develop the world’s first operational jet fighter the Messerschmitt Me 262.
The F-86 was instrumental in denying air superiority to the Chinese during the Korean War during which it gained a reputation as a Mig killer achieving a kill ratio of 10:1 against the Soviet built Mig-15. After the Korean War ended, many Sabres entered service with dozens of foreign air arms; becoming the most produced Western jet fighter with a total of 9,860 built.
The F-86 in the accompanying pictures was photographed during the 2007 Wings Over Miami Air Museum’s annual air show. This Sabre can be seen on display at the museum when not touring the national air show circuit.
