F-86A "Sabre"

The F-86 was the Air Force's first swept-wing jet fighter, making 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 later adapted into an all-weather interceptor and a fighter-bomber. As a day fighter, it served in Korea in the F-86A, E, and F series, where it fought the Russian-built Mig-15. By the end of hostilities, it had shot down 792 MiGs while losing 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, and the aircraft was also used by the air forces of 20 other nations, including West Germany, Japan, Spain, England, and Australia. This aircraft bears the markings of the Rocketeers, the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Group, which achieved an outstanding combat record during the Korean War, and it is part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Lackland AFB, Texas · United States