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North American F-86 Sabre

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F-86 Sabre
An F-86 Sabre during aHeritage FlightoverDavis-Monthan AFB
General information
TypeFighter aircraft
National originUnited States
ManufacturerNorth American Aviation
Primary usersUnited States Air Force
Number built9,860[1]
History
Introduction date1949, with USAF
First flight1 October 1947
Retired1994 (Bolivian Air Force)[2][3][4][5]
Developed fromNorth American FJ-1 Fury
VariantsCanadair Sabre
North American FJ-2/-3 Fury
Developed intoCAC Sabre
North American F-86D Sabre
North American FJ-4 Fury
North American YF-93
North American F-100 Super Sabre

TheNorth American F-86 Sabre,sometimes called theSabrejet,is atransonicjetfighter aircraft.Produced byNorth American Aviation,the Sabre is best known as the United States' firstswept-wingfighter that could counter the swept-wing SovietMiG-15in high-speed dogfights in the skies of theKorean War(1950–1953), fighting some of the earliest jet-to-jet battles in history. Considered one of the best and most important fighter aircraft in that war, the F-86 is also rated highly in comparison with fighters of other eras.[6]Although it was developed in the late 1940s and was outdated by the end of the 1950s, the Sabre proved versatile and adaptable and continued as a front-line fighter in numerous air forces.

Its success led to an extended production run of more than 7,800 aircraft between 1949 and 1956, in the United States, Japan, and Italy. In addition, 738 carrier-modified versions were purchased by the US Navy asFJ-2s and -3s.Variants were built in Canada and Australia. TheCanadair Sabreadded another 1,815 aircraft and the significantly redesignedCAC Sabre(sometimes known as theAvonSabre or CAC CA-27), had a production run of 112. The Sabre is by far themost-produced Western jet fighter,with a total production of all variants at 9,860 units.[1]

Development

[edit]
Straight-wing NA-140/XP-86

North American Aviation had produced the propeller-poweredP-51 MustanginWorld War II,which saw combat against some of the first operational jet fighters. By late 1944, North American proposed its first jet fighter to the U.S. Navy, which became theFJ-1 Fury.It was an unexceptional transitional jet fighter that had a straight wing derived from the P-51.[7]Initial proposals to meet aUnited States Army Air Forces(USAAF) requirement for a medium-range, single-seat, high-altitude, jet-powered dayescort fighter/fighter bomberwere drafted in mid-1944.[8]In early 1945, North American Aviation submitted four designs.[8]The USAAF selected one design over the others and granted North American a contract to build three examples of the XP-86 ( "experimental pursuit" ). Deleting specific requirements from the FJ-1 Fury, coupled with other modifications, allowed the XP-86 to be lighter and considerably faster than the Fury, with an estimated top speed of 582 mph (937 km/h), versus the Fury's 547 mph (880 km/h).[8]Despite the gain in speed, early studies revealed the XP-86 would have the same performance as its rivals, theXP-80andXP-84.Because these rival designs were more advanced in their development stages, it was feared that the XP-86 would be cancelled.

Crucially, the XP-86 was not able to meet the required top speed of 600 mph (970 km/h);[9]North American had to quickly devise a radical change that could leapfrog its rivals. The F-86 was the first American aircraft to take advantage offlight research data seizedfrom the German aerodynamicists at the end of World War II.[10]These data showed that a thin, swept wing could greatly reduce drag and delaycompressibilityproblems that had bedeviled fighters such as theLockheed P-38 Lightningwhen approaching the speed of sound. By 1944, German engineers and designers had established the benefits of swept wings based on experimental designs dating back to 1940. A study of the data showed that a swept wing would solve their speed problem, while a slat on the wing's leading edge that extended at low speeds would enhance low-speed stability.

Because development of the XP-86 had reached an advanced stage, the idea of changing the sweep of the wing was met with resistance from some senior North American staff. Despite stiff opposition, after good results were obtained in wind tunnel tests, the swept-wing concept was eventually adopted. Performance requirements were met by incorporating a 35°swept-back wing,using modifiedNACA four-digit airfoils,NACA 0009.5–64 at the root and NACA 0008.5–64 at the tip,[11]with an automatic slat design based on that of theMesserschmitt Me 262and an electrically adjustable stabilizer, another feature of the Me 262A.[12][13][14]Many Sabres had the "6–3 wing" (a fixed leading edge with a 6-inch extended chord at the root and a 3-inch extended chord at the tip) retrofitted after combat experience was gained in Korea.[12][15]This modification changed the wing airfoils to the NACA 0009-64 modified configuration at the root and the NACA 0008.1–64 mod at the tip.[11][dead link]

The XP-86 prototype, which led to the F-86 Sabre, was rolled out on 8 August 1947.[16]The first flight occurred on 1 October 1947 withGeorge Welchat the controls,[17]flying from Muroc Dry Lake (nowEdwards AFB), California.[10][16]

TheUnited States Air Force'sStrategic Air Commandhad F-86 Sabres in service from 1949 through 1950. The F-86s were assigned to the 22nd Bomb Wing, the 1st Fighter Wing, and the 1st Fighter Interceptor Wing.[18]The F-86 was the primary U.S. air combat fighter during the Korean War, with significant numbers of the first three production models seeing combat.

The F-86 Sabre was also produced under license byCanadair, Ltd,as the Canadair Sabre. The final variant of the Canadian Sabre, the Mark 6, is generally rated as having the highest capabilities of any Sabre version.[19][Note 1]

Breaking sound barrier and other records

[edit]
Jackie Cochranin the cockpit of the Canadair Sabre withChuck Yeager

The F-86A set its first officialworld speed recordof 671 miles per hour (1,080 km/h) on September 15, 1948, at Muroc Dry Lake, flown by MajorRichard L. Johnson,USAF.[20]Five years later, on 18 May 1953,Jacqueline Cochranbecame the first woman to break the sound barrier, flying a "one-off" Canadian-built F-86 Sabre Mk 3, alongsideChuck Yeager.[21]Col. K. K. Compton won the 1951 Bendix air race in an F-86A with an average speed of 553.76 mph (891.19 km/h).

PAF "Falcons" make a world record in 1958 with 16 F-86 sabres

On 2 February 1958, a team ofPakistan Air ForceF-86 Sabres called "Falcons" set aworld recordatPAF Base Masroorby performing a loop while in a 16 aircraft diamond formation. The team was led by then Wing CommanderZafar Masud.[citation needed]

Design

[edit]

Overview

[edit]

The F-86 was produced as both afighter-interceptorandfighter-bomber.Several variants were introduced over its production life, with improvements and different armament implemented (see below). The XP-86 was fitted with aGeneral Electric J35-C-3jet engine that produced 4,000 lbf (18 kN) of thrust. This engine was built byGM'sChevroletdivision until production was turned over toAllison.[22]TheGeneral Electric J47-GE-7engine was used in the F-86A-1 producing a thrust of 5,200 lbf (23 kN), while theGeneral Electric J73-GE-3engine of the F-86H produced 9,250 lbf (41 kN) of thrust.[23]

F-86 Sabre at theNational Air and Space Museumin livery of4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing

The fighter-bomber version (F-86H) could carry up to 2,000 lb (910 kg) of bombs, including an external fuel-type tank that could carrynapalm.[24]Unguided 2.75-inch (70-millimeter)rocketswere used on some fighters on training missions, but 5-inch (127 mm) rockets were later carried on combat operations. The F-86 could also be fitted with a pair of external jettisonable jet fuel tanks (four on the F-86F beginning in 1953) that extended the range of the aircraft. Both the interceptor and fighter-bomber versions carried six 0.50 in (12.7 mm)M3 Browning machine gunswith electrically-boosted feed in the nose (later versions of the F-86H carried four 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon instead of machine guns).[citation needed]Firing at a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute,[25]the 0.50 in (12.7 mm) guns wereharmonizedto converge at 1,000 ft (300 m) in front of the aircraft, using armor-piercing (AP) and armor-piercing incendiary (API) rounds, with one armor-piercing incendiarytracer(APIT) for every five AP or API rounds.[citation needed]The API rounds used during the Korean War containedmagnesium,which were designed to ignite upon impact, but burned poorly above 35,000 ft (11,000 m) as oxygen levels were insufficient to sustain combustion at that height.[citation needed]Initial planes were fitted with theMark 18 manual-ranging computing gun sight.The last 24 F-86A-5-Nas and F-86Es were equipped with the A-1CM gunsight-AN/APG-30 radar, which usedradarto automatically compute a target's range, which later proved to be advantageous against MiG opponents over Korea.[26]

Flying characteristics

[edit]

The transition from typical propeller driven aircraft to the Sabre's swept wings and jet engine saw many accidents and incidents, as even experienced pilots had to learn new handling techniques and flying characteristics. Early on in the jet age, some US manufacturers instituted safety and transition programs where experienced test and production pilots toured operational fighter squadrons to provide instruction and demonstrations designed to lower the accident rate.[27]

As F-86 models continued to be upgraded, the learning curve continued. Some important design changes included switching from an elevator/stabilizer to anall-flying tail,discontinuation ofleading edge slatsfor a solid wing with a small forward-mountedwing fenceand increased internal fuel capacity, increased engine power, and an internal missile bay (F-86D). While the solid leading edge and increased internal fuel capacity increased combat performance, they exacerbated a dangerous and often fatal handling characteristic upon take-off if the nose were raised prematurely from the runway.[28]This 'over-rotation' danger is now a major area of instruction and concern for current F-86 pilots. The1972 Sacramento Canadair Sabre accidentresulting in 22 fatalities and 28 other casualties was a result of over-rotation on take-off.

Operational history

[edit]

Korean War

[edit]
USAF North American F-86 Sabre fighters from the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing Checkertails are readied for combat during the Korean War atSuwon Air Base

The F-86 entered service with the USAF in 1949, joining the1st Fighter Wing's94th Fighter Squadronand became the primary air-to-air jet fighter used by the Americans in theKorean War.While earlier straight-winged jets such as theP-80andF-84initially achieved air victories, when the swept-wingMiG-15was introduced in November 1950, it outperformed all UN-based aircraft.

Introduction of the MiG-15 and comparisons

[edit]

In response, three squadrons of F-86s were rushed to the Far East in December.[29]The MiG-15 was superior to early F-86 models inceiling,firepower, acceleration, turning, rate of climb, and ability tozoom climb.The F-86 was marginally faster, and could out-dive the MiGs. When the F-86F was introduced in 1953, the two aircraft became more closely matched, and by the end of the war, many American combat-experienced pilots claiming a marginal superiority for the F-86F.

The heavier firepower of the MiG, and many other contemporary fighters, was addressed by “Project Gun-Val”[30]which saw the combat testing of seven F-86Fs each armed with four 20 mmT-160cannons (such F-86s were designated as F-86F-2s). Despite being able to fire only two of the four 20 mm cannon at a time, the experiment was considered a success and signaled the end of the decades-long use of theBrowning.50 caliberin the air-to-air role.[31]

Although the F-86A could be safely flown through Mach 1, the F-86E's all-movingtailplanegreatly improved maneuverability at high speeds.[31]The MiG-15 could not safely exceed Mach 0.92, an important disadvantage in near-sonic air combat. Far greater emphasis had been given to the training, aggressiveness, and experience of the F-86 pilots.[32]American Sabre pilots were trained atNellis,where the casualty rate of their training was so high, they were told, "If you ever see the flag at full staff, take a picture." Despiterules of engagementto the contrary, F-86 units frequently initiated combat over MiG bases in the Manchurian "sanctuary".[33]

In October 1951, the Soviets managed to recover a downed Sabre, and in their investigation of the type they concluded that the Sabre's advantage in combat was due to the APG-30 gun-sight that facilitated accurate fire at longer ranges.[26]

RareKorean WarF-86 gun camera footage of aMiG-15shoot-down over Korea

Deployment of MiGs and Sabres

[edit]

The needs of combat operations balanced against the need to maintain an adequate force structure in Western Europe led to the conversion of the51st Fighter-Interceptor Wingfrom theF-80to the F-86 in December 1951. Two fighter-bomber wings, the8thand18th,converted to the F-86F in the spring of 1953.[34]No. 2 Squadron,South African Air Force(SAAF) also distinguished itself flying F-86s in Korea as part of the 18 FBW.[35]

Wreckage of F-86A Sabre (FU-334 / 49-1334) after being bombed on 17 June 1951

The MiGs flown from bases inManchuriaby Chinese, North Korean, and SovietVVSpilots were pitted against two squadrons of the4th Fighter-Interceptor Wingforward-based atK-14, Kimpo,Korea.[29]The North Koreans and their allies periodically contested air superiority inMiG Alley,an area near the mouth of the Yalu River (the boundary betweenKoreaand China) over which the most intense air-to-air combat took place.

On 17 June 1951, at 01:30,Suwon Air Basewas bombed by twoPolikarpov Po-2biplanes, who each dropped a pair of fragmentation bombs. One scored a hit on the 802nd Engineer Aviation Battalion's motor pool, damaging some equipment, and two bombs burst on the flightline of the 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. One F-86A Sabre (FU-334 / 49-1334) was struck on the wing and began burning, eventually gutting the aircraft. Prompt action by personnel who moved aircraft away from the burning Sabre prevented further loss. Eight other Sabres were damaged in the brief attack, four seriously, and one F-86 pilot was among the wounded. The North Koreans subsequently credited Lt. La Woon Yung with this attack.[36]

Evaluations of the success of the F-86

[edit]

By the end of hostilities, F-86 pilots were initially credited by American sources with shooting down 792 MiGs for a loss of only 78 Sabres in air-to-air combat, a victory ratio of 10:1.[37]Of the 41 American pilots who earned the designation ofaceduring the Korean War, all but one flew the F-86 Sabre, the exception being a NavyVought F4U Corsairnight fighter pilot. However, after the war, the USAF reviewed its figures in an investigation code-namedSabre Measure Charlieand downgraded the kill ratio of the North American F-86 Sabre against theMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15by half, to 5:1.[38]Internally, the USAF accepted that its pilots had actually downed about 200 MiGs[39]

Soviet data records only 335 MiG-15s in Korea to all causes, including accidents, antiaircraft fire, and ground attacks.[40]Chinese claims of their losses amount to 224 MiG-15s in Korea.[41]North Korean losses are not known, but according to North Korean defectors, their air force lost around 100 MiG-15s during the war.[42]Thus, 659 MiG-15s are admitted as being lost, many of these to F-86 Sabres[43]The Soviets claimed to have downed over 600 Sabres,[44]together with the Chinese claims (211 F-86s shot-down), although these cannot be reconciled with the number of Sabres recorded as lost by the US.[45]

Suggested reasons for the F-86's success include the fact that many of the American pilots were experienced World War II veterans, while the North Koreans and the Chinese lacked combat experience,[32]but United Nations pilots suspected many of the MiG-15s were being flown by experienced Soviet pilots who also had combat experience in World War II. Former Communist sources now acknowledge Soviet pilots initially flew the majority of MiG-15s that fought in Korea, but they also dispute that more MiG-15s than F-86s were shot down in air combat. Later in the war, North Korean and Chinese pilots increased their participation as combat flyers.[33][46]

The status of many claimed air-to-air victories in the Korean War has been increasingly debated as more data becomes available, showing that instances of over-claiming abounded on both sides. The research by Dorr, Lake and Thompson claimed an F-86 kill ratio closer to 2:1.[47]A recentRANDreport made reference to "recent scholarship" of F-86 v MiG-15 combat over Korea and concluded that the actual kill:loss ratio for the F-86 was 1.8:1 overall, and likely closer to 1.3:1 against MiGs flown by Soviet pilots.[39]However, this ratio did not count the number of aircraft of other types (including the B-29, A-26, F-80, F-82, F-84 and Gloster Meteor) shot down by MiG-15 pilots.

Data-matching with Soviet records suggests that US pilots routinely attributed their own combat losses to "landing accidents" and "other causes".[48]According to official US data ( "USAF Statistical Digest FY1953" ), the USAF lost 250 F-86 fighters in Korea. Of these, 184 were lost in combat (78 in air-to-air combat, 19 by anti-aircraft guns, 26 were "unknown causes" and 61 were "other losses" ) and 66 in incidents.[49]South African Air Force lost 6 F-86s in the war.[50]This gives 256 confirmed F-86 losses during the Korean War.

1958 Taiwan Strait crisis

[edit]
An ROCAF F-86F on display

TheRepublic of China Air Forcewas an early recipient of surplus USAF Sabres. From December 1954 to June 1956, the ROC Air Force received 160 ex-USAF F-86F-1-NA through F-86F-30-NA fighters. By June 1958, the Republic of China onTaiwanhad built up an impressive fighter force, with 320 F-86Fs and seven RF-86Fs having been delivered.[51]

Sabres and MiGs were shortly to battle each other in the skies of Asia once again in theSecond Taiwan Strait Crisis.In August 1958, theChinese Communistsof the People's Republic of China attempted to force theNationalistsoff the islands ofQuemoyandMatsuby shelling and blockade. ROCAF F-86Fs flyingcombat air patrolover the islands found themselves confronted byPeople's Liberation Army Air ForceMiG-15s andMiG-17s,and numerous dogfights resulted.

During these battles, the ROCAF Sabres introduced a new element into aerial warfare. Under a secret effort designatedOperation Black Magic,the U.S. Navy had provided the ROC with theAIM-9 Sidewinder,its firstinfrared-homingair-to-air missile,which was just entering service with the United States. A small team fromVMF-323,a MarineFJ-4 Furysquadron with later assistance fromChina Lakeand North American Aviation, initially modified 20 of the F-86 Sabres to carry a pair of Sidewinders on underwing launch rails and instructed the ROC pilots in their use flying profiles with USAF F-100s simulating the MiG-17. The MiGs enjoyed an altitude advantage over the Sabres, as they had in Korea, and PLAAF MiGs routinely cruised over the ROCAF Sabres, only engaging when they had a favorable position. The Sidewinder took away that advantage and proved to be devastatingly effective against the MiGs.[52]

Pakistan Air Force

[edit]
Pakistani Sabres lined up atMasroor Airbasein 1958

In 1954,Pakistanstarted receiving the first of a total of 102 F-86F Sabres under theMutual Defense Assistance Program.Many of these aircraft were F-86F-35s fromUSAFstocks, but some were from the later F-86F-40-NA production block (made specifically for export). Many of the F-35s were brought up to F-40 standards before they were delivered to Pakistan, but a few remained F-35s. The F-86 was operated by ninePakistan Air Force(PAF) squadrons at various times: Nos.5,11,14,15,16,17,18, 19, and26Squadrons.[53]

Moreover, in April 1959, a PAF F-86F flown by Flight Lieutenant Yunis of the No. 15 Squadron "Cobras"shot downan IndianCanberra Spy PlaneoverRawalpindimarking the first aerial victory for the Pakistan Air Force.[54][55][56]

In 1966, Pakistan acquired 90ex-LuftwaffeCL-13 Mk.6sviaIrandue to postwarUS sanctions.They were known as the F-86E in the PAF, not to be confused with the North American F-86E variants).[57]

The last of the Sabres were withdrawn from PAF service in 1980 and were replaced with theShenyang F-6fighters. In total Pakistani pilots flew 320,185 hours in the Sabres out of which about 4,500 hours were flown in wartime operations.[57]They are now on display atPAF Museumandvarious citiesaround Pakistan.

1960–1961 Bajaur Campaign

[edit]
Main article:Bajaur Campaign

In late 1960, regular and irregular Afghan forces invaded theBajaurarea ofNorth West Frontier Provincein an attempt to annex the region. In response, PAF F-86s were sent in order to support thePakistani Forcesand localPakistani Pashtuntribesmen who were fighting the Afghan infiltrators. The Sabres also executed bombing runs onRoyal Afghan Armypositions inKunarwhich were attackingFrontier Corpsborder posts. Although theRoyal Afghan Air Forcehad sevenMiG-17squadrons[58]and anotherMiG-21squadron being operationalized, no known dogfight has been recorded between the two sides.[59][60][61]

Indo–Pakistani War of 1965

[edit]
Main article:Indo-Pakistani Air War of 1965
Gun camera film fromSharbat Ali Changezi's F-86F Sabre ofNo. 26 Squadron PAFshows the last moments of an IAFHawker Hunterbefore being shot down overLahore District.

The Sabre was no longer a world-class fighter (due to availability of supersonic jets). However, various sources state the F-86 gave the PAF a technological advantage in 1965.[62][63][64]

  • Air to air combat
PAF Sabre being shot down by an IAFFolland Gnatin September 1965

In the air-to-air combat of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the PAF Sabres claimed to have shot down 15Indian Air Force(IAF) aircraft, comprising nineHunters,fourVampires,and twoGnats.[citation needed]India, however, admitted a loss of 14 combat aircraft to the PAF's F-86s.[65]The F-86s of the PAF had the advantage of being armed with AIM-9B/GAR-8 Sidewinder missiles, whereas none of its Indian adversaries had this capability. Despite this, theIndian Air Forceclaimed that seven F-86 Sabres were shot down byFolland Gnatsand six F-86 Sabres were shot down byHawker Hunters.[66]

  • Ground attack
A 4-shipVic formationof PAF F-86F Sabres returning from aninterdiction missionin September 1965.

The F-86F remained a potent aircraft for use against ground targets. On the morning of 6 September 1965, six F-86s of No. 19 Squadron struck advancing columns of the Indian army using 5-in (127-mm) rockets along with their six.50-in (12.7-mm)M3 Browning machine guns.On the same day, eight F-86 fighters of the same squadron executedairstrikeson the IAF Pathankot.[67][68] InEast Pakistan,F-86s from theNo. 14 Squadronstruck the IndianairbasesofKalaikunda,Bagdogra,BarrackporeandAgartalawhich resulted in the destruction of more than 20 Indian aircraft. Theairstrikeson kalaikunda in particular were highly successful after which the No. 14 Squadron was nicknamed "Tail Choppers".[69]

In total, PakistaniB-57 Canberrasand F-86s destroyed around 39 Indianwarplaneson the ground at various IAFairbases.[70][71]However, India claims of losing 22 aircraft on the ground.[65]

1971 Civil conflict and subsequent Indo–Pakistani war

[edit]
  • Air to Air combat
IndianGnatbeing shot down by a PAF F-86F of theNo. 26 SquadronoverSrinagar

TheCL-13B Mk.6 Sabres(known as the F-86E in PAF) were the mainstay of the PAF's day-fighter operations during the1971 War,and had the challenge of dealing with the threat from IAFFolland Gnats,Hawker Hunters,Sukhoi Su-7sandMig-21s.[72]

At the beginning of the war, PAF had eight squadrons of F-86 Sabres.[73]Along with the newer fighter types such as theMirage IIIand theShenyang F-6,the Sabres were tasked with the majority of operations during the war. InEast Pakistan,PAF's onlyTail Chopperssquadron was equipped with 16F-86Esout of which 4 were modified to fireAIM-9/GAR-8missiles.[74]

In theBattle of BoyraIndianFolland Gnatsof22 Squadron IAFshot down two F-86Es and severely damaged one F-86E.[75][76]

PAF F-86s performed well, with Pakistani claims of downing 31 Indian aircraft in air-to-air combat. These included 17Hawker Hunters,eightSukhoi Su-7 "Fitters",one MiG 21, and threeGnats[citation needed]while losing seven F-86s. The most interesting of these was a battle between two Sabres and four MiG-21s. One MiG was shot down, without any Sabres lost. This was achieved due to the greater low-speed performance of the Sabre in comparison to the delta-winged MiG-21.[77]

India, however, claims to have shot down 11 PAF Sabres for the loss of 11 combat aircraft to the PAF F-86s.[78]The IAF numerical superiority overwhelmed the sole East Pakistan Sabres squadron (and other military aircraft)[75][79]which were either shot down, or grounded by Pakistanifratricideas they could not hold out, enabling completeair superiorityfor the IAF.[80]

  • Ground Attack

InEast Pakistan,the F-86Es of theTail Chopperstook active part in severalCASandCOINmissions againstMukti Bahinimilitants and irregular Indian forces.[74]

On 15 April 1971, a formation of 4 Sabres led byFlight Lt. Abbas Khattakstrafedand rocketed many rebel strongholds atBhairab Bazarto support thePakistan Army's efforts in re-capturing food stocks and silos from the Mukti-Bahini militants.[74][81][82]

On 26 April 1971, Flight Lt. Abbass led another Sabre formation atPatuakhaliwhere surviving rebels had regrouped after facing a defeat atBarisalby the hands of theArmy.The Sabres struck several rebel strongpoints to soften up resistance after whichSSGunits were inserted viaMi-8sto clear out the area.[74]

On theWestern Front,F-86Es and F-86Fs from various PAF squadrons played a vital role in backing thePakistan Army's counter attacks at several sectors with Air support.

AtShakargarhandMaralasectors, PAF F-86F/Es from theNo. 17,No. 18 and26Squadrons alongsideShenyang F-6stook part in air support missions backing Pakistan'sI Strike Corpscounter attacks against the Indian army'sI Corps.Although ill-equipped for anti-tank roles, the Sabres were modified to carrygeneral purpose bombsin an effort to provide as much effective air support as possible.[83][57]

In theBattle of Chamb,F-86Fs from theNo. 26 Squadron "Black Spiders"and F-86Es from the No. 18 Squadron supportedIftikhar Janjua's forces in capturingChumbflying 146 air support sorties. At one point, the Indian Army suffered a major blow atAkhnurwhen sabres from the No. 18 Squadron destroyed theirammunition dumps.[84]

AtSulemanki,F-86Es of theNo. 17 Squadron "Tigers"flew 55CASsorties in support of theIV Corpsoffensive in which they claimed 6 Indiantanksand a number ofmilitary vehiclesdestroyed.[85]

AtThar,F-86E and Fs belonging to the No. 19 Squadron struck Indian army positions during their Close Air Support missions. In total, they destroyed 8 IndianTanksand severalmilitary vehicleswhile also damaging 2Military trains.[86]

Guinea-Bissau War of Independence

[edit]

In 1958, theForca Aerea Portuguesa(FAP) received 50 F-86Fs from ex-USAF stocks. A few former Norwegian Air Force F-86Fs were also purchased as spares in 1968–69.

The FAP deployed some of its F-86F Sabres toPortuguese Guineain 1961, being based at AB2 – Bissalanca Air Base,Bissau.These aircraft formed "Detachment 52", initially equipped with eight F-86Fs (serials: 5307, 5314, 5322, 5326, 5354, 5356, 5361, and 5362) from theEsquadra 51,based at the BA5 –Monte Real Air Base.These aircraft were used in theGuinea-Bissau War of Independence,in ground-attack and close-support operations against the insurgent forces. In August 1962, 5314 overshot the runway during an emergency landing with bombs still attached on underwing hardpoints and burned out. F-86F 5322 was shot down by enemy ground fire on 31 May 1963; the pilot ejected safely and was recovered. Several other aircraft suffered combat damage but were repaired.

In 1964, 16 F-86Fs based atBissalancareturned to mainland Portugal due to U.S. pressure. They had flown 577 combat sorties, of which 430 were ground-attack and close-air-support missions.

Philippine Air Force

[edit]

ThePhilippine Air Force(PAF) first received the Sabres in the form of F-86Fs in 1957, replacing theNorth American P-51 Mustangas their primary interceptor. F-86s first operated fromBasa Air Base,known infamously as the "Nest of Vipers", where the 5th Fighter Wing of the PAF was based. Later on, in 1960, the PAF acquired the F-86D as their first all-weather interceptor. The most notable use of the F-86 Sabres was in theBlue Diamondsaerobatic display team, which operated eight Sabres until the arrival of the newer, supersonicNorthrop F-5.The F-86s were subsequently phased out of service in the 1970s as theNorthrop F-5 Freedom FighterandVought F-8 Crusadersbecame the primary fighters andinterceptorsof the PAF.Antonio Bautistawas a Blue Diamonds pilot and a decorated officer. He was killed on 11 January 1974 during a combat sortie against rebels in the south of the country.[citation needed]

Soviet Sabre

[edit]

During the Korean War the Soviet search for an intact U.S. F-86 Sabre for evaluation and study purposes was largely frustrated due to the U.S. military's policy of destroying disabled or abandoned weapons and equipment, with USAF pilots destroying most of their downed Sabres bystrafingor bombing. One F-86 was downed in a tidal area, and subsequently submerged, preventing its destruction. The aircraft was ferried to Moscow and a newOKB(Soviet Experimental Design Bureau) was established to study the F-86, which later became part of the Sukhoi OKB. "At least one F-86… was sent to the Soviet Union, the Russians [sic] admitted, and other planes and prizes such as U.S.G-suitsandradar gun sightsalso went. "[87]

The Soviets studied and copied the optical gunsight and radar from the captured aircraft to produce the ASP-4N gunsight and SRC-3 radar. Installed in the MiG-17, the gunsight system was later used against American fighters in the Vietnam War.[Note 2]The F-86 studies also contributed to the development of aircraft aluminum alloys such as V-95.[89][failed verification]

Feather Duster

[edit]

The old but nimble MiG-17 had become such a serious threat against theRepublic F-105 Thunderchiefover North Vietnam that the USAF created project "Feather Duster" to test which tactics supersonic American fighters could use against fighters such as the MiG-17.ANGF-86H units proved to be an ideal stand-in for the Soviet jets. One pilot remarked, "In any envelope except nose down and full throttle", either theF-100or F-105 was inferior to the F-86H in a dogfight.[90][91]

Variants

[edit]

North American F-86

[edit]
Family tree of Sabre & Fury variants
Preserved airworthy F-86A Sabre atKemble Air Day2008, England
TF-86F
F-86H-10-NH Sabre s/n 53-1308 at theWings Museum,Denver, Colorado
F-86H without skin panels at theNational Museum of the United States Air Force
XF-86
three prototypes, originally designatedXP-86,North American model NA-140
YF-86A
this was the first prototype fitted with aGeneral Electric J47turbojet engine.
F-86A
554 built, North American model NA-151 (F-86A-1 block and first order of A-5 block) and NA-161 (second F-86A-5 block)
DF-86A
A few F-86A conversions as drone directors
RF-86A
11 F-86A conversions with three cameras for reconnaissance
F-86B
188 ordered as upgraded A-model with wider fuselage and larger tires but delivered as F-86A-5, North American model NA-152
F-86C
Original designation for theYF-93A,two built,48–317&48–318,[92]order for 118 cancelled, North American model NA-157
YF-95A
Prototypeall-weatherinterceptor,two built, designation changed toYF-86D,North American model NA-164
F-86D/L
Main article:North American F-86D Sabre
Production transonic all-weather search-radar equipped interceptor originally designated F-95A, 2,506 built. The F-86D had only 25 percent commonality with other Sabre variants, with a larger fuselage, larger afterburning engine, and a distinctive nose radome. Sole armament was Mk. 4 unguided rockets instead of machine guns. F-86Ls were upgraded F-86Ds.
F-86E
Improved flight control system and an "all-flying tail" (This system changed to a full power-operated control with an "artificial feel" built into the aircraft's controls to give the pilot forces on the stick that were still conventional, but light enough for superior combat control. It improved high-speed maneuverability); 456 built, North American model NA-170 (F-86E-1 and E-5 blocks), NA-172, essentially the F-86Fairframewith the F-86E engine (F-86E-10 and E-15 blocks); 60 of these built byCanadairfor USAF (F-86E-6)
F-86E(M)
Designation for ex-RAFSabres diverted to otherNATOair forces
QF-86E
Designation for surplusRCAFSabre Mk. Vs modified to target drones
F-86F
Uprated engine and larger "6–3" wing without leading-edge slats, 2,239 built; North American model NA-172 (F-86F-1 through F-15 blocks), NA-176 (F-86F-20 and −25 blocks), NA-191 (F-86F-30 and -35 blocks), NA-193 (F-86F-26 block), NA-202 (F-86F-35 block), NA-227 (first two orders of F-86F-40 blocks comprising 280 aircraft that reverted to leading-edge wing slats of an improved design), NA-231 (70 in third F-40 block order), NA-238 (110 in fourth F-40 block order), and NA-256 (120 in final F-40 block order); 300 additional aircraft in this series assembled byMitsubishiin Japan forJapanese Air Self-Defense Force.Sabre Fs had much improved high-speed agility, coupled with a higher landing speed of over 145 mph (233 km/h). The F-35 block had provisions for a new operational role: thetactical nuclear attackusing newer, smaller, and lighter nuclear weapons ( "second generation" nuclear ordnance). The F-40 had a new slatted wing with a slightly higher span, resulting in a slight decrease in speed, but also much better agility at both high and low speeds and a reduced landing speed of 124 mph (200 km/h). The USAF upgraded many previous F versions to the F-40 standard. One E and two Fs were modified for improved performance via rocket boost.
F-86F(R)
F-86F-30 (52-4608) had aRocketdyne AR2-3with 3,000–6,000 lbf (13,000–27,000 N) thrust at 35,000 ft (11,000 m), giving a top speed of mach 1.22 at 60,000 ft (18,000 m).[31]
F-86F-2
Designation for 10 aircraft modified to carry theM39 cannonin place of the M3.50 caliber machine gun "six-pack". Four F-86E-10s (serial numbers 51-2803, 2819, 2826 and 2836) and six F-86F-1s (serial numbers 51-2855, 2861, 2867, 2868, 2884 and 2900) were production-line aircraft modified in October 1952 with enlarged and strengthened gun bays, then flight tested at Edwards Air Force Base and the Air Proving Ground at Eglin Air Force Base in November. Eight were shipped to Japan in December and seven forward-deployed to Kimpo Airfield as "Project GunVal" for a 16-week combat field trial in early 1953. Two were lost to engine compressor stalls after ingesting excessive propellant gases from the cannons.[93][Note 3][94]
QF-86F
About 50 former Japan Self-Defense Forces (JASDF) F-86F aircraft converted to drones for use as targets by theU.S. Navy
RF-86F
Some F-86F-30s converted with three cameras for reconnaissance; also 18 Japan Self-Defense Forces (JASDF) aircraft similarly converted
TF-86F
Two F-86F converted to two-seat training configuration with lengthened fuselage and slatted wings under North American model NA-204
YF-86H
Extensively redesigned fighter-bomber model with deeper fuselage, uprated engine, longer wings and power-boosted tailplane, two built as North American model NA-187
F-86H
Production model, 473 built, withLow Altitude Bombing System(LABS) and provision fornuclear weapon,North American model NA-187 (F-86H-1 and H-5 blocks) and NA-203 (F-86H-10 block)
QF-86H
Target conversion of 29 aircraft for use atUnited States Naval Weapons Center
F-86J
Single F-86A-5-NA,49-1069,flown withOrendaturbojet under North American model NA-167 – same designation reserved for A-models flown with the Canadian engines but project not proceeded with
F-86K
Main article:North American F-86D Sabre
F-86L
Main article:North American F-86D Sabre

North American FJ Fury

[edit]
See:North American FJ-2/-3 Furyfor production figures ofU.S. Navyversions.

CAC Sabre (Australia)

[edit]
Main article:CAC Sabre
Preserved CAC Sabre Mk 30 in 2018.

Two types based on the U.S. F-86F were built under licence by theCommonwealth Aircraft Corporation(CAC) in Australia, for theRoyal Australian Air Forceas the CA-26 (one prototype) and CA-27 (production variant). The RAAF operated the CA-27 from 1956 to 1971.[95]The CAC Sabres included a 60% fuselage redesign, to accommodate theRolls-Royce AvonMk 26 engine, which had roughly 50% more thrust than theJ47,as well as30 mm Aden cannonand AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. As a consequence of its powerplant, the Australian-built Sabres are commonly referred to as theAvon Sabre.CAC manufactured 112 of these aircraft.[96]Ex-RAAF Avon Sabres were operated by theRoyal Malaysian Air Force(TUDM) between 1969 and 1972. From 1973 to 1975, 23 Avon Sabres were donated to theIndonesian Air Force(TNI-AU); five of these were ex-Malaysian aircraft.[97]

CA-27 marques:

  • Mk 30:21 built, wing slats, Avon 20 engine.
  • Mk 31:21 built, 6–3 wing, Avon 20 engine.
  • Mk 32:69 built, four wing pylons, F-86F fuel capacity, Avon 26 engine.[98]

Canadair Sabre

[edit]
F-86 Sabre monument at theRoyal Military College of CanadainKingston, Ontario
Main article:Canadair Sabre

The F-86 was also manufactured byCanadairin Canada as the CL-13 Sabre to replace itsde Havilland Vampires,with the following production models:

Sabre Mk 1
one built, prototype F-86A
Sabre Mk 2
350 built, F-86E-type, 60 to USAF, three toRAF,287 toRCAF
Sabre Mk 3
one built in Canada, test-bed for the Orenda jet engine
Sabre Mk 4
438 built, production Mk 3, 10 to RCAF, 428 to RAF asSabre F-4
Sabre Mk 5
370 built, F-86F-type with Orenda engine, 295 to RCAF, 75 to Luftwaffe
Sabre Mk 6
655 built, 390 toRCAF,225 to Luftwaffe, six toColombiaand 34 to South Africa

Production summary

[edit]
  • NAA built a total of 6,297 F-86s and 1,115 FJs,
  • Canadair built 1,815,
  • Australian CAC built 112,
  • Fiat built 221, and
  • Mitsubishi built 300;
  • for atotal Sabre/Fury production of 9,860.

Production costs

[edit]
F-86A F-86D F-86E F-86F F-86H F-86K F-86L
ProgramR&Dcost 4,707,802
Airframe 101,528 191,313 145,326 140,082 316,360 334,633
Engine 52,971 75,036 39,990 44,664 214,612 71,474
Electronics 7,576 7,058 6,358 5,649 6,831 10,354
Armament 16,333 69,986 23,645 17,669 27,573 20,135
Ordnance 419 4,138 3,047 17,117 4,761
Flyaway cost 178,408 343,839 219,457 211,111 582,493 441,357 343,839
Maintenance cost per flying hour 135 451 187

Note: The costs are in approximately 1950 United States dollars and have not been adjusted for inflation.[21]

Operators

[edit]
former F-86 operators
Source:F-86 Sabre Jet: History of the Sabre and FJ Fury[99]
F-86F-30 of the Argentine Air Force, National Aeronautics Museum, Buenos Aires, Argentina
BAFF-86 Sabrein the BAF Museum
An F-86 Sabre from theGolden Crownaerobatic display team, of the Imperial Iranian Air Force.
F-86 Sabre of Italian Air Force
A retired Pakistan Air Force F-86F Sabre from theNo. 26 Squadron "Black Spiders"on display atNur Khan Airbase
Displayed JASDF's F-86FKyokukōatKomatsu AB.
Royal Norwegian Air Force North American F-86F Sabre
F-86 Republic of Korea Air Force
Portuguese F-86F displayed at Monte Real Air Base
F-86 Spanish Air Army, Ember Patrol, Cuatro Vientos, Madrid
North American F-86E Sabre in Istanbul Aviation Museum
North American F-86F Sabre of theROKAF
Argentina
Acquired 28 F-86Fs in 1960. The Sabres were inreserveat the time of theFalklands Warbut were reinstated to active duty against possible Chilean involvement. Retired in 1986.
Australia
Bangladesh
Captured 8 F-86F-40-NAs from Pakistan.[100]
Belgium
5 F-86F Sabres delivered, no operational unit.
Bolivia
Canada
Colombia
Acquired four F-86Fs from Spanish Air Force (s/n 2027/2028), five USAF F-86F (s/n 51-13226) and other nine Canadair Mk.6; assigned to Escuadron de Caza-Bombardero.
Denmark
59 F-86D-31NA(38) F-86D-36NA(21)s in service from 1958–1966 ESK 723, ESK 726, ESK 728[103]
Ethiopia
Acquired 14 F-86Fs in 1960.[104]
West Germany
Honduras
Acquired 10 CL.13 Mk2 (F-86E) from Yugoslavia.
Iran
Acquired an unknown number of F-86Fs.[104]
Iraq
Bought some examples but they were never operated and were returned.
Japan
Acquired 180 U.S. F-86Fs, 1955–1957.Mitsubishibuilt 300 F-86Fs under license 1956–1961, and were assigned to 10 fighterhikōtaior squadrons. JASDF called F-86F the "Kyokukō" ( húc quang, Rising Sunbeam) and F-86D the "Gekkō" ( ánh trăng, Moon Light). TheirBlue ImpulseAerobatic Team, a total of 18 F-models were converted to reconnaissance version in 1962. Some aircraft were returned to theNaval Air Weapons Station China Lake,California, as drones.
Norway
Acquired 115 F-86Fs, 1957–1958; and assigned to seven squadrons, Nos. 331, 332, 334, 336, 337, 338 and 339.
Pakistan
Acquired 102 U.S.-built F-86F-35-NA and F-86F-40-NAs, last ofNorth American Aviation's production line, 1954–1960s.
Peru
Acquired 26 U.S.-built F-86Fs in 1955, assigned to Escuadrón Aéreo 111, Grupo Aéreo No.11 atTalaraair force base. Finally retired in 1979.
Philippines
Acquired 50 F-86Fs in 1957. Retired in the late 1970s.
Portugal
Acquired 65 Sabres including 50 U.S.-built F-86Fs, in 1958 and 15 ex-Royal Norwegian Air Force airframes. In Portugal, they served inSquadron 201(formerly Sqn. 50 and later Sqn. 51, before being renamed in 1978) and Squadron 52, both based atAir Base No. 5,Monte Real.In 1961, the Portuguese Air Force deployed some of its F-86Fs toPortuguese Guinea,where they formed Detachment 52, based at Base-Aerodrome No. 2, Bissalanca/Bissau.
Taiwan (Republic of China)
Acquired 320 U.S.-built F-86Fs,7 RF-86Fs,18 F-86Ds, The 18 F-86Ds back to U.S. military and US send 6 toRepublic of Korea Air Force,8 toPhilippine Air Forcein 1966.
Saudi Arabia
Acquired 16 U.S.-built F-86Fs in 1958, and three F-86Fs from Norway in 1966; and assigned toNo. 7 Squadron RSAFat Dhahran.
South Africa
Loaned 22 U.S.-built F-86F-30s during the Korean War and saw action with2 Squadron SAAF.
South Korea
Acquired 112 U.S.-built F-86Fs and 10 RF-86Fs, beginning 20 June 1955; and assigned to ROKAF 10th Wing. It also served with the ROKAFBlack Eagles aerobatic teamfor annual event from 1959 to 1966. The last F-86s retired in 1990.
Spain
Acquired 270 U.S.-built F-86Fs, 1955–1958; designated C.5s and assigned to 5 wings: Ala de Caza 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. Retired 1972.
Thailand
Acquired 40 U.S.-built F-86Fs, 1962; assigned to RTAF Squadrons, Nos. 12 (Ls), 13, and 43.
A retired Royal Thai Air Force F-86
Tunisia
Acquired 15 used U.S.-built F-86F in 1969.
Turkey
Acquired 107 ex-RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.2 “F-86E(M)„ in 1954, retired 1968.[105][106]
United Nations
Received 5 F-86E(M)s from Italy as MAP redeployment 1963, manned by Philippine pilots; F-86F units from Ethiopia and Iran also used in ONUC.
United States
Further information:List of Sabre and Fury units in US military
Venezuela
Acquired 30 U.S.-built F-86Fs, October 1955 – December 1960; and assigned to one group, Grupo Aéreo De Caza No. 12, three other squadrons.
Yugoslavia
Acquired 121Canadair CL-13sand F-86Es, operating them in several fighter aviation regiments between 1956 and 1971.

Civil aviation

[edit]

According to theFAAthere are 50 privately owned and registered F-86s in the US, including Canadair CL-13 Sabres.[107][Note 4]

Notable pilots

[edit]

Surviving aircraft

[edit]
Main article:List of surviving North American F-86 Sabres

Specifications (F-86F-40-NA)

[edit]
3-view drawing of the F-86F Sabre.

Data fromThe North American Sabre[114]andNorth American F-86F-40-NA[115]

General characteristics

  • Crew:1
  • Length:37 ft 1 in (11.30 m)
  • Wingspan:39 ft 1 in (11.91 m)
  • Height:14 ft 1 in (4.29 m)
  • Wing area:313.4 sq ft (29.12 m2)
  • Airfoil:root:NACA 0009-64 mod.;tip:NACA 0008.1-64 mod.[116]
  • Empty weight:11,125 lb (5,046 kg)
  • Gross weight:15,198 lb (6,894 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight:18,152 lb (8,234 kg)
  • Fuel capacity:JP-4fuel: 437 US gallons (364 imp gal; 1,650 L) internals + 2 x 200 US gallons (170 imp gal; 760 L) drop tanks
  • Powerplant:1 ×General Electric J47-GE-27turbojetengine, 5,910 lbf (26.3 kN) thrust

Performance

  • Maximum speed:687 mph (1,106 km/h, 597 kn) at sea level at 14,212 lb (6,446 kg) combat weight
678 mph (589 kn; 1,091 km/h)
599 mph (521 kn; 964 km/h) at 35,000 ft (10,668 m) at 15,352 lb (6,964 kg)
597 mph (519 kn; 961 km/h) at 21,148 ft (6,446 m)
599 mph (521 kn; 964 km/h) at 22,835 ft (6,960 m)
  • Stall speed:124 mph (200 km/h, 108 kn)
  • Range:1,525 mi (2,454 km, 1,325 nmi)
  • Combat range:414 mi (666 km, 360 nmi) with two 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs and 2x 200 US gallons (170 imp gal; 760 L)drop tanks[117]
  • Service ceiling:49,600 ft (15,100 m) at combat weight
  • Rate of climb:9,000 ft/min (46 m/s) at sea level
  • Time to altitude:30,000 ft (9,144 m) in 5 minutes 12 seconds
  • Lift-to-drag:15
  • Thrust/weight:0.39 (combat weight) – 0.29 (maximum takeoff weight)[118]

Armament

  • Guns:6 x0.50 in (12.7 mm)M3 Browning machine guns(1,800 rounds in total)
  • Rockets:variety of rocket launchers; e.g.: 2 Matra rocket pods with 18SNEB68 mm rockets per pod
  • Bombs:5,300 lb (2,400 kg) of payload on four externalhardpoints,bombs were usually mounted on outer two pylons as the inner pairs were plumbed for two 200 US gallons (760 L)drop tankswhich gave the Sabre a more useful range. A wide variety of bombs could be carried (max standard loadout being two 1,000 pounds (450 kg) bombs plus two drop tanks),napalmcanisters and could have included a tactical nuclear weapon.

See also

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Quote: "The Canadair Sabre Mk 6 was the last variant and considered to be the 'best' production Sabre ever built."
  2. ^The MiG-17 was a development of the MiG-15 upgraded with a more advanced wing and afterburner (the Sabre's all-flying tail would not be employed until the supersonic MiG-19). The MiG-17 proved to be a deadly foe in Vietnam in the 1960s against more advanced U.S. supersonic opponents; some, such as the F-4 Phantom, actually lacked the guns and radar gunsight introduced by the F-86.[88]
  3. ^MiG Alley: Sabres Vs. MiGs Over Korea.was researched by North American tech rep John L. Henderson. The aircraft were F-86E-10s:51-2303,-2819,-2826and-2836;and F-86F-1's 51-2855, −2862, −2867, −2868, −2884 and −2900.
  4. ^Although privately registered in the US, two F-86s are actually owned by an individual for display purposes only in a private museum collection.[107]

Citations

[edit]
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  8. ^abcWerrell 2005,p. 5
  9. ^Werrell 2005,p. 6.
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  12. ^abBlair 1980.
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  14. ^Willy and Schick 1996, p. 32.
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