North American F-86F ‘Sabre’

The F-86 Sabre distinguished itself in battle during the Korean War flying against the MiG-15 fighters of China and North Korea. Replacing the earlier F-86A and F-86E models, the F-86F featured a new “6-3” wing without the slats found on the leading edge of the earlier models. The increased chord of the wing (6 inches at the root and 3 inches at the tip) and small boundary layer fences gave better maneuvering performance at high speeds. The F-86F was used both as an air superiority fighter and fighter-bomber during the latter stages of the war, replacing the F-80 and F-51 aircraft still being used in Korean combat in 1952.

USAF S/N 51-13082 is an F-86F-20-NH, built by North American Aviation in Columbus, Ohio and delivered to the 126th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (ADC), Madison, Wisconsin on September 5, 1952. In July, 1953 it went to the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (ADC), Minneapolis, Minn., with other assignments being to the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (ADC), Dow AFB, Maine in May, 1954; 3595th Combat Crew Training Wing (ATC), Nellis AFB, Nevada in December, 1954; 3525th Combat Crew Training Wing (ATC), Williams AFB, Arizona; 21st Fighter Interceptor Squadron (ANG), Andrews AFB, Maryland in May, 1957; and the 115th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (ANG), Van Nuys, California in October, 1957.

Its last unit of assignment was the 195th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (ANG), Van Nuys, California in April 1959. The aircraft was retired in October 1959 and loaned to AMVETS Post 55 in Goleta, California. It was transported to the museum in April 1986.

Our aircraft is displayed in the colors of the 195th Fighter Squadron, California Air National Guard.

SPECIFICATIONS

Serial Number: 51-13082

Dimensions:
Span: 37 ft 1 in. (11.3 m)
Length: 37 ft 6 in. (11.4 m)
Height: 14 ft 8 in. (4.5 m)

Weight:
Empty: 11,125 lbs (5,045 kg)
Gross: 15,198 lbs (6,893 kg)

Performance:
Max Speed: 690 mph (1,110 km/h) @ sea level
Initial Climb: 10,000 ft/min (3,050 m/min)
Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft. (15,240 m)
Range: 1,270 miles (2,043 km) (with tanks)

Power Plant:
General Electric J47-GE-27; 5,970 lb. thrust turbojet

Armament:
six .50 cal. MG; 2,000 lb. (907 kg) bombs

THIS AIRCRAFT IS ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE