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Nearly
20 years after first flight approximately 2500 North American
Aviation F—86s are still in service across continental United States
and in 25 foreign countries. More than 6000 were manufactured by the
company’s Los Angeles and Columbus, (Ohio) Divisions. |
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The first sweptwing airplane in the U.S. fighter inventory, the F-86
scored consistent victories over Russian—built MiG fighters during
the Korean war, accounting for a final ratio of 14-to-1. All 39
United Nations jet aces won their laurels in Sabres. |
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Four models of the craft (F-86A, E, F and H) are day fighters or
fighter bombers, while the F-86D, K and F versions are all-weather
interceptors. |
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Successive models of the daylight versions — all designed to destroy
hostile aircraft in flight or on the ground — were equipped with
more powerful engines and armament systems that ranged from bombs
and rockets to machine guns and cannon. All are rated in the 650 mph
class with a 600-mile combat radius and a service ceiling of over
45,000 feet. |
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The
three interceptor versions sport black radome noses, replacing the
yawning jet intakes of the other models. The K model, manufactured
in Turin, Italy, by Fiat, is flown by NATO forces. The F-86L has
added equipment for use in conjunction with the U.S. SAGE
(semi-automatic ground environment defense system. |
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Forerunner of the operational Sabre was the XF-86, first flown Oct.
1, 1947, by North American Test Pilot George Welch. A few months
later Welch became the first pilot to fly the plane at Mach 1 (the
speed of sound) in routine flight. Although technically rated as
subsonic, the Sabre is no stranger to supersonic speeds. |
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Various
models of the Sabre held world’s speed records for six consecutive
years, setting five official records and winning several National
Aircraft Show Bendix Trophies. |
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In
September, 1948 an F-86A set the Sabre’s first official world speed
record of 570 mph. This mark was bettered in 1952 by an F-86D which
flew at 698 mph. The “D” became the first model of a fighter to
better its own record, in 1953, with a run of 715 mph. |
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The
F-86E and subsequent models incorporated a unique control system,
developed by North American, called the “all-flying tail.” Where the
F-86A contained a booster control system which called for the pilot
to do part of the work of controlling the aircraft, the newer system
added full-power operated control for better maneuverability at high
speeds. An “artificial feel” was 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. |
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U.S.
production of the Sabre Jet ended in December, 1956. |
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PERFORMANCE AND
SPECIFICATIONS |
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|
|
NORTH AMERICAN F-86D SABRE JET |
|
DIMENSIONS |
|
ARMAMENT |
Span: 37' 1"
Length: 41' 8"
Height: 15' |
|
24 2.75-inch Mighty Mouse rockets carried in
retractable package in fuselage. |
| PERFORMANCE |
Speed: 565 knots (650 mph) Class
Range: Approximately 870 Nautical miles (1000 Statute miles)
Service Ceiling: over 45,000 ft. |
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WEIGHT |
|
| Max. Gross T.O.: 18,000 lbs. |
|
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POWER PLANT |
|
General Electric J-47-GE-17
Thrust: 7,650 lbs. with afterburner |
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FIRST FLIGHT |
|
FIRST DELIVERY |
| Dec. 22, 1949 (YF-86D) |
|
March, 1952 |
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DESCRIPTION:
Special features are 35-degree sweptback wing and tail
and an underslung engine air-inlet duct, fairing into the
fuselage, which permits installation of air equipment in the
nose. It has hydraulic power-operated irreversible controls with
artificial feel for an all-movable tail, ailerons and rudder. It
is equipped with aerodynamically actuated wing leading-edge
slats for high lift. |
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NORTH AMERICAN F-86E SABRE JET |
|
DIMENSIONS |
|
POWER PLANT |
Span: 37'
Length: 37'
Height: 14' |
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General Electric J-47-13 Turbo-jet
Thrust: 5200 lbs. |
| WINGS |
|
WEIGHT |
Spar: Aluminum
Ribs: Aluminum
Covering: Aluminum |
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Combat Weight —— 14.000 lbs. |
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LANDING GEAR |
| FIRST FLIGHT |
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Type: Conventional tricycle retractable with
steerable nose gear |
| September 23, 1950 |
|
ARMAMENT |
| FIRST DELIVERY |
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Six .50 cal. machine guns |
| Feb. 9, 1951 |
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16 five-inch HVAR rockets or 2000 lb. max. bomb
load |
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MISSION: The destruction of hostile aircraft in
flight. |
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DESCRIPTION: Special features are swept-back wing
and tail, electrically operated flaps, hydraulically operated
speed brakes, automatic wing leading-edge slats,
hydraulic-power-operated irreversible controls with artificial
feel for the all-movable horizontal tail and ailerons. |
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DEVELOPMENT: The F-86E is basically an F-86A
modified to incorporate aerodynamic and system changes. |
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The original model, the F-86A, was first operational sweptwing
airplane to fly in the United States. |
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NORTH AMERICAN F-86F SABRE JET |
|
DIMENSIONS |
|
POWER PLANT |
Span: 37'
Length: 37'
Height: 14' |
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General Electric J-47-GE-27 Turbo-jet
Thrust: 5970 lbs. |
| WINGS |
|
WEIGHT |
Swept back 35 degrees
Spar-aluminum alloy
Ribs-aluminum alloy
Covs-tapered skins |
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Max. Gross T.O.: Approximately 17,000 lbs. |
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PERFORMANCE |
| |
Speed: 565 Knots (650 mph) class.
Range: Over 870 nautical (1000 statute miles)
Service ceiling: Over 45,000 ft. |
| LANDING GEAR |
| Type: Tricycle |
| FIRST FLIGHT |
|
ARMAMENT |
| March 19, 1952 |
|
Six .50 cal. machine guns
16 five-inch HVAR rockets (external) or 2000 lb. bomb load |
| FIRST DELIVERY |
| March 21, 1952 |
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DEVELOPMENT: The F-86F is basically an F-86E
modified to incorporate the J-47-GE-27 engine. At one time the
F-86F held the world’s speed record of 679.981 mph. |
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NORTH AMERICAN F-86H SABRE JET |
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DIMENSIONS |
|
POWER PLANT |
Span: 37'1"
Length over-all: 38'8"
Height over-all: 15' |
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General Electric J-73-GE-3
Thrust: 9000 lb. class |
| WINGS |
|
PERFORMANCE |
| Sweptback 35 degrees covering aluminum alloy
tapered skins |
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Speed: Over 550 knots
Range: Over 1,000 nautical miles (1,200 statute miles)
Service ceiling: Over 45,000 ft. |
| FIRST FLIGHT |
|
|
| April 30, 1953 |
|
ARMAMENT |
| LANDING GEAR |
|
Four 20 mm guns |
| Type: Tricycle |
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DESCRIPTION: Special features include hydraulically-operated
speed brakes and controls, electrically-operated flaps, a geared
elevator, modified wing with stationary, extended leading edge
and self-sufficient starting system. It also has a clamshell
type cockpit canopy, a companion feature to the improved
ejection-seat mechanism. |
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DEVELOPMENT: The F-86H is the fifth model of the
F-86 series, incorporating the increased thrust of the GE
J-73-GE-3 engine and providing structural and system
improvements. |
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NORTH AMERICAN F-86K SABRE JET |
|
DIMENSIONS |
|
POWER PLANT |
Span: 37'1"
Length: 42'4"
Height: 15' |
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General Electric J-47-33 turbo-jet
Thrust: 5,600 lbs. plus afterburner |
| WEIGHT |
|
ARMAMENT |
Gross take-off:
With Ext. tanks 20,347 lbs.
“Clean” 18,500 lbs. |
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Four 20 mm cannon |
| PERFORMANCE |
|
TYPE |
Speed: More than 650 mph
Combat radius: Approx. 500 miles
Service ceiling: over 45,000 ft. |
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Single-place fighter |
| LANDING GEAR |
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FIRE-CONTROL SYSTEM |
Type: Tricycle, hydraulically retractable.
Tread: 8'3" |
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North American Electrical |
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DESCRIPTION: Special features are 35-degree swept
wings and tail and an underslung engine air-inlet duct, fairing
into the fuselage, beneath prominent black “nose” housing radar
equipment for fire-control system. It features the North
American “all-flying tail,” and is equipped with aerodynamically
actuated wing leading edges for high lift. Although similar to
the F-86D interceptor, the F-86K features visible gun ports in
lower front fuselage. |
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| All information on this page is from
North American Aviation, Inc. brochure dated December, 1965. |
