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2K views81 pagesNorth American F-86 Sabre Walk Around #021-Squadron Signal-L.davis 2000 - Eng
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By Larry Davis F-86 Sabre
Color by Don Greer and Richard Hudson
Illustrated by Richard Hudson
APT Walk Around Number 21
squadron/signal publications Introduction
SABREJET — Just the word brings to mind thoughts of silver, swept-wing jet fighters
wheeling and zooming in the cold blue skies over northwest Korea. The North American F-86
Sabre was the western world’s premier fighter aireraft during the early 1950s. To many ofthe
‘Communist pilots that were competing against the F-86 in “MiG Alley, the Sabre was also bet
ter than anything flying inthe eastern world, Over 800 MiG pilots in Korea discovered frst
hand about the superiority ofthe F-86
“The F-86, however, didnot begin its life asthe premier fighter design ofits time. The design
began during the waning years of World War Two, when the Allies were engaging the jet ar-
craft of Hitler’ Luftwaffe. The Messerschmitt Me 262, powered by two Junkers Jumo 0O4B
jet engines, was 90 miles (1448 xa) per hour faster than the best Allied fighter, the
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIV. Only stupidity on the part ofthe Nazi leaders kept the Me 262
from wresting air superiority away from the propellr-driven Allied fighters that had worked
0 long and hard to win i
Propeller aircraft were doomed by the introduction of the Me 262. Even the vaunted North
American P-51 Mustang and de Havilland Mosquito sere no match for the speed of the
German jets. The Allies begun crash programs to put their own jets into the air. Engineers at
North Ainercan Aviation designed a new aircraft designated the XP-86, the planform of which
tore some resemblance tothe earlier P51 Mustang.
“The straight-wing XP-6 jt fighter, although equal othe speed of the Luftwaffe's Me 262,
didnot have the speed thatthe US Army Air Fores planners had hoped for. Additionally. ne
ther the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, already in production, nor the Republic XP-84
Thunderjet possessed the range of speed desired by the USAAF. Something else was needed
in the XP-86 design to make the aircraft the fighter tht everyone thought a jet could be. That
“Something” was the swept wing.
In late 1945, after considerable development of the straight wing design had been underway,
North American engincers decided to mate a swept wing othe existing XP-86 airframe design.
Wind tunnel testing revealed astonishing results. These results indicated an aireraft capable of
flying at or near the speed of sound — Mach One (approximately 670 xvi (1078 kati) at
30,000 feet (9144 3). The swept-wing XP-86 would be able to fly at speeds almost 150
(241 sp faster than other jet fighter designs of the era
‘The Ammy Air Force gave the go-thead tothe redesign of the XP-86 on 20 November 1945,
‘The swept wing XP-86 was rolled out of the North American factory on 8 August 1947
George Welch brought the XP-86 near Mach One on the very first test flight on 1 October
1047, Some aviation historians now contend that Welch may have broken the sound barrier in
the XP-86 before Chuck Yeager did so inthe Bell X-1 on 14 October 1947,
“The die had been cast. The North Ametican P-86— redesignated F-86 in 1948 — would be
built 10 fulfil four major roles before production ended, These missions included a fighler
imerceptor, a fighter-bomber, the fastest photo reconnaissance aircraft of is er, andthe firs
single seat, all-weather jt interceptor in history. Eleven variants of the F-86 would be bi
five nations around the world, not including license-built overseas sub-varians. The US Navy
even purchased a Sabre variant forthe flet, the FI Fury. Sabres would serve in no less than 31
nations before finaly being phased out of service during the late 1980s
F-86s were pitted against the best fighter in the Communist world — the MiG-15 — during
the Korean War. Although similar in design, the MiG-15 was 3310 pounds (1501.4 xo) lighter
than the F-86A. F-86 development throughout the war brought the Sabre closer to the MiG-15
in terms of performance. The inexperienced MiG pilots were also no match forthe veteran
USAF Sabre pilots. By the end ofthe Korean War, over 800 MiGs had been shot down by
86 pilots compared toa loss of only 78 F-86s. The kill ratio was an astonishing 10:1 — and
Some historians state this ratio might be much higher.
Tn the skis over ‘MiG Alley,’ the North American F-86 Sabre proved itself to be the fines
fighter aireraft design of is era
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(Front Cover) BEAUTIOUS BUTCH Il was an F-86F flown by Captain Joseph McConnell
in the 38th Fighter Interceptor Squadron based at Suwon AB, Korea during 1953. Capt
‘McConnell was the top scoring ace in Korea with 16 MIG kills.
(Previous Page) A flight of F-86Fs assigned to the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron
(FIS) cruises over ‘MIG Alley’ in northwest Korea during the first half of 1953. (Keith
Johnson)
(Back Cover) Major W.W. ‘Bones’ Marshall flow F-86E MR. BONES V when he command-
‘ed the 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at K-14 during the last half of 1951 Se ee eee et eee
attached to a new fuselage des lund the General Electric J35 axial-low jet engine.
This isthe only known photo ofthe XP-08 mockup, (NAA)
XP-86 Evolution
XP-86 Straight Wing
‘The F-86A was the first production version of the Sabre and became operational in
February of 1949. The early F-B6As had small electrically operated doors over the gun
ports. This F-86A-5, assigned to the ist Fighter Group (FG) at March AFB, California in
1849, carries 208.5-gallon (781.7 liter) underwing ferry tanks. (Roger Besecker)
‘The F-86F was the final development of the basic aitramo design. The F-6F featured a
‘more powertul engine and a new, larger swept wing without leading edge slats. This wing
was known as the ‘6-3 hard wing.’ The leading edge of this wing was extended six inches.
(15.2 cu) at the wing root and three inches (7.6 cu) at the wing tip. North American built a
{otal of 2540 F-86FS. Those F-86FS line the ramp at the North American plant at Inglewood,
California. (via Peter Bowers) Miss Behaving, an F-868, was flown by Capt Don Torres when he was assigned to the
335th FIS at K-13, Korea during the summer of 1951
‘This F-86A was assigned to the 336th FIS and OPERATION STOVEPIPE at K-14, Korea dur-
ing the late summer of 1951
Lady Luck, an F-868 flown by 1Lt Charles ‘Chick’ Cleveland of
the 334th FIS, was based at K-14 during the late summer of
1952. (Above) A pair of 4th Fighter Interceptor Group (FIG)
‘mechanics work on the AN/APG-30 radar assembly. This
fadar was the heart of the F-86 fire control system. The
AN/APG-30 had a range of approximately 3000 yards (2743
NM), although it was rarely effective at that range. (USAF)
(Below) Liza GaVE! Diablo was an F-86E flown by Major
Chuck Owens of the 336th Fighter interceptor Squadron
(F'S) at K-14 Air Base, Korea in 1952. Although the F-86F
was the best of the Sabre variants, it was the F-86E that
Scored most of the victories in Korea. Major Owens’ alr
Ws four
craft shows markings signifying eight MIG Kills
teen truck kils. (Wm. K. Thomas)
(Above) The F-86 was designed with maintenance in mind
and most of the major maintenance areas had completely
removable panels for ready access. This F-OGF tighter
bomber was assigned to the 67th Fighter Bomber
Squadron (FBS) at K-55, Korea in 1953. (James Gregg) F-86As were equipped with electrically operated gun doors. These gun doors opened in
“V20th of a second when the trigger was pulled. It was later found that the doors froze at
the F-86's operating altitudes — often above 45,000 fect (13,716 meters). The doors were
ether removed of wired open in Korea. The open ammunition bay door served as a step
to the cockpit. (NAA)
[A 4th FIG crew chief reflls the main fue! tank on one of the OPERATION STOVEPIPE F-
GAs. These Sabres were used for weather reconnaissance fights in Korea during 1951
‘The upper surfaces have been painted Olive Drab to hide the Sabre from the higher flying
MiGs, however, this reduced the F-86's top speed by over 20 wew (32.2 nut). This F-B5A
(48-260) now resides in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (Al Lukza)
Crewmembers examine the nose wheel assembly of an F-86A assigned to the 71st Fighter
Squadron (FS) in 1949, The nose wheel assembly consisted of the early sx-spoked
Bendix wheel and a six-ply high pressure tire. The forward nose door folded for tire clear-
ance. (NAA)
Radar Bay
AN/APG-30 Radar
Antenna,
Voltage Regulator (Above) One of a handful of F-86As that are still fying is #48-178, which is owned by
Golden Apple Trust in England. ‘Ol' 178' Is the oldest flying Sabre in the world and is
restored in markings of the 4th FIG in Korea. & restored MIG-15 is parked in the back-
ground. (Keith Melville)
(Right) A 4th FIG radar technician makes adjustments to the AN/APG-30 ranging radar in
LLtCol Glonn Eagleston’s F-86A at K-14 in August of 1951. The upper nose compartment
Contained the transmitter and ranging computer of the AN/APG-30. The radar antonina was
located behind the small black radome on the upper lip ofthe intake. The small square on
the lower intake lip is a gun camera port. (USAF)
(Below) The oldest surviving combat veteran of the Korean War Is #48-260, which flow
with the 4th FIG in Korea. This F-86A is now part of the Smithsonian's National Air and
‘Space Museum collection. The aircraft has been restored to the same markings it carried
In early 1951, complete with black and white 1D bands. The display also includes pierced
steel planking (PSP), which was used for the parking ramps at both Suwon and Kimpo alt=
fields, (Carolyn Russo) CCrew chit from the Sist FIG turn MISS B, an F-86E, on tho alert ramp at K-13 during the
first half of 1952. The nose intake ring is brown natural fiberglass. These intakes — also
painted light gray — were found on F-86As and early F-86E-1s before being replaced by
metal units, (USAF)
Lt Col Herman Vischer of the 25th FIS stands by the nose of his F-86E, HENRIETTA/7 come
11 at K-13 In 1952. Tiger teeth were painted on F-86s of the 25th FIS's Tiger Flight. The F-
866-1, E-5, and E-6 had a v-shaped armored windscreen. The mud on the nose wheel pro-
vides an indication of the crude conditions found on all the airfields in Korea, (Joe Weber)
The F-86 nose gear assembly retracted to the rear while the whee! turned 90°. The forward
gear door was attached to both fuselage and the nose gear strut. A hydraulic power stoer-
ing unit was mounted on the rear of the strut. (Author)
Nose Gear and Well (Above) A camoutlaged F-86A sits on the K-13 ramp during
the summer of 1951. The natural metal Sabres were easily vis:
during daylignt, however, camouflage netting was draped
jer the alrcraft to hide them trom the prying eye of
‘Bedcheck Charlie’ —a North Korean or Chinese Po-? biplane
that often visited the base at night. This F-86A has an unpaint
‘ed brown fiberglass nose intake. (Irv Clark)
rent markings found on the 4th FIG's
All four aircraft have the fiberglass
although only one intake remains brown. The two
types of nose wheel are also evident — the early open six-
spoked whee! and the lator closed 12-spoked wheol. These
aircraft are assigned to the 334th FIS and display elther @
yellow nose stripe or a ‘winged star’ marking. (Lon Walter)
(Above) This was not a captured F-86A, but a ‘MIG’ for
the movie “Sabre Jet,’ a film starring Robert Stack.
Several aircraft from the Fighter School at Nellis AFB,
‘Nevada were painted in MIG’ markings and used to com:
bat other Sabres for tho flying scenes in the 1953 movie
about the air war in Korea. (Dick Gilbert) Most F-86s wore equipped with the later Cleveland AN-W-6 12-in cast nose wheel. The
whee! mounted a six~ply, smooth tread, high pressure tie, The F-86F was equipped with
2 14-ply tire, The interior of the nose wheel well was painted Interior Green (FS34151),
\While the doors were painted silver. (NAA)
‘The F-86 nose gear was equipped with a power steering unit located behind the strut and
above the v-shaped scissor link. This is the nose gear assembly for the first XP-86 and
hhas the landing geer and door interiors painted light gray to match the exterior. The wheal
{is equipped with a non-standard circumterent
‘A pair of landing lights was recessed into the underside of the nose. These lights rotated
‘down and forward for operation. This 12th FBS F-66F was hit by Communist flak on 10
‘June 1953. The flak damaged the gun camera and port landing light. (Ebe Ebersole)
A hydraulic ram closed the aft nose wheel well door. The wheel woll ofthis XP-86 is pai
‘ed light gray, however, production aircraft used Interior Green (FS34151). The natur
metal plates on the aft wheel well door were strengtheners added to production F668.
(waa) SAR FORTS A.
W2864—6—
MARLENE/MARIANINANCY, an F-86F from the 39th FIS, wears a vari
ation ofthe tail markings used by the §1st FIG. Four-inch black and
White checks replaced the standard 12-inch (30.5 cu) black and sil
‘Yer checkerboard. The device around the intake area is a seroon to
‘keep out foreign objects during engine runup tests. This aircraft is
‘an F-86F-1, which has had the “6-3 hard wing’ kit retrofitted to the
‘existing wing. (Author)
SUNNY, an F-86E-6 from the 25th FIS, Stst FIW at Suwon, is sur
rounded by some of the equipment needed to operate the F-86 in
Korea during the winter of 1952. The type C-6 auxiliary power cart
Was used to power up the aireraft, while the gasoline-powered heator
fed hot air into the intake to warm the engine oll. Temperatures in
Korea often fell to -20° Fahrenheit or lower during the winter. (USAF) (Above) Col Ben Preston of the ath FIG flew LIL’ PUNKIN
while stationed in Korea, The ammunition bay access door
Is open and served as a step to the cockpit. The small rec-
tangular door under the vertical black stripe covered an
additional step used to enter the cockpit. The circular door
below and behind the gun ports provided access to the
ose gear trunnion pin. (Marty Isham)
T, a 12th FBS F-86F, undergoes an
engine change at K-58 during the spring of 1953. The entire
aft fuselage could be removed for engine access. Other
‘open panels provide access to the radio and engine acces-
sory compartments. This aircraft was one of the first F-O6F
305 In Korea and was equipped with the reinforced wing
with leading edge slats. (Dick Kempthorne)
(Above) "DE" JOISEY BOUNCENUDY ANN was an F-86E
assigned to the 25th FIS at K-19 in 1952. The two small but
tons in tront of the vertical black stripe are the external
canopy operating switches. A folding handhold, just visibie
above the two Ns in ANN, was incorporated into the upper
Portion of the gun bay door. (Herb Goldstein) Littie Rita was flown by Lt Dick Gei
of the 16th FIS in 1953. Ata was one of
the early F-86Fs modified with the 6-3
hard wing. The leading edge tllet
plate, which extends over the ammun-
fion door, sits atop the wing, The land:
ing gear doors ‘bleed down’ after
hydraulic pressure was reduced fol
Towing engine shutdown. Once the
fengine was powered up, the doors
immediately returned to the closed
position. (Dick Geigor)
‘Among the most colorful Sabres were
those flown by the RCAF ‘Golden
Hawks’ aerobatic team. The team used
Sabre Mark 58 and 6s with both the °6-3
hhard wing’ and leading edge slats. The
"Golden Hawks’ performed displays
from 1959 until 1964. This aircraft
(23651) was csplaye at Ancrews AFB
ryland in May of jobert
uy y of 1962. (Robe Five F-86As from the 336th FIS are parked on the PSP ramp at Suwon AB in June of 1961,
‘These aircraft wore black and white identification bands for quick identification in combat.
‘The identification bands were necessary due to the resemblance of the F-86 to the MIG-
15. All five aircraft have their slats in the down position — a normal condition when the F-
86 was at rest. (USAF)
14
PEACEMAKER, an F-86E-6 assigned to the 334th FIS, exhibits the later markings of the
4th FIW in Korea. Black and yellow wing and fuselage bands were used by the Far East
Air Force (FEAF) as identification markings. The 4th FIW also used these colors on the tall
PEACEMAKER was one of the 60 F-86E-6s bullt by Canadair for the US Air Force. (Curt
Francom) (Above) An F-86A scrambles from Suwon in August of 1951. The long plume of black
smoke was a characteristic of early General Electric J47 engines. The later J47-27 engine
Used inthe F-86F was moro officient than the -7 and -13 engines found In the earlier A and
E models and left a reduced smoke tral. The aircraft carries 120 gallon (454.2 liter) under-
‘wing combat drop tanks to extend their range. (USAF)
(Gelow) This F-86F was the personal sirraft of BGen Roberts the CO of the USAF Fighter
School at Nelis AFB, Nevada. The schoo! trained new F-86 pilots, Roberts’ alroraft has six
‘colored bands on the fuselage and drop tanks — one for each squadron assigned to the
school. This aircraft is carrying the later style 200 gallon (757 lite) drop tanks with stabi-
lizing vertical fins. F-86s were equipped with a hydraulically operated speed brake on both
sides of the aft fuselage. (Merle Olmsted) iets Stat Ae
Major ‘Hap’ Harris sits in the cockpit of his F-86E, WYOMING THUNDER, while assigned
to the 25th FIS during 1952. The Sabre had two gun bays — one on each side of the cock
pit — with each bay mounting three 50 caliber (12.7 mu) M3 machine guns. Each weapon
was fed by a 300-round capacity ammunition box mounted beneath the cockpit. The M3
‘machine gun had a eyelie rate of fire of over 1200 rounds per minute, (Don Porter)
Gun Doors
Gun Door Actuator
Gun Door
Cooling Jacket
The gun bay was painted silver, while most ofthe interior fitings — including the ammu-
nition feed chutes — were natural metal. Each gun had its own feed chute that led up from
the ammunition boxes in the bottom of the fuselage. Expended shell casings were
‘dropped back into a fuselage bin and collected after landing. (Author)
Browning M3 .50 Caliber Machine Gun
Receiver
Breech Assembly Gun Bay (Starboard Side)
Browning .50 caliber M3 Machine Gun
‘The breech cover on the No. 1 gun of this Stst Wing F-86E is open. The guns and thele
feed chutes were staggered fore-and-aft to match the order of the ammunition boxes
mounted beneath the cockpit. The M3 machine guns were charged on the ground prior to
‘a mission. (Hank Buttiemann)
= Ammunition Feed Chute ‘The guns were angled to improve ammunition feed and prevent jamming. All six guns
/ were boresighted to converge at 1200 feet (965.8 w). SISSY was an F-86F assigned to the
th FBS in 1953. John Dawson
Electric Gun Charger i Y
Ammunition Bay (Starboard Side) an
r
Ammunition Box (300 Rounds)
|
ae n= ES NR Oe ea
W/'6-3' Wing Oniy) = le E |
(Above) Each M3 machine gun was equipped with an electric gun charger — the silver col-
‘ored mechanism mounted on the side of the gun breech. The linked .50 caliber ammuni-
tion belts came up from the ammunition containers through aluminum feed chutes and
into the breech. This is the starboard gun bay of an F-86A. (Author)
(Loft) Col Harrison Thyng, commander of the 33rd FIW, Otis AFB, Massachusetts, climbs
into his F-86A in the summer of 1951. The normal ingress procedure was to grab the fold-
ing handle incorporated into the gun bay door, step onto the ammunition bay door, and
then put the left foot into the retractable door just under the black stripe. Col Thyng scored
five victories while flying Spitfires in World War Two and added five MiGs to his total in.
1952 while commanding the ath FIW in Korea. (USAF)
(Below) A/2C David Dawson, an armorer withthe 48th FBS, replaces the lower MS gun
Clark AB, Philippines on 26 July 1954. The 68-pound (31.3 xe) guns were manhandled into
the gun bay, then pushed forward into position before being locked in place. The ammu-
nition boxes, each holding up to 300 rounds, were installed in the open bay under the
‘guns, The ammunition boxes could be loaded while on the alrcraf, although this proce-
‘dure was rare. (USAF) (Above) A 12th FBS armorer loads .50 caliber rounds into the ammunition boxes of an
-86F on Formosa on 14 February 1955. Ths aircraft is one ofthe factory-built F-86Fs with
the '63 hard wing’. F-86s equipped with this wing had bulged ammunition doors and a
removable fillet on the wing leading edge. (USAF)
(Right) Capt Lonnie Moore flow BiliMargie , an F-86F, while assigned to the 336th FIS at
Kimpo in 1953. The large triangular piece sitting on the wings the fillet panel that extend-
ed the ‘6-3 wing leading edge over the gun bay door. The leading edge ‘kits' supplied by
North American in late 1952 had a removable filet to allow access to the ammunition com
partment. (USAF)
(Below) 4th FIG armorers wipe down the gun panel of an OPERATION STOVEPIPE F-36A
at Suwon during the fall of 1951. The gun panels wore wiped with oll prior to @ mission,
The ol trapped residue when the guns were fired. Crew chiefs used the olly residue as a
Auick indication that the weapons had been fired. The panels were cleaned immediately
ater a mission. (arthur O'Neil) ‘ith FIW armorers and crew chiefs work on the port side guns of VIRGINIA BELLE, an
F-8GE assigned to the 295th FIS. The ammunition feeds are filled and the armorer will lay
‘the ammunition into the breech mechanism. The guns were not charged until immediate
ly prior toa mission. (Author)
LLtJim Thompson flew THE HUFF, an F-86F, while assigned to the 38th FIS in Korea. The
dragon marking was applied after Lt Thompson shot down a Chinose MiG-15 that had a
large dragon painted on Its side. It was necessary to remove the wing root portion of the
leading edge filet in order to open the ammunition bay door. Some aircraft had the filet
safety wired to the airframe to prevent its loss during maintenance. (D.N. Drew)
‘The radio servicing panel has been removed on this 396th FIS F-85F. The radio could be,
‘completely replaced in about five minutes. The yellow panel above the radio bay Is the:
‘emergency canopy release. An Automatic Direction Finding (ADF) antenna dome — under’
the rear of the eanopy — was mounted on the sliding canopy frame. (Tom Clarke)
Crew chiefs install 6-9 hard wing kit’ on an F-86F-00 assigned to the 67th FBS, 18th FEW.
at Osan in May of 1953. The complete leading edge and slat mechanism was removed and:
replaced with one of the factory-designed ‘kts.’ The ‘6-3 hard wing" could be installed on
any F-86F as well as some F- 80Es. North American supplied at least 150 kits to the com
bat units in Korea. (Harvey Brown) ios)
P= ees,
(Belon) This F-B6F-40 was assigned to the Republic of Korea Air Force's 10th FW at Osan
‘AB on 28 August 1975. ROKAF Sabres were ex-USAF aircraft equipped with 12-inch (90
Cc) extended wingtips and provisions for AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. ROKAF F-
86s were camouflaged in USAF Southeast Asia colors of Dark Green (FS34079), Olive
Green (F834102), and Tan (FS30219), with Light Gray (FS96822) undersides. (Stephen
Miter)
the 16th FIS at K-13 in 1953. Lt Johnson is now a US Congressman. The open door just in
{ont of the speed brakes provided access to the engine and flight control connections.
The flight controls were disconnected when the aft fuselage was removed for mainte-
nance. (Sam Johnson) The third highest scoring ace In Korea, Capt Manuel J. ‘Pete’ Fernandez, prepares to
board his second F-86E (61-2857). The stars under the canopy represent the pilot's total
score. The upside down stars under the ground crew block indicate kills achieved while
in service with the current crew chiet. This method of indicating kills was unique to the
4th FIW. All of ‘Pete’ Fernandez’s victories were achieved while flying F-86Es with the
334th FIS. (Don Miller)
22
‘An armorer feeds a belt of .50 caliber rounds into the ammunition bay on a 21st FEW
‘86F at Chambley AB, France in 1955. The F-86F-35 was the only 'F' variant capable of
‘delivering @ nuclear weapon and used a Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) computer
to ‘toss’ the weapon at the target. A 750 Ls (340.2 xa) M117 bomb is on the bomb cart in
the foreground. (NAA) (Above) Crew chiets stand next to Irva Jean just after boresighting
the guns ofthis 335th Fightor Day Squadron (FDS) F-86F in 1956.
‘The M3 machine guns were boresighted to converge at 1200 fect
(65.8 u). The aircraft was raised on jacks to reduce vibration in
‘order to achieve more accurate sighting. Fighter day squadrons
‘were tasked withthe air superiority mission. (USAF)
(Bight) An armorer removes
Whisner’s F-36E, Elenore E/CHRISTINE. His assistant
‘spent ammunition and links from the lower bay. Spent ammunition
Was accessed through a door in the nose wheel well. Maj Whisner
‘Scored two MIG kills with the 4th FIW and 3.5 MiG klls with the Sit
FIW. These victories were in addition to his 15.5 kills scored,
‘World War Two while serving with the 352nd FG. (USAF) (Above) An F864 assigned to the S4th FS at March Field in (Below) An F-B6F-30 from the 67th FBS carries a full load (Above) An F-86E of the 25th FIS rests on jacks in the gun ha
1949 carries 206.5 gallon (781.7 liter) underwing ferry tanks. of fuel tanks prior to a mission from Osan during 1959. monizing pts at Suwon AB, Korea. The Sabre carries a pair of
The circular design of the ferry tanks caused buffeting at The F-30 featured a strengthened wing with four under- 120 gallon (454.2 liter) combat tanks manufactured in Misawa,
high Mach numbers, restricting the Sabre's maximum speed wing hard points. The Inboard hard points carry 120 gal- Japan for use in Korea. Misawa tanks had some untavorable:
0.8 Mach. (H.G. Martin) fon (4542 Titer) Misawa drop tanks, while 120 gallon Separation characteristics and were often painted Olive Drab]
Combat tanks ste mounted on the outboard hard points. to remind the pilot to take the appropriate action it they had}
(Games Sullivan) to be dropped, (Bob Brackett)
\ eg
Drop Tanks
120 Gallon Combat Tank
oe
206.5 Galion Ferry Tank
200 Galion Drop Tank
120 Gallon Misawa Tank
(Above) Faster aircraft and more powerful engines required changes in drop tank design.
‘This F-86F has a pair of 200 gallon (757 liter) combat drop tanks mounted under the wings.
The sway-backed appearance of the tanks was designed to improve separation at high air
speeds. Later, small vertical fins were added to the rear ofthe tank for adaitional stability
at higher speeds. This F-86F was assigned 10 the 50th Fighter Bomber Wing (FEW) at
Hahn AB, Germany in 1954. (Ma. Emmett Hatch)
(Above Lett) Drop tanks were in such demand in Korea that they were stored by the hun
‘drods. It was not unusual for a Sabre wing to go through over 100 drop tanks in a single
‘day if the MiGs were aggressive. One hundred twenty gallon (454.2 liter) combat tanks are
Inthe foreground, while 120 gallon Misawa tanks are stored behind them. The tanks were
built up and stored complete withthe ant-sway brace attached to the tank. (Bill Grover)
(Below) HOT STUFF was an F-86F-30 serving with the Philippine Air Force. This Sabre car
ries a pair of Mitsubishi-designed 200 gallon (757 liter) drop tanks, which lacked stabilz:
ing fins. HOT STUFF is a rare bird — F-86s notin service with American units seldom car
ried nose art or personal markings. Philippine F-86Fs were painted overall silver to retard
corrosion. (via David Menard) (Below) Flight tests revealed problems during combat
maneuvers while carrying 206.5 gallon (781.7 liter) ferry
tanks. North American engineers designed the 120 gallon
(4542 titer) ‘combat drop tank’ as a result of these tests
‘This tank could be flown to speeds at or near Mach One.
Combat tanks also hed small braces installed on the out-
board side to improve lateral stability. (USAFM)
(Above) This F-86A assigned to the Fighter Schoo! at Las
‘Vegas AFB (later Nollis AFB), Nevada caries a pair of 206.5
gallon (781. liter) ferry tanks provided with every Sabre
elivered during 1949. Additionally, the tanks were braced
fon both sides to prevent the tank from swaying laterally
‘while in flight. This early F-864-5 has both gun doors and
the fiberglass intake without a small radome in the upper
Las Vegas AFB was renamed Nellis AFB in 1950. (USAF)
(Below) The 120 gallon (454.2 iter) combat drop tanks)
were not circular in shape; they had flattened upper su
faces to reduce the effect of shock waves created between]
the top of tho tank and the wing. The combat tanks had]
‘small stabilizing fing installed which had a 17° cathedral
(pronounced cat-he-dral — another term for anhedral)
(USAFM) From right: 500 .s (226.8 xc) M43 Gener 750
{ (840.2 xa) M117 GP bomb, and 1000 cs (453.6 Ka) MG4A1 GP
‘bomb with conical fin section. Belts of .50 caliber (12.7 mu)
‘machine gun ammunition are displayed in front of the aircrat.
‘The maximum ammunition load was 1800 rounds. This Sabre
‘th FBG. (NAA)
(Fight) The drop tank situation in Korea became critical when
the second F-86 wing became operational in 1952. Far East Air
Force Air Material Command (FEAMCOM) authorized hundreds
of Misawa tanks — originally built for the Lockheed F-00
‘Shooting Star — to be modified for use by F-86 Sabres. The
Sonversion involved the installation of 17 cathedral tins and
tanging the carriage lugs to fit the F-86 drop tank pylon
fro 98 lugs P tank py! Rocket Launcher
Front Pylon
Rear Pylon
(Below) BEVKENEVE, an F-86F assigned to No. 2 Squadron, South African Alt Force, car-
Although @ fighterinterceptor unit, the unit began flying fighter-bomber sorties from ries the standard fighter-bomber ordnance load in Korea — two 120 gallon (484.2 liter)
‘Taegu after returning to Korea in February. This F-B6A, belonging to Col Glenn Eagleston, drop tanks and two 1000 La (453.6 KG) bombs. No. 2 Squadron was assigned to the 18th
has a Sinch (12.7 eu) High Velocity Aircraft Rocket (HVAR) fitted Inboard of the drop tank. FBG at Osan AB and converted from F-51D Mustangs to F-86Fs during the first half of
The F-86A could only carry two rockets when drop tanks wore carried. (Wm. J. O'Donnell) 1959. (Paul Barranger)
(Above) The 4th FIG pulled out of Korea ahead of the Chinese advance in January of 1951, Bomb Rack and Pylon
Pylon Fairing
Sway Braces
(Below) A 67TH FBS F-86F-20 stands five-minute alert at Osan AB in 1953. This Sabre is (Above) A 67th FBS pilot and his crew chiet check the nose wheel steering on an F-86F at
fitted with two 1000 Ls bombs and two 120 gallon (454.2 liter) combat drop tanks. An addi. Osan during the summer of 1953. An MG4A1 1000 Lo (459.6 xe) bomb is lied withthe nowt
tional hard point was placed under each wing of this F-30.& five-inch (12.7 cu) high flow style conical fin section. This type of fin structure begen appearing in Korea during early
fence was added to the wing when the 6-3 hard wing’ loading edge wae installed. (James 1953. (USAF)
Sullivan) (Above) Armorers assigned to No. 2 Squadron, SAAF scrow fuses Into the nos
‘of an M64 1000 Le (453.6 xc) bomb at Osan during May of 1953. A wire was connected to
the safety pins once the fuses were in place. The pins kept the bombs from ‘arming’ until
they were dropped. (SAAF)
(Letty Weapons personnel unload an M64 1000 La bomb from a bomb truck at Suwon on
‘June 1953, while armorers guide another bomb under the wing of The Georgia Peach,
‘an 8th FBG F-86F. The truck delivered the bombs to the cart, which was set up to mate the
‘bom® to the underside of the wing at the exact angle required for installation. (USAF)
(Below) Armorers from the 8th FBG guide one of the new style M64A1 1000 Ls bombs to
the inboard wing pylon of an F-86F fighter bomber in July of 1953. The 8th FBG at Suwon
‘converted from Lockhoed F-80Cs to F-85F fighter-bombers in May of 1953, becoming th
fourth F-86 wing in Korea. (Author) A bomb delivery truck brings 1000 us
(453.8 xc) M64 bombs to the armorers of
GLOW WORM, an F-86F assigned to No.
2 Squadron, SAF. No. 2 Squadron
F-86Fs were’ drawn trom USAF stocks
‘and ‘loaned’ to the South African
squadron until the late summer of 1953
‘when the unit rotated home. (SAAF)
A 67th FBS pilot uses a wooden ladder
borrowed from an F-84G — to board
his F-86F in the summer of 1953. 18th
FAG Sabres flew close support and long
Fange strikes against targets deep in
"MiG Alley.” The first flights of the new
Sabre squadrons wore Integrated into
the air superiority strikes flown by the
4th and Stet FIGs. (NAA) (Above) A bombed up’ F-86F from the 36th FBS rests in a
revetment at Suwon during the summer of 1953. This Sabre
carries a pair of M43 500 Ls (226.8 xc) bombs and two 120
gallon (454.2 liter) Misawa drop tanks. The employment of
500 cs bombs usually Indicated a strike against a target
‘deep in "MIG Alley’ atthe extreme end of the F-86F's range
closer targets usually warranted 1000 .s bombs. The &th
FBG converted to slat-wing F-86F-20s in May of 1953. (Paul
Barranger)
(Below) An F-86F-35, assigned to the 388th FBW at Etain
[AB, France in 1955, carries four drop tanks under its wings.
{A pair of 200 gallon (757 liter) tanks are mounted on the
outboard pylons, and two 120 gallon (454.2 liter) tanks are
fitted to the inboard pylons. The 388th deployed to Etain in
November of 1954 as part of a nuclear strike force. The
F-86F-35 was the only nuclear capable variant of the F-86F
series. (M. Van Gerpen)
(Above) Miss Tena was the personal F-86F of Col Woodrow
Wilmot, the Bth FBG commander at Suwon in 1954. Co!
Wilmot’s Sabre carries the multiple colored stripes on the
‘nose and tail signitying a group or wing commander's alt=
craft. All F-86Fs in Korea had been converted to the ‘6-3
hhard wing’ by 1954. A 100 9 (45 xc) practice bomb is
‘mounted under the port wing. (Jim Carter) (Above) Arm:
fighter bomber from the 12th FBS at Osan in 1953. Nearest to 5 xy carrying 1000 4 (45
(2288 xc) bombs fitted with the new conical fins. These x s to the USAF and
have the ins and proper lug spacing attached by armorers. (Bill Grover) F-86A Port Profile
{=
F-86E Specifications
Powerplant: J47-GE-13 w/5200 Las of thrust @ 7950 rpm
Dimensions
Wing span......-..-.37.12 feet (11.31 m)
.37.54 feet (11.44 m)
14.74 feet (4.49 m)
8.3 feet (2.53 m)
Weights (5s)
Fuel (JP-4 at 6.6 Las/gallon)
Internal... .435 gallons (1646.6 L), 2871 Les (1302.3
ka)
.1800 rounds, 480 Les (217.7 Ke)
14,255 Les (6466 Kc)
}2,557 Les (5695.8 Kc)
Ammunitio
Combat weight
Landing weight.
RF-86A Port Profile
T [T? Fa
Performance
Take-off stall speed.. 123 MPH (198 Km)
Ferry range.. 022 miles (1644.7 km)
Combat radius. 321 miles (516.6 km) @ 537 mPH
(864.2 Kn)
Total mission time. .57 hours
Maximum speed. 679 mPH (1092.7 km) at sea
level, 601 MPH (967.2 km) at
35,000 feet (10,668 m)
.7250 feet (2209.8 m)/minute at
sea level
.47,200 feet (14,386.5 m)
Maximum climb..
Service ceiling...
5 — FE S. —
2 l Ly { 6 [t
5 he
2 lg [| Lob — = F-86F Cockpit Layout
(Typical)
Instrument Panel
Type A-4 Gunsight
Port Console
Starboard Console
Cockpit color was
Interior Green or black
Control Stick on F-86A and F-B6E.
7 ( =e. be ie iN
‘The Sperry Mk 18 gun sight which equipped early F-86As was the same unit found on The type A-1CM gun sight replaced the Mik 18 sight on later F-B6As and F-86Es. Problems
North American's P-51D Mustang. Mk.18 sights used on the Sabre, however, had a differ-
with the A-1CM sight system led to its replacement by the type A-# unit, which was easi-
tent mount and were tied into the Sabre's AN/APG-5C ranging radar assembly. (NAA) fr to maintain. (USAF)
A-1CM Gunsight (F-86A, E, F-1, and F-5) A-4 Gunsight (F-86F-10 and Later)
a.
SN A |
_ Reflector
Wing Span Adjustment Radar Target Indicator
38 Dial Light
Radar Target Indicator Wing Span Adjustment
Light Diat Fis bas A
‘The F-86 cockpit was complicated compared to piston-engined fighters such as the P-51
The election seat and armored wall separated the pilot from the radio direction finder
(ADF) loop antenna, which was mounted on the canopy brace. The cockpit pressure reg-
Ulator is the circular item mounted on the rear wall ofthe sliding canopy, The rear view
mirror was mounted directly to the inside of the canopy. (NAA)
‘Angle of attack lines were placed inside the canopy of the F-86F fighter-bomber. These
lines were printed on large pieces of film and coula be easily removed if necessary. Sabre
pilots used these lines to assist in lining up the correct dive angle for their attack runs.
‘The RDF antenna dome is mounted on the back side of the main eanopy frame brace. The
tear of the mirror mount was painted flat black. (NAA)
‘The top of the ejector seat and rocket catapult mechanism is located under the sliding
canopy. The catapult mechanism and the canopy extractor rocket are connected by a line.
the headrest was used for adjusting the height ofthe pilot's seat
‘The armament primary control panel was fitted to the left side of the F-86F-30 instrument
panel. Both rudder pedals were embossed with the North American Aviation logo. The
‘udder trim switch was located on top of the control stick. The USAF began to phase out
the use of Interior Green (FS34151) In 1953. Later cockpits were painted Interior Grey
(F836231). The instrument panels and consoles remained black. (NAA) Ejection Seat
Chest Belts
‘The canopy extractor and slide mounts wore located under the sliding portion of the
canopy. The back wall of the rocket catapult was armor plato to protect both the pilot and
the catapult, The small diameter piping along both sides of the canopy directed warm
ddemisting alr onto the canopy glass. (Author)
Canopy and Cockpit Rear Deck
40 (Above) The canopy slide tracks were mounted on top of|
the rear decking. This area, originally Interior Groen, was
repainted Interior Gray. (Jim Walker)
(Above Right) The cockpit pressure regulator was mount-
fd on the rear wall of the sliding canopy. The canopy
frame was lined with sealing material to prevent pressure
Jaks. (Jim Walker)
(Right) Crew chiets remove the sliding canopy trom Major
‘Jack Mase’ 235th FIS F-85F to check on a canopy detrost
‘at altitudes
ing system problem. F-86s and MiGs fou:
Well over 45,000 foot (13,716 1). Rearwar
Sabre was often hampered by canopy
Imadequate heating. The eight MiG kills
Tight side of the aircraft indicate kills credited to the air
{raft — not to the pilot. (Norm Green) The first F-86E-10 from the North American factory displays the open leading edge slats
and the new, flat windscreen used on both the late model F-86Es and all of the F models.
‘The slats were aerodynamically actuated by air pressure at certain speeds and angles of
attack. (NAA)
‘The underside of this battle-damaged F-85E displays the seven slat actuators, which guid-
‘ed the slat in and out at various speeds. A MIG-15's 23 um cannon shell hit the wingtip of
this 395th FIS Sabre in the summer of 1951. (NAA)
{rst F-85E-10 displays the depth and angle of attack of its fully deployed leading edge
slats. The slats deployed at speeds less than 205 1px (330 xu), however, these could often
be ‘tricked’ into extension by aerodynamic forces at high altitudes and speeds. These
‘conditions created some unusual tight characteristics for the Sabre. (NAA)
Viewed trom the F-86 cockplt, the port loading edge slat displays three ofthe seven actu-
ators in their rectangular slots. The slat mechanisms were virtually identical throughout
the Sabre variants — including the Canadair mode's. (Author) Wing Development
F-86A/E/Early F
Slats
4
Late F-86F-25/-30/-35
Early F-86F-25/-30
Canadair Sabre Mk 6
Slats
F-86F-40
Extended Tip
‘The first ‘6-3 hard wing kits’ began arriving in Korea in the fall of 1953. The shiny silver
wing leading edge indicates these F-86Fs from the 39th FIS, 51st FIW, have had theit ki
Installed. The entire leading edge of the wing was replaced when a ‘6-3 hard wing kit' was
Installed. (USAF) The wingtip ight (red to port, green to starboard) on the F-86E and F was a small extrud
‘ed type. This type replaced the larger wingtip light fairing on the F-86A. The aileron tip
‘extended the wingtip on short span Sabre wings. This F-B6E-6 was assigned to the 334th
FAS at Kimpo in 1962. The pilot of this Sabre, Squadron Leader Erie Smith, was a Royal
‘Canadian Air Force exchange officer. (S/L Erie Smith)
‘An F-86F fighter-bomber assigned to the 67th FBS sits runway alert at Osan-ni in 1959
‘his aircraft has the starter cart plugged in and the flaps already lowered. This F-86's dive
brake door interiors were painted Interior Green (FS34151). Sabres had the bay interiors
painted elther interior Green or silver. (James Sullivan)
Wing Slats
Sabres were rarely found with the flaps in the down position, however, this F:86A
assigned to the 4th FIG is an exception to the rule. The flaps were electrically operated
and returned to 0" after landing. The Red stripe indicates a ‘No Step’ area, however, this
‘was often ignored by mechanics when working on the engine accessories. (via David
Menara) (Above) Two 58th FBW F-86Fs fly over Korea in 1959. The
five-inch (12.7 cw) high tlow fence used on the °6-3 hard
wing’ visible on the near aircraft's starboard wing. There
is no reinforcement on the inboard side of the flow tence.
(RB. Ochs)
(Below) This F-B6F-25 was assigned to the S3rd Fighter Day
Squadron (FDS), 36th Fighter Day Wing (FOW) at Bitburg,
Germany in 1954. The fences and tal band display the Wing
colors, while the yellow fuselage stripes represent the 53rd
FDS. & fighter day wing was another term for the air super
cority mission for the 36th Wing, (Ford Smart)
(Above) Lt Earl Wisecarver stands by THE HUFF, 9 39th
FIS F-85F that was retrofitted with the ‘6-3 hard wing! at
‘Suwon in 1963, The outboard edge ofthe fence has a emall
reinforcement plate at the base. The new leading edge dis
plays a greater shine than the adjacent wing and fuselage
surfaces. (Dean Abbot!) RF-86F-30
F-86F-30 Specifications
(w/ ‘6-3 hard wing’)
Powerplant: J47-GE-27 with 5910 cas of thrust at 7950 Rpm
Dimensions:
Wing span. 37.12 feet (11.31 m)
7.54 feet (11.44 m)
14.74 feet (4.49 m)
8.3 feet (2.53 m)
Weights (Ibs)
Fuel (JP-4 at 6.6 Las (2.99 ke)/gallon)
Internal, ..437 gallons (1654.2 L), 2884.2 Las
(1308.3 ka)
1800 rounds, 480 Las (217.7 kc)
4,981 Las (6795.4 KG)
3,076 Les (5931.3 KG)
Ammunition...
Combat weight.
Landing weight.
Performance
Takeoff stall speed.....144 MPH (231.7 Km)
Ferry range... 1615 miles (2599 km)
Combat radius..
..458 miles (737 km) at 520 pH (836.8
ku) cruise speed
Combat radius w/ two 1000 Las (453.6 kc) bombs:
316 miles (508.5 km) at 486 mPH (782.1
kw) cruise speed.
2.13 hours
95 MPH (1118.5 KMH) at sea level, 608
MPH (978.4 kw) at 35,000 feet (10,668 m)
300 feet (2834.6 u)/minute at sea level
48,000 feet (14,630.4 1)
Total mission time..
Maximum spee
Maximum climb rat
Service ceiling..
Project ‘Gunval’ F-86F-2
47 Main Landing Gear
'A green formation light was mounted on the right wingtip. The angled pitot tube lay par=
allel with the plane of the wing, This F-B5F Sabre was assigned to the 4th FDW and sta-
tioned at Chitose AB, Japan in 1956. (Mike Fox)
‘There were many variations of Foreign Object Damage (FOD) screens used on Sabres.
‘This ath FIW F-B6F employed a simple, heavy gauge wire assembly fitted over the intake
to keep unwary mechanics from walking in front of the airratt and being pulled into the
Intake duct. (Tom Clark)
Main Wheel Well 7 ce a
the power cart plugged in at all times for fast engine stars. The wing leading edge filet is
resting on top of the wing near the fuselage. (Dick Geiger)
Joe Weber, a 25th FIS pilot, stands near the open speed brake bay of an F-86E at Suwon
in 1959. Various speed brake actuators are located in this bay, which Is painted interior
Green (FS34151). The lower arm of the speed brake was covered by a small door while the
brake was closed. The upper arm dis not have such a door. (Joe Weber) (Above) A1C George Tong fils the main fuel tank on a 199th FIS, Hawa Air National Guard
F-86E at Hickam AFB, Territory of Hawall on 10 July 1956. The open door under the TH’
Is the access for the data case. Airman Tong is standing close to the wing flap, which is
at full down position. (USAF)
(Lett) A direct rear view of an F-86A shows the angle that the speed brakes open down into
the air stream. The Interior of the speed brake doors was painted Interior Green (FS
34151). The F-86A had a curved ‘boat al’ fairing with vertically mounted formation lights
‘above the tailpipe. A fuel jettison pipe is mounted on the port side of the fuselage in front,
of the engine exhaust. (George McKay)
(Bolow) A Mitsubishi-bullt F-86F-40 from the 4th Fighter Squadron, Japanese Alt Selt
Defense Force sits on the ramp at Komatsu AB, Japan in August of 1972. The F-40 citfered
from its USAF cousins by employing a slatted '6-3' wing, which was also extended 11
Inches (27.9 om) at each wingtip. This wing improved’ the Sabre's flying qualities.
‘Additional engine cooling scoops have been added just forward of the speed brake.
(Hideki Nagakubo) (Above) The F-86A exhaust featured a segmented tall pipe. Small metal tabs — called
‘mice’ — were placed in the tallpipe opening to increase th exhaust temperature. This
Increased the aircraft's thrust and added two miles per hour (2.2 kan) to the F-86's speed,
‘Ratting the tallpipe' was a common occurrence on the combat Sabres in Korea, due to
F.86 pilots seeking any performance advantage over the opposing MIG-15s. (Author)
(Right) North American Aviation mechanics make adjustments to the ‘al-flying tal” on the
first F-86E. The ‘al-lying tal’ had both the elevators and stabilizer hydraulically integrat-
‘ed to move together during flight. The controls were made Irreversible at epeods at
above Mach One due tothe incorporation of an artificial fel system into the ‘al-lying tall
‘These flight controls were installed on the F-86E and all subsequent Sabre models. (NAA)
(Bolon) A crow chiet brushes snow olf the fuselage of LICKITY SPLIT, a Sist FIG F-06E at
1-13 during the wintor of 1952. The opening at the bottom of the fuselage is an auxiliary
‘engine cooling scoop. The airframe was covered by numerous servicing information sto
ils Fred Chapman) Captain Simon Anderson makes a visual ‘walk-around’ of his F-85E-6 at Suwon in 1952.
The aft fuselage ofthis aircraft has been replaced with a new section, which lacks the yel-
low FEAF ID band behind the engine break. Various sizes of the i
cate a replacement vertical tall. North American was very conscious ofthe lettering style
land size when the aircraft eft the factory. (Bob Brackett)
‘A 304th FIS F-86E rests on the Kimpo alert ramp in 1952 with everything ready to go ~
flaps down, power cart plugged in, and erew chiet and armorer standing by under the
wing, Five minute alert birds like this one had to be airborne minutes ater being alerted
since their job could be to protect a wounded comrade with MiGs on his tll. An F-86 usu:
ally took less than three minutes from engine start to be airborne. (Drury Callahan)
When mechanics take a Sabre apart, they really take It apart! This 4th FDW F-86F Is about
to undergo a complete Inspect and Repair As Necessary (IRAN) procedure. Virtually every
compartment with a door was opened. The two large panels at mid-usslage are for
accessing the hydraulic reservoir (tront) and the engine accessories bay — fuel pumps,
oil pumps, and generators. (Mike Fox)
‘Squadron Leader Erie Smith, an RCAF exchange pilot on duty with the 334th FIS at Kimpo,
flew thie Canadalr-builtF-86E-6 in 1952. Spare drop tanks were often sitting in the rove
‘ment in case a mission aircraft required help, and the returning birds needed a quick tur
around. Sixty Canadair Sabre Mk 2s, redesignated F-86E-S , wore purchased by the USAF
In 1952 for uso in Korea. (S/L Erle Smith) (Above) Col Donald Hall was the commander of the 4th FIW
‘at Kimpo in late 1953. His F-86F, Dottie, carried markings
‘not commonly found on ath Wing aircrait. These included
‘mult-color command bands around the fuselage and drop
tanks and a 4th FIW emblem superimposed on the tall
band. (Tom Clark)
(Below) Japanese Air Self Defense Force F-86F-40s were
painted overall silver, and earriad some colorful squadron
markings. This aircraft was assigned to the 3rd Fightor
Squadron at Misawa on 21 May 1975, This F-86 carries the
200 gallon (757 liter) unfinned drop tanks developed for the
Sabre. Mitsubishi built 300 F-86F-40s for the JASDF. The
F-40 wing was equipped with leading edge slats and a 12:
inch (30.5 cu) extension at the wingtip. (Hideki Nagakubo)
(Above) This F-86F carries tho early markings of the 18th
FBW, worn immediately after the wing converted from the
F-51D Mustang. The yellow nose and trim to the blue tail
bands indicates an aircraft assigned to the 121h FBS. The
lack of drop tanks usually indicated the aircraft had just
retuned trom ‘MIG Alley’ and had sighted the enemy.
Tanks were dropped before engaging the enemy to
improve handing and performance during combat. The
Sabres of the 18th FEW flew counter-air missions during
their transition period. (Dave McLaren)
82-7509 (Above) Sgt Dan Walker has his hand on the engine nose cover of the J47 engine that
powered Capt Iven Kincheloe’s F-86E. Disconnected electrical and hydraulic lines are left
angling i teat uslage section These lines were clsconneced fom the forwerd fuse
lage when the ta removed for maintenance. Capt Kincheloe served in the
2th FI. (Herb Golesein via Robert. Dor)
(Left) Engine mechanics remove the J47-GE-27 engine from a 4th Fighter Wing F-86F at
Kimpo during the summer of 1953. 4 large, portable crane was used to hoist the engine in
land out ofthe alreraft Kimpo had some permanent structures bull for maintenance at this
time, however, few fcitiae were complotly enclosed against the Korean weather. (Don
Miller)
(Celow) The small panel and exit scoop located on top of the rear fuselage is the com-
pressor overboard air bleed duct. This duct vented excess alr from the compressor of the
‘447 engine. (Bill Neose) (Above) The crow chiot walks away from 1LT Hank Buttlomann’s F-86E-S after removing
the aft section to service the engine. A special taller was designed to support ther
fuselage of the Sabre. Small black stripes on the rear fuselage marked the exact position
to place the supports. The inside of the engine bay was painted Interior Groen (FS3415:}).
(Hank Buttiemann)
(Right) During the cold Korean winter, hot air was pumped into the engine to warm the oll
and hydraulic fluids prior to engine startup. The intake plug included a hole in the center
to fit the hot air supply hose. Temperatures at Suwon and Kimpo often reached -20°
Fahrenheit or lower (Fred Chapman)
(Below) A crew chief from No. 2 Squadron, SAAF, removes the screws to access the
Horizontal Stabilizer Control Systom. This systom operated the F-86F's ‘al-lying tall
‘assembly. Two other mechanics revrap the tail pipe with a heat blanket prior to installa
tion. Four hardened bolts held the aft fuselage tothe forward fuselage. (NAA) (Above) A rebuilt J47-GE-27 engine rests in tho traveling (Below) A typical engine change in Korea took place on the (Above) Five 4th Fighter Wing mechanics make preliminary
Golly at Hazuke AB in June of 1951. The engine nose cone open alr ramp. Displayed at K-14 In 1952 are aircraft jack adjustments to a J47 engine prior to re-installation in an
has been removed to aceess the engine generator and stands, flap sections (behind the J47 engine), additional F-864 at Kimpo during the last half of 1851. The engine was
accessory drive section. Engines were rebuilt at taliplpes, drop tanks, and tool boxes of al sizes. An air com- mounted directly over the main fuel tank, located inthe bot-
‘Tachikawa (later at Touikl) and transported to Korea by pressor (at right) was used to tighten the many nuts and tom of the engine bay. Two Australian Gloster Meteor Mk 8
large transport aircraft such as the Douglas C-124 bolts, and was also used to paint the aircraft stipes. (Irv fighters are parked inthe background. (Irv Clark)
Globemaster. (Budd Butener) Clark)
f J w
| ‘Thousands of miles from Korea, the maintenance facilities look the same. This F-86F-25 with nuclear weapons at NATO bases throughout Western Europe were subjected to many
assigned to the 86th FBW underwent major engine maintenance on the open ramp at of the same conditions that were found in Korea, The situation for these Sabres and thelr
Landstuht AB, Germany in March of 1954. The Cold War Warriors that stood "Zulu Alert’ crews was just a litle safe. (R.W. Blandin)
General Electric J47 Engine and Travel Dolly
Compressor Section
7 Intake and Accessory
/ Section
Exhaust Section
wiHeat Shroud
87 ‘Several F-96A combat veterans from the 4th FIW were modified into reconnaissance air-
craft at Tachikawa AB, Japan during the fall of 1951. These Sabres were equipped with two
K-9 cameras mounted horizontally in the ammunition compartment. Ruby Pearl, @ 15th
TRS AF-86A, featured the bulged area that covered the camera bay. (George McKay)
‘Three F-86Fs were modified for the reconnaissance mission in 1953 under Project HAY-
MAKER. RF-86Fs were equipped with the same camera mount as those found on the
‘TRAY aircraft — a pair of horizontally mounted K-9 cameras in place of the ammunition
bays. These aircraft, sed on the F-B6F-30 airframe, had the ‘6-3
kits became available (R.C. Beitel)
KATHY was one of nine F-86As modified to RF-86A standards under Project ASHTRAY.
‘Some of the ASHTRAY aircratt retained the upper pair of .50 caliber machine guns. Use of
the guns was frowned upon since weapons firing shook the camera mounts and resulted
in blurred photographs. RF-SGAs wore identical paint schemes to the 4th FIW fighter air.
craft based across the field at Kimpo. (Bill Coffey)
‘An unknown number of F-66F aircraft were modified on the North American Aviation pro-
‘uction line into RF-86F reconnaissance aircraft. These Sabres were delivered to USAF
‘and Republic of Korea squadrons after the end of the Korean War. The factory-builtair-
craft had vertically mounted cameras that required a large bulge in the (former) gun bay
door to cover the magazine. This camouflaged RF-86F served with the ROKAF 10th
Fighter Wing during the 1980s. (via Jim Sullivan) (Above) Project GUNVAL was a North American Aviation
program to increase F-86 firepower, Four F-86E-10 and six
F-86F-1 airframes were pulled from the production line In
1952 and modified with four T-160 20 uw cannons in place
of the six .50 caliber machine guns. The ten modified air-
craft were redesignated the F-86F-2, (NAA)
(Below) Four GUNVAL F-86F-2s are parked on the 335th FIS
ramp at Kimpo in early 1953. These tests lasted from January
to May of 1959 with mixed results. GUNVAL pilots shot down
6.5 MiGs, however, cannon system problems kept the results
low. The 20 mi T-160 cannon was later standardized as the
M39 and used on the F-86H, F-100 Super Sabre, and F-101
Voodoo. Lt Col George Jones achieved ‘ace’ status in FU-867
directly below. (Paul Peterson)
(Above) Armorers trom the GUNVAL test team work on
‘one of the T-160 cannons at Kimpo in the spring of 1953.
GUNVAL F-86F-26 wore tested at Eglin AFB, Florida in late
1952. These Sabres were then rushed to Korea for combat
tests with the 4th FIV. The first GUNVAL mission was
flown in January of 1953. A third ‘gun port’ has been
Painted under the 20 wai muzzle ports to make the aireratt
appear the same as other 50 caliber machine gun armed
F-86s. (Paul Peterson) (Above) A 15th TRS RF-S6F sits in the snow at Kimpo in
late 1953. The canopy was covered by a tarp, whose straps
were attached to the nose gear and speed brake. At least
three RF-B6Fs were in service during the Korean War. Like
the earlier RF-B6As, FF-85Fs wore markings identical to
those of the 4th FIW aircraft and flow as part of thelr fight-
fer mission until the target area was reached. (Ralph
Newman)
GuggAIR FORCE
(Below) The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) received
ten RF-86Fs when they were phased out of service with the
USAF's 15th TRS. This 10th FW RF-86F carries the largo 200,
gallon (757 liter) combat drop tanks developed for the Sabre
attr the end of the Korean War. The eircraft was taxiing at
Suwon on 8 May 1968. ROKAF Sabres were painted Sliver to
retard corrosion. (Stephen Miller)
static
Q°.
(Above) Mr Ozzie Niedermann, the North American techni-
cal representative at Kimpo, perches on the wing of a fac
tory-built RF-86F assigned to the 67th TRW in 1953. Gun
ports’ have been painted on the blast panel. The largo
bulge in the camera bay door covered the camera maga-
Zine of the vertcally-mounted K-22 cameras. The 18 facto-
ry-bullt RF-86FS featured the “6-3 hard wing’. (Ozzi
Neidermann) Mitsubishi converted eighteen F-86F-40s into RF-85FS for the Japanese Ar Sell Defense
Force trom 1961 through 1962. These reconnaissance Sabres were patterned after USAF
RF-S6Fs. The small blade antenna on top of the nose was a Tactical Air Navigation
(TACAN) unit. Machine gun ‘ports’ were painted on the nose as a deception measure
(Hideki Nagakubo)
‘The Federal German Bundastuftwatfe began receiving Canadair Sabre Mk Se and 68 in
December of 1967, initially assigning them to the fighter-interceptor role. GAF Sabres had
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles (AMs) added to their armament in 1959. This Sabre
Mk 6 is from the 1st State! of JG-72 and was part of the escort fight for Adolph Galland
‘on ‘Sabre Night’ held at Phalsbourg AB, France on 18 May 1962. Galland was a Luftwatte
fighter ace during World War Two. (James McLennan)
Several air forces around the world had aerobatic teams equipped with F-86 Sabres, with
the Italian Air Force fiolding three separate teams. This Canadair Sabre Mk 4 (F-86E) was
Part of the ‘Cavallino Rampante’ team. This toam flow exhibitions throughout Europe dur-
ing the late 1960s. The Sabre Mk 4 had the '6-3 hard wing’ installed prior to delivery to Italy
in 1956. (AF)
‘The Royal Saudi Air Force began recelving the first of 16 F-86F' ln 1956, with al aircraft
being ex-USAF airframes transferred from units in Europe. The Saudi aircraft arrived in
natural metal finish before being painted overall Gray (FS 36231) with green markings.
‘Saudi aircratt were brought up to F-86F-40 standard with the extended span 6-3 wing” and
leading edge slats. This Sabre was assigned to No. 7 Squadron at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
In November of 1966. (Frank McDonald) (Above) An F-86E-10 assigned to the 334th FIS at Kimpo gleams shortly after undergoing
& major Inspect and Repair As Necessary (IRAN) overhaul at the Rear Echelon
Maintenance Facility (REMCO) in Tsuiki, Japan in 1952. The external surfaces of the Sabre
‘were polished during IRAN. This aircraft was flown by Capt Bill Lilley, a seven-victory ace
‘with the 4th FIW during 1952. (Curt Francom)
(Below) Two 21st FBW F-86Fs depart George AFB, California in December of 1954 enroute
to a European deployment. The Sabres deployed from George to Phalsbourg AB, France.
The nose landing gear ofthe lead aircraft has al
Into the nose gear bay. (NAA)
ady rotated back, turned 90°, and settled (Above) It was unusual to see any aircraft outside of the
US Alr Force with personal markings of any kind, much
less ‘art. This Chinese Nationalist Air Force F-86F
sxplanation for the artwork was that
Chinese pilots flew those Sabres during the day and
‘American pilots flew them at night. (Bill Van Dine)
(Right) Three F-86Fs from the 46181 FOS cruise over
Germany in 1956. The 86th FOW experimented with
‘camouflage in 1956, painting several of their Sabres
with Royal Air Force colors in a random pattern — no
two aircraft were the same. The aircraft were painted
‘Sea Gray and Dark Green on the upper surfaces with
PRU Blue on the undersurtaces. All the standard USAF
land squadron markings were then reapplied to the
‘Sabres. The scheme was not adopted by the USAF. (via
David Menard)
63 (Above) One of the 461st FDS F-86Fs cruises over Germany (Below) Bee Goo's Bird was an F-86F assigned to the310th (Above) An ex-RAF Sabro FMK 4 sits on the ramp at
‘wearing the experimental Sea Gray and Dark Green camou- FBS at Osan-ni AB, South Korea in January of 1958. An Practia de Marie AB, Italy in 1955. This aircraft has been
flage applied in 1956. The scheme was never adopted, auxillary power unit (APU) is parked behind the Sabro's given temporary USAF markings and painted in a camou-
although experiments with both F-84Gs and F-86Fs proved port wing. This aircraft has been retrofitted with the flage of gloss Sea Gray and Dark Green over PRU Blue.
this camouflage to be effective at low levels. Applying the extended span ‘6-3 hard wing’ with leading edge slats. This Three hundred and one Canadair-bullt Sabre F.Mtk 48 were
Paint reduced the Sabro's top speed by approximately 20 wing was identical to the F-40 wing found on Japanese Ait sold to Italy and Yugoslavia following their servico with the
1px (32.2 xu). (Robb Satterfield) Self Defense Force Sabres. The extended span '6-3' wing RAF. The F.Mk 4s had the °6-3 hard wing’ installed. Those
Increased the Sabre's low speed stability. (Bill Gregory) Sabres were redesignated F-86E(M) by the USAF prior to
delivery to another country. (Gary Sparks) FEAF Recognition Markings
1951 - 1953
(All Units) Sabre pllots of the 39th FIS prepare for their missions in the equipment room at Suwon.
‘The P3 pilot helmets hanging trom the ceiling display a variety of personal markings. The
pilot in the foreground is an Royal Air Force exchange officer whose White helmet dis-
lays the RAF roundel — red center, white inner ring, and blue outer ring. His survival
‘equipment includes a ‘Mae West’ fe preserver, a45 caliber pistol, and a knife. The pilot
‘on the right is zipping up the ant- suit ‘chaps’ (later known as “speed jeans’) worn by
Sabre plots in Korea. (USAF)
66
Col Robert Baldwin flew Nina V, an F-86F, while commanding the Sist FIW at Suwon in
1953. Col Baldwin, an ace with five victories, wears the typical fighter pilot garb in Korea.
Pilots wore flight Suits in either Olive Drab, Khaki, or Dark Blue. Sabre pilots additionally
wore an Olive anti-G suit, an Olive Green or Dark Blue L-28 jacket with Yellow ‘Mae West
life preserver, and an Olive Green parachute pack. The anti-G suit constricted a pilots
blood flow at the legs and waist during hard maneuvers to prevent him from losing con-
sciousness. (USAF) (Above) Virginia Belle/GOPHER PATROL was on F-86E
Assigned to the 336th FIS at Kimpo in 1952. This Sabre car-
Fes a 120 gallon (454.2 liter) drop tank under the starboard
wing. Virginia Belle was used for combat testing of the
Sabre as a fighter-bomber. Col Walker (Bud) Mahurin, a WW
Wace, was shot down on 13 May 1952 while flying an F-86
fighter-bomber mission and became a prisoner of wat. The
later F-86F mounted four underwing pylons to carry both
bombs and a pair of drop tanks. (NAA)
(Below) Ground crewmen refuel a Yellow-talled F-86F-35.
assigned to the 483rd FBS, 48th FBW, at Dhahran, Saudi
Arabia on 30 January 1955. This Sabre was participating in
OPERATION MORNING STAR, which sent US air power to
Saudi Arabia. The F-B5F was equipped with fuel filler caps
‘on both sides of the fuselage and on both wings. The F-35
‘was the only F-86F variant capable of delivering nuclear
‘weapons. An RCAF Sabre Mk is parked in the background,
(USAF)
(Above) Lt Col George Fudidell marks his fith MiG-15 kill in
the machine gun residue on his F-86F, MIG MAD MAVI
after returning to Suvion on 18 May 1953. The gun residue
pattern was typical of F-86s after their .50 caliber M3
machine guns had been fired. Col Ruddell, commander of
‘the 99th FIS, finished the Korean War with eight MIG kills
Capt Joseph McConnell scored his 16th victory on this date
land became the Korean War's top American alr ac
(author) (Above) Lt Col George Ruddell of the 39th FIS, 51st FIW poses beside his F-86F MIG MAD
MAVIS in April of 1953. Ruddell is wearing the typical clothing ofa fighter pilot in Kores
including the type A2 leather flight jacket and newer type P4 helmet with flip-up visor.
Additionally, Ruddell wears an orange ‘Mae West’ life preserver. The black oxygen mask
‘and hose are attached to the left shoulder strap of Ruddell's jacket. (USAF)
F-86 Pilot (circa 1952)
(Loft) 11 Earl Wisecarver adjusts his helmet strap before entering this F-86F, THE HUFF.
Prior to another mission to ‘MiG Alley’ during the summer of 1953. THE HUFF was nor-
mally flown by Lt Jim Thompson. Although pilots had ‘assigned” aircraft, they often flew
Whatever alreraft was available in order to get credit for another mission. A tour of duty in
‘Korea was 100 missions, although this was extended by an adaltional 25 missions i con
ditions warranted. (Dean Abbott) (Above) A pair of ath FIW F-86s sit on the ramp at K-14 in April of 1952. The ath FIW had
‘changed their FEAF identification stripes from black and white to yellow and black by this
date. No tall markings were carried by the Wing's Sabres at this time. The near aircraft is
LL Martin Bambrick’s F-86A, while the far aircraft is Capt Bob Love's BERNIE'S BO. Capt
Love shot down six MiGs in this F-85E while assigned to the 336th FIS, (Martin Bambrick)
(Below) LITTLE BUTCH, an F-85E assigned to the 335th FIS, 4th FIW, is towed along the
ramp at K-14. The painted identification stripes have peeled away due to the Sabre being
constantly flown at speeds approaching Mach One. The five red star victory marks on the
starboard side under the cockpit symbolize victories credited to the alroraft while being
flown by various pilots. This style of markings was a 4th FIW tradition. (Don Prouty) Canadair Ltd built a large number of Sabres for diferent air forces, including the Royal
Canadian Air Force, RAF, West German Luftwaffe, and the US Air Force, This aircraft is a
‘Sabre Mk 2, a license-bullt version of the F-86E-1. Canadair built a total of 352 Sabre Mk
2s, including 60 that served with the US Ar Force in Korea under the designation F-85E-
6. This RCAF Sabre Mk 2 served with No. 434 Squadron at Zwelbriicken, West Germany in
1954, (RCAF)
‘The Chinese Nationalist Air Force aerobatic team ‘Thunder Tigers” made this close for-
mation pass during EXERCISE SKY SOLDIER IV held on Taiwan in October of 1963.
Taiwanese Sabres were all drawn from US Far East assets and brought up to the latest
standards. These standards included instalation of the extended span ‘6-3' wing with
leading edge slats and AIN-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile (AAM) capability. Taiwanese F-
{86s claimed 29 Chinese MiG-17 kills over the Formosa Straits in August of 1958. (USAF)
a
‘This Canadair Sabre F.Mk 4 served with the 4° Aerobrigata, Italian Air Force in 1957. The
428 Sabre F.Mk 4s were transferred to italy and Yugoslavia following service with the RAF
lunder the Mutual Defense Assistance Pact (MDAP). The Sabre Mk. 4 (designated Sabre
F.Mk4 in RAF service) was a copy of the F-86E-10, with the ‘6-3 hard wing" installed prior
‘0 delivery to Italy in 1956. talian Sabres were camouflaged Dark Green and Sea Gray with
PRU Blue undersurfaces. (AF)
North American Aviation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries bullt @ total of 480 F-86FS
betweon 1955 and 1961 — primarily for the Japanese Alr Solt Defense Force. Forty-five of
‘the North American-built aircraft were returned by Japan in 1959. Most of the JASDF Sabre
force were F-86F-40s with the extended ‘6-3' wing with leading edge slats. The aircraft
were painted overall Silver to retard corrosion. This aircraft was assigned to the 7th FS.at
Komatsu in May of 1974. (Jim Sullivan) During the mid-1950s, the Royal Canadian Alr Force adopted a camoutlage scheme of Sea
Gray and Dark Green with PRU Blue undersurfaces. This Canadair Sabre Mk. 6 was
assigned to No. 430 Squadron based at Grostenquin, France in 1983. The Sabre Mk. 6
used an F-86F air frame, powered by a Canadian-bullt Orenda 10 engine. These Sabres
wore also equipped with'a slatted ’6-3, short span’ wing. (via Joe Bruch)
‘The Australian Sabre was different from any USAF F-86 variant. The Commonwealth CA-
26 Sabre was powered by a Rolls-Royce Avon RA-7 engine providing 7500 vos (3402 ka)
ff thrust — 1550 us (703 xc) greater thrust than that provided by the F-86F's General
Electric J47 engine. The engine installation required a three-Inch (7.6 ca) spread of the
Intake area to provide air for the deeper breathing Avon engine. The CA-26 was armed with
two 30 nt Aden cannons and two AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs. (Mike Fox)
‘The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROK) aerobatic team flew this F-86F in 1963. The team’s
aircraft had red, white, and blue noses with blue and whit tal checks, plus the black and
yellow identification bands applied to all Sabres in Korea. This aircraft was a standard
F-86F-30 modified with the extended span 6-3) wing with leading edge slats. (Merle
Olmsted)
‘The Federal German Bundesluttwatte was equipped with Canadair Sabre Mk Ss and Mk 6s.
from 1987 to 1968. Two Sabre Mk 6s of JG-71 are parked at Leeuwarden, Netherlands in
‘September of 1951 — one in camouflage and the other in natural metal finish. The tulip
‘nose and tail design were applied in recognition of JG-71"s commander, World War l
Luftwaffe ace Erich Hartmann. The tulip was Hartman's personal emblem during World
War Two whem he shot down 352 enemy aircraft. (Merle Olmsted) EIGHT BALL EXPRESS was an F-86E flown by Capt C.C. Keen when he was assigned to
the 396th FIS at K-18 during the summer of 1952.
fee
BETTS
{Lt Julius Hegler of the 25th FIS flew Jackies Jag, an F-B6E based at K-13 during the sum-
mer of 1982.
‘Twe CHoPeER was an F-86E flown by Major Fellx Asia, Jr, commander of the 336th FIS at
K-14 during the summer of 1952.
72 BEVKENEVE was an F-86F fightor bomber assigned to No. 2 Squadron, South African Alt
Force based at Osan AB during the Korean War.
SHIRLEY'S TEXAS TORNADO was an F-86F flown by 1/Lt Sam Johnson when he was
assigned to the 16th FIS at K-13 during the summer of 1953,
‘Sweet Carol was one of the Project GUNVAL F-86Fs assigned to the 236th FIS, and was
flown by Capt Lonnie Moore during the spring of 1953. A third gunport was painted below
the two 20 ms ports. JUST JOAN, an F-86F assigned to No. 2 Squadron, SAAF, undergoes a tire change at
‘Osan-Ni (K-55), Korea in the spring of 1953, The alreraft sits on jack stands while a crew
Chiat uses an air wrench to tighten the whee! bolts. Canvas covers over the cockpit and
wings were normally used anytime the Sabre was not flying. (SAAF)
KARENS KART was initially assigned to Lt Col Al Kelly, the commander of the Sist Fightor
Intercoptor Group (FIG) at Suwon in 1952. The aireraft was then flown by Col Bob Baldwin,
who succeeded Col Kolly as Group CO. A fighter group was the combat arm of a fighter
wing at that time. Col Kelly scored 2.5 victories in Korea. The red, yellow, and blue stripes
‘on the nose signity the squadron colors of the 5ist FIG. (Herb Goldstein)
\Uraawe
This unusual piece of equipment, a bright red parasol, was not supplied by North
‘American or the USAF. The parasol was used to keep the sun off the cockpit of MIG MAD
MARINE/LYN ANNIE DAVE |, an F-B6F assigned to the 25th FIS at Suwon in 1953. Major
Glenn, USMC, future astronaut and Senator, scored three victories in this aircraft
fon ‘loan’ to the Stst FIW. (Bob Baldwin)
‘An F-86E from the 25th FIS, Stst FIW jettisons a pair of the Japanese-built 120 gallon
(4542 Iter) drop tanks prior to engaging MiG-15s over the Yalu River in 1952. The
‘Japanese tanks had a tendency to ‘ide up’ over the top of the wing and damage the lead
ing edge slats if the pilot was careless. These tanks were usually painted Olive Drab as a
qulck identification measure. (USAF) (Above) A ath FIW crewman refuels Dottie, Col Donald Hall's
F-86F, on the ramp at K-14 during the summer of 1953.
Aleraft in Korea wore always kept fully {uoled to retard con-
