Design work for the F-86
Sabre actually began in 1944, although the Sabre would not be built and
flown until after WWII. It entered service with the US military in
1949. In US Navy service, it was the FJ-2/3/4 Fury. The F-86 saw a lot
of use in the Korean War, often against the MiG-15. Despite the MiG-15
being a bit better on paper, the Sabre held out well in Korea. Some are
still in use today by militaries around the world as target drones.
Over 9,500 were made. Today, about 15 a flyable in the warbird
community and another 6 or so are used in military service. The F-86
Sabre pictured below was built in 1952 and is an F-86F that is owned
and operated by the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino.
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