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| High-quality digital illustrations from aviation artist Gaëtan Marie. |  |
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The Sabre became the main USAF fighter during the Korean War. Although it was not as capable as its rival the MiG-15, better training gave US pilots the edge, resulting in 10:1 kill ratios. The Sabre was later widely exported to numerous countries. The Sabre was also used by a great number of aerobatics teams, some of which are depicted here. if you have pictures of Sabres from teams not shown here, I would be interested in seeing them so as to add them to the collection. Thanks to all in advance.
1. This aircraft is S/L Mohammed Alam's F-86F-40-NA, of the 32nd Air Wing, 11th FS of the Pakistani AF based at Sargodha AB in September 1965. Alam became a hero during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War by claiming 9 IAF Hawker Hunters, including five on September 7, 1965. This would make him the only jet fighter "ace in a day", but his actual score is debated, researchers crediting him with 4 to 8 kills. * * *
1. F-86F 52-4513, 334 FIS, flown by Maj. James J. Jabara, 27 July 1953. Jabara was the second USAF ace in Korea with 15 victories. He also had scored 1.5 victories in World War II. * * *
3. F-86A-7 (formerly a F-86A-5-) #49-1131 was used as target tug by the Utah Air National Guard. * * *
4. F-86F-25-NH 52-5333 was used for camouflage tests in Europe in 1965 by the 461st FDS. It is one of the few US Sabres to have been painted with camouflage, most F-86 having been flown in a natural metal condition. However, the Sabres presented here have generally been chosen for their unusual and/or colourful paint scheme. * * *
5. Yugoslavic Canadair CL-13 Sabre F. Mk 4, an ex-RAF plane refurbished to F-86E(M) standard shortly after its delivery, Batajnica airbase, 1959. The decision to sell Sabres to a Communist country was hotly debated in the US. * * *
6. Canadair CL-13 Sabre F. Mk 4, an ex-RAF plane refurbished to F-86E(M) standards. This colourful aircraft was part of the aerobatics team of the Yugoslav AF, Batajnica AB, 1960. * * *
7. F-86F of the Japanese Self-Defense Air Force "Blue Impulse" aerobatics team. * * *
8. Canadair CL-13A-2 Sabre of the Elliniki Floga (Hellenic Flame) display team of the Hellenic Air Force. This is aircraft #19235, preserved in Tanagra, Greece. * * *
9. F-86 Sabre of the Patrullia Ascua of the Spanish Air Force. This aircraft is preserved at the Madrid Cuarto Vientos airbase. * * *
10. F-86F-25-NH #51-13468 of the 'Blue Diamonds' display team of the Philippine AF. This was the lead aircraft of the team, while the unit was flying Sabres. In the 1960s three units of the PhAF were equipped with F-86s.
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