Years In Service: 1949-1994
Initial Flight: October 1, 1947
In the end, the F-86H was the best-performing version of the Sabre and could fly faster, higher, and farther than any of the other variants. Although never used in combat, the F-86 H version provided the U.S. Air Force with a formidable fighter-bomber aircraft until the advent of the supersonic F-100. The Sabre is best known as the United States’ first swept-wing fighter that could counter the similarly winged Soviet MiG-15.
Aircraft Specifications
Height: 15′ Wingspan: 39′ 1″ Length: 38′ 8″ Crew: 1; Pilot Armament: Four M-39 20 mm cannon; eight 5-inch rockets Payload: 2,000 lbs. of bombs, or nuclear bombs Powerplant: General Electric J73-GE-3E Thrust: 9,070 No. of Engines: 1 Cruise speed: 603 mph Max Speed: 692 mph Ceiling: 49,000 ft.