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The F-86 Sabre, designed by North American Aviation and built under license by Canadair, is best known for its outstanding combat performance during the Korean War. First flown in 1947, the swept-wing Sabre was the United States military's first fighter to fly supersonic -- in a dive. F-86s were also built under license in Japan, Italy, Australia, and Canada and served with many air forces around the world.
In December of 1950, American-built F-86s and Russian-built MiG-15s began facing off in combat over Korea. With superior training, experience, and continually improved aircraft performance, Sabre pilots posted at least a seven-to-one victory ratio over the similar MiG-15. The last U.S. Sabre was retired from the Air National Guard in 1965.
The Museum's example, a CL-13B, is one of 1,815 Sabres built by Canadair in Montreal, Quebec. Delivered as a Mark 5, it first flew in 1954. It served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and was retired from the Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswick, in 1969. It was acquired by the Maritime Aircraft Overhaul and Repair Company and converted to Mark 6 standard as part of a proposed sale to the Pakistan Air Force; the sale was eventually canceled by the Canadian government. In 1974, it was bought by The Boeing Company and operated as a flight test chase plane until its donation to the Museum in 1991.
The F-86 Sabre, designed by North American Aviation and built under license by Canadair, is best known for its outstanding combat performance during the Korean War. First flown in 1947, the swept-wing Sabre was the United States military's first fighter to fly supersonic -- in a dive. F-86s were also built under license in Japan, Italy, Australia, and Canada and served with many air forces around the world.
In December of 1950, American-built F-86s and Russian-built MiG-15s began facing off in combat over Korea. With superior training, experience, and continually improved aircraft performance, Sabre pilots posted at least a seven-to-one victory ratio over the similar MiG-15. The last U.S. Sabre was retired from the Air National Guard in 1965.
The Museum's example, a CL-13B, is one of 1,815 Sabres built by Canadair in Montreal, Quebec. Delivered as a Mark 5, it first flew in 1954. It served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and was retired from the Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswick, in 1969. It was acquired by the Maritime Aircraft Overhaul and Repair Company and converted to Mark 6 standard as part of a proposed sale to the Pakistan Air Force; the sale was eventually canceled by the Canadian government. In 1974, it was bought by The Boeing Company and operated as a flight test chase plane until its donation to the Museum in 1991.
