Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-86>HA4307
North American F-86F Sabre 52-4513 , flown by Major James Jabara, 334th FS, Kimpo AB, July 1953
General Background
The North American F-86 Sabre was manufactured from 1949 – 1956 and was America's first swept-wing fighter. As well as being built in the U.S. variants were built in Canada and Australia bringing the total of all variants manufactured to 9,860 units. During the Korean War the Sabre arrived to take on the other swept-wing aircraft of the conflict, the MiG-15 Fagot. The Americans claim they shot down 792 MiGs while only losing 78 Sabres, a 10:1 victory ratio which is greatly disputed.
The Aircraft
James "Jabby" Jabara flew a North American F-86F Sabre 52-4513 in the Korean War. His first victory came on April 3, 1951 and within a month added 4 more making him the first American Jet Ace. Jabara was sent back to the U.S. and made public appearances. Jabara requested to return to Korea and in January 1953 he arrived back with the 334th FS. By July 1953 he had 15 victories and became a triple ace but couldn't manage to tie or break John McConnell's 16 victories.
Specifications :
| Crew: | 1 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 37 ft 1 ins (11.4 m) |
| Wingspan: | 37 ft 0 ins (11.3 m) |
| Height: | 14 ft 1 ins (4.5 m) |
| Weights: | |
| Empty: | 11,125 lb (5,046 kg) |
| Loaded: | 15,198 lb (6,894 kg) |
| Maximum Take-off: | 18,152 lb (8,234 kg) |
| Powerplant: | 1 – General Electric J47-GE-27 turbojet |
| Thrust: | 5,910 lbf (maximum @7,950 rpm for 5 minutes) 26.3 kN) |
| Fuel: | JP-4 |
| Internal: | 437 US gallons (1,650 l) |
| Drop Tanks: | 2 x 200 US gallons (760 l) |
| Maximum Speed: | 687 mph (1,106 km/h) @ sea level and combat weight of 14,212 lb (6,447 kg) |
| Range: | 1,525 miles (2,454 km) |
| Service Ceiling: | 49,600 ft @ combat weight (15,100 km) |
| ROC: | 9,000 ft/min @ sea level (45.72 m/s) |
| Armament: | |
| Guns: | 6 x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns w/1,602 rounds |
| Rockets: | various rocket launchers, example 2 x Matra rocket pods w/18 SNEB (French
manufacturer - Societe Nouvelle des Etablissements Edgar Brandt) 68 mm air-to-ground rockets per pod |
| Bombs: | 5,300 lb (2,400 kg) of payload on 4 outer hardpoints while 2 inner pylons were designed for 2 drop tanks to extend range. A variety of bombs could be carried with standard maximum load of 2 x 1000lb bombs on outer pylons plus 2 x 200 US gallon drop tanks on the 2 inner pylons. Napalm canisters and even tactical nuclear weapons could be selecte |