Earning prominence during the Korean War, the Sabre was widely considered one of the best fighters of the war.
The F-86, the US Air Force’s first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight in October 1947. Equipped with a more powerful engine and larger wings than its predecessors, the F-86F could fly at nearly the speed of sound. The F-86F achieved its greatest notoriety during the Korean War when it accomplished an almost 10 to 1 superiority in kills to the similarly built Soviet MiG-15. On 20 June 1953, F-86F jets accounted for 16 aerial victories, the best one-day record of the war.
Hill Air Force Base first started maintenance on F-86 aircraft and their J47 engines in 1953. The following year, Hill Air Force Base workers completed maintenance on all the J47 engines located within the base’s geographic area of responsibility. Hill Air Force Base’s 388th Fighter Wing, then designated as the 388th Fighter-Bomber Group, flew Sabres throughout the Korean War.
The Hill Aerospace Museum acquired this aircraft in 2004 and painted it to resemble the F-86 Jolley Roger flown by Captain Clifford Dale Jolley. Jolley served in the Utah Air National Guard during the Korean War. As an F-86 pilot, Jolley went head-to-head with MiG-15s throughout the conflict, shooting down seven aircraft and becoming the only Air National Guard ace of the Korean War from Utah. Jolley also was awarded the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Silver Star for his service.
This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Serial Number: 52-4978
Manufacturer: North American Aviation
Primary Function: Fighter
Crew: One
Engines: One General Electric J47-GE-27 turbojet; Thrust: 5,910 lbs.
Wingspan: 37 ft 1 in
Length: 37 ft 6 in
Height: 14 ft 9 in
Weight: 11,125 lbs (empty); 13,791 lbs (maximum takeoff weight)
Speed: 550 mph (cruising); 678 mph (maximum)
Range: 1,200 miles
Service Ceiling: 48,000 feet
Armament: Six .50-caliber machine guns
Cost: $769,000
Years of Service: 1949 – late 1950s
Hill Air Force Base first started maintenance on F-86 aircraft and their J47 engines in 1953. The following year, Hill Air Force Base was assigned the maintenance of all the J47 engines stationed within the base’s geographic area of responsibility. The F-86F on display was manufactured in 1953 and was stationed all over the United States before it was acquired by Hill Aerospace Museum in 2004. It is painted to resemble the F-86 “Jolley Roger” flown by Captain Clifford Dale Jolley of the Utah Air National Guard, who is credited with seven aerial victories during the Korean War.
Earning prominence during the Korean War, the Sabre was widely considered one of the best fighters of the war.
Be the end of the Korean War, the F-86 shot down a total of 762 MiGs.
The Sabre is the most-produced Western jet fighter, with 9,860 units being produced.
The Saber would be replaced by the F-100 Super Sabre in the mid 1950’s.