NORTH AMERICAN F-86E SABRE

The F-86 is by far the best known of the first generation of American jet fighters. Initial design work on the F-86 began in May 1945 and resulted in the first prototype, which flew in August 1947. The Sabre was the first swept wing jet fighter to enter American service, and the first to be able to exceed Mach 1 in a dive. The Sabre made its name during the Korean War fighting against the Soviet designed MiG-15. The F-86E is an improved version of the F-86A day-fighter. The Sabre was used extensively around the world with twenty-five different countries eventually flying the aircraft. Sabres were also license built in Australia, Canada, Italy, and Japan.