The F-86, the USAF's first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight on October 1, 1947. The first production model flew on May 20, 1948, and on September 15, 1948, an F-86A set a new world speed record of 670.9 mph. Originally designed as a high-altitude day-fighter, it was subsequently redesigned into an all-weather interceptor (F-86D) and a fighter-bomber (F-86H). 

As a day fighter, the airplane saw service in Korea in three successive series (F-86A, E, and F) where it engaged the Russian-built MiG-15. By the end of hostilities, it had shot down 792 MIGs at a loss of only 76 Sabres, a victory ratio of 10 to 1. 

More than 5,500 Sabre day-fighters were built in the U.S. and Canada. The airplane was also used by the air forces of 20 other nations, including West Germany, Japan, Spain, Britain, and Australia. 

The F-86A on display was flown to the USAF Museum in 1961. It is marked as the 4th Fighter Group F-86A flown by Lt. Col. Bruce Hinton on Dec. 17, 1950 when he became the first F-86 pilot to shoot down a MIG. 

SPECIFICATIONS 
Span: 37 ft. 1 in. 
Length: 37 ft. 6 in. 
Height: 14 ft. 8 in. 
Weight: 13,791 lbs. loaded 
Armament: six .50-cal. machine guns and eight 5 in. rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs 
Engine: General Electric J-47 of 5,200 lbs. thrust 
Cost: $178,000 
Serial number: 49-1067 
Displayed as: 49-1236 

PERFORMANCE 
Maximum speed: 685 mph. 
Cruising speed: 540 mph. 
Range: 1,200 miles 
Service Ceiling: 49,000 ft.