F-86H Sabre Jet History

North American Aviation responded to a request from the US Army Air Force to design a day fighter using jet power that could be used also as an escort fighter or dive bomber.  A design was submitted known as the NA-140.  Two XP-86 prototypes were contracted for in late 1944 but due to the rapid rate of aircraft technology change and the research data captured from the Germans concerning swept wing design, the entire concept was updated.

Incorporating all the new changes delayed the program by a year and the first prototypes didn’t fly until Oct of 1947.  Originally designated the P-86A but quickly changed to F-86A, the fighter began to enter service in 1949.  Over the following years, the F-86 series of aircraft advanced rapidly under continuing upgrades and model changes.

The result of wing, fuselage and engine updates created the F-86H which served as a fighter/bomber.  Visibly larger than its ancestors, the H model was faster and could carry larger loads.  It served as the primary fighter/bomber until the introduction of newer models of aircraft such as the F-100 Super Saber which came into service in late 1954.

The history of our aircraft if being researched and when we have something the site will be updated.