North American F-86A - Sabre

The North American Aviation F-86 Sabre was the world’s first operational jet fighter designed from the outset with swept-wings to achieve high speed performance. It also featured an axial-flow jet engine, a swept-tail and many other innovations which included powered flying controls and a highly ergonomic cockpit with outstanding visibility.  

Despite design origins beginning during World War II, the Sabre led a long and productive life over which it was continuously developed. Originally intended as a high-altitude day-fighter, it was subsequently redesigned into an all-weather interceptor (F-86D) and a fighter-bomber (F-86H).   F-86A, F-86E and F-86F Sabres all took part in the Korean War. The aircraft played a pivotal role in this conflict by winning back air superiority for the United Nations allies, going head-to-head with the impressive Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 'Fagot'.

The Sabre is ranked, along with its illustrious World War II ancestor the P-51 Mustang, as one of the great fighter aircraft of all time.

Nearly 10,000 of the F-86 series were built: Golden Apple Operations are proud to operate the world's only 'A' model variant that remains airworthy. This Sabre (48-178) is also believed to be the world's oldest flying jet powered aircraft