The North American F-86D/K/L Sabre (initially known as the YF-95 and widely known informally as the "Sabre Dog") is an American transonic jet interceptor. While the original North American F-86 Sabre was conceived as a day fighter, the F-86D was specifically developed as an all-weather interceptor for the United States Air Force in the late 1940s. Originally designated as the YF-95 during development and testing, it was re-designated the F-86D before production began, despite only sharing 25% commonality of parts with the original F-86. Production models of the F-86D/K/L differed from other Sabres in that they had a larger fuselage, a larger afterburning engine, and a distinctive nose radome. The most-produced Sabre Dog variants (the "D" and "G" models) also mounted no guns, unlike the Sabre with its six M3 Browning .50 caliber machine guns, instead mounting unguided Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR) “Mighty Mouse” rockets. The "K" and "L" Sabre Dog variants mounted four 20mm M24A1 cannon.
Design and development
The YF-95 was a development of the F-86 Sabre, the first aircraft designed around the new 2.75-inch (70 mm) "Mighty Mouse" Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR). Begun in March 1949, the unarmed prototype, 50-577, first flew on 22 December 1949, piloted by North American test pilot George Welch and was the first U.S. Air Force night fighter design with only a single crewman and a single engine, a J47-GE-17 with afterburner rated at 5,425 lbf (24.1 kN) static thrust. Gun armament was eliminated in favor of a retractable under-fuselage tray carrying 24 unguided Mk. 4 rockets, then considered a more effective weapon against enemy bombers than automatic cannon fire. A second prototype, 50-578, was also built, but the YF-95 nomenclature was short-lived as the design was subsequently redesignated YF-86D. The fuselage was wider and the airframe length increased to 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m), with a clamshell canopy, enlarged tail surfaces and AN/APG-36 all-weather radar fitted in a radome in the nose, above the intake. Later models of the F-86D received an uprated J-47-GE-33 engine rated at 5,550 lbf (24.7 kN) (from the F-86D-45 production blocks onward). A total of 2,504 D-models were built.
Operational history
On 18 November 1952, F-86D 51-2945 set a speed record of 698.505 mph (1,124.1 km/h). Captain J. Slade Nash flew over a three km (1.8 mi.) course at the Salton Sea in southern California at a height of only 125 ft (38 m). Another F-86D broke this world record on 16 July 1953, when Lieutenant Colonel William F. Barns, flying F-86D 51-6145 in the same path of the previous flight, achieved 715.697 mph (1,151.8 km/h).
Variants
YF-95A prototype all-weather interceptor; two built; designation changed to YF-86D (North American model NA-164) YF-86D originally designated YF-95A. F-86D Production interceptor originally designated F-95A, 2,504 built. F-86G Provisional designation for F-86D variant with uprated engine and equipment changes, 406 built as F-86Ds. YF-86K Basic version of F-86D intended for export with rocket tray replaced by four 20 mm cannon and simplified fire control system, two conversions. F-86K NATO version of F-86D; MG-4 fire control system; four 20 mm M24A1 cannon with 132 rounds per gun; APG-37 radar. 120 were built by North American, 221 were assembled by Fiat. F-86L Upgrade conversion of F-86D with new electronics, extended wingtips and wing leading edges, revised cockpit layout, and uprated engine; 981 converted. B.Kh.17A (Thai: บ.ข.๑๗ก) Royal Thai Air Force designation for the F-86L.
== Operators == Source: Dorr
Denmark Royal Danish Air Force Received 59 ex-USAF F-86Ds 1958-1960; assigned to 723, 726 and 728 Squadrons. France French Air Force Fiat built 62 F-86Ks for France (1956-1957), assigned to EC 1/13 "Artois", EC 2/13 "Alpes", and EC 3/13 "Auvergne" Squadrons. Serials were 55-4814/4844, 55-4846/4865, 55-4872/4874, 55-4876/4879. West Germany German Air Force Acquired 88 U.S. F-86Ks 22 July 1957–23 June 1958. The Ks were assigned to Jagdgeschwader 75/renamed 74. Greece Greek Air Force Acquired 35 F-86Ds from the US. Were received in 1961 and retired in 1967 but kept as back up until 1969. F-86D was the first all weather fighter in Greek Air Force. F-86Ds were assigned to 337 and 343 Squadrons. Until 1964 they were in natural metal. Until after retirement they were in NATO camo. Honduras Honduran Air Force Acquired Six Venezuelan F-86Ks in 1970. Italy Italian Air Force Fiat produced 121 F-86Ks for Italy, 1955-1958. Also, 120 U.S. F-86Ks were acquired. F-86s were assigned to the AMI air groups: 6 Gruppo COT/1 Stormo, 17 Gruppo/1 Stormo, 23 Gruppo/1 Stormo, 21 Gruppo/51 Aerobrigata, 22 Gruppo/51 Aerobrigata and 12 Gruppo/4 Aerobrigata. Japan Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Acquired 122 US F-86Ds, 1958–1961; assigned to four all-weather interceptor Hikōtai, and Air Proving Ground at Gifu. Netherlands Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht) (KLu) Acquired 57 U.S.-built and six Fiat-built F-86K Sabres, 1955–1956; and assigned to three squadrons, No. 700, 701 and 702. Operated until 1964. Norway Royal Norwegian Air Force Acquired 60 U.S.-built F-86K Sabres, 1955–1956, and four Italian-assembled Fiat K-models. Philippines Philippine Air Force Acquired 20 F-86Ds, assigned to 8th Fighter Interceptor Squadron "Vampires" beginning 1960; part of the U.S. military assistance package. South Korea Republic of Korea Air Force Acquired 40 F-86Ds, beginning 20 June 1955. Republic of China (Taiwan) Republic of China Air Force Thailand Royal Thai Air Force Acquired 20 F-86Ls. United States United States Air Force
Venezuela Venezuelan Air Force Acquired 79 Fiat-built F-86Ks from West Germany in 1965, they lasted few years in service due to many maintenance issues. Yugoslavia SFR Yugoslav Air Force Acquired 130 U.S.-made F-86Ds and operated them between 1961 and 1974. 32 of these were modified into a reconnaissance variant utilizing 3 Kodak K-24 cameras mounted in place of the FFAR rockets, the IF-86D.
Surviving aircraft
Specifications (F-86D-40-NA)
Data from Combat Aircraft since 1945, The American FighterGeneral characteristics Crew: one Length: 40 ft 3 in (12.27 m) Wingspan: 37 ft 1.5 in (11.31 m) Height: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m) Empty weight: 13,518 lb (6,132 kg) Gross weight: 19,975 lb (9,060 kg) Powerplant: 1 × General Electric J47-GE-17B , 5,425 lbf (24.13 kN) thrust dry, 7,500 lbf (33 kN) with afterburner Performance
Maximum speed: 715 mph (1,151 km/h, 621 kn) Maximum speed: Mach .93 Range: 330 mi (531 km, 290 nmi) Service ceiling: 49,750 ft (15,163 m) Rate of climb: 12,150 ft/min (61.7 m/s) Armament
24 × 2.75 in (70 mm) Mighty Mouse FFAR rockets in ventral tray Avionics
AN/APG-36 all-weather radar
== See also == Aerospace Defense Command North American Aerospace Defense Command Semi-Automatic Ground Environment Related development
CAC Sabre Canadair Sabre North American F-86 Sabre North American F-100 Super Sabre North American FJ-1 Fury North American FJ-2/-3 Fury North American FJ-4 Fury North American YF-93 Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Douglas F3D Skyknight Douglas F4D Skyray Fiat G.91 Lockheed F-94 Starfire Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Northrop F-89 Scorpion Saab 29 Tunnan Supermarine Swift
Related lists
List of fighter aircraft List of military aircraft of the United States
References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
North American F-86D Sabre - National Museum of the United States Air Force