The North American F-86 Sabre, sometimes called the Sabrejet, is a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as the United States' first swept-wing fighter that could counter the swept-wing Soviet MiG-15 in high-speed dogfights in the skies of the Korean War (1950-1953), fighting some of the earliest jet-to-jet battles in history. Considered one of the best and most important fighter aircraft in that war, the F-86 is also rated highly in comparison with fighters of other eras. Although it was developed in the late 1940s and was outdated by the end of the 1950s, the Sabre proved versatile and adaptable and continued as a front-line fighter in numerous air forces.

Its success led to an extended production run of more than 7,800 aircraft between 1949 and 1956, in the United States, Japan, and Italy. In addition, 738 carrier-modified versions were purchased by the US Navy as FJ-2s and -3s. Variants were built in Canada and Australia. The Canadair Sabre added another 1,815 aircraft and the significantly redesigned CAC Sabre (sometimes known as the Avon Sabre or CAC CA-27), had a production run of 112. The Sabre is by far the most-produced Western jet fighter, with a total production of all variants at 9,860 units.

The F-86E featured an improved flight control system and an "all-flying tail" (This system changed to a full power-operated control with an "artificial feel" built into the aircraft's controls to give the pilot forces on the stick that were still conventional, but light enough for superior combat control. It improved high-speed maneuverability); 456 built, North American model NA-170 (F-86E-1 and E-5 blocks), NA-172, essentially the F-86F air frame with the F-86E engine (F-86E-10 and E-15 blocks); 60 of these built by Canadair for USAF (F-86E-6)

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USAF North American F-86E Sabre jet that was nicknamed"Eleanor E. Christine", and piloted by William T. "Bill" Whisner Jr., who was attached to the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, then deployed to Korea during 1952. Pre-order! Ship Date: August 2026.

Dimensions:
Length: 6-3/4-inches
Wingspan: 6-1/4-inches

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Ace" - The post-war era saw victorious Allied nations harnessing captured German jet research to propel their own aviation technology forward, leading to a new generation of swept-wing fighters.

When tensions erupted into conflict on the Korean peninsula, the skies became a proving ground for the world's most advanced jets - the American F-86 Sabre and Soviet MiG-15. This would mark the first major aerial combat of the Cold War.

The US Air Force fielded not only the exceptional Sabre, a true pilot's aircraft, but also veteran airmen who had proven themselves in the Second World War. Among these accomplished pilots was William T. Whisner, already a 15-1/2 victory ace from WWII.

Flying North American's magnificent fighter over Korea, he claimed two enemy aircraft destroyed in the F-86A and three more in the later F-86E, with additional shared and damaged victories.

Whisner achieved the rare distinction of becoming one of only seven US airmen to earn 'Ace' status in two wars, and uniquely, the only pilot awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses.

The Sabre's dominance in Korean skies proved devastating to enemy forces. During a 32-month period of the war, the magnificent North American F-86 accounted for 792 of the over 800 Soviet-made MiG-15 fighters shot down by Allied airmen.