The first swept-wing airplane in the U.S. fighter inventory, the F-86 scored consistent victories over Russian-built MiG fighters during the Korean War, accounting for a final kill ratio of 10-to-1. Interestingly, all 39 United Nations jet aces won their laurels in Sabres. Four models of the plane (F-86A, E, F and H) were designated day fighters or fighter bombers, while the F-86D, K and L versions were touted as all-weather interceptors. Successive models of the daylight versions - all designed to destroy hostile aircraft in flight or on the ground - were equipped with more powerful engines and armament systems that ranged from iron bombs and rockets to machine guns and cannon. The three interceptor versions, on the other hand, were equipped with black radome noses, replacing the yawning jet intakes of the other models.

The F-86F featured an uprated engine and a larger "6-3" wing without leading-edge slats. A total of 2,239 were built; North American model NA-172 (F-86F-1 through F-15 blocks), NA-176 (F-86F-20 and -25 blocks), NA-191 (F-86F-30 and −35 blocks), NA-193 (F-86F-26 block), NA-202 (F-86F-35 block), NA-227 (first two orders of F-86F-40 blocks comprising 280 aircraft that reverted to leading-edge wing slats of an improved design), NA-231 (70 in third F-40 block order), NA-238 (110 in fourth F-40 block order), and NA-256 (120 in final F-40 block order); 300 additional aircraft in this series assembled by Mitsubishi in Japan for Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. Sabre Fs had much improved high-speed agility, coupled with a higher landing speed of over 145 mph (233 km/h). The F-35 block had provisions for a new operational role: the tactical nuclear attack utilizing newer, smaller, and lighter nuclear weapons ("second generation" nuclear ordnance). The F-40 had a new slatted wing with a slightly higher span, resulting in a slight decrease in speed, but also much better agility at both high and low speeds and a reduced landing speed of 124 mph (200 km/h). The USAF upgraded many previous F versions to the F-40 standard. One E and two Fs were modified for improved performance via rocket boost.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USAF North American F-86F Sabre jet fighter that was piloted by Major James P. Hagerstrom, who was attached to the 57th Fighter Bomber Squadron "Black Knights", 18th Fighter Bomber Group, then deployed to Osan Air Base, South, Korea, during 1953. Pre-order! Ship Date: May 2024.

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

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "An Ace in Two Wars" - In January 1953, Hagerstrom was transferred to Osan Air Base to help the rest of the pilots of the 18th FBW transition from F-51s to F-86s, beginning on January 28th. Despite cold weather and a limited number of instructor pilots, the wing's 125 pilots were trained in the F-86 in under a month. On February 3rd, Hagerstrom was named commander of the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, and on February 25th he was part of the 18th FBW's first patrol in Sabre jets. He was chasing two MiGs when he noticed a third attacking another F-86; he engaged and shot it down flying very low over Mukden, China. Low on fuel, he had just enough to land and park the aircraft back at Osan, and he later received the Distinguished Flying Cross for the third time.

On March 13th, Hagerstrom and his wingman Elmer N. Dunlap came across two MiGs, the first of which Hagerstrom, by his own account, "shot the daylights out of". He fired at the second until he ran out of ammunition, and the remaining MiG was leaking fuel and its engine had stopped. Hagerstrom told Dunlap to "finish off" the crippled plane, and the MiG's pilot bailed over the enemy's Antung Airfield. That mission gave Hagerstrom a total of 4-1/2 victories, just short of the five kills needed for ace status. Knowing that he was likely to be transferred out soon, he became even more determined to get another victory, giving a speech to his men on March 27th:

Gentlemen, I've been living on coffee. I haven't been sleeping. I've got to do this thing. I'm gonna do it, and if you don't want to go with me, that's fine, I'll understand. We are going to go up there and give it one good college try south of the Yalu, and if we don't scare anything up, I'm going after them today.

That day, Hagerstrom snuck up behind six MiGs, fired on one, and by "sheer ass luck ... knocked his wing tip off". He kept up the chase, shooting short bursts, until the pilot, Chinese ace Wang Hai, ejected above his own base. On the way home, Hagerstrom destroyed another MiG, bringing the total to 6.5. He became the war's 28th ace and the first and only from the 18th FBW. After the engagement, he was awarded the Silver Star for "his outstanding ability and gallantry in the face of enemy opposition".

Hagerstrom scored another victory on April 13th, when he fired a long burst at a single MiG flying at 49,000 feet (15,000 m). The plane burst into flames and went down near the Chongchon River. In early May, he learned that he was to return to the U.S. On his last day in Korea, May 16th, he was waiting for a Military Air Transport Service plane to become available for his flight out to Tachikawa Airfield in Japan when he got a call from a friend who said he needed four planes in the air. He said, "I got tired of the inaction, so I posted the name 'Sam Kratz' on the flight board and went out as a regular combat officer and not as a squadron commander as on other missions." Hagerstrom took off, still wearing his blue dress uniform instead of a flight suit, and the flight soon came across the formation of 24 MiGs. He pretended to have communication difficulties to prevent the mission from being recalled because they were heavily outnumbered. When the MiGs turned and headed toward the safety of Chinese airspace, Hagerstrom attacked one of the planes and followed it into a dive, firing short bursts. After his target crashed, he pulled out and the flight and headed back to base, reporting the large number of MiGs. During the debriefing, his commanding officer interrupted and assured Hagerstrom that he would be on the next C-54 Skymaster flight out, before he could take another risky flight. He was awarded his eleventh Air Medal in the form of a second silver oak leaf cluster for courage during the flight. The mission gave him 8.5 victories for the war in 101 missions.