Major Erich Hartmann Commodore of the German Air Force Fighter Squadron 71 “Richthofen” 1961

The F-86 Sabers were the successors to the U.S. Air Forces legendary P-51 Mustangs and their first jet-powered fighter aircraft. The XP-86 prototype first flew on October 1, 1947. The first production version, the F-86A, was armed with six 50-caliber rifles. (12.7 mm) machine guns and could carry two 1,000 Ib. Bombs or sixteen 5-inch rockets. This armament configuration remained essentially unchanged across all Major models of the Sabre.

In December 1950, the F-86A entered combat in Korea. At the same time, the F-86E was just entering production. This variant was powered by a J47-GE-27 engine delivering up to 2,760 kg of thrust and featured a new, movable tail. It entered service in Korea in May 1951, replacing the F-86A in service there in Korea in May 1951.

The comparison with the MiG-15 showed that the Soviet fighter was somewhat superior, especially at higher altitudes, although better pilots gave the USA an advantage in the skies. Nevertheless, this combat experience was in the
F-86F, the Final version of the Sabre. This version first flew in March 1952 and had the new "6-3" Wing, so called because it was 6 inches longer at the root and 3 inches at the tip compared to the F-86E. The leading edge slats were also removed. These changes increased the Aircraft's stall speed, allowing for faster takeoffs and landings, but significantly improved the Sabre's flight performance. With the clear upper hand over the Mig, the Saber now achieved an impressive kill-to-loss ratio of 14 to 1 against the Soviet fighter

The German Air Force - operated 75 Canadair Saber Mk 5 and 225 Canadair Saber Mk 6,
1957–1964, flown by JG 71, JG 72 and JG 73. The last Mk 6 used for training was retired in 1983.

Kit: Hasegawa 1:32 Decals partly from Peddinghaus-decals

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