TheNorth American F-86D/K/L Sabre (initially known as theYF-95 and widely known informally as the "Sabre Dog")[2][3] is an Americantransonic jetinterceptor. Developed for theUnited States Air Force in the late 1940s, it was an interceptor derivative of theNorth American F-86 Sabre. While the original F-86 Sabre was conceived as aday fighter, the F-86D was specifically developed as anall-weather interceptor. 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 largerafterburning engine, and a distinctive noseradome. The most-produced Sabre Dog variants (the "D" and "G" models) also mounted no guns, unlike the Sabre with its sixM3 Browning .50 caliber machine guns, instead mounting unguidedFolding-Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR) “Mighty Mouse” rockets. The "K" and "L" Sabre Dog variants mounted four 20mmM24A1 cannon.[4]
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 pilotGeorge Welch and was the first U.S. Air Forcenight 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) staticthrust. 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.[2]
On 18 November 1952, F-86D51-2945 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 theSalton Sea in southern California at a height of only 125 ft (38 m). Another F-86D broke this world record on 16 July 1953, whenLieutenant Colonel William F. Barns, flying F-86D51-6145 in the same path of the previous flight, achieved 715.697 mph (1,151.8 km/h).[5]
The fifth F-86D for the USAF in formation with two other early production aircraft
YF-95A
prototype all-weather interceptor; two built; designation changed to YF-86D (North American model NA-164)
YF-86D
originally designatedYF-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 withrocket 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 byFiat.
F-86L
Upgrade conversion of F-86D with new electronics, extended wingtips and wing leading edges, revised cockpit layout, and uprated engine; 981 converted.
Danish North American F-86D SabreA WestGerman Air Force F-86K in 1965.North American F-86K Royal Netherlands Air ForceNorth American F-86K from Royal Norwegian Air Force.F-86D of the Philippine 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 were55-4814/4844,55-4846/4865,55-4872/4874,55-4876/4879.
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 to337 and343 Squadrons. Until 1964 they were in natural metal. Until after retirement they were in NATO camo.
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: 6Gruppo COT/1Stormo, 17Gruppo/1Stormo, 23Gruppo/1Stormo, 21Gruppo/51Aerobrigata, 22Gruppo/51Aerobrigata and 12Gruppo/4Aerobrigata.
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.[8]
Allward, Maurice.F-86 Sabre. London: Ian Allan, 1978.ISBN0-7110-0860-4.
Angelucci, Enzo and Peter Bowers.The American Fighter: the Definite Guide to American Fighter Aircraft from 1917 to the Present. New York: Orion Books, 1987.ISBN0-517-56588-9.
Curtis, Duncan.North American F-86 Sabre. Ramsbury, UK: Crowood, 2000.ISBN1-86126-358-9.
Dorr, Robert F.F-86 Sabre Jet: History of the Sabre and FJ Fury. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International Publishers, 1993.ISBN0-87938-748-3.
Käsmann, Ferdinand C.W.Die schnellsten Jets der Welt: Weltrekord- Flugzeuge (in German). Oberhaching, Germany: Aviatic Verlag-GmbH, 1994.ISBN3-925505-26-1.
Knaack, Marcelle Size.Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems, Volume 1, Post-World War Two Fighters, 1945-1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1978.ISBN0-912799-59-5.
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