The F-86 was the U. S. Air Force’s first swept-wing jet fighter. Making its initial flight in October 1947, the first production model flew in May 1948. Four months later, an F-86A set a new world speed record of 670.9 mph.

As a day fighter, the F-86A, E, and F models served in Korea as the primary opponent of the Russian-built MiG-15. By the end of hostilities, F-86 pilots had shot down 792 MiGs, with a kill ratio of 8:1.

More than 5,500 F-86 day fighters were built in the United States, Canada, and air forces of 20 other nations, including West Germany, Japan, Spain, Great Britain and Australia.