Famous American Aircraft F-86 Sabre

The North American F-86 Sabre was the United States' first swept-wing jet fighter. It was involved in some of the earliest jet v jet dogfights in history, engaging with Soviet Migs in the skies over Korea. Although it was developed in the late 1940s and was overtaken by other more modern designs by the end of the 1950s, the Sabre proved versatile and adaptable, and continued as a front-line fighter with numerous air forces. For example, it remained in service with the Peruvian Air Force into the 1990s.

Close to 8,000 Sabres were built between 1949 and 1956 in the USA, Japan and Italy. A further 738 carrier-modified versions were purchased by the US Navy, and other variants were produced in Canada and Australia This is a completely new monograph detailing the entire F-86 series from gestation and development, through the many variants that were produced, to its retirement from duty. Its operational career is also given detailed analysis. The book makes use of many primary-sources including documents held by the US Air Force Historical Records Agency, US National Archives, Boeing archives and the UK Public Record Office. Much of this data has only been available in the public domain in recent years and so was not accessible when previous books on the F-86 were compiled.

Lavishly illustrated throughout, there are around 500 colour and black and white photos in the book, many previously unpublished. The thoroughly researched text and extensive photographic coverage will make this a close to definitive work on this seminal aircraft. This book will appeal to all who are interested in Cold War aviation history and also to those engaged in modelling the aircraft of this era.