Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

F-86F

"Sabre"

Photographed By Denise Boose, January 17, 2013

1. F-86F Marker

Inscription. The F-86, the Nation’s first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight at what is now Edwards AFB on October 1, 1947. The first production model flew on May 20, 1948 and on September 15, 1948 an F-86A streaked to a world-record 670.9 mph.

The Sabre saw combat in Korea in three successive series (F-86A, E, and F) to counter the Russian-built MiG-15. By the end of hostilites, Air Force fighter pilots flying their Sabres into “MiG Alley” had shot down 792 MiGs at a loss of only 76 Sabres. More than 8,500 Sabres of all types were built in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Italy, and Japan and were used by the air forces of over 20 nations.

The Sabre on display was decommissioned by the USAF in 1964 after having served at three California bases-George AFB, Norton AFB, and McClellan AFB. It was originally displayed in Sacramento but had to be moved due to freeway construction. In 1978 it was transferred to Edwards AFB and placed on a pedestal. After 20 years on display, it was removed for restoration and mounted in its current location in March 2002.

On loan from the USAF Museum

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical month for this entry is March 2002.

Location. 34° 55.305′ N, 117° 53.628′

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W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. Marker is on Popson Avenue near Wolfe Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Edwards Air Force Base is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Bldg 2750, Popson Aveue, Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Leaps in Technology (here, next to this marker); F-16B (here, next to this marker); Bell XP-59A Jet Aircraft (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sound Barrier Cracked (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Medal of Honor (approx. half a mile away); Rocket Engine NF-104A (approx. half a mile away); Jackie Cochran (approx. 0.8 miles away); F-111A "Aardvark" (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Photographed By Denise Boose, January 17, 2013

2. F-86F Marker

Photographed By Denise Boose, January 17, 2013

3. F-86F Marker

This marker is seen at the far left.

F-86F "Sabre" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, January 17, 2013

4. F-86F "Sabre"

Photographed By Denise Boose, January 17, 2013

5. F-86F "Sabre"

F-16B on the left and F-86F "Sabre" on the right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, January 17, 2013

6. F-16B on the left and F-86F "Sabre" on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 3, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.