Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

F-86A "Sabre"

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. F-86A "Sabre" Marker

Inscription. The F-86, the Air Force's first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight on October 1, 1947. The first production model flew on May 20, 1948, and on September 15, 1948, an F-86A set a new world speed record of 670.9 mph. Originally designed as a high-altitude day-fighter, it was subsequently redesigned into an all-weather interceptor (F-86A) and a fighter-bomber (F-86A). As a day fighter, the airplane saw service in Korea in three successive series (F-86A, E, and F) where it engaged the Russian-built Mig-15. By the end of hostilities, it had shot down 792 MiGs at a loss of only 76 Sabres, a victory ratio of 10 to 1. More than 5,500 Sabre day-fighters were built in the U.S. and Canada. The aircraft was also used by the Air Forces of 20 other nations, including West Germany, Japan, Spain, England and Australia. The markings on this aircraft are those of the "Rocketeers," the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Group, which achieved an outstanding combat record during the Korean War.

This aerospace vehicle (F-86A) is a part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Erected by USAF Airman Heritage Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Korean. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1948.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

29° 23.066′ N, 98° 37.288′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is at the intersection of George Avenue and Nellis Street, on the right when traveling south on George Avenue. The marker and aircraft are located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5206 George Ave, Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F-84F "Thunderstreak" (within shouting distance of this marker); Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" (approx. 0.4 miles away); 43rd Bomb Group Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Master Sgt. Henry E. Erwin (approx. 0.4 miles away); B-29A "Superfortress" (approx. 0.4 miles away); B-17 "Flying Fortress" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Staff Sergeant Archibald Mathies (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate approval and identification is required for access. Visit the museum first to obtain a map of the air park and parking

The F-86A "Sabre" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. The F-86A "Sabre" and Marker

information. The air park is located around the Lackland Parade Field.

Also see . . .
1. Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 21, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. North American F-86 Sabre. Wikipedia

The North American F-86 Sabre, sometimes called the Sabrejet, is a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as the United States' first swept-wing fighter that could counter the swept-wing Soviet MiG-15 in high-speed dogfights in the skies of the Korean War (1950–1953), fighting some of the earliest jet-to-jet battles in history. Considered one of the best and most important fighter aircraft in that war, the F-86 is also rated highly in comparison with fighters of other eras.[6] Although it was developed in the late 1940s and was outdated by the end of the 1950s, the Sabre proved versatile and adaptable and continued as a front-line fighter in numerous air forces.

(Submitted on August 21, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

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

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

3. F-86A "Sabre"

Public Domain - US Air Force - J.M. Eddins Jr., March 5, 2016

4. F-86A "Sabre"

An F-86 Sabre during the Heritage Flight Training Course at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Ariz.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.