F-86

The story of the AIM-9 Sidewinder that Failed to Detonate, Got Embedded in a MiG-17 and was Reverse-Engineered into the Soviet AA-2 Atoll

The story of the AIM-9 Sidewinder that Failed to Detonate, Got Embedded in a MiG-17 and was Reverse-Engineered into the Soviet AA-2 Atoll

The MiG-17 made a safe landing, the Sidewinder was extracted and the Communists promptly rushed it to the USSR, where… Read More

4 months ago

During the Korean War Chinese MiG-15 pilot Fan Wanzhang claimed to have shot down 3 USAF F-86s in a dogfight where he fought alone against 8 Sabres

According to the 7th Regiment bibliography of the then Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force not only Wanzhang scored three… Read More

1 year ago

The day he scored his fifth victory, World’s first jet-versus-jet ace Capt. James Jabara was nearly shot down by future ace Capt Boris Abakumov

Having shot down his fifth MiG during the late afternoon of May 20, 1951, thereby becoming the first “ace” of… Read More

1 year ago

USAF F-86D Sabre Dog Pilot tells the story of when He Lit the Afterburner in the Hangar to Take Off during a Scramble. And explains why He Never did it Again.

The F-86D Sabre Dog was equipped with an afterburning engine in the form of a General Electric J47-GE-17 turbojet. An… Read More

2 years ago

How an AIM-9 Sidewinder that Failed to Detonate and Got Embedded in a MiG-17 was Reverse-Engineered into the Soviet AA-2 Atoll

Because the AA-2 was the primary weapon of the MiG-21, ‘Atoll’ became the first air-to-air missile in service with dozens… Read More

4 years ago

MiG Madness and the Story of George Davis, the Only American Ace to be Killed in Combat in Korea

A competition grew between 51st Fighter Wing and 4th Fighter Wing, the two American Sabre units. The constant emphasis on… Read More

4 years ago

Rule Breaker! F-86 Pilot tells the Story of a MiG Kill Scored over Chinese Territory

F-86 pilots routinely returned from missions with their gun camera film showing kills made over Manchuria, but they were denied… Read More

4 years ago

This F-86 Pilot Pushed his Wingman’s Crippled Sabre for 60 Miles to keep him out of Enemy Hands

"Pardo's push" of Mar. 10, 1967 was preceded by a similar event. "Pardo's push" of Mar. 10, 1967 was preceded… Read More

5 years ago

36th FS UNVEILS F-16 WITH COOL CENTENNIAL TAIL FLASH

Since its birth 100 years ago the 36th FS has been involved in every major conflict: from World War I… Read More

6 years ago

LEGENDARY MOONWALKER BUZZ ALDRIN SOARS OVER CAPE CANAVERAL IN A THUNDERBIRDS F-16

In 1969 Buzz Aldrin broke barriers and he set foot on the Moon On Apr. 2, 2017 retired Air Force… Read More

7 years ago