F-86 Sabre

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Real F-86 Sabre  

The North American F-86 Sabre (sometimes called the Sabrejet) was a transonic combat aircraft built for the US Air Force. The F-86 was developed in the 1940s following the end of World War II and was one of the most-produced Western jet fighters in the Cold War era. A variant of the F-86 was produced in Canada as the Canadair Sabre and deployed by various NATO Air Forces in addition to Canada. The aircraft was produced in smaller quantities in Australia, Italy, and Japan.

More than 6,000 F-86s were manufactured by North American's Los Angeles, Calif., and Columbus, Ohio, divisions.

The first swept-wing airplane in the U.S. fighter inventory, the F-86 scored consistent victories over Russian-built MiG fighters during the Korean War, accounting for a final ratio of 10-to-1. All 39 United Nations jet aces won their laurels in Sabres.

Four models of the craft (F-86A, E, F and H) were day fighters or fighter bombers, while the F-86D, K and L versions were all-weather interceptors.

Successive models of the daylight versions -- all designed to destroy hostile aircraft in flight or on the ground -- were equipped with more powerful engines and armament systems that ranged from bombs and rockets to machine guns and cannon. All are rated in the 650-mph class with a 600-mile combat radius and a service ceiling of over 45,000 feet.

The three interceptor versions sported black radome noses, replacing the yawning jet intakes of the other models. The K model, manufactured in Turin, Italy, by Fiat, was flown by NATO forces. The F-86L had added equipment for use in conjunction with the U.S. SAGE (semi-automatic ground environment) defense system.

Forerunner of the operational Sabre was the XF-86, first flown Oct. 1, 1947, by North American test pilot George Welch. A few months later Welch became the first pilot to fly the plane at Mach 1 (the speed of sound) in routine flight. Although technically rated as subsonic, the Sabre is no stranger to supersonic speeds.

Various models of the Sabre held world's speed records for six consecutive years, setting five official records and winning several National Aircraft Show Bendix Trophies.

In September 1948, an F-86A set the Sabre's first official world speed record of 570 mph. This mark was bettered in 1952 by an F-86D that flew at 698 mph. The "D" became the first model of a fighter to better its own record, in 1953, with a run of 715 mph.

The F-86E and subsequent models incorporated a unique control system, developed by North American, called the "all-flying tail." Where the F-86A contained a booster control system that called for the pilot to do part of the work of controlling the aircraft, the newer system added full power-operated control for better maneuverability at high speeds. An "artificial feel" was built into the aircraft's controls to give the pilot forces on the stick that were still conventional, but light enough for superior combat control.

U.S. production of the Sabre Jet ended in December 1956.

Model F-86 Sabre specification:

Material : Styrofoam (EPS)
Wingspan : 1420mm(56")
Length : 1410mm
Wing Area : 37dm sq.
Height : 598mm
Airfoil : RG-14
Weight : 605g (body)
Flying weight : 2100g (with suspension landing gear)

Power system:
Fan unit : Wemotec Midi 90mm
Motor : Mega22/30/2
ESC : 60A w/BEC
Battery : 6S3700mah  

Control system:
Radio : 5 channel
Servo : Micro digital servo x 5
Landing gear :  Air retract (Optional)

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