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| F-86 Sabre |
Wikipedia:
The North American F-86 Sabre (sometimes called the Sabrejet) was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly winged Soviet MiG-15 in high-speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War. Considered one of the best and most important fighter aircraft in the Korean War, the F-86 is also rated highly in comparison with fighters of other eras. Although it was developed in the late 1940s and was outdated by the end of the 1950s, the Sabre proved versatile and adaptable, and continued as a front-line fighter in numerous air forces until the last active operational examples were retired by the Bolivian Air Force in 1994.When I was stationed at Kunsan from 1978 to 1982 the Koreans were still flying the F-86. A cool little jet. (I say little because I've seen one parked next to an F-4!)
Anyway, VX gave me the idea for this post. This is for him and all the other men and women who have strapped on a fighter aircraft and "slipped the surly bonds".
Update:
Unfortunately that video was removed from YouTube. But here's a link to the song.
Sounds a lot like the Juvat Boys Choir. I remember, vaguely as if from some soft haze, singing that song with a few additional updated verses as Mr. Kim (had to be, eh, OldAFSarge?) yelled "last call" at the Kun O' Club.
ReplyDeleteHeh.
DeleteGood piece of history! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it!
DeleteSabre = coolest jet fighter ever. And there were more made than any other US jet, I think. I want one.
ReplyDeleteConcur, I love that jet. I really like the lead-in photo. I was pretty pumped when I found that.
Delete'Tis a beautiful steed.
Get a copy of the movie "The Last Chase" with Lee Majors as a fugitive race car driver in a world where cars are banned. Burgess Meredeth chases him across the country in an F-86. Stupid movie but worth it for all of the F-86 action.
DeleteHhhmm, watch F-86s? Sure, I can do that.
Delete(Mute the sound maybe?)
When I was stationed at Kunsan from 1978 to 1982 the Koreans were still flying the F-86.
ReplyDeleteThe JASDAF were still flying them in the mid-70s when I was at Yokota. I got to see the Blue Impulse (the Nipponese T-Birds) fly Sabres at an airshow in '76 and they were magnificent. They flew a 12-ship formation and did some incredible stuff... most excellent.
I haven't heard "Nickel" in YEARS... thanks for that!
That must have been awesome.
DeleteThank VX for the "Nickel". Something he mentioned in "Going to California..."