The story of the F-86 Sabre begins in the late 1940s, when North American Aviation developed the aircraft as the United States sought a modern jet fighter to keep pace with rapid advances in aviation. Drawing on German research into swept-wing designs, engineers equipped the Sabre with swept wings and a powerful jet engine, giving it speed and maneuverability unmatched by earlier straight-wing jets. The XP-86 prototype first flew in 1947, and within two years, the Sabre entered service with the U.S. Air Force. The Korean War, which broke out in 1950, placed the Sabre at the center of the world’s attention. Over the skies of Korea, it met its Soviet-designed rival, the MiG-15. Both aircraft were capable, but the Sabre’s handling and the skill of U.S. pilots gave it an edge in many engagements. These dogfights marked some of the first jet-versus-jet battles in history, and the Sabre quickly became known as the aircraft that restored American air superiority. By the war’s end in 1953, the Sabre had established its reputation as one of the best fighters of its time. Production expanded quickly, reflecting the aircraft’s success. Between 1949 and 1956, over 7,800 Sabres were built in the United States, Japan, and Italy. Canada and Australia produced their own versions, with Canadair manufacturing 1,815 and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in Australia building 112. In total, nearly 10,000 Sabres were produced, making it the most widely built Western jet fighter of the Cold War era. The U.S. Navy also adopted carrier-capable variants under the designation FJ-2 and FJ-3. The Sabre served in multiple roles. As a fighter-interceptor, it carried six .50 caliber M3 Browning machine guns in its nose, later replaced on some models with 20 mm cannon. As a fighter-bomber, the F-86H variant could carry 2,000 pounds of bombs or napalm tanks, along with rockets. Modifications over time added more powerful engines, larger fuel capacity, external fuel tanks, and eventually radar-guided gun sights, giving Sabre pilots an advantage in accuracy against high-speed opponents. These improvements reflected the fast pace of jet development during the 1950s. Flying the Sabre demanded adjustment. Its swept wings and powerful engines created new handling challenges that even experienced pilots struggled with. Early accidents prompted manufacturers to send test pilots to operational squadrons to provide instruction. Changes like the adoption of an all-moving tailplane improved performance but also introduced hazards, such as the tendency to over-rotate on takeoff, which sometimes had deadly consequences. A tragic reminder came in 1972, when a Canadair Sabre crash at Sacramento killed 22 people due to over-rotation. Although newer aircraft soon replaced it by the late 1950s, the Sabre remained in service worldwide for many years. Nations across Europe, Asia, and Latin America flew Sabres in both combat and training roles, extending the jet’s legacy well into the Cold War. Its record in Korea, combined with its adaptability and mass production, secured its place in aviation history as a symbol of the first generation of true jet fighters.