1/48 Academy F-86 Sabre |
Gallery Article by Ahson Aftab
on
Dec 13 2003
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F-86 Sabre in Pakistan AF markings
During the fifty years, the PAF has had in its inventory over eighteen combat
airplanes, from the British WW2 Tempest to the F-16 which the PAF flies today.
Between these models there have been several British, American, French, and
Chinese-built multi-role airplanes.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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Of all the fighters that the PAF has operated, the most popular, by far, has
been the F-86. This superb airplane remained in the inventory of the PAF for
twenty three years, from 1956 to 1979. During that period, all told, the PAF
inducted some 240 F-86s. Despite eighteen years having passed since the last
Sabres were taken off flying status, Pakistani senior pilots still speak fondly
of the F-86, its agility, handling qualities and exploits in peace and war.
During the
mid-1960s, the PAF managed to bolster its dwindling Sabre force by purchasing
ninety ex-Luftwaffe F-86Es. These used machines had the more powerful Canadian
Orenda 14 engines that could take the plane to well over 50,000 feet. The F-86E
too became a favorite, one of them even shooting down a MiG-21 that tried to
turn with it.