In the late 1940s, the US government along with the USAF, began a massive effort to develop an effective defense of US airspace to counter a growing Soviet threat. In support of this, the USAF chose the Convair “1954 Interceptor” project as their primary aircraft for this role, and  the  Northrop F-89 Scorpion as an interim. After many delays in the F-89 development program, the Air Force looked at two aircraft as alternatives to the Scorpion, a modified Lockheed TF-80C which evolved into the F-94 Starfire, and highly modified all-weather interceptor version of the F-86A Sabre, the F-95A (F-86D).

As the YF-95, the Sabre Dog completed a successful first flight on December 22, 1949, later on July 24, 1950, the designation was changed to YF-86D. The Sabre Dog differed greatly from its cousin, while externally similar to the F-86A there was only 25% commonality  between the two aircraft. The F-86D was also the first USAF aircraft to carry an all missile armament, and was the first all weather interceptor to be operated by one pilot, operating the radar and  flight controls. 

The first operational F-86D entered USAF Squadron service in March 1951, with McChord's  317th FIS with the 465th FIS's receiving their first aircraft in 1953. During  the 1950's F-86D's became  the most prominent Interceptor in 25th Air Division arsenal, flying from 5 bases in a total of 14 squadrons, 6 being redesignations that occurred on August 18, 1955, in a program named "Project Arrow" which to return displaced squadrons back to their WWII Wings.

On November 19, 1952 & July 16, 1953  the F-86D set  new world speed records by flying to speeds of 698.505 and 715.697. 

 After a production  run of 2,506, production ended with the delivery of the last "Dog" in September 1955. F-86D served in more than 100 USAF & ANG squadrons until June 1961.

• TYPE:    All-weather Interceptor

• POWER:  One  GE  J47-GE-33 Turbojet with 7,650 lbs

• SPEED:   679 mph

• RANGE:   1.022 miles

• SERVICE CEILING: 50,000 ft

• WEIGHT:  13,498lbs. Empty; Max T/O 18,160 lbs.

• DIMENSIONS:  Span 37 ft  1  in.,  Length 40 ft 4 in. Height 15 ft

• ARMAMENT:  24 - 2.75 in Mighty Mouse folding fin rockets.

• CREW:  One

• PRODUCTION TOTALS: 2,506

• COST: $344,000

•  McCHORD BASED UNITS: 317th FIS, (1953-1956), 318th FIS (1955-1957), 465th FIS (1953-1955) - 25 AD UNITS - GEIGER AFB, WA: 440th FIS (1953-1954), 445th FIS (1953-1955), 497th FIS (1955-1958) 498th FIS (1955-1957), 520th FIS (1955); LARSON AFB, WA: 31st FIS (1953-1955),  322nd FIS (1955-1959), 323d FIS (1953-1956), 538th FIS (1955-1958); PANE FLD, WA: 83d FIS (1953-1957); PORTLAND AP, 460th FIS(1955)  

Early in it’s career F-86D 52-3669 served in two squadrons of the 25th Air Division, Larson AFB’s 323rd FIS and Geiger AFB’s 497th FIS (shown in the altered picture above). After moving with the 497th to Spain "669" was one of 130 F-86D/K “Dogs” to be transferred to the Yugoslavian Air Force. The Sabre Dogs served with the YAF until the Mid 70’s.

JANUARY 1954

Completed by North American Aviation, Inglewood, CA 

01 FEBRUARY 1954 

Delivered to 47th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Niagara Falls, NY 

(Air Defense Command) 

APRIL  1954  

JUNE 1954 

To  323d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Larson AFB, WA

AUGUST 1955

To   497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Geiger Fld, WA

APRIL 1958

To Mobile Air Materiel Area, Brookley AFB, AL

(Air Materiel Command)

MAY 1958 

To 3970th Air Base Group, Torrejon AB, Spain 

JULY 1958  

MAY 1960  

To 3131st Aircraft Repair Squadron, Chateaur AB, France

(Air Material Command)

SEPTEMBER 1960

(Air Material Command)

OCTOBER 1961

Dropped from inventory by transfer to the Military Assistance Program, 

OCTOBER 1986

JULY 1994

To the McChord Air Museum Foundation for display as S/N 51-5976