Jet Speed RecordIn 1953, the F-86D Sabre beats its own world aircraft speed record by flying 715.7 mph (1152 kph). After its first flight in 1949, more than 6,000 F-86s were manufactured by North American's Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio, divisions. 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. |
