{"product_id":"1-72-hobbymaster-ha4301-north-amertican-f86f-sabre-fu897-c-n-12897-the-huff-flown-by-lt-jim-thompson-2-kills-1953-suwon-ab-south-korea-39th-fs-51st-fw-u-s-a-f-limited-edition-of-2000","title":"1\/72 HobbyMaster (HA4301) North American F86F Sabre (FU897 c\/n 12897) \"The Huff\" flown by Lt. Jim Thompson (2 Kills) 1953 Suwon AB, South Korea, 39th FS, 51st FW,  U.S.A.F. (Limited Edition of 2000)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e1\/72 HobbyMaster (HA4301) North American F86F Sabre \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e (FU897 c\/n 12897) \"The Huff\" flown by Lt. Jim Thompson (2 Kills) 1953 Suwon AB, South Korea, 39th FS, 51st FW,  U.S.A.F. (Limited Edition of 2000)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" class=\"clsLayout\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr valign=\"top\"\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eHobbyMaster  (HA4301) \u003cbr\u003eNorth American F-86F Sabre,\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\"The Huff\" (#51-2897)\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eLt. James Thompson,                                          Suwon AB, South Korea,                                        June 1953\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e39th FIS, 51st FW, U.S.A.F.\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e1:72 Scale\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eLength\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003eWidth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorth American F-86F Sabre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.75\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e   \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.25\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorth American F-86F-1NA Sabre variant was the beginning of the new F models. F-86F-1NA Sabre 51-2897 was assigned to Lt. James Thompson of the 39th FIS, 51st FIW and given the name “The Huff” after he shot down a MiG-15 with a dragon painted on it. Thinking along the lines of a “kill marking” Lt. Thompson asked to have a dragon painted on the aircraft. The result was a 10 foot dragon that the C\/O ordered removed but the story of a dragon MiG-15 being shot down saved the scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingmule.com\/powersearch\/?Search=CAT_TYP_JET_FTR_F086\"\u003eNorth American F-86F Sabre\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned to meet a USAAF requirement for a day-fighter\/escort fighter\/dive-bomber, the F-86 was first flown on October 1st, 1947. The Sabre's swept-wing \"flying tail\" configuration and a hydraulic flight-control system were some of its many firsts in technology and design that have now become standard for jet-powered aircraft. Armed with six 50 caliber machine guns, the F-86 saw extensive action in the Korean War, where it was often pitted against the MiG-15. The Sabre pilot had to be in visual contact and within gun range of the enemy in order to attempt a shoot-down, thereby making this aircraft the last true \"dogfighter\" in Air Force inventory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"clsCopyright\"\u003e© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ObituaryDetails_content-wrapper__Eqmvo print-content-wrapper container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ObituaryDetails_content-wrapper-row__LCCWJ row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ObituaryDetails_content-wrapper-column__a_Kxl col\"\u003e\n\u003ch6 class=\"ObituaryDetails_title__6S3LT\"\u003eOBITUARY\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"ObituaryDetails_display-name__H4JVI\"\u003eJames Thompson\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch6 class=\"ObituaryDates_dates__hTlcQ\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOctober 6, 1929 – October 11, 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ObituaryDetails_full-row__c5CTt\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ObituaryDetails_main-image__agYL9 ObituaryDetails_portrait__fOVCD\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/dux7id0k7hacn.cloudfront.net\/as\/assets-mem-com\/cmi\/5\/5\/6\/0\/12030655\/20241016_181132227_0_orig.jpg\/-\/james-thompson-san-antonio-tx-obituary.jpg?maxheight=650\" alt=\"Obituary of James Thompson\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eIN THE CARE OF\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"InCareComponent_funeral-home__RMWm8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"InCareComponent_funeral-home-location__GUUIC\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.dignitymemorial.com\/funeral-homes\/texas\/san-antonio\/sunset-funeral-home\/4411\" aria-label=\"Funeral home link\" class=\"gtm-location-squish-visit-location\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunset Memorial Park \u0026amp; Funeral Home\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"obit-text\" class=\"ObituaryDetails_obituary-wrapper__j8mto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ObituaryDetails_obituary__V3uxw   expand-for-print\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ObituaryDetails_obituaryHeader__7SYzo\"\u003eColonel, United States Air Force (Retired) James “Jim” Thompson passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024, with his family by his side just five days after his 95th birthday.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJim was born in 1929 in West Chester, Pennsylvania where he grew up, graduated from high school and spent the summers working several jobs while trying to find his forever career. He enrolled in West Chester State Teachers College for two years where he excelled in every sport available which proved to be a big asset as he progressed through his military career. He completed his undergraduate degree later while stationed in New Hampshire and at the same time he taught ROTC at the University. At age 65, he completed his Master’s Degree from Texas A \u0026amp; M University.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a young age, Jim’s love of flying was nothing short of phenomenal. He learned to fly in the T-6, T-28. And his first jet…T-33, the F-86, and the F-80. Throughout his 30 years of service, he served in Stateside assignments in NV, TX, NH, AL, FL, VA, WA, CA, and MS. His overseas assignments took him to Korea, Germany, Okinawa, Japan, and Vietnam. He flew the F-86 Sabre jet (called “THE HUFF”) during the Korean War in 1952-1953. It was here that he engaged with enemy aircraft and shot down at least three (3) MIG fighter aircraft before the war ended. And although he excelled in all of his assignments, the most extraordinary was his assignment in Vietnam. He was the first pilot to fly 300 missions in a year (it was actually within 10 months) in 1967-1968.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis decorations include the Legion of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 18 Air Medals, three Korean Service Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Presidential Unit Citation, four Vietnam Service Medals, two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for Valor, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, German Qualification Badge, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 30 years, Jim retired from active service. But he didn’t actually retire. He still had so much more to give, and with his love of teaching, he joined the Junior ROTC program at Holmes High School here in San Antonio. He continued to share his love of the military by teaching our young students about the exciting and endless opportunities in the Air Force and other branches of the military. During his 15 years of teaching at Holmes, he made such a lasting impression on so many young people for years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Everything he did, he did with passion. He had an amazing green thumb and owned a large flourishing greenhouse. He was an avid wine collector and a fabulous grill-master. He was a standout athlete of many sports and passed that love onto his children. He traveled extensively both in his military life, and then afterwards with his wife, Lynn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Pat and sister-in-law, Irene. Surviving in addition to his wife, Lynn are his sons, James Michael (Donna), Rick (Joy), Dina (Henry), five grandchildren, four great grandchildren. Also surviving are Lynn’s two sisters, three nieces, and their families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 8th at 12:15 pm at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. A Committal Service with Military Honors will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:15 pm (at shelter #2).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Col. Jam es Thompson may be given to Arboretum San Antonio; 2201 Buena Vista St.; San Antonio, TX 78207; the San Antonio Food Bank at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/safoodbank.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003esafoodbank.org\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eor a charity of your choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ObituaryDetails_section__68RAL hidden-for-print\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Support_container__2YEzL\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Support_show-support___uaNo Support_no-wrap__nisLE\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Support_tile__w0X9Q\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Support_text__zpIr7\"\u003e\n\u003cbutton class=\"ObituaryDetails_see-more-less__button__xZlIK\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ObituaryDetails_label__k8v9B\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/button\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"airdrop militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48338045731075,"sku":"HA4301","price":300.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/1031\/8595\/files\/29DA2631-71B5-491F-B391-6B993DAD1F92_1_105_c.jpg?v=1780773634","url":"https:\/\/airdropmilitaria.com\/products\/1-72-hobbymaster-ha4301-north-amertican-f86f-sabre-fu897-c-n-12897-the-huff-flown-by-lt-jim-thompson-2-kills-1953-suwon-ab-south-korea-39th-fs-51st-fw-u-s-a-f-limited-edition-of-2000","provider":"airdrop militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}