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)

North 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.

North American F-86F Sabre

Designed 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.

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