With a Mighty Mouse Rocket launcher, this North American F-86L Sabre was an advanced version of the original F-86 which turned the tide in Korea. Built in 1956, the F-86L was one of the final versions of the F-86 created by updating existing 'D' models with new wings and avionics.

The rocket launcher, seen under the belly, carried a group of small unguided rockets which could be launched against an airborne enemy. The rocket pod would pop down out of the fuselage just long enough to fire up to 24 of the 2,75 inch rockets.

The nose carried an advanced radar which made the job possible in all types of weather.

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North American F-86 Sabre

By Joe Baugher (jfb@intgp1.att.com)

The F-86L was the designation given to late-1950s conversions of existing USAF F-86Ds to use the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) datalink system.

The SAGE system was developed during the early 1950s by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory. It was based on the use of a large, high-speed ground-based computer to handle air surveillance data from various ground radar installations. This information was transmitted to a special data receiver aboard the interceptor, and an on-board system converted this data into heading, speed, altitude, target bearing, and range information to guide the pilot in his interception. No voice instructions were used, and the interceptor was automatically positioned for a lead-collision attack with its own E-4 fire control system.

In the mid 1950s, it was decided to adapt the F-86D to the new SAGE system, and in 1956, 2192 conversion kits were ordered for the F-86Ds of the Air Defense Command (ADC). F-86D interceptors were withdrawn one-by-one from service and fitted with the upgrade. Following the upgrade, they were redesignated F-86L. The F-86D-10 to F-86D-40 became F-86L-11 to F-86L-41, and the F-86D-45 to F-86D-60 became F-86L-45 to F-86L-60.

When F-86Ds were upgraded to the F-86L configuration, an AN/ARR-39 datalink receiver was fitted, which had a blade-like antenna sticking out of the fuselage just forward of and below the starboard wing. The AN/ARC-27 command radio was replaced by an AN/ARC-34 set. An AN/APX-25 identification radar was added, and a new AN/ARN-31 glide slope receiver was provided.

In the F-86L, two cooling air intakes were added to the fuselage sides just aft of the wing. The same J47-GE-33 or J47-GE-17B engine of the F-86D was retained, but the F-86L was fitted with the F-86F-40 wing, with twelve-inch wingtip extensions and "6-3" leading edge extensions with slats. The wingspan and wing area were 39.1 feet and 313.37 square feet respectively. The new wing improved the handing ability and provided better turning at high altitudes. The reconditioned F-86Ls retained the armament of twenty-four rockets of the F-86D.

A total of 981 F-86Ds were modified to the F-86L configuration. After conversion in 1956-57, F-86Ls were issued to most of the ADC wings that were using the F-86D. As the Convair F-102A and F-106A delta-winged interceptors became available to the ADC, the F-86Ls were transferred to Air National Guard units beginning in late 1957. The first ANG squadron to receive the F-86L was the 108th, based at O'Hare Field in Chicago. The following ANG squadrons got F-86Ls: 108, 111, 124, 127, 128, 133, 146, 147, 151, 156, 156, 158, 159, 173, 181, 182, 185, 187, 190, 191, 192, 194, 197, and 199.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, six ANG F-86L squadrons were on alert. The last F-86Ls were withdrawn from ANG service during the summer of 1965. These F-86Ls were, incidentally, the last Sabres to be in service with any ANG squadrons.

Seventeen F-86Ls were supplied to the Royal Thai Air Force. So far as I am aware, Thailand was the only foreign user of the F-86L.

Specification of the F-86L:

One General Electric J47-GE-33, 5550 lb.st. dry, 7650 lb.st with afterburner. Dimensions: wingspan 39 feet 1 inch, length 40 feet 3 inches, height 15 feet, wing area 313 square feet. Maximum speed: 693 mph at sea level, 616 mph at 40,000 feet. Initial climb rate was 12,200 feet per minute, and service ceiling was 49,600 feet. Weights: 13,822 pounds empty, 18,484 pounds gross.

Sources:

F-86 Sabre in Action, Larry Davis, Squadron/Signal Publications, 1992.

The North American Sabre, Ray Wagner, MacDonald, 1963.

The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

The World Guide to Combat Planes, William Green, MacDonald, 1966.

The World's Fighting Planes, William Green, Doubleday, 1964.

Flash of the Sabre, Jack Dean, Wings Vol 22, No 5, 1992.

F-86 Sabre--History of the Sabre and FJ Fury, Robert F. Dorr, Motorbooks International, 1993.

Joe Baugher

AT&T Bell Laboratories

2000 North Naperville Road

Naperville, Illinois 60566-7033