With great thanks to our friends at AirshowStuff.com comes news that the world has an A-model F-86 Sabre flying again. Owned and operated for many years by the Golden Apple Trust at Duxford in England, the beautiful jet fighter has moved back to the USA with a new owner earlier this year. The maintenance team at Heritage Aero in Rockford, Illinois had hoped to have her flying again before EAA Oshkosh AirVenture 2015, but there was quite a bit more work to do before she could fly again. Paul Wood made the initial two test flights earlier this week, accompanied by another pilot in a CT-133 Silver Star in the chase role.
Originally built for the nascent US Air Force as serial 48-0178, the Sabre is the oldest of its type currently flying and very likely the oldest jet flying in the world today. It is one of roughly sixteen known surviving A-model Sabres. Another F-86A, Korean War combat veteran 48-1217, is under restoration for Paul Allen’s Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington. The oldest surviving Sabre is 47-0605, which is now on static display at Lackland Air Force Base. Regardless, it is magnificent to see ‘178 back in the air again, and everyone at Heritage Aero should feel justly proud of their work. May she have a long and successful continuation of her flying career on the air show circuit here in the USA!
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
the pilot is Paul Wood, not Scott.
Thanks for the article. it was great to see the flight. The deal was done by Courtesy Aircraft in case you wondered.
Mark
Thanks Mark, we just corrected the name. Congratulations on the deal!