Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA35816
North American F-86 Sabre Diecast Model
Luftwaffe JG 71 Richthofen, Wittmunhafen, Germany, 1963
Limited Edition

In 1949 the US and Canadian governments reached an agreement that allowed Canadair Ltd to build a version of the F-86 Sabre under license in Canada. This ultimately resulted in the development of the Canadair CL13-B Mk6 Sabre powered by an Orenda 14 engine enabling a top speed of 710mph and a rate of climb of almost 12000 ft per minute. West Germany received 225 of this version for the Luftwaffe equipping 3 day fighter wings, JG71, JG 72 and JG73. This model is an example from JG71 Richthofen as identified by the R inscription and wearing the striking tulip markings. These were originally used to personalise the Me 109 aircraft flown by Erich Hartmann in World War 2 and it was Hartmann himself, as Commander of JG71, who accepted the first Sabre Mk6 for the unit in June 1959. JG71 converted to the F104 Starfighter in 1964 but JG72 and JG73 continued to use their Sabres in the fighter-bomber role until 1966.

North American F-86 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 with the enemy in order to attempt a shoot-down, thereby making this aircraft the last true “dogfighter” in Air Force inventory.