The developmental YF-95A was eventually redesignated to "YF-86A" and entered production as the "F-86D" to which followed 2,504 examples were built to the finalized standard. The "F-86G" designation was briefly used to cover aircraft featuring an uprated engine as well as different equipment and these went on to be completed under the F-86D designation (406 built).
The D-model was seen as a fine candidate for export, particularly to NATO players across Europe, so this begat the export-minded "F-86K" which was proven first under the developmental "YF-96K" designation. These Sabre Dogs lost their ventral Mighty Mouse rocket packs and instead took on 4 x 20mm M24A1 automatic cannons tied to an APG-37 series radar unit. While North American contributed 120 to production of this mark, FIAT of Italy delivered some 221 units before the end.
The subsequent "F-86L" Sabre Dogs were F-86D production forms with all-new electronics fitted as well as a revised instrument panel. Changes were also had to the wing mainplane leading edges which also now featured extended wingtip sections. Internally, there was a more powerful engine fitted to help increase performance. Some 981 conversions were ultimately built to this standard.
Global operators were plenty with Denmark receiving a stock of ex-USAF D-models in the late 1950s. France operated FIAT-built Sabre Dogs for a brief time in the latter part of the 1950s. The West German Air Force took on 88 ex-USAF K-models and used them from the middle of 1957 until the middle of 1958. Another ex-USAF F086D operator became Greece which took on a stock of 35 aircraft and these remained available until 1969. Six K-models were delivered to the Honduran Air Force in 1970. FIAT of Italy managed production of 121 K-models for the Italian Air Force and took on the 120 units produced by North American (K-models).
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force operated 122 ex-USAF D-models and used them from 1958 until 1961. The Dutch received 57 K-model Sabre Dogs from the United States and a further six examples from FIAT. Norway used sixty total K-models arriving from the U.S. from 1955 until 1956. The Philippine Air Force received 20 D-models while the South Korean Air Force took on forty of the same mark from June 1955 onward. Twenty L-models made their way to Thailand and 32 F-models were seen in Venezuela with an additional 79 K-models (FIAT-built) handed down from West Germany in time. Yugoslavia received 120 D-models and these remained active from 1961 into 1974.
The USAF gave up use of the D-models by June of 1961 as newer, better interception options had become available by then.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.