North American
Americas First Operational Jet Fighter!
Initial design of what would become known as the F-86 Sabre were begun in late 1944 in response to a USAAF request for a single seat, high altitude fighter aircraft. Many of the design components of the aircraft were incorporated from captured German jets. The biggest single influence on the Sabre was the German ME-262. The F-86 used the same type of automatic slats and the 35 degree swept back wing.
The first F-86 saw daylight under its wheels on 1 October, 1947 at the Muroc Dry Lake bed in California. This site is now known as Edwards Air Force Base. The pilot was Major George Welch.
F-86 SABRE