Flyhistorisk Museum Sola · Military aircraft
North American F-86K Sabre
Anyone interested in aircraft and flying knows the near-legendary Sabre jet fighter from North American in the USA. It began as a day fighter that first flew in 1947 and is best known for its service in the Korean War. Development continued with an all-weather version, the F-86D, which was further developed into the F-86K, intended specifically for NATO countries and also built under licence by Fiat. The K entered service in 1954. The F-86K was the Royal Norwegian Air Force's first all-weather fighter and its first jet fighter with an afterburning engine. Norway received 64, serving with 332, 334, 337 and 339 Squadrons. The first Ks arrived at Gardermoen in 1955 and served until 1966, when the last were replaced by the F-5. The museum's example was among the first to reach Gardermoen in 1955. Registered ZK-L, it had a fairly short operational life: it belly-landed as early as 1956, and the fuselage damage was so severe that it was reclassified as instructional material and transferred to Kjevik.
