North American F-86 Sabre

The North American F-86 Sabre was the West's premier jet fighter during the Korean War and one of the most important fighters of the early jet age. Its swept wing, based on captured German research, gave it a decisive advantage over straight-winged jets. Over MiG Alley in Korea, F-86 pilots achieved a kill ratio of approximately 10:1 against the Soviet-built MiG-15, though this figure has been revised downward by modern historians. The Sabre served with over 30 air forces worldwide and remained in frontline service with some nations into the 1990s. Designed by Edgar Schmued, who also designed the P-51 Mustang, it bridged the gap between propeller and supersonic fighters.