F-86 Sabre in camouflage

[Tiger11]

Only USAF F-86 ever painted in camouflage, in colors of 461st Fighter-Day Squadron, 36th Fighter-Day Wing. Hahn AB, Germany 1950s. Experimental only - never adopted.

 

[fubar57]

There was more than one but still with the 461st

WARBIRD TECH​

 

[Tiger11]

There was more than one but still with the 461st

View attachment 855803
WARBIRD TECH​

Wow! That's the first I heard of more than one. Do you have any more info?

 

[fubar57]

Pretty much what you have already written and gives the date as 1956. I've got several more F-86 books I can look through but its getting late so I have a look tomorrow

 

[Sabrejet]

This experiment was commenced with the 527th FBS late in 1955, the aircraft wearing no squadron markings and the camouflage likely applied at Chateauroux. In February 1956 the 527th FBS was re-designated as the 461st FDS (CO Lt Col William F Haning, Jr moving across from the 527th) and assigned to 36th Fighter Wing at Landstuhl, moving to Hahn on 2 May. Photo evidence shows that a number of of 461st FDS aircraft received this scheme and can be differentiated from the 527th FBS aircraft by the addition of squadron markings. However the 461st FDS F-86Fs were retired from April 1956 onwards and so the scheme did not exist for long. A number of USAFE F-84 Thunderjets were similarly painted during this timeframe.

527th FBS camouflaged F-86Fs included s/n 51-13402, 52-5280 and 51-13378. Camouflaged 461st FDS aircraft included 52-5333, 52-5409 and 52-5423.

The top photos are of a restored Canadair Sabre 6 warbird rather than an F-86F; the tail number is its Canadair c/n.

These were not the only USAF F-86s to be camouflaged; during the Korean War three war-weary F-86As received olive drab upper surfaces and acted as single-ship weather recce aircraft for incoming fighter sweeps.

Later of course many ANG F-86Hs received SEA camouflage which they retained until withdrawal from service.

527th FBS s/n 51-13378; transferred to 461st FDS 08Feb56, retired to Chateauroux 22Jun56

527th FBS s/n 51-13402; transferred to 461st FDS 08Feb56, retired to Chateauroux 06Oct56

461st FDS s/n 52-5333; 86th FBW to 461st FDS 08Feb56; retired to Chateauroux 20Apr56

461st FDS s/n 52-5409; 86th FBW to 461st FDS 08Feb56, retired to Scottish Aviation Prestwick 16May56 (squadron markings painted out)

461st FDS s/n 52-5423; 86th FBW to 461st FDS 08Feb56, retired to Scottish Aviation Prestwick 16May56 (squadron markings painted out)

 

[Tiger11]

This experiment was commenced with the 527th FBS late in 1955, the aircraft wearing no squadron markings and the camouflage likely applied at Chateauroux. In February 1956 the 527th FBS was re-designated as the 461st FDS (CO Lt Col William F Haning, Jr moving across from the 527th) and assigned to 36th Fighter Wing at Landstuhl, moving to Hahn on 2 May. Photo evidence shows that a number of of 461st FDS aircraft received this scheme and can be differentiated from the 527th FBS aircraft by the addition of squadron markings. However the 461st FDS F-86Fs were retired from April 1956 onwards and so the scheme did not exist for long. A number of USAFE F-84 Thunderjets were similarly painted during this timeframe.

527th FBS camouflaged F-86Fs included s/n 51-13402, 52-5280 and 51-13378. Camouflaged 461st FDS aircraft included 52-5333, 52-5409 and 52-5423.

The top photos are of a restored Canadair Sabre 6 warbird rather than an F-86F; the tail number is its Canadair c/n.

These were not the only USAF F-86s to be camouflaged; during the Korean War three war-weary F-86As received olive drab upper surfaces and acted as single-ship weather recce aircraft for incoming fighter sweeps.

Later of course many ANG F-86Hs received SEA camouflage which they retained until withdrawal from service.

527th FBS s/n 51-13378; transferred to 461st FDS 08Feb56, retired to Chateauroux 22Jun56
View attachment 855834

527th FBS s/n 51-13402; transferred to 461st FDS 08Feb56, retired to Chateauroux 06Oct56
View attachment 855835

461st FDS s/n 52-5333; 86th FBW to 461st FDS 08Feb56; retired to Chateauroux 20Apr56
View attachment 855836

461st FDS s/n 52-5409; 86th FBW to 461st FDS 08Feb56, retired to Scottish Aviation Prestwick 16May56 (squadron markings painted out)
View attachment 855837

461st FDS s/n 52-5423; 86th FBW to 461st FDS 08Feb56, retired to Scottish Aviation Prestwick 16May56 (squadron markings painted out)
View attachment 855838

Good information. Corrects my store of pictures and knowledge of the USAFE Sabres.

 

[Gnomey]

Nice shots!