Had USAF F-86 Sabre camouflage?

[+Gepard]

In flight sims you can often find USAF Sabres with camo skins. There is also a warbird which wears camo during air shows.

But did F-86 of the USAF really had camo skins during the service time? I know, that F-86H during their time as aggressor birds had a camo skin. But else?

In the net i found one historical picture of a UASF  F-86 with camo.

But this is a licence built Canadair, which was used by RAF and was handed to the USAF to transfer it to Italian Air Force in 1956.

Thatywhy i ask the wisdom of the forum: Were there american F-86 Sabres with camouflage skin during service time in USAF?

 

 

[Svetlin]

Hi Gepard, here is a picture of F-86F on airhistory.net, which is listed as taken in 1968: https://www.airhistory.net/photo/635200/53-1387

One more from the same page from 1971: https://www.airhistory.net/photo/10110/53-1255/AF53-255

Also one from Wikimedia, also from 1968: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:104th_Tactical_Fighter_Squadron_1968_Pueblo_Crisis.jpg

There are a few pictures of F-86H in camo also here: https://www.piccianiaircraftphotos.com/f-86h_sabre

One picture from 1966 here: http://www.forgottenjets.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/f86h-sabre_531229-531528.html

By the looks of it, some F-86H were operated by the USAF in camo between 1966 and 1971.

I did not come across pictures dated before 1966 and after 1971.

I am sorry for sharing links rather than the actual pictures, but that way you could see the source and judge for yourself if it is a trustworthy one or not.

Hope that helps!

Edited October 18, 2024 by Svetlin

[+daddyairplanes]

there was, but until the mid 60s with the F-86H it was generally temporary and experimental.

this is a warbird Sabre, but its markings are pretty accurate to the 461sst (or possibly 527th?) Fighter Day Squadron in the early to mid 1950s. i have a photo in the book Before Centuries (USAFE in the 40's and 50s) that matches but photo its an F model (not Canadair) and much blurrier

The H's first gained camo not as aggressors but because of the move to camoflaging all tactical aircraft from 1965 onward.

EDIT: Svetlin's post popped while i was typing. but i will say the Piccaini aircraft site is a nice find for more than just this topic. Thank you sir

Edited October 18, 2024 by daddyairplanes

[+Wrench]

ah, yes they were. one of our USAFE units had an experimental 2 tone (similiar to the RAF). Don't remember which off the top of my head, but we have the skin for it in the downloads section

 

EDIT:

461st Fighter Day Squadron, Hahn AFB, 1956