mystery F-86D identity

[72modeler]

@Sabrejet,

 

Regarding your mention of an F-86D under restoration here in Texas in the post about postwar F-38's, I did some searching and came up with a possibility- see what you think.

 

I found two photos of a derelict  F-86L taken somewhere in Texas, but no date or location was mentioned. See the link to the photos. (It looks to me that it is an F-86L, going by the pitot tube. ) Scroll down to see the two photos)

 

http://aircraft-in-focus.com/north-american-f-86-sabre/

 

I did some thinking (Always dangerous and seldom correct, in my case!) and guessed that the serial number shown on the F-86L in the photo was possibly a condensed version of the original serial, so guessed that 2773 was really 52-3773, as that was the only serial in the F-86D/K/L section of the Forgotten Jets website that matched. According to that site, s/n 52-3773 was an F-86D-40-NA and served with the 326th FIS. I don't know my Sabres like you do (Does anybody?) but is the Sabre  in the two photos the one that you mentioned, and if so, was it maybe originally one of the D's that was upgraded to an L, with the serial 52-3773 being the correct one? Just curious!

 

I agree  it will be highly unlikely that we will see an F-86D/K/L in airworthy condition, most likely because of the inability to restore and maintain the fuel control system- I didn't realize how  much trouble it gave and how unreliable it was in use until I did some reading on the subject. A shame, as an airworhty F-86D/K/L would be a joy to see and hear!

Mike

[Sabrejet]

Yes it's an F-86L but its identity eludes me; I've managed to identify most on this site - the "Unknown Sabre No. 2" further down the page is 52-4138, now in Missouri for example - but not this one.

 

The 'airworthy' restoration was F-86L 52-4239, once under restoration at Grayson County airport but now displayed at the Inde Motorsport Ranch. It still looks smart but would've looked a lot smarter in the air... Incidentally, '239 was donated to a VFW Post in Dennison, TX in 1960, and so could be the aircraft you refer to!

[72modeler]

Duncan,

 

I have attached a link to some data on the F-86L  you mentioned- I'm guessing you already have the information, but I am including the link for other Sabre lovers. I also found an interesting link that describes the safety record and civil certification of F-86's. Junior Burchinal had a long relationship as an aircraft collector/importer and as a Colonel in the Confederate Air Force. (I refuse to refer to it as the Commemorative Air Force!) I found a link with some more information on it, and I have listed it below- scroll down past the photos to the discussion.

Mike

 

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=212

 

https://books.google.com/books?id=LyBQBwAAQBAJ&pg=RA2-SA2-PA23&lpg=RA2-SA2-PA23&dq=Junior+Burchinal's+F-86D&source=bl&ots=5T0E_9M0KF&sig=ACfU3U2jAK4EtW2s9-PWr3Dd8zQOSYBLxg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj7jo-Dt6jiAhVFUK0KHcOxBRkQ6AEwB3oECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=Junior Burchinal's F-86D&f=false

 

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=65937