Warbird Information Exchange

I like the Bolivian scheme and would be happy to see it stay as it is an important part of the airframes history.

However, I totally understand the desire for VFM to use an American scheme.

Either way a restored F-86 is fine with me.

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Beautiful Paint Scheme! Really wish you could include the Wing Commander's tri-color stripes, they really help complete an outstanding mid-Fifties USAF set of markings.

I read over the posts in this thread and I am not quite sure if the plan is to restore the
Sabre to flying status ( I hope so - but the instrument panel photos and list of items needed does not make me optimistic...) or just for museum static display. Dean, can you clarify for us? Thanks.

Hi Jim,


I love the look of the CO's stripes, so I'm not ruling it out. I haven't found much information on the internet about the 322nd's use of the F-86 at Foster AFB. If I can't verify anything one way or another, I may just go ahead and put the CO's stripes on our ship, just because they look so darned good!


My plan is to restore the Sabre for static display, in USAF 322nd FDG markings (that issue is CLOSED), while "doing no harm" to the jet's flight-necessary systems. I'd like to at least power up the electrical and hydraulic systems along the way and see what condition their condition is in (with a tip o' the hat to Kenny Rogers and The First Edition ). Some day, if we get an enormous cash grant from some rich person or some philanthropic organization, we will certainly consider restoring the Sabre to flying condition. As Dave "sabremech" can tell you, operating an F-86 isn't cheap. If VFM couldn't afford to operate a B-17 that could help pay for itself through selling rides, I really doubt we'd be able to operate a single-seat experimental jet. But, you never know. . .

I think the biggest single issue -- aside from the lack of cash -- is that we don't have a good engine, or even a truly-complete bad one. We have a bunch of J-47 parts that came from Bolivia, perhaps enough to assemble a static display engine. We have two nearly-complete J-47s that came from a KC-97, or so I've been told. I think we also have a couple of shaft assemblies in shipping containers, but their heritage is dubious.

My team has discussed ideas on how to display the Sabre in the hangar, and I think we're gradually coming to a consensus on what would work the best. I won't spout off any details at this time, because that's a long way off.

Thanks for all of the interest in our l'il ol' Sabre jet! (send money. . . lots of it!)

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Agree! I'm so glad the Navy got behind the Centennial Heritage schemes. Military aviation has become an endless series of 'what tone of backyard hot rod rattle can gray primer should we paint this one?' And doing the Bosses airplane in mid 50's brightwork paint would be a welcome change.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-