F86-A "Sabre" Jet Fighter Plane Crash Site, Staceyville ME

On Monday, March 10, 1952 three 74th "Sabres" engaged in a camera gunnery training exercise high overhead, Captain George Thomas, a veteran of WWII and Korea had a problem with hi oxygen system, passed out and died in the crash.

This aircraft at this site is an F86-A "Sabre" Jet fighter from the 74th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Presque Isle, ME Air Force Base.

There is a lot of wreckage on this plane. This plane literally just blew apart when it hit the rocks. Pieces went flying all around, there are some big pieces and many small pieces and the USAF didn't haul much out, because there was nothing.

On Monday, May 5th My dog, Rocky and I treked through the woods to see the wreckage. These pictures are what's left of the plane.

The engine is only feet away from the point of impact. There is memorial cross here, dedicated to the Captain who lost his life.

Now, for a little history on the F86...
The classic F86 Sabre jet fighter aircraft of the US forces first flew in prototype from in October 1947. The aircraft featured a swept back wing which was a result mainly of information gathered from German fast
aircraft development and was powered by the General Electric J47 engine which in early Sabres produced about 4,850lbs of thrust.

The single engine Sabre was the finest fighter plane of it's time in the late forties and early fifties.

The initial production Sabre, the F86A first took to the the skies in 1948, later that year a Sabre took the air speed record at a speed of 670.9 mph, ever closing in on the sound barrier.

The following year the F86 entered service. Development of the Sabre continued over the following years. A flying tailplane (all moving with no separate control surface) was
introduced in 1950 with the F86E Sabre and engine thrust was continually increased.

When the Korean peninsula troubles began in 1950 the North American Sabre was to become the major USAF air superiorty fighter used.

In this conflict the F86 was pitted largely against the excellent Russian Mig 15 single engined jet. The Mig 15 was a tough adversary, both fast and with a heavy cannon in the nose. Sabres however managed to dominate the aircraft with a reported 11:1 victory ratio.

Sabres in this conflict flew alongside Shooting Stars and Thunderjets together with piston fighters like the Mustang, Corsair and British Sea Fury.

The all weather variant of the F86 became known as the F86D Sabre-Dog. This version could be distinguished by the fairing on the nose above the air intake which was used to house the radar system. The Sabre-Dog was used in the US throughout most of the
1950s.

Other countries to use the F86 Sabre included Canada, Britain,
Australia, Japan, Germany, Italy, Denmark and many others.

North American F86-A Sabre
Engine: General Electric J47-GE-17B turbojet 7,500lb thrust on re-heat Top Speed 612mph
Weight: 19,950lb
Wingspan: approx. 37ft
Length: 40 ft 11 inches
Weapons: 4x 20mm cannon
Country: USA
Design Crew: one