The North American F-86 Sabre was the most important American fighter in the Korean war, in 1944 the US Army Air Forces closed contracts for three XP-86 prototypes that had to be able to serve as daytime fighter as well as escort fighter in ground attacks. When the German aerodynamic research became available after the second world war, the type was reshaped with arrow-shaped wings and tail, and the first prototype flew in October 1947 with a General Electric TG-180 (later a J35-GE-3) turbojet.

Later the type was refitted with a General Electric J47 turbojet and the marking YP-86A, what lead to P-86A (later the F-86A) production model with the J47-GE-1 engine with 21,825 kN. thrust.

554 jets were build with four J47 markings with thrust up to 23,40 kN. followed in chronological order by: 

456 F-86E's with a steering stabilo and the J47-GE-27 with 23,40 kN.

2540 F-86F's with the J47-GE-27 with 26,87 kN and the later build aircraft with the '6-3' wing with longer front-edges.

2504 F-86D newly designed night and all-weather fighters were fitted with the J47-GE-33 engine (24,98 kN).

473 F-86H fighter bombers were build with the J73-GE-3 engine (40,05 kN) the had a bigger wingspan, en deeper fuselage.

341 F-86K (a simpler version of the F-86D) with J47-GE-17B (24,41 kN)

981 F-86L a renewed version of the F-86D with bigger wing and updated electronics.

The Sabre was also build in Australia as the CAC Sabre in Mk 30, Mk 31 and Mk 32 versions with two 30 mm cannons and the Rolls Royce Avon Turbojet. In Canada the Canadair Sabre was build in Mk 2, Mk 4 and Mk 6 versions with the Orenda Turbojet.