How It Works-Amazing Vehicles

© DK Images; A lamy

Engine

The F-86E uses a GE J47-13

turbojet engine capable of

outputting 2,358kgf (5,200lbf)

of thrust. This raw power

grants it a top horizontal

speed of about 1,050km per

hour (650mph).

Born in 1906, Cochran was a pioneering

A merican av iator and one of the most gifted

pilots of her generation. This led her to become

the first woman in the world to break the sound

barrier – an amazing feat which she performed

in a custom, one-off F-86 Sabre.

The record was broken on 18 May 1953 at

Rogers Dr y Lake in California. In her F-86,

Cochran racked up an average speed of 1,050

km/h (652 mph), breaking the sound barrier

w ith fellow pilot Chuck Yeager as her w ingman.

Cochran also became the first woman to take

off from an aircraft carrier as to reach Mach 2.

Who was high flyer

F-86E Sabre Jacqueline Cochran?

Length: 11.3m (37ft)

Wingspan: 11.3m (37ft)

Height: 4.3m (14ft)

Max speed:

1,046km/h (650mph)

Range: 1,611km (1,001mi)

Max altitude:

1,371m (45,000ft)

Combat weight:

6,350kg (14,000lb)

The statistics...

Cockpit

The F-86E is fitted with a

small bubble canopy cockpit

that covers a single-seat

cabin for the pilot. The

cockpit is in a ver y for ward

position, tucked just behind

the nose cone.

Weaponry

The Sabre is equipped with

six .50-caliber (12.7mm) M2

Browning machine guns

and 16 127mm (5in) HVAR

rockets, as well as a variety of

freefall bombs as well as

unguided missiles.

Electronics

A n A-1CM gun sight in partnership

with an AN/APG-30 radar system

makes the F-86E one of the most

technologically advanced jets of its

time. The radar can quickly work out

the range to potential targets.

DID YOU KNOW? US production of the F-86 Sabre ended in December 1956