Although the F-86 was not even evaluated as a fighter-bomber until May 1952, it played a major role in the last year of the Korean War as MiG-15s began using drop tanks and started ranging south to the areas where F-51Ds and F-80Cs had operated with impunity. The F-86 replaced all F-51Ds and most F-80Cs and introduced a fighter-bomber that could defend itself against the
MiG-15.
Warren Thompson has made a career of writing about the “forgotten war,” and this book does a great job of mating a brief but comprehensive text with a collection of beautiful photographs that completely document the use of the Sabre in the air-to-ground role.
Thompson uses many first-hand accounts to spice up his account of the F-86s in action against Chinese ground forces, documenting the transition from prop aircraft to jets and, later, the way the F-86s broke up the million-man Chinese offensive in the last few weeks of the war, an application of airpower which, at the very least, maintained the lines that eventually became the border between the two Koreas.
As good as the text is, the photographs are the real attraction. They are all in color, and the fact that many a U.S. serviceman came to Korea via Japan and with new cameras and Kodachrome film is readily apparent from the book. Hundreds of color photos showing aircraft from the 8th, 18th and 35th Fighter-Bomber Groups (including the South African Air Force’s No. 2 Squadron) illustrate everything from aircraft markings to airfield conditions to the uniforms worn by the pilots to the officers’ clubs at various bases. It is exceptionally complete (see the photo of Vilas Bielefeldt on page 120!) and it covers these units through the end of their time in Korea, including post-war service. If you want a book that can provide you with a great reference for finishes, markings and ordnance options, this should be your first stop.
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| F-86 Sabre Fighter-Bomber Units Over Korea has hundreds of brilliant full color photos. Here 1000 lb. bombs await to be loaded in the spring of 1953. |
Chris Bucholtz has been building models since 1973 and has been a member of SVSM since 1986. His interests include 1/72 scale aircraft of all types, but specifically World War II and subjects whose pilots or crew he has met.
