F-86Hs on the flightline during Operation Stair Step. The three nearest aircraft are F-86H-10 (S/N 53-1290), F-86H-5 (S/N 52-2122) and F-86H-1 (S/N 52-2075). (U.S. Air Force photo)
The F-86H, perfected after the signing of the Korean Armistice, represented the practical application of knowledge gained from the thousands of combat missions flown by its predecessors, the F-86A, E and F. Intended primarily for use as a fighter-bomber, it was larger and heavier than the A, E and F series and had better all-around performance.
The airplane was produced from late 1953 to August 1955, with more than 450 built. It was never used in combat, but it provided the USAF with a formidable fighter-bomber aircraft until the advent of the supersonic F-100.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force has an F-86H on display in its Cold War Gallery.
Type
Number built/
converted
Remarks
F-86H
475
Improved F-86F; fighter-bomber
TECNICAL NOTES: Armament: Four M-39 20mm cannon (Blocks 5 and 10; last 360 aircraft built) or six .50-cal. machine guns (Block 1; 113 aircraft built); eight 5-in. rockets, 2,000 lbs. of bombs, or nuclear weapon; Note: First two F-86Hs had no armament Engine: One General Electric J73-GE-3E turbojet of 9,070 lbs. thrust Maximum speed: 693 mph Cruising speed: 550 mph Range: 1,050 miles Combat ceiling: 51,400 ft. Span: 39 ft. 1 in. Length: 38 ft. 10 in. Height: 14 ft. 11 in. Weight: 18,683 lbs. loaded Crew: One
