"To Snatch a Sabre"
The US Air Force had it and the Russians wanted it. In October of 1951, they
would finally get their chance. It was the North American F-86A Sabre, and
reportedly the order came from the very highest office in the Kremlin to grab a
Sabre, the hottest ship in the Korean skies.
10/6/51 Second Lieutenant Bill Garrett's F-86A no. 91319 sustains 23mm and
37mm cannon hits behind the cockpit, damaging his J-47 engine and
rendering his ejection seat useless. A Russian pilot, flying a MiG-15 in North
Korean livery, claims the victory in a high altitude dogfight between the two
combat groups.
Garrett heads for the coastline and later bellies in among the tidal pools and
mud flats alongside the Yellow Sea. It is the beginning of a three-hour gunfight
above the young flier's head as the Americans try to destroy the Sabre, while
the Russians attempt to drive them off. They do so, but the effort cost them
seven of their prized MiGs. The Americans lose no more Sabres, and Garrett is
picked up by an SA-16 amphibian.
The next day, the Russians return with 500 Chinese laborers, and through will
power and brute force, retrieve the wreckage and dismantle it. Flatbed trucks
take the parts overland to Andun airfield, where they are examined by Soviet
technicians.
Later, the F-86 is shipped to the USSR where it is studied. Several features are
found to be superior to those on the MiG, including the leading edge slats and
the Sperry APG-30 radar gunsight. Such elements are incorporated into later
Soviet designs as a result of the determined effort to snatch a Sabre.
From commissioned artwork by SMITHSONIAN AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE -
JULY 2003
would finally get their chance. It was the North American F-86A Sabre, and
reportedly the order came from the very highest office in the Kremlin to grab a
Sabre, the hottest ship in the Korean skies.
10/6/51 Second Lieutenant Bill Garrett's F-86A no. 91319 sustains 23mm and
37mm cannon hits behind the cockpit, damaging his J-47 engine and
rendering his ejection seat useless. A Russian pilot, flying a MiG-15 in North
Korean livery, claims the victory in a high altitude dogfight between the two
combat groups.
Garrett heads for the coastline and later bellies in among the tidal pools and
mud flats alongside the Yellow Sea. It is the beginning of a three-hour gunfight
above the young flier's head as the Americans try to destroy the Sabre, while
the Russians attempt to drive them off. They do so, but the effort cost them
seven of their prized MiGs. The Americans lose no more Sabres, and Garrett is
picked up by an SA-16 amphibian.
The next day, the Russians return with 500 Chinese laborers, and through will
power and brute force, retrieve the wreckage and dismantle it. Flatbed trucks
take the parts overland to Andun airfield, where they are examined by Soviet
technicians.
Later, the F-86 is shipped to the USSR where it is studied. Several features are
found to be superior to those on the MiG, including the leading edge slats and
the Sperry APG-30 radar gunsight. Such elements are incorporated into later
Soviet designs as a result of the determined effort to snatch a Sabre.
From commissioned artwork by SMITHSONIAN AIR & SPACE MAGAZINE -
JULY 2003
Contact us for pricing and to order this print.
1-800-595-8272 or dnees@ozarkairfieldartworks.com
1-800-595-8272 or dnees@ozarkairfieldartworks.com
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints mainly
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be reproduced
without their consent.
without their consent.
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