F-86D - Sabre Dog, Chandler, AZ
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T2D
N 33° 14.069 W 111° 46.325
12S E 428065 N 3677547
Affectionately known as "Willie", this aircraft resided at Dr. A. J. Chandler park since 1961, memorializing the strong bond between Chandler and Williams Airforce Base.
Waymark Code: WM1610T
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 04/10/2022
Views: 10
The F-86d was designed as the United States Air Force’s first single pilot interceptor. This speedy jet would scramble to rebuff intrusions by enemy aircraft, often MiGs. Its only armament was 24 air-to-air rockets fired from a retractable tray on the underside of the fuselage. It was aided in targeting by radar housed in the nose cone, which was a feature unique to the Sabre Dog. The USAF relied on the F-86d for a decade, 1951 to 1961. The nearest F-86d squadron, the 15th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. F-86ds made occasional appearances at Willie, notably during periods of near-crisis during the Cold War, when they were flown to Willie from Tucson and armed with nuclear weapons.
The service history of Chandler’s aircraft is unknown. The tail number was changed to 210115 before it was placed on display, and it is unclear why this was done. The original tail number was 51-6261. In its earliest days in Chandler, this F-86d’s tail was painted with the insignia of the 15th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. It is not known if that is due to the aircraft being part of the Squadron during its service or if it was added because that Squadron was stationed closest to Chandler.
To this day the aircraft remains the property of the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): F86-D, Sabre Cat
Tail Number: (S/N): 210115
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Veterans Oasis Park, East Chandler, Arizona
inside / outside: outside
Access restrictions:
Current hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Other Information:: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.