Iraqi F-86's

Iraq, not Iran. Five F-86Fs supplied from storage in France, ferried by USAF pilots. They were grounded in Iraq soon after their arrival and never made it elsewhere.

From the 2019 article “Joining Forces”:

The IIAF received its initial batch of 21 Republic F-84G Thunderjets under the US Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) in 1957. They became the air arm’s first jet fighters. As their numbers increased in service with the 1st and 3rd Fighter-Bomber Squadrons at Mehrabad, the F-47D Thunderbolt fleet with the 2nd Fighter Bomber Squadron at Qaleh- Morghi declined until the air force took delivery of 20 ex-USAFE F-86Fs in the first quarter of 1960. Thirty-two more F-86Fs followed during the second and fourth quarters of 1961, in batches of six and 26 respectively, increasing the number in the Iranian inventory to 52.

This article also has additional info on F-86s in Iranian service, including a deployment of four aircraft to support a UN mission in the Congo in 1963.

The F-86Fs delivered to Tunisia in 1969 were previously in use by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force before being retired in 1964 and returned to the US.

https://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1955.html

I knew Iran operated F-86s, but I didn’t know about the rest. I’ve been playing with F-86 aerobatic teams and this is one of the ships from the Golden Crown team of the Imperial Iranian AF.

F-86 Sabre of the official Imperial Iranian AF aeobatic team, the Golden Crown, which flew between 1960 and 1970. It was based in Mehrabad AB and was part of the 1st FIS, 1st FIW.

I’d be very interested in any other info concerning those Arab nations operating the Sabre. I’d also like to learn how to post images correctly… 😀 I never manage it…

Muslim nations operating F-86:
Pakistan (not ethnic Arabs)- 120 F-86F (additional transfered from West Germany)
Tunisia- 12 F-86F (some sources say 15 and a rumor of 12 more)
Iran- F-86F (unknown number)
Iraq- 5 F-86F (only deliveries of a “large order”… may have been passed to Pakistan)
Saudi Arabia- 16 F-86F (may have received 3 more from Norway)

source:
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/p86.html
see “F-86Fs in foreign service” entry

The Saudi AF and IIRC, the Iranian AF both used F-86s.

Will check up tonight…

Tim

According to worldairforces.com Iraq had 5 F-86F models between 1955-58. Unfortunately no photos but try this website, and e-mail the guy in charge. He might have the answers you seek!
http://f-86.tripod.com/

T J

Iraqi F-86’s HAVE I MISSED SOMETHING ?

HAVE I MISSED SOMETHING ?

WHY SHOULD I NOT ASK ABOUT IRAQI F-86’s ?

Alex

Why do you ask about this? I don’t think Iraqi has ever had F-86’s, during the 1960s the had British aircraft, Vampires, Vemons then Hunters, then they used Russian equipment. Can not think of any Arab airforce who used F-86, apart from maybe Saudi Arbia who tested some??

More info wanted.