How Would The F-86 Have Done Had It Been Ready After Pearl Harbor?

 

If the F-86 Sabre had been ready shortly after Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)—essentially available for combat in early 1942—it would have dramatically altered the air war of World War II. Here's how:

✪ Technological Leap
The F-86 was a first-generation jet fighter with a swept-wing design that gave it vastly superior speed, climb rate, and maneuverability compared to propeller-driven aircraft of WWII such as the Japanese Zero or German Bf 109.

Top speed: ~685 mph (Mach 0.9 at altitude)

Armament: Six .50 caliber machine guns (some variants had 20mm cannons)
Combat radius: ~600 miles

By comparison:

Mitsubishi A6M Zero: ~330 mph

P-51 Mustang: ~440 mph

✪ What It Would Have Meant in 1942

1. Total Air Superiority

The F-86 would have outclassed every Axis fighter. In dogfights, it would be untouchable due to its superior speed, especially in the vertical plane. Zeroes, Bf 109s, Fw 190s—all would have had no answer.

2. Strategic Bombing Feasibility Much Earlier
With F-86s as escorts, daylight bombing over Germany (or Japan) would have been far safer and more effective, long before the P-51 Mustang entered the war in 1944.

3. Naval Dominance in the Pacific
Carrier warfare would shift significantly. If modified for carrier use (which would have required changes), an F-86-type jet operating from carriers would have devastated Japanese air power, possibly accelerating the island-hopping campaign and shortening the war.

4. Axis Jet Development Would Lag Further
The Germans didn’t field the Me 262 jet until 1944, and even then, in limited numbers. An Allied jet in 1942 would have forced a desperate and likely rushed German response.

✪ Limitations and Considerations
However, it's important to recognize that the F-86 could not have existed in 1942 without:

Advanced jet engine technology (General Electric J47 engine)

High-octane fuel logistics

Long, paved runways (rare in 1942 forward airbases)

Pilot training for jet speeds

Production infrastructure that didn’t yet exist

In 1942, even the British Gloster Meteor and German Me 262 were in early experimental stages. The materials, engines, and metallurgy to make reliable jet aircraft were only just emerging.

🛩️ Conclusion
If the F-86 Sabre had somehow been combat-ready right after Pearl Harbor, it would have been a massive game-changer, granting the Allies overwhelming air superiority in every theater. However, its presence is anachronistic—it relied on a technological ecosystem that simply didn’t exist in 1942.

The F-80, F-84, and F-86 were all early U.S. jet fighters developed shortly after World War II. While they all served in the late 1940s and Korean War era, they had different design philosophies, capabilities, and roles. Here's a comparison:

🇺🇸 F-80 Shooting Star
First flight: 1944

Entered service: 1945 (first operational U.S. jet fighter)

Role: Straight-wing jet fighter

Speed: ~600 mph

Engine: 1 × Allison J33 turbojet

Combat Radius: ~700 miles

Armament: 6 × .50 cal machine guns; bombs/rockets under wings

Combat Use: Early Korean War missions; outperformed by MiG-15

Strengths: Simple, reliable, good ground-attack capabilities

Weaknesses: Outdated quickly due to straight wings and limited performance

🇺🇸 F-84 Thunderjet
First flight: 1946

Entered service: 1947

Role: Fighter-bomber, ground attack

Speed: ~620 mph (F-84G)

Engine: 1 × Allison J35

Combat Radius: ~800 miles (with drop tanks)

Armament: 6 × .50 cal machine guns, up to 4,000 lbs of bombs or rockets

Variants: F-84F Thunderstreak (swept-wing); RF-84F for recon

Combat Use: Korean War; heavy use in ground attack

Strengths: Rugged, could carry a large bomb load

Weaknesses: Mediocre air-to-air performance; vulnerable to MiG-15

🇺🇸 F-86 Sabre
First flight: 1947

Entered service: 1949

Role: Air superiority fighter

Speed: ~690–700+ mph (F-86F)

Engine: 1 × General Electric J47

Combat Radius: ~600 miles

Armament: 6 × .50 cal machine guns; later models could carry AIM-9 Sidewinders

Combat Use: Dominated in Korean War against MiG-15

Strengths: Swept-wing design gave superior performance; excellent dogfighter

Weaknesses: Limited ground attack capacity

🔍 Summary Comparison
Feature F-80 F-84 F-86
Wing Type Straight Straight (later swept in F-84F) Swept
Speed ~600 mph ~620 mph ~690+ mph
Primary Role Fighter/Trainer Fighter-Bomber Air Superiority
Maneuverability Moderate Poor vs MiGs Excellent
Korean War Early use Ground attack MiG-15 killer
Legacy First U.S. jet Workhorse bomber Iconic dogfighter

🏁 Verdict:
The F-80 was a vital transition jet but quickly outdated.

The F-84 was better for ground attack and payload.

The F-86 was the standout, excelling in air combat, especially against Soviet-built MiG-15s.