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The North American F-86 Sabre was manufactured from 1949 – 1956 and was America’s first swept-wing fighter. As well as being built in the U.S., variants were built in Canada and Australia. In 1956 Eric Hartmann became part of the newly formed West German Luftwaffe and soon was appointed the first Geschwaderkommodore of Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen". This new squadron was an all-jet unit equipped with Canadair Sabre CL-13 Mk.6. Hartmann’s aircraft was built as JC+368 and later became JA+111. He had it painted the same black tulip scheme used by him on the Eastern Front during WWII. In 1959 Hartmann was promoted to the post of Kommandeur Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen", Ahlhorn, West Germany. During WWII Hartmann flew 825 missions and scored 352 victories. Hartmann was forced to crash-land his fighter 16 times due either to mechanical failure or damage received from enemy aircraft debris; he was never shot down by direct enemy action. |