@ Madrid, Spain
May 2014
A colorful Sabre, part of the fine collection at the Museo del Aire, seen on a 2014 trip. This F-86 wears the livery of the ‘Patrulla Ascua’ (Ember Patrol) aerobatic team of the Ejercito del Aire (EdA), the red & yellow echoing the colors of the Spanish flag. The ‘Patrulla Ascua’ was formed in 1956, disbanded in 1961, and only flew the F-86 type. The F-86s were designated C.5 in EdA service, the C standing for fighter (Caza) and the 5 indicating that the Sabre was the fifth fighter type to enter service since the Civil War. C.5 Sabres were ex-USAF aircraft and served Spain from 1955-1973. First flown in 1947, more than 9,800 would be produced in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Italy and Japan.
