F-86 Sabres of Pakistan Air Force

[ghazi52]

L–R: Flight Lieutenant Mazhar Abbas, Flight Lieutenant Fazal Elahi.

The aircraft in the background is a North American F-86F Sabre, the primary day fighter of the Pakistan Air Force during the 1960's.

Flight Lieutenant Mazhar Abbas took part in the first strike on Pathankot airbase during the 1965 war and later retired as an Air Commodore. Flight Lieutenant Fazal Elahi was KIA during the 1971 war when his Sabre was hit by anti-aircraft artillery while flying a close air support mission.

The photograph was taken on a hardstand (pierced-steel planking is visible underfoot) in front of an operational F-86F. Both officers are in full flying kit, indicating that the picture was most likely taken just before or after a sortie.

Picture Courtesy:- Usman Shabbir

 

[ghazi52]

 

[maxpane]

Thank you for posting this video. yesterday i was looking on youtube to find such kind of videos.

 

[ghazi52]

Today in History
Raised on 30 August 1967, No 26 Squadron “Black Spiders” has evolved through generations of aircraft and roles into a formidable multi-role unit of Pakistan Air Force, distinguished by its enduring commitment to operational excellence, training and national defence.

Originally established at Masroor for operational training of fighter pilots on the F-86, the Squadron trained over 400 Pakistani pilots and 150 student pilots from other Islamic nations during its formative years.

 

[ghazi52]

Rare footage of North American F-86F Sabres arriving in Pakistan with U. S Air Force markings on them.

The aircraft were ferried to Mauripur, Karachi, by Pakistani and U.S. pilots. Air Marshal Asghar Khan is seen welcoming them. Under the 1954 U.S. Mutual Defense Assistance Program, Pakistan received about 150 F-86F Sabres. Formal induction into the PAF began on 13 June 1956.

The first aircraft arrived mid-1956 (No. 15 Squadron received them in July), with the first operational flight on 4 September 1956.

Special thanks to the "Pakistan & Afghanistan Archives" Facebook page for providing the footage, and to Usman Shabbir for additional information about the location and personnel in the footage.

Background Score: "Mere Uqaab Mere Jahaz"
Artist: The Milestones
Vocalist: Candy Pereira
Composers: Ali Tim and Ziyyad Gulzar