Buzz Aldrin’s F86 and F100
Markings for Buzz Aldrin’s F86 and F100 – Help with Markings for Buzz Aldrin’s F86 and F100, by kevtk
I volunteer for the Buzz Aldrin Science Center/NJAA Observatory (www.njaa.org) in Glen Gardner, NJ. Our org is updating Buzz’s display from just his Apollo 11 journey to his whole life.
We’re planning on making models of the jets he flew, and are looking for images and/or descriptions of the markings of his F86 and F100 fighters.
I’ve been searching for a while now to no avail. I hate to admit it here that I’m not into military aviation and much as I am real space, so I’m sort of walking in circles blindfolded.
Also, does anyone know what version of F86 Buzz flew? I’m guessing it was the F86A.Markings for Buzz Aldrin’s F86 and F100 – Re: Help with Markings for Buzz Aldrin’s F86 and F100, by Nelson Dela Cruz
First of all, my apologies for this rather late reply.
Buzz flew with the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing in Korea, originally equipped with F-80 Shooting Stars but transitioned to Sabres in late 1951. The first Sabre variant they received was the E which featured the all-moving tailplane and hydraulically-boosted control surfaces compared to the F-86A’s control cables. The 51st FIW never flew the F-86A.
As a pilot with the 51st FIW’s 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Buzz flew 66 combat missions in Korea from late 1952 to the signing of the armistice in July of 1953. The 51st FIW and other Sabre-equipped USAF units in Korea by that time were flying the improved F-86F. I’m not sure when exactly the transition from the E to the F took place but Buzz scored both his MiG kills (May 14 and June 7, 1953) while flying the F. MiG kills by Sabres during the final months of the war were all scored by F-86Fs.
Markings for Buzz Aldrin’s F86 and F100 – Re: Help with Markings for Buzz Aldrin’s F86 and F100, by Nelson Dela Cruz
You’re welcome, Kev. Unfortunately, I have not come across photos or artwork depicting personalized markings for Colonel Aldrin’s Sabre in Korea. There are, however, other 16th FIS Sabres depicted throughout the web to give you a general idea of what standard squadron markings were painted on his Sabre.
Two of the most common 16th FIS Sabres depicted in artwork are Lieutenant Colonel Ed Heller’s “Hell-er Bust II” and Captain Dolph Overton’s “Dolph’s Devil.” The 16th FIS carried the characteristic blue horizontal stripe on the vertical tail fin compared to red for the 25th FIS and yellow for the 39th. All three squadrons of the 51st FIW carried the black checkerboard pattern on the tail fin. I would suggest searching for “The Hunters” and “Angel in Disguise,” original artwork by aviation artist Troy White.
Here’s something else that might interest you. It’s a still photo from gun camera footage from Colonel Aldrin’s Sabre when he shot down his first MiG on May 14, 1953. Go down a bit to view the photo when you check out the webpage.
