Columbus Mileposts | Sept. 13, 1953: Top-secret F-86 Sabre revealed to thousands

More than 100,000 people attended North American Aviation's 25th-anniversary open house at Port Columbus on Sept. 13, 1953, to see the 250-acre plant that built the F-86 Sabre jet fighter.

Another 75,000 employees and their families had attended a special friends-and-family open house the day before. All were given aluminum medals showing the logo for the company, founded in 1928, on one side and the Sabre on the other.

The F-86, which was in production from 1949 though 1956, was the nation's first swept-wing fighter. It was a successor to North American's legendary World War II propeller-powered fighter, the Cadillac of the Sky.The Sabre jet was famous at the time for its 10-to-1 kill ratio over Russian-built MiG fighters in the just-ended Korean War.

“It was the first time in Columbus,” the Ohio State Journal reported, “such a display of hitherto top-secret equipment had been laid before the public. F-86 Sabre Jets, completed and in the process of completion, stood in lines before the touring thousands.”

North American provided a nursery for toddlers, a Ferris wheel and other amusements for older children, and refreshments for everyone.

“Visitors saw a cutaway model of a jet engine, prepared by General Electric, and operated its controls; a demonstration of radar, with the opportunity of peering through currently used gunsights and viewing the illuminated targets as seen by gunners; and ... at least 100 other exhibits,” the newspaper reported.

“It made the Ohio State Fair look like a picnic,” one person commented as he left the open house.

Suggestions for Mileposts that will run this bicentennial year can be sent to: Gerald Tebben, Box 82125, Columbus, OH 43202, or email gtebben@columbus.rr.com.