Save the Sabre

FARGO, N.D. — The Fargo Air Museum has begun a fundraising campaign to “Save the Sabre,” an effort to preserve North American F-86H Sabre #53-1253.

The aircraft is in Jamestown, North Dakota, where it was on display following its demilitarization in 1971 until airport renovations had it removed. Talk of possibly scrapping the Sabre led the Fargo Air Museum to develop the “Save the Sabre” campaign, museum officials explained.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program approved the transfer to the Fargo Air Museum for static display, officials added.

While the F-86 Sabre was never stationed in North Dakota, several local pilots flew the aircraft, including the late Fargo Air Museum co-founder Major General Darrol Schroeder (ret.), according to museum officials.

To honor Schroeder’s service, the aircraft will be displayed at the Fargo Air Museum in the markings of the 563rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, the same squadron Schroeder was assigned to in the late 1950s.

“This project, in part, honors Darrol Schroeder, a local veteran pilot who was deeply passionate about aviation his entire life and served his country from the lowest rank to one of the highest,” said Max Sabin, Fargo Air Museum Collections Manager. “The post-Korean War service of F-86 Sabres is sadly underrepresented. Once completed, this is the only known F-86H painted like that of the 563rd Fighter Bomber Squadron in the late 1950s. This static display will help tell a small, but significant, chapter in the history of the US Air Force.”

Community support and partners pledging matching donations will help the museum reach the campaign goal of $60,000 to cover the costs of transportation, refurbishment, and memorialization in front of the museum, museum officials said.

Donations can be made online at FargoAirMuseum.org or mailed to the museum with “Save the Sabre” in the memo line at Fargo Air Museum, 1609 19th Avenue North, Fargo, North Dakota, 58102.

For more information: FargoAirMuseum.org.