What did the XP-86 and Republic's XP-84 have in common?

Short answer

The same projected performance: early studies indicated the XP-86 would have identical performance to its rivals, the XP-80 and the XP-84. The USAAF chose one design among those submitted and awarded North American a contract for three examples of the XP-86, which was an evolution of the FJ-1.

Published: November 4, 2026 · Updated: November 4, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

What did the XP-86 and Republic's XP-84 have in common?

F-86Fs 51FIW over Korea 1953

Rivals with the same projected performance

The USAAF selected one of the submitted designs and awarded North American a contract to build three examples of the XP-86, standing for "experimental pursuit". Early studies showed that this XP-86 would have the same performance as its rivals, the XP-80 and the XP-84.

North American, from propeller to jet

North American Aviation had produced the propeller-driven P-51 Mustang during the Second World War, which fought against some of the first operational jet fighters. The land-based XP-86 prototype, from which the highly influential US Air Force F-86 Sabre would emerge, was an evolution of the FJ-1. The FJ-1's design was finalised before German research into swept-wing aerodynamics became available.

The Sabre's offshoots

In 1947 North American Aviation began the NA-157 design study to create a true "penetration fighter" meeting the requirements of a long-range version of its F-86A Sabre. The resulting fighter was originally designated F-86C. In December 1947 the Air Force ordered two NA-157 prototypes and, given the many changes from the F-86, redesignated it the YF-93A.