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F-86 Sabre vs MiG-21 Fishbed

F-86 Sabre vs MiG-21 Fishbed at a glance — top speed 1,106 vs 2,175 km/h, range 2,454 vs 793 km, max takeoff weight 8,234 vs 10,400 kg, built 9,860 vs 11,496 units.

North American F-86 Sabre combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 F-86 SabreFull specs
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇷🇺 MiG-21 FishbedFull specs
Specifications
F-86 Sabre MiG-21 Fishbed
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer North American Mikoyan-Gurevich
First flight 1 October 1947 16 June 1955
Year introduced 1949 1958
Number produced 9860 units 11496 units
Average unit price $1.2 million $2 million
Wing area 29.1 m² 23.0 m²
Wingspan 11.3 m 7.2 m
Height 4.4 m 4.1 m
Length 11.4 m 14.7 m
Maximum speed 1106 km/h 2175 km/h
Operational range 2,454 km 793 km
Service ceiling 15,118 m 17,500 m
Max. takeoff weight 8,234 kg 10,400 kg
Empty weight 5,046 kg 4,871 kg
Total thrust 1 x 2,681 kgf 1 x 7,095 kgf
Performance Radar Chart
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the F-86 Sabre or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is faster with a maximum speed of 2,175 km/h compared to the F-86 Sabre's 1,106 km/h, a difference of 1,069 km/h.
Which has longer range, the F-86 Sabre or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The F-86 Sabre has a longer range at 2,454 km compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 793 km.
Which can fly higher, the F-86 Sabre or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 17,500 meters (57,414 ft) compared to the F-86 Sabre's 15,118 meters (49,599 ft).
Which is heavier, the F-86 Sabre or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 10,400 kg compared to the F-86 Sabre's 8,234 kg.
Which is larger, the F-86 Sabre or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is longer at 14.7 meters compared to the F-86 Sabre's 11.4 meters.
Which is more expensive, the F-86 Sabre or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is more expensive at approximately $2.0 million per unit compared to the F-86 Sabre at $1.2 million.
Which entered service first, the F-86 Sabre or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The F-86 Sabre entered service first in 1949, 9 years before the MiG-21 Fishbed which entered service in 1958.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the F-86 Sabre or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 9,860 units of the F-86 Sabre.