Ben Hall brings his immaculate Sabre in for a close-up study. Although it’s a delight to fly, the fuel bill is high.

Left, 8178’s cockpit as it is today, and, right, as it looked in 1970, before restoration. Many of the replacement instruments were taken from the hulk of 7606.

The remains of 7606, the second production F-86A, were purchased at the same time as 8178 to provide spares.