"It's incredible!" beams Doug Matthews from the cockpit of his North American F-86F Sabre (N286CF, ex-52-5116) as he takes off his helmet and the 'hum' of avionics fill the air. It's February 24,2022, and with the hot Florida sun blazing down on the tarmac at Titusville's Space Coast Regional Airport, the fabled first-generation American jet fighter -bedecked in the renowned colours of famed Korean ace Capt Joseph McConnell's Beauteous Butch Ⅱ - has just pushed the number of airworthy Sabres back into double figures. It's been over 20 years since the aircraft last flew and follows a meticulous restoration at Doug's Classic Fighters of America facility in Florida. "It took seven years - seven! It's awesome to finally fly it!" Doug enthused.
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