The North American F-86 Sabre was manufactured from 1949 - 1956 and was America's first swept-wing fighter. As well as being built in the U.S. variants were built in Canada and Australia bringing the total of all variants manufactured to 9,860 units. During the Korean War the Sabre arrived to take on the other swept-wing aircraft of the conflict, the MiG-15 Fagot. The Americans claim they shot down 792 MiGs while only losing 78 Sabres, a 10:1 victory ratio which is greatly disputed.
The aerobatic display team from Taiwan was formed in 1953 and given the name Thunder Tigers Technical Flying Corps. Equipped with four F-84Gs they gave their first public performance on August 14, 1954. June 1956 they became the Flight Technical Corps of China Air Force Thunder Tigers and 1957 increased to nine aircraft as well as making their first international appearance. In 1959 the Thunder Tigers converted to F-86 Sabres with both F-86A and F models. Over the years the team flew the F-5A, F-5E and the Taiwanese AT-3.