At the height of the Korean War, the US was employing several piston driven aircraft such as the F-4U Corsair and the P-51 Mustang in the roll of ground attack and troop support.  By this time these piston driven aircraft were approaching the end of their useful service life. 

North American Aviation was given the task of designing a jet-powered aircraft to replace these World War II designed aircraft.  With the Korean War raging, time war a critical factor in the design of a jet-powered replacement.

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With the roll of ground attack requiring better slow speed handling it was decided to employ a straight wing design for the new FA-86 'SABRESTANG'.
The exceptional characteristics of the laminar flow wing used on NA's P-51 Mustang made that wing the logical choice for use on the FA-86.  Having a jet engine made the 'SABRESTANG' quite capable of escaping pursuing North Korean MiG-15s.  The FA-86 proved to be a formidable dogfighter as well when in the hands of the better trained US pilots. Although not as fast as the MiG-15, the SABRESTANG could easily turn inside the turning radius of the MiG.  Tip tanks were used  on the FA-86 to allow more room for underwing bombs and other air to surface weaponry.
 
The FA-86 shown here are flown by Capt. Joseph McConnel of the 51st FIW, 39th FIS, Korea 1952

Harry