<p>The North American YF-93A, developed from the F-86 Sabre and originally designated F-86C, eventually became the third design in the penetration fighter competition with the McDonnell XF-88 and Lockheed XF-90. The YF-93A was a bigger, bulkier Sabre: the nose inlet of the F-86 design was replaced with side-mounted inlets and the fuselage was widened to house a 6,250-lb (27.8-kN) thrust Pratt & Whitney turbojet. The result was a larger, heavier machine with longer range and greater load-carrying capacity than the Sabre. On 9 June 1948, the USAF ordered 118 F-93s, but the order was cancelled a year later. The YF-93A lost its second chance to attain production status when it emerged a poor third in the penetration fighter contest which, as it turned out, did not result in any production contract anyway.
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<p>The first of the two YF-93As (48-316 and 48-317), also known as the company NA-157, was first flown on 24 January 1950 by George Welch. The two machines underwent various modifications during evaluation, including changes in the shape of their lateral air inlets. After the USAF was no longer a potential buyer, the two airframes were turned over to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) where they were employed in various tests until eventually being retired and scrapped.
<item><hi format=bold>Performance:</hi> maximum speed 708 mph (1,139 km/h) at sea level and 622 mph (1,001 km/h) at 35,000 ft (10,668 m); initial climb rate with afterburning 11,960 ft (3,645 m) per minute; service ceiling 46,800 ft (14,265 m); range 1,967 miles (3,165 km)
<item><hi format=bold>Weights:</hi> empty 14,035 lb (6,366 kg); maximum take-off 26,516 lb (12,027 kg)
<item><hi format=bold>Dimensions:</hi> span 38 ft 9 in (11.81 m); length 44 ft 1 in (13.44 m); height 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m); wing area 306 sq ft (28.43 m<su>2</su>)
