North American Sabre (1953 - 1956)

The Korean war demonstrated the potency of contemporary Soviet aircraft, especially the MiG-15. At the time the current day fighter was the Meteor which was outclassed by the MiG type and the Hunter was not due in service in Germany until 1955. As a stop-gap the RAF took on charge Canadian built Sabres, a type which had shown its superiority to the MiG-15 in combat. The aircraft were supplied by the United States under the Mutal Defence Aid Plan. The Mark 1 was built in prototype form only in Canada. The F Mark 2 was equivalent to the American F-86E and three of this version were delivered to the United Kingdom. Armament was six .50 calibre machine guns. The Mark 3 was another Canadian prototype fitted with an Orenda engine.

F Mark 4 The Mark 4 was the standard variant for the RAF, some 427 being delivered. It differed from the F Mk 2 only in having a changed compass and canopy release. It was first to serve with 26 Sqn from May 1953 and was finally replaced by the Hunter in May 1956. All but two of the units operating the Sabre (66 and 92 Sqns) were based in Germany. On withdrawal from RAF service the aircraft were notionally returned to the USAF, but in fact overhauled in the UK and passed on to various NATO air forces.

Service Fighter 3, 4, 20, 26, 66, 67, 71, 92, 93, 112, 130, 147, 234 Training FTU; 229 OCU; SCF Other AFDS; CFE; CGS; FWS; 1 OFU; RAE

Preserved CL-13 Sabre F Mk 4 XB812/U of 93 Sqn presently in the RAF Museum, Hendon

Flight of five Sabres from 92 Sqn, one of only two units to be based in the UK. Nearest is XB837/K

Specifications and production

Further reading

Joos, G Canadair Sabre, The (Profile 186) Profile Publications, Leatherhead, 1967

McDowell, E R North American F-86A - L Sabre (Aircam 17) Osprey, Canterbury, 1967

Milberry, L Canadair Sabre, The CANAV, 1986

Shacklady, E North American F-86A Sabre, The (Profile 20) Profile Publications, Leatherhead, 1965

Wagner, R North American Sabre, The Macdonald, London, 1963