Canadair Sabre
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CL-13 Sabre | |
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An RCAF Canadair Sabre. Camouflage colouring was used on Europe-based aircraft. | |
Role | Fighter |
National origin | Canada |
Manufacturer | Canadair |
First flight | 9 August 1950 |
Introduction | 1950 |
Retired | 1980, Pakistan |
Primary users | Royal Canadian Air Force United States Air Force Royal Air Force German Air Force |
Produced | 1950–1958 |
Number built | 1,815 |
Developed from | North American F-86 Sabre |
The Canadair Sabre is a
The aircraft was produced in two significant batches. The first, the Mk. 2 and Mk. 4s, with fewer than 1,000 produced, were only slightly different from their US counterparts. The second run, the Mk. 5s and Mk. 6s of similar numbers, were patterned on the later versions of the US Sabre with larger wings for improved maneuverability while replacing the original General Electric J47 engine with the locally designed more-powerful Avro Canada Orenda.
The last of the Canadair Sabres in front-line operation were in Pakistan, whose
Some Orenda-powered examples became famous for other feats. Most notable was the single Mk. 3, the test-bed for the Orenda fit, which Jacqueline Cochran used in 1953 to set several speed records, including becoming the first woman to break the sound barrier. Another, an ex-RCAF Mk. 6 that left service in 1974, went on to become Boeing's chase plane for test flights until 1991. Many of these later aircraft are now preserved in museums.
Design and development
In 1948, the Canadian government decided to re-equip the RCAF with the F-86 Sabre with Canadair contracted to produce them in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. An initial batch of 10 aircraft was ordered for tool verification. The Korean War changed this to a production batch of 100 aircraft. Canadair slowly built up its production facility to make all components with related equipment obtained from other Canadian suppliers. Canadair gave the Sabre the project number CL-13.
Canadair produced six versions of the CL-13 Sabre. The sole Sabre Mk.1 was essentially the same as the North American Sabre F-86A. It had a General Electric J47-GE-13 turbojet of 5,200 lbf (23 kN) thrust. The Sabre Mk.2 had the same engine, although after the first 20 aircraft were produced, the remainder of the production run was distinguished in having power-assisted controls and an "all-flying" tailplane. The sole Sabre Mk.3 was the first of the Canadian Sabres to use the Avro Canada Orenda turbojet (Orenda 3 with 6,000 lbf (27 kN) thrust). The Sabre Mk.4 retained the General Electric engine, was destined for the RAF and was later passed on to other overseas air forces. The Sabre Mk.5 was the next production version, equipped with an Orenda 10 with 6,500 lbf (29 kN) thrust. A change to the Orenda 14 with 7,440 lbf (33.1 kN) powered the Sabre Mk.6.
The last Sabre to be manufactured by Canadair (Sabre No. 1815), after being donated by the
Operational history
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Canadair_Sabre_2_19104_Greek_AF_Ringway_30.03.55_edited-1.jpg/220px-Canadair_Sabre_2_19104_Greek_AF_Ringway_30.03.55_edited-1.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Canadair_Sabre_4_19460_414_Sqn_SPK_27.03.54_edited-2.jpg/220px-Canadair_Sabre_4_19460_414_Sqn_SPK_27.03.54_edited-2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Ex-RCAF_Golden_Hawk_Canadair_F-86_23424_purchased_by_Lynn_Garrison_for_his_collection%2C_July_1964.jpg/220px-Ex-RCAF_Golden_Hawk_Canadair_F-86_23424_purchased_by_Lynn_Garrison_for_his_collection%2C_July_1964.jpg)
The second generation of Canadair Sabre aircraft, and first to be built in quantity, was the Mk.2, with 350 produced from 1952 to 1953. The RCAF received 290 of these improved aircraft. During the first half of 1952, the remaining 60 Mk.2s were supplied to the
In mid-1952, the Sabre Mk.4 went into production with the first one flown on 28 August 1952. Apart from some minor structural and systems changes, including improved air-conditioning and gun sight, the Mk 2 and the Mk 4 were identical. Of 438 Mk 4s built, approximately 70 were used temporarily by the RCAF, all surviving examples being passed to the
On 30 July 1953, the first Sabre Mk.5 flew with the Orenda 10 engine, which gave it a clear rate of climb and ceiling advantage over earlier variants. Other Mk 5 improvements included a new oxygen system and improved maneuverability and low-speed characteristics achieved by increasing the wing
The Canadair Sabre Mk.6 was the final variant and was considered to be the best production Sabre ever built.[2] It was equipped with a two-stage Orenda engine developing 7,275 pounds (3,300 kg)) of static thrust. Its altitude performance and climb rate was enhanced over the Mk 5 and the reinstatement of the wing leading edge slat gave it excellent low-speed characteristics. The first production model was completed on 2 November 1954 and ultimately 655 were built with production terminating on 9 October 1958.
A total of 390 Mk.6s went to the RCAF with the majority replacing the existing Canadair Sabre Mk.5s at the Air Division squadrons in West Germany and France. The main air threats to NATO in the 1950s in Central Europe were the early variants of the Soviet MiG- the
Though the main use of the Sabre by the RCAF was in Europe, they were also used by RCAF Auxiliary part-time units in Canada, replacing
In addition to the RCAF deliveries, 225 Canadair Mk.6 Sabres were exported to the West German
In January 1966, Germany sold 90 of its Canadian Mk 6 Sabres to Iran. These aircraft were quickly transferred to Pakistan and became the main day fighter of the Pakistan Air Force.
Canadair Sabres were the mainstay of their respective air forces in the two major conflicts in which they were employed: the Korean War, where F-86 Sabres racked up a 6-1 kill record, and the
Women's speed records
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Cochrane_with_Yeager.jpg/220px-Cochrane_with_Yeager.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Candair_CL-13_Sabre_3.jpg/220px-Candair_CL-13_Sabre_3.jpg)
In 1952, Jacqueline Cochran, then aged 47, decided to challenge the world speed record for women, then held by Jacqueline Auriol. She tried to borrow an F-86 from the U.S. Air Force, but was refused. She was introduced to an Air Vice-Marshal of the RCAF who, with the permission of the Canadian Minister of Defence, arranged for her to borrow 19200, the sole Sabre 3. Canadair sent a 16-man support team to California for the attempt. On 18 May 1953, Ms. Cochran set a new 100 km speed record of 1,050.15 km/h (652.53 mph). Later on 3 June, she set a new 15 km closed circuit record of 1,078 km/h (670 mph). While she was in California, she exceeded 1270 km/h in a dive, and thus became the first woman to exceed the speed of sound.
Golden Hawks
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Goldenhawks1959.jpg/220px-Goldenhawks1959.jpg)
The Golden Hawks were a Canadian aerobatic flying team that was established in 1959 to celebrate the Royal Canadian Air Force's 35th anniversary and the "Golden" 50th anniversary of Canadian flight, which began with the AEA Silver Dart in 1909. Initially, a six-plane team flying brilliantly painted metallic-gold Canadair Sabre Mk.5s, was envisioned as performing for only one year, but the Golden Hawks were so popular after their single 63-show season that the team was expanded. In the following year, another plane was added to the team, allowing for a five-plane main formation with two solo jets. The Golden Hawks continued performing for three more seasons, changing to the Mk 6 in 1961, until they were disbanded on 7 February 1964, having flown a total of 317 shows across North America.[8]
Variants
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Canadair_Sabre_F.4_XD769_J.92_Hooton_Park_24.07.55_edited-2.jpg/220px-Canadair_Sabre_F.4_XD769_J.92_Hooton_Park_24.07.55_edited-2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Canadair_F-86_Sabre_Mk_6_at_Canada_Aviation_Museum_2006.jpg/220px-Canadair_F-86_Sabre_Mk_6_at_Canada_Aviation_Museum_2006.jpg)
- Sabre Mk.1
- One built, prototype F-86A.
- Sabre Mk.2
- 350 built, F-86E-type, 60 to USAF, three to RCAF.
- Sabre Mk.3
- One built in Canada, test-bed for the Orenda 3 jet engine, various other structural modifications were made to accommodate the Orenda engine.
- Sabre Mk.4
- 438 built, production: ten to RCAF, 428 to RAF as Sabre F 4.
- Sabre Mk.5
- 370 built, F-86F-type with Orenda engine, all to RCAF, 75 later passed to German Air Force.
- Sabre Mk.6
- 655 built, 390 to RCAF, 225 to Luftwaffe, six to Colombia and 34 to South Africa.
Operators
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Bundeswehrmuseum_Dresden_4.jpg/220px-Bundeswehrmuseum_Dresden_4.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Canadair-Sabre_19484_USAF_RWY_06.56_edited-1.jpg/220px-Canadair-Sabre_19484_USAF_RWY_06.56_edited-1.jpg)
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- No. 400 Squadron RCAF
- No. 401 Squadron RCAF
- No. 410 Squadron RCAF
- No. 411 Squadron RCAF
- No. 413 Squadron RCAF
- No. 414 Squadron RCAF
- No. 416 Squadron RCAF
- No. 421 Squadron RCAF
- No. 422 Squadron RCAF
- No. 427 Squadron RCAF
- No. 430 Squadron RCAF
- No. 434 Squadron RCAF
- No. 438 Squadron RCAF
- No. 439 Squadron RCAF
- No. 441 Squadron RCAF
- No. 442 Squadron RCAF
- No. 444 Squadron RCAF
- Colombian Air Force
- German Air Force - operated 75 Canadair Sabre Mk 5 and 225 Canadair Sabre Mk 6, 1957–1964, flown by JG 71, JG 72, and JG 73. The last Mk 6 used for training was retired in 1983.[9]
- Royal Hellenic Air Force120 used Canadair CL-13 Mk.4 acquired from Royal Canadian Air Force and redesignated as F-86E(M). Assigned to 341, 342, 343 Interceptor Squadrons (Μοίρες Αναχαιτίσεως) and retired in 1965.
- Honduran Air Force Received 10 Ex-Yugoslav Air Force Sabres in 1976.[10]
- Mutual Defense Aid Program, redesignated F-86E(M) from 1956 until 1976[11]
- Pakistan Air Force - Operated 90 Ex-Luftwaffe CL-13B Mk.6s from 1966 to 1980 which were obtained via Iran.[12][13]
- No. 14 Squadron "Tail Choppers"
- No. 17 Squadron "Tigers"
- No. 18 Squadron
- No. 19 Squadron "Warhawks"
- Turkish Air Force acquired ex-RCAF 107 Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.2 "F-86E(M)" in 1954, retired 1968.[14]
- Mutual Defense Aid Program) in camouflage colours with Canadian serials and redesignated as F-86E(M); of which 121 were then sent to Yugoslavia and 179 to Italy.
- 3 Squadron 1953–1956 at RAF Wildenrath then RAF Geilenkirchen
- RAF Jever
- RAF Oldenburg
- RAF Oldenburg
- 66 Squadron 1954–1956 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse
- 67 Squadron 1953–1956 at RAF Wildenrath then RAF Bruggen
- 71 Squadron 1953–1956 at RAF Wildenrath then RAF Bruggen
- 92 Squadron 1954–1956 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse
- RAF Jever
- 112 Squadron 1954–1956 at RAF Bruggen
- 130 Squadron 1953–1956 at RAF Bruggen
- RAF Oldenburg then RAF Geilenkirchen
- Mutual Defense Aid Program, and bought another 78 ex-RAF machines from MDAP in 1959, for a total of 121 Sabres, redesignated as F-86E(M).[10]
Survivors
Specifications (Sabre Mk.6)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Avro-jet.jpg/220px-Avro-jet.jpg)
Data from Specification for the Canadair F-86 Sabre 6 Airplane for the Argentine Air Force, Report No. RD-13B-13 (Issue 1)[15]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 37.54 ft (11.44 m)
- Wingspan: 37.12 ft (11.31 m)
- Height: 14.74 ft (4.49 m)
- Wing area: 302.3 sq ft (28.08 m2)
- Airfoil: Root: NACA-0012 (11.6)-64 (Modified) / Tip: NACA-0011 (10.2)-64 (Modified)
- Empty weight: 10,638 lb (4,825 kg)
- Gross weight: 14,613 lb (6,628 kg) internal fuel
- Max takeoff weight: 17,580 lb (7,974 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Avro Canada Orenda 14 turbojet, 7,500 lbf (33 kN) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 697 mph (1,122 km/h, 606 kn) at sea level
- Stall speed: 110 mph (178 km/h, 96 kn) at sea level
- Range: 1,481 mi (2,384 km, 1,287 nmi) ferry range with 2 x 200 gal drop tanks
- Service ceiling: 54,100 ft (16,500 m)
- Rate of climb: 12,050 ft/min (61.2 m/s)
- Wing loading: 58.154 lb/sq ft (283.93 kg/m2)
- Thrust/weight: 0.534
- All performance figures at a weight of ~14,044 lb
Armament
- Guns: 6 x M3 Browning machine guns(1,600 rounds total)
- Hardpoints: 4 , with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets: variety of rocket launchers; e.g: 2 Matra rocket pods with 18 SNEB 68 mm (2.7 in) rockets per pod, 16 5 in (130 mm) HVAR rockets
- Missiles: 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinders(Mk.6 only)
- Bombs: 5,300 lb (2,400 kg) of payload on four external hardpoints, bombs are usually mounted on outer two pylons as the inner pairs are wet-plumbed pylons for 2 200 US gal (760 L; 170 imp gal) drop tanks to give the Sabre a useful range. A wide variety of bombs can be carried (max standard loadout being 2 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs plus 2 drop tanks), napalm bomb canisters and can include a tactical nuclear weapon.
See also
Related development
- CAC Sabre
- North American FJ-1 Fury
- North American F-86 Sabre
- North American F-86D Sabre
- North American FJ-2/-3 Fury
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
Notes
- ^ Wagner 1963, p. 124.
- ^ Joos 1971, p. 3.
- ^ Bingham 2002
- ^ "Book review of Three countries, One people By D.S. Jafa." Archived 2000-01-26 at the Wayback Machine India Today, 20 September 1999. Retrieved: 10 March 2009.
- ^ "Canadair CL-13 Sabre." rcaf.com. Retrieved: 4 November 2010. Archived 21 May 2006 at archive.today
- ISBN 0-7603-1343-1, p. 161.
- ^ "Jacqueline Cochran." U.S. Air Force. Retrieved: July 27, 2009.
- ^ Dempsey 2002
- ^ Hayes, Paul. "Achtung Saberjetz - Teaching the New Luftwaffe." Archived 21 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine Vintage Wings, 2011. Retrieved: 13 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Letelice North American F-86E i F-86D Sabre u JRV i njihove sudbine - Page". www.paluba.info.
- ^ "Italian Air Force Aircraft Types". www.aeroflight.co.uk.
- ^ Gp Capt SULTAN M HALI. "F-86 F&E Sabres in Pakistan Air Force". DefenceJournal.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2001.
- ^ Gwen Kerr. "Pakistan Air Force - The Canadair Sabre Goes to War". PakDef.info. Archived from the original on 21 March 2013.
- ^ "Canadair F-86E Sabre". ApexMaket.
- ^ RD-13B-103 Specification for The Canadair F-86 Sabre 6 Airplane for The Argentine Air Force www.avialogs.com. Retrieved: 16 September 2018
Bibliography
- Childerhose, R.J. The F-86 Sabre. New York: Arco Publishing, 1965.
- Dempsey, Daniel V. A Tradition of Excellence: Canada's Airshow Team Heritage. Victoria: High Flight Enterprises Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-9687817-0-5.
- Flypast Magazine, August 2007, Key Publishing Ltd.
- Joos, Gerhard W. Canadair Sabre Mk 1-6, Commonwealth Sabre Mk 30-32 in RCAF, RAF, RAAF, SAAF, Luftwaffe & Foreign Service. Kent, UK: Osprey Publications Limited, 1971. ISBN 0-85045-024-1.
- Robinson, Robbie. NATO F-86D/K Sabre Dogs. Le Havre, Editions Minimonde76, 120 p. 2018, ISBN 978-2-9541818-3-7.
- ISBN 0-9690703-7-3.
- Pickler, Ron and Larry Milberry. Canadair: the First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
- Wagner, Ray. The North American Sabre. London: Macdonald & Co (Publishers) Ltd, 1963.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Warbird Alley: F-86 Sabre page - Information about F-86s still flying today
- Sabre site
- Canadair Sabres in J.Baugher site