Canadair F-86 Sabre - Historical Aircraft - Royal Canadian Air Force (2024)

Overview

The North American F-86 Sabre was first flown on October 1, 1947, and quickly proved a highly successful design. With the formation of NATO in 1949, the Canadian government made the decision to re-equip the RCAF’s front-line fighter squadrons with modern aircraft and selected the F-86 Sabre. Consequently, an agreement was reached between North American and Canadair Ltd. of Montréal to manufacture 100 F-86As in Canada. After the first prototype, designated CL-13 Sabre Mk 1, Canadair immediately began production in earnest with an improved Mk 2 model. The Mk 2 was essentially an F-86E with an “all flying” tail plane to provide better flying characteristics, as well as a flat windscreen. The next major production model was the Mk 4—which was originally to have been powered by an Orenda-designed engine but, to retain commonality with the F-86E, it also carried the J47-GE-13.

Various design improvements were incorporated throughout the aircraft and 438 Mk 4 Sabres rolled off the assembly lines. The Mk 5 Sabre was the first production model with a Canadian engine, using the Orenda 10 version and rated at 6,355-lb thrust. The bigger Orenda engine necessitated a larger diameter opening in fuselage frames and stronger engine mounts. An important structural modification was the introduction of a fixed leading edge to replace the automatic slats on earlier versions. This change was designed to enhance the high altitude performance of the aircraft. Small wing fences were also introduced at the 70 per cent span position. These modifications were successful, but also resulted in a corresponding decrease in low-speed handling characteristics. After the construction of 370 Mk 5 aircraft, Canadair moved on to the final (and best) version, the Mk 6.

This version carried the two-stage Orenda 14 engine with a 7,275 lb thrust rating. The wing leading slats were re-introduced, while retaining portions of the Mk 5 wing configuration. The Mk 6 therefore acquired superb combat manoeuvring. With this combination of engine and aerodynamics, the Mark 6 was widely regarded as the best “dog-fighter” of its era. The Golden Hawks teams of the RCAF initially flew Mk 5 aircraft, but were soon equipped with the excellent Mk 6 aircraft.

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.

Technical Specifications (Mk 2)

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.

Technical Specifications (Mk 5)

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.

Technical Specifications (Mk 6)

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.