RCAF Sabres 19701 to 19750
Canadian
Military Aircraft
Serial Numbers
RCAF 19651 to 19700
Detailed List
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A note on the Canadair Sabre 4
The Canadair Sabre 4
was a minor refinement on the Sabre 2, which was basically a licenced copy of the F-86E. It was originally
intended to be built in small numbers for the RCAF, but a number of world
events conspired to change this. For the detailed story of how this
stop-gap program would eventually see 428 aircraft built the reader is
referred to pages 254 and on of Larry Milberrys excellent book on the Canadair Sabre.
I will try to present an abbreviated version here.
In the early 1950s
the Western allies received a rude shock when the capabilities of the MiG-15
were made apparent over Korea. The F-86F was barely able to hold its
own, the F-86E (and by implication the Sabre 2) was at a minor disadvantage,
while earlier straight wing jets were totally outclassed. At the same
time delays in the introduction of the improved Orenda
powered Sabre 5 and 6 for the RCAF and similar delays with the first RAF
swept wing fighters (the Hunter and the Swift) were occurring. When
these events combined with the increased Cold War tensions brought on by
Korea, and the availability of US funding for NATO air forces, Canadair was
able to use its spare shop capacity in 1952 and 1953 to build the Sabre 4 in
much larger numbers than first planned. All were US funded and most
went directly to the RAF, where they served briefly in the UK and Germany
until the Hunter and Swift became available. Most of the survivors then
returned to the USAF, for distribution on to other allies. Around 70
were loaned briefly to the RCAF when they were first built, where at least
some operated with both an RAF serial and an RCAF serial marked. The
exact number used by the RCAF is not clear, but Milberry
and Griffin report 71 actually on the RCAF books there may have been other
loans not as well documented.
The
RAF serials were allocated and reallocated in small batches over the course
of the program, as US funding was incrementally made available. I have
tried to report the actual serial marked on the aircraft in use with the RAF,
based on Milberrys book, but other sources
sometimes report different matches between RAF and RCAF serials. When
most survivors returned to USAF control in 1956 and 1957 they received the
originally allocated RCAF serial numbers for book keeping purposes, although
it is not clear if this was always marked on the aircraft. Those passed
to the Italian Air Force would carry the RCAF serial with the prefix MM (Matricula Militare).
Designer
Manufacturer
basic designation
variant or model
name
company
designation
company number
19701
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
601
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB863.
First flight on 21 May 1953.
Assigned to No. 147 Squadron at Chivenor, UK, the RAF ferry unit, but
crashed before leaving Canada. Crashed
neat St. Felix de Valois, PQ on 5 June 1953, after becoming lost in cloud.
19702
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
602
first date: 21 May 1953 – Taken on
strength by RCAF
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB864.
First flight on 21 May 1953.
Loaned back to the RCAF before going to RAF, serving with No. 444 (F)
Squadron at Baden-Soellingen, Germany.
Taken on strength by the RAF on 17 May 1954. Back to USAF on 3 October 1957, marked with
RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air Force,
coded “06-068” and “11-082”.
last date:
1 December 1953 – Struck off by RCAF
19703
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
603
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB865.
First flight on 11 May 1953.
Taken on strength by the RAF on 17 August 1954. Served with No. 112 Squadron at Bruggen,
Germany. Operated by No. 26 Squadron
at Oldenburg, Germany when it crashed near Hede, Germany on 23 July
1954. Engine flamed out during tail
chase and aircraft caught fire. F/O G.
Stewart ejected at very low altitude and was killed. He reportedly pulled rip cord before
releasing harness from ejection seat.
Canopy may have accidently separated in flight prior to this.
19704
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
604
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB866
First flight on 20 May 1953.
With No. 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany when it crashed on 24
February 1954. Crashed into the sea,
compass unserviceable, pilot killed.
19705
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
605
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB867.
First flight on 12 May 1953.
Operated by 234 Squadron.
Struck off RAF strength on 18 December 1958.
19706
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
606
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB868.
First flight on 20 May 1953.
Operated by No. 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany. Back to USAF on 13 June 1957, marked with
RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air Force,
coded “11-083”.
19707
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
607
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD706.
First flight on 19 May 1953.
Struck off RAF strength on 18 December 1958. Reported in storage at RAF Church Crookham
in October 1965, with RCAF serial marked.
USAF serial 52-10177 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19708
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
608
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD707.
First flight on 20 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, coded
“B”. Crashed in RAF service
on 22 July 1954, struck high ground in the Pennines in poor weather together
with Sabre XD730 (ex RCAF 19731). USAF
serial 52-10178 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19709
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
609
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD708.
First flight on 20 May 1953.
Back to USAF on 6 November 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force. USAF serial 52-10179 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19710
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
610
Funded by US,
identified as F-86E-6-CAN, their serial number 52-10180. Intended for RAF, their serial XD709. First flight on 20 May 1953. Operated by No. 92 Squadron at
Linton-on-Ouse, UK. Back to USAF on 26
August 1957, marked with RCAF serial.
To Italian Air Force. Later to
Yugoslavian Air Force, their serial JRV 11084. USAF serial 52-10180 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19711
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
611
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD710.
First flight on 20 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, and by No. 92 Squadron
at Linton-on-Ouse, UK, coded “D”.
Damaged on take off from Acklington, UK on 5 April 1955. USAF serial 52-10181 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19712
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
612
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD711.
First flight on 21 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, coded
“U”. Crashed in RAF service,
mid air collision with Sabre XD716 (ex RCAF 19717) of the same Squadron on 16
June 1954, near Hornsea, Yorkshire.
Both pilots ejected safely. USAF serial 52-10182 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19713
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
613
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD712.
First flight on 20 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, coded “S”. Crashed in RAF service, broke up in mid air
during dive recovery in a mock dog fight over the Humber Estuary near
Scunthorpe on 16 June 1955. F/O L.M.P.
Harryman killed. USAF serial 52-10183
assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19714
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
614
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD713.
First flight on 20 May 1953.
Operated by No. 92 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. Damaged on take off from Linton-on-Ouse on
29 January 1955. USAF serial 52-10184
assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19715
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
615
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD714.
First flight on 21 May 1953.
Back to USAF on 29 December 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force. USAF serial 52-10185 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19716
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
616
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD715.
First flight on 25 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK, coded
“K”. Back to USAF on 27 July
1957, marked with RCAF serial. To
Italian Air Force. USAF serial
52-10186 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19717
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
617
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD716.
First flight on 26 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse. Crashed in RAF service, mid air collision
with Sabre XD711 (ex RCAF 19712) of the same Squadron on 16 June 1954. Both pilots ejected safely. USAF serial 52-10187 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19718
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
618
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD717.
First flight on 22 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron (coded “X”) and by No. 92
Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. Back
to USAF on 3 July 1957, marked with RCAF serial. USAF serial 52-10188 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19719
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
619
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD718.
First flight on 25 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. USAF serial 52-10189 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19720
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
620
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD719.
First flight on 25 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron, and No. 92 Squadron (coded “T”)
at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. Back to USAF on
10 January 1957, marked with RCAF serial.
To Italian Air Force. USAF
serial 52-10190 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19721
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
621
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD720.
First flight on 25 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. Back to USAF on 23 May 1957, marked with
RCAF serial. To Italian Air
Force. Later to Yugoslav Air Force,
their serial JRV 11085. USAF serial
52-10191 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19722
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
622
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD721.
First flight on 29 May 1953. Operated
by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK.
Back to USAF on 10 August 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force. Crashed in Italian service, ingested own
bullets during ground firing run on 23 September 1959 near Brindisi. USAF serial 52-10192 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19723
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
623
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD722.
First flight on 29 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, and by No. 92 Squadron
at Linton-on-Ouse, coded “D”.
Some sources report this aircraft to Italian AF, coded
“4-25”, not confirmed by Italian sources. Reported preserved at Rivolto, Italy, need
to confirm identity of this airframe.
USAF serial 52-10193 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19724
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
624
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD723.
First flight on 28 May 1953.
Operated by No. 92 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. Back to USAF on 8 November 1956, marked with
RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force,
coded “4-25”. USAF serial
52-10194 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19725
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
625
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD724.
First flight on 27 May 1953. Operated
by No. 66 Squadron and No. 92 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse. Back to USAF on 19 December 1957, marked
with RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air
Force, their serial JRV 11086, coded “11-086”. To Honduras Air Force in 1976, their serial
FAH 3004. USAF serial 52-10195
assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19726
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
626
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD725.
First flight on 26 June 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. Back to USAF on 3 July 1957, marked with
RCAF serial. USAF serial 52-10196
assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19727
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
627
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD726.
First flight on 28 May 1953.
Operated by No. 92 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. Back to USAF on 9 October 1957, marked with
RCAF serial. USAF serial 52-10197
assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19728
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
628
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD727.
First flight on 12 June 1953.
Operated by No. 92 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK, coded
“D”. Struck off by RAF on 18
December 1958. Reported in storage at
RAF Church Crookham in October 1965, with RCAF serial marked. USAF serial 52-10198 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19729
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
629
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD728.
First flight on 27 May 1953.
Operated by No. 92 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK, coded
“H”. Back to USAF on 22 June
1956, marked with RCAF serial. To
Italian Air Force. USAF serial
52-10199 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19730
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
630
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD729.
First flight on 27 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, coded
“J”. USAF serial 52-10200
assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19731
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
631
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD730.
First flight on 28 May 1953.
Operated by No. 66 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, coded
“X”. Crashed in RAF service
on 22 July 1954. Flew into high ground
in the Pennines together with Sabre XD707 of the same Squadron. Both pilots killed. USAF serial 52-10201 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
19732
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
632
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB869.
First flight on 1 June 1953.
Used by No. 67 Squadron, and by No. 71 Squadron in Germany. Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958.
19733
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
633
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB870.
First flight on 28 May 1953.
Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany.
Back to USAF on 12 April 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force.
19734
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
634
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB871.
First flight on 29 May 1953.
Operated by No. 3 Squadron, by No. 93 Squadron, RAF at Jiver, and by
No. 130 Squadron at Bruggen, Germany.
Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958. Reported in storage at RAF Church Crookham
in October 1965, with RCAF serial marked.
19735
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
635
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB872.
First flight on 8 June 1953.
Operated by No. 234 Squadron.
Carried individual letter “R” on fin in RAF service. Back to USAF on 30 September 1957, marked
with RCAF serial.
19736
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
636
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB873.
First flight on 1 June 1953.
Operated by No. 234 Squadron.
Back to USAF on 1 May 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air Force.
19737
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
637
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB874.
First flight on 16 June 1953.
Operated by No. 93 Squadron, RAF at Jiver, and by the Sabre Conversion
Flight. Back to USAF on 4 February
1957, marked with RCAF serial.
19738
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
638
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB875.
First flight on 10 June 1953.
Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany.
Back to USAF on 5 November 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air Force, coded
“11-088”.
19739
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
639
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB876.
First flight on 2 June 1953.
Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany.
Back to USAF on 10 January 1957, marked with RCAF serial.
19740
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
640
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB877.
First flight on 1 June 1953.
Operated by No. 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany. Back to USAF on 20 May 1957, marked with
RCAF serial. To Yugoslav Air Force.
19741
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
641
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB878.
First flight on 10 June 1953.
Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany, coded “X”. Back to USAF on 28 August 1957, marked with
RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air Force,
coded “11-089”.
19742
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
642
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB879.
First flight on 9 June 1953.
Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany.
To USAF on 31 May 1957. To
Yugoslavian Air Force.
19743
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
643
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB880.
First flight on 3 June 1953.
Crashed in RAF service on 15 July 1955, while being operated by No. 26
Squadron. Stalled turning final at
Brugen, pilot killed.
19744
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
644
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB881.
First flight on 9 June 1953.
Back to USAF on 7 November 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force.
19745
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
645
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB882.
First flight on 8 June 1953.
With No. 147 Squadron when P/O Butrym was killed in accidental
ejection on 18 July 1953, north of Broughty Ferry, Angus. He attempted to jettison the canopy to
clear smoke in the cockpit but pulled the ejection handle in error.
19746
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
646
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB883.
First flight on 8 June 1953.
Operated by No. 26 Squadron (coded “A”) at Oldenburg, Germany Back to USAF on 5 December 1956, marked
with RCAF serial. To Italian Air
Force.
19747
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
647
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB884.
First flight on 10 June 1953.
Operated by No. 112 Squadron at Bruggen, Germany. Crashed in RAF service on 16 June
1954. Pilot ejected safely near
Bruggen after total electrical failure.
19748
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
648
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XB885.
First flight on 10 June 1953.
Operated by 234 Squadron, coded “D”. Back to USAF on 5 October 1956, marked with
RCAF serial.
19749
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
649
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD731.
First flight on 10 June 1953. Operated by No. 66 Squadron at
Linton-on-Ouse. Back to USAF on 13
September 1956, marked with RCAF serial.
To Italian Air Force. Crashed
in Italian service on 25 March 1960.
USAF serial 52-10202 assigned, no record it was ever marked.
19750
North American
Canadair
Sabre
4
CL-13
650
Diverted to RAF
before RCAF serial marked, became XD732.
First flight on 12 June 1953.
Used by No. 92 Squadron at Linton-on-Ouse, UK. USAF serial 52-10203 assigned, no record it
was ever marked.
This
data has come from a variety of sources, and may contain all sorts of errors.
In the future, I will add a complete list of references. For now, some recent
Internet references can be found at the links below. I would welcome any
corrections or additions you may have. Contact me using the link below.
To main page
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About the Author
The Project
© 2014 by R. W. R.
Walker All rights reserved
under the copyright laws.
This is an amateur site – please don’t rely on any of this data for anything
important!
Created 7 December 2014. Updated 7 December 2014.