The Historic Aircraft Preservation Society obtained this CL-13 Sabre 4 but after the demise of the society it morphed into Reflectaire Limited and the Sabre was moved from Biggin Hill to Lavenham where I photographed it late one Sunday afternoon just before Christmas 1969. I don't know when the USAF markings were applied but note the Italian Air Force roundel on the wing upper surface. The first flight was made as RCAF 19607 on 18-Mar-1953. Already in Jun-1953 it went to the RAF as XB733 and in Aug-1956 to the Italian AF as 19607. In Mar-1966 it was registered G-ATBF and that was cancelled in Feb-1979.

Canadair F-86E Mark 4 Sabres of 414 Sqn at Bagotville, ready for departure for Europe on Leapfrog IV. Photo by F/O Robert Mortimer

Sabre Mk4s of 444 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the transfer of the Sqn. to 4 (F) Wing. Photo by F/O P Stamison.

Sabre Mk4 of 444 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the transfer of the Sqn. to 4 (F) Wing. Photo by F/O P Stamison.

Sabre Mk4 of 444 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the transfer of the Sqn. to 4 (F) Wing. Photo by F/O P Stamison.

Sabre Mk4 of 444 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the transfer of the Sqn. to 4 (F) Wing. Photo by F/O P Stamison.

Sabre Mk4 of 444 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the transfer of the Sqn. to 4 (F) Wing. Photo by F/O P Stamison.

Sabre Mk4 of 444 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the transfer of the Sqn. to 4 (F) Wing. Photo by F/O P Stamison.

Sabre Mk4 of 444 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the transfer of the Sqn. to 4 (F) Wing. Photo by F/O P Stamison.

414 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the selivery of these aircraft to 4 (F) Wing, Germany. Photo by F/O Robert Mortimer.

414 (F) Sqn. prior to departure on LEAPFROG IV, the selivery of these aircraft to 4 (F) Wing, Germany. Photo by F/O Robert Mortimer.

Ordered by the RCAF as 19607. Delivered to the RAF as XB733 in 1953. To the Italian Air Force as 19607 in 1956. Registered as G-ATBF in 1966 and preserved at Biggin Hill. Moved to Blackpool in 1969. Stored at Plocks Farm, Much Hoole, Lancashire from 1977 then at nearby Dandy's Farm from 1983. To Duxford for auction in 1984. Not reported since. It may be the one preserved at Frankenmuth, MI.

This is thought to be the real FAH-3006, while the one in Chile at Los Cerillos is really FAH-3001.

The apron of San Pedro Sula housed a handful of Sabre 4s of the Honduran air force. FAH-3008 had an accident in 2002, when the ejection seat was accidentally activated, killing two technicians. The aircraft is Canadair built and operated by the RAF as XB827 and the Yugoslav AF as 11079, before it was transferred to Honduras.

Interesting detail of an otherwise uninteresting photo. 78 CL-86 Sabres formerly used by the RAF were supplied to Tito's Yugoslavia by the US through Avio Diepen at Ypenburg. They were kept here for two years but eventually delivered in 1959 with Yugoslav pilots making test flights in the Netherlands. The serial of this Sabre is probably 06-065. This in turn is probably ex XB820, second Yugoslav serial 11077, ending up in Honduras as FAH 3002 or 3009.

Ex Italian Air Force 19607, RAF XB733, RCAF 19607. Registered in the UK on 24 March 1966, presumably intended for restoration to flying condition. That never happened, and after some wandering it went to the USA where it was eventually scrapped. The UK registration was cancelled on 16 February 1979 as permanently withdrawn from use.

One of several Sabre MK IV a/c in storage at San Pedro Sula in 1984. The First Tactical Group of the Honduran Air Force operated them, but by 1984 they had been replaced with the Cessna A-37B. This Sabre was operated by the RAF as XB697, transferred to the Yugoslavian AF as 11059, and in 1976 transferred to the Honduran AF.