Originally built as Canadair CL-13A Sabre 5 RCAF serial 23283 and modified as a QF-86E by Flight Systems Inc., at Mojave. The RCAF serial is said to have been adopted by the US Army when the aircraft was being used on their funded programs, although at the same it was registered N2290Z.

Flight Systems bought nine SAAF Sabres for conversion to drones. However, only one was converted to QF-86 standard. This 352 was one of the eight not converted and has been flying the air show circuit as N186FS and NX1F. This airframe holds the distinction of being the first aircraft to break the sound barrier over South Africa. On 21 September 1956 Captain J Inglesby of 1 Sqd took 352 into a supersonic dive over AFB Waterkloof.

Repainted into a white colour scheme since my 1984 photo of it. Built for the RCAF as 23367 in 1954. Stored at Mountain View in 1964. Sold and moved to Moncton, NB in 1970. To Flight Systems as N92402 in 1976 and trucked to Mojave, CA. Reregistered as N86FS in 1977. Used as a target tug. Sold in 2003 and converted to a warbird marked as 25222. Destroyed in a fatal crash on takeoff at Hickory, NC in 2006.

Photographer: Rainer Haufschild.

The full reg reads 19448, is is in the colors of a local display team.

Canadair CL-13B Sabre (JA-106 / cn:S6-1664) The second Aircraft to be photographed at the very new Runway;Wittmund AB (ETNT);Nov/01/2024

Corporate Jets was an early company offering adversary training with former military jets in Europe. It was quite basic by performing just target tow duties. These jets were operational between 1988 and 1996.

A rare shot of an Italian F-86E. This Canadian-built, but American-funded aircraft was delivered to the Royal Air Force as XB961. It was passed on to Italy (and not to Yugoslavia) in February 1957. RCAF administrative serial 19848 was adopted; no MM serial. 2º Aerobrigata operated the Sabre from 1956 until it was disbanded in 1962. The white nose is the marking of the 14 Gruppo. Fate of 19848 unknown. Photo from: Ministero della Difesa

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.

Delivered to the RCAF as 19214 in 1951. To the Turkish Air Force in 1955. Preserved by the gate at Eskișehir Air Base by 1985.

This Sabre served previously with the RCAF from Feb-1954 to Aug-1957 as 23105.

This Sabre previously served with the RCAF from Dec-1953 to Aug-1957 as 23050.

Canadair F86E Mk6. 441 (F) Sqn. 1 (F) Wing, Marville, France.. DND photo

Built for the RCAF as 23367 in 1954. Stored at Mountain View in 1964. Sold and moved to Moncton, NB in 1970. To Flight Systems as N92402 in 1976 and trucked to Mojave, CA. Reregistered as N86FS in 1977. Used as a target tug. Sold in 2003 and converted to a warbird marked as 25222. Destroyed in a fatal crash on takeoff at Hickory, NC in 2006.