The Canadair Sabre is a license-built version of the North American F-86. In 1948, the Royal Canadian Air Force chose the F-86 for its first jet fighter. It was decided to license the design and build them in Canada. The first aircraft built were identical to those produced in the United States, but Canadair soon began making changes to the design. One of the most significant was the adoption of a different engine. The Sabre Mk. V introduced the Avro Canada Orenda engine which gave the aircraft more power and a better climb performance. Sabres served with the RCAF well into the 1960s and were exported to Germany, England, and Italy. Surplus Canadair Sabres were converted to drones for the U.S. Army and used in missile testing. Several former RCAF Sabres continue to fly with private owners.
Royal Canadian Air Force, 416 Squadron, Grostenquin Air Base, France, 1954
Sabre Mk. V
Pima Air & Space Museum