NORTH AMERICAN F-86L SABRE

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 was exported to Germany, England, and Italy. Surplus Canadair Sabres were converted to drones for the U.S. Army and used in missile testing and several former RCAF Sabres continue to fly with private owners.