Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-86>HA4309

General Background

The Canadair Sabre was built in two plants in Canada under license from North American Aviation. They were produced in 6 variants, Mk. 1 through 6. The Mk. 1 was a single prototype to check the accuracy of Canadair's manufacturing equipment. 350 Mk. 2's, 1 Mk. 3 to use as a test bed for the Orenda 3 engine, 438 Mk. 4's, 370 Mk. 5's and 655 Mk. 6's were manufactured. Over a dozen countries have operated the Canadair Sabre in one variant or another.

The Aircraft

The RCAF 421 Squadron "Red Indian" was formed in April 1942 and equipped with the Spitfire Mk. Va's. After WWII the squadron settled at RAF Station Odiham England and flew Vampires and Meteors. During the 1950's NATO considered the largest air threat in Central Europe were Soviet made MiG-15, 17, 19 and 21's. In response in late September 1952 the 421 Squadron was equipped with the Canadair Sabre Mk. 6 and was stationed at Grostenquin France with the 2 (F) Wing of the RCAF until August 1963.

Specifications :

Dimensions Mk. 5 and Mk. 6
Dimensions
Length:	37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
Wingspan:	37 ft 1.5 in (13.32 m)
Height:	14 ft 9 in (4.49 m)
Powerplant:
Mk. 5:
Empty:	10,662 lbs (4,836 kg)
Maximum:	17,581 lbs (7,975 kg)
Mk. 6:
Empty:	10,638 lbs (4,825 kg)
Maximum:	17,560 lbs (7,965 kg)
Performance:
Cruise Speed Mk. 5 and Mk. 6:	552 mph (888 km/h)
Maximum Speed:
Mk. 5:	696 mph (1,120 km/h)
Mk. 6:	698 mph (1,123 km/h)
Range:
Mk. 5:	1,220 miles (1,933 km)
Mk. 6:	1,486 mile (2,391 km)
Ceiling:
Mk. 5:	50,700 ft (15,453 m)
Mk. 6:	54,100 ft (16,490 m)