Sabre-toothed fighter

The North American design NA-140 received an order for the XP-86 prototype on May 18 1945 with the first of three prototypes, 45-59597, flown by George S Welch from Muroc, California (now Edwards AFB) on October 1 1947 powered by a 3750lb Allison J35-C-3 turbojet. Prior to this flight the aircraft had already received production orders for 33 P-86As (later F-86A after June 1948), the first of many orders. After the Korean conflict began on June 25 1950, USAF Sabres were placed into combat, prompted by the appearance of the MiG-15, initially with the F-86A-5 in November and later improved versions culminating with the F-86F. When hostilities ended on July 27 1953 the Sabre had claimed 792 MiGs and 13 older aircraft against their losses of 78 to the MiG.

Drawing on the experience of RAAF operations in Korea with Mustangs and Meteors, Australia saw the need for a new jet fighter. During February 1951 the decision was taken that the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) would build the Sabre for the RAAF, based on the NA-172 USAF F-86F version. However, there were major changes to the design with the fuselage retaining only about 40 per cent of the original structure. It was a major project undertaken under the leadership of CAC engineer Ian Ring.

The main changes were necessary from the substitution of the 7500lb Roll-Royce RA.7 Avon Mk.20 (later production Sabres had the Mk.26 version) for the F-86F’s 5970lb General Electric J47-GE-27 engine and armament of two 30mm Aden cannon in lieu of six 0.5 inch machine guns. The Avon required 25% more inlet airflow, solved by splitting the front fuselage horizontally and inserting a wedge which lowered the base of the nose by about 9.4cm. The Avon was lighter, shorter but had increased diameter and was installed further back to retain centre of gravity while many other significant structural fuselage modifications were also necessary due to the engine change.

The first flight of the prototype CA-26 Avon Sabre, A94-101 took place on August 3 1953 from the Department of Supply airfield at Avalon flown by Flight Lieutenant W H (Bill) Scott followed by an official first flight on August 23 from Avalon in front of dignitaries led by Prime Minister Robert Menzies. The first production CA-27 Sabre A94-901 was accepted by the RAAF on August 18 1954 and officially accepted a few days later at Laverton on August 30. Orders were placed for a total of 111 Sabres plus the prototype.
Acceptance of the last Sabre by the RAAF, A94-971, took place on December 19 1961.

Initial production of 22 Mk.30 versions was followed by 20 Mk.31s which incorporated the “6-3” wing (so called as it added 6 inches to the wing chord at the root and three inches at the wingtip). This was introduced on the USAF F-86F after Korean combat experience, which led to this extended leading edge being fitted to improve manoeuvrability at high altitudes replacing the slats. Production aircraft from A94-938 were modified with a wet leading edge increasing fuel capacity with some earlier aircraft modified retrospectively. The final Mk.32 version had other enhancements with 69 delivered. To improve combat capabilities, Sabres were modified from 1959 to carry two AIM-9B Sidewinder heat-seeking air-to-air missiles.

Australians had early opportunities to witness the Sabre. At an Air Force Week display at Archerfield in September 1954 the RAAF flew Tiger Moths, Mustangs, a sole Mosquito, a Canberra landed on grass while a Lincoln came across from Amberley. To cap off proceedings the Sabre appeared overhead and entered a dive breaking the sound barrier. The Sabres were star attractions at RAAF air displays during their career carrying the dynamic colour schemes of display aerobatic teams, the Black Diamonds, Black Panthers and Marksmen.

‘A Sabre appeared overhead and entered a dive, breaking the sound barrier.’

In RAAF service the Sabre equipped No 3, 75, 76, 77 and 2 OTU (later OCU) Squadrons at Williamtown. In addition No 79 was reformed in May 1962 at Tengah, Singapore and its eight Sabres which were transferred from No 77 Squadron, was redeployed to the Royal Thai Air Force base, Ubon,Thailand near the Laotian border, in accordance with Australia’s South East Asian Treaty Organisation (SEATO) obligations. This important SEATO commitment also saw the No 3 and 77 Squadrons carry out a major move of 19 aircraft to RAAF Butterworth, Malaysia near the island of Penang.

The Sabre continued as the RAAF’s front line fighter until it was replaced by the Mirage in 1971. Some refurbished Mk.32 aircraft were gifted as foreign aid. The Royal Malaysian Air Force received 16 Sabres plus two non-flying aircraft used as training aids, spares and a simulator, while the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) took delivery of 18 Sabres including one aircraft as a non-flying training aid. To compensate for attrition, Indonesia later received five of the aircraft from Malaysia.

Fortunately the classic lines of the Sabre are still able to be enjoyed with the Mk.32 Avon Sabre display aircraft, A94-383, which has been loaned by the RAAF to the Temora Air Museum.