Hobby Master HA4305 | Canadair Sabre Mk.6 23707, 434 "Bluenose" Squadron, RCAF, 1950s

General Background:

The North American F-86 Sabre was manufactured from 1949 – 1956 and was America’s first
swept-wing fighter. As well as being built in the U.S. variants were built in Canada and Australia
bringing the total of all variants manufactured to 9,860 units. During the Korean War the Sabre
arrived to take on the other swept-wing aircraft of the conflict, the MiG-15 Fagot. The Americans
claim they shot down 792 MiGs while only losing 78 Sabres, a 10:1 victory ratio which is greatly
disputed.

The Aircraft:

At one point during WWII the RCAF 434 Squadron flow Halifax bombers and was adopted by the
Rotary Club of Halifax, Nova Scotia so the 434rd used the nickname “Blue Nose” referring to the
famous schooner of the same name. After WWII the squadron was disbanded at Dartmouth, Nova
Scotia, Canada on September 5, 1945 but on July 1, 1952 reformed at Uplands, Ontario with Canadair F-86 Sabres. In 1953 the 434 transferred to Zweibrucken, Germany flying the F-86 until January 1963 before switching to the CF-104.

Canadair Sabre Mk. 5 and Mk. 6 Specifications
Dimensions Mk. 5 and Mk. 6
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 – 1 x Orenda 10 turbojet 6,500 lb. thrust
Mk. 6 – 1 x Orenda 14 turbojet 7,440 lb. thrust

Weights
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)