Sabre Air - SIN pre SIA incarnation... 70's

ZigZagZog · 24th Jul 2006, 20:44

Dear all

Looking for some info on the pre SIA operation in Singapore by name of Sabre Air. Operated DC8-60 series (to UK?) in the early 70's pre SIA incarnation?

Especially interested in any photo's
None available on airliners.net

Appreciate the support

ZZZ

Will try to post same msg on other forums

parabellum · 25th Jul 2006, 00:05

If this is the outfit I am thinking of, one of the lead players was an ex RAF VC10 pilot and the operation hardly, if at all, got off the ground, SIA would have seen to that!
SIA, formerly Malaysia and Singapore Airlines, became SIA some time in the late sixties I believe. Sorry, no photographs.

Choi oi · 27th Jul 2006, 02:18

I have nice photo of this DC8 in flight ( their in-flight postcard ) and another one of my father (capt) with F/E in that DC8's cockpit training F/O.

Have to go home to scan them and will send to you, a great little airline in those years, SIN-Mumbai-London return, full full each way.

ONA (Overseas National Airline - USA) wouldn't allow locals to be trained on these 2 DC8s , dumb! hence then PM LKY got rid of the airline. Otherwise it would have turned into SIA of today.

southall · 27th Jul 2006, 03:24

SIA, formerly Malaysia and Singapore Airlines, became SIA some time in the late sixties I believe. Sorry, no photographs

The correct answer is MSA - Malaysia Singapore Airlines. I still have some of their logos. Effective early/late 1973

Hope you find those pictures

Cheers!

ZigZagZog · 30th Jul 2006, 09:39

Choi - check you pm's.

thks
ZZZ

SmileAirlines · 31st Jul 2006, 12:04

SABER (not Sabre) Air is an outfit founded in the 60s with motley fleet of C47s, Twin Otters and several light Cessnas and Pipers, operating mostly charter flights for the oil industry in the region.

In 1969, the Singapore Government took over 80% shares of Saber in an attempt to control the civil aviation industry in Singapore. In 1971, Saber started Singapore-London route with DC8-61 on leased from ONA. However the relationship between ONA and Saber didn't last long, and at the end the DC8 was replaced with B707 from BCal.

In 1973, after the break-up of MSA into Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, the Singapore Government decided that Singapore Airlines was the chosen flag carrier for Singapore and closed down Saber for good.

ZigZagZog · 2nd Aug 2006, 08:45

Smile - thanks for the spell check - was able to go straight to airliners.net and find a picture, which is exactly what I needed...

see:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0402150/M/

Thnks
ZZZ

TG Helmsman · 2nd Aug 2006, 15:22

I flew for Saber during 1972 and I had enough adventures during that time to fill a book. Since the statute of limitations has probably expired by now I may just have to write said book. Some of the people involved still keep in touch and I think that our aircraft has been re-engined as a -71 series. In over 45 years of aviation and having flown for 14 airlines worldwide I can surely say that Saber Air was a totally unique operation! When I refer back to my logbook I just shake my head and laugh. If the customer only knew! RIP Saber Air. What a trip!

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