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Old 6th Jul 2006, 20:35
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MReyn24050
 
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Further information regarding the Sabre Aircraft.
I found the following information in a publication issued by the CANADA AVIATION MUSEUM entitled "CANADAIR F-86 SABRE MK.6"
“444 (F) Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force was reformed as a fighter unit on 1 March 1953 and equipped with Sabre Aircraft and was initially based at St. Hubert, Quebec. It was the last of the fighter squadrons to be designated as part of the RCAF commitment to NATO. Accordingly, 444 (F) Squadron was to be relocated to 4 (F) Wing at Baden Soellingen, West Germany by 15 August 1953. Due primarily to weather delays, the flight overseas took place between 27 August and 3 September 1953 in Operation Leapfrog IV.
The squadron served as a fighter squadron until it was deactivated on 1 March 1963 and reformed in the nuclear strike role on 27 May 1963 equipped with CF-104 aircraft.
The squadron’s Sabre Aircraft (24 in total) were flown to Prestwick, Scotland in Operation Sal Siesta where most were ultimately scrapped. One aircraft (23455) escaped the scrap pile and ultimately became the Canada Aviation Museum’s Sabre.”

A further reference to RCAF Sabres being scrapped at Prestwick is given in 412 Squadron RCAF's history:-
"In October 1952, the Squadron again moved overseas in what was known as Operation Leap-frog II. 421, in company with 416 and 430 Squadrons, flew their single-seater Sabre jet fighters across the Atlantic to their new base at 2 Fighter Wing, Grostenquin, France. These three Souadrons thus became the first RCAF Squadrons to be stationed on the European continent since March 1946. From October 1952 to July 1963, the Squadron flew Sabres as part of 1 Air Division in support of NATO. On 31 July 1963, the Squadron held a shutdown parade and two weeks later the Sabres were flown to Prestwick, Scotland; their final resting place."
So the aircraft in the photograph could be ex RCAF aircraft.

Last edited by MReyn24050; 6th Jul 2006 at 20:47.
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