Ex.RAF Sabre awaiting scrapping.

[Kieron Kirk]

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/1600x941/sabre_19472_d460fa1ce30719358cd12f9d2c153c225b15b9e2.jpg

Are there any PPruners out in prune world who could offer any thoughts as to where and when the above photo was taken.

Kieron.

[DaveReidUK]

Dunno, but if it's any help the markings and/or serial appear to be fake.

[Vampiredave]

Sabre F 4 RCAF 19472 / XB541 Ferried across the Atlantic as part of 'Bechers Brook Two' in March 1953 and delivered to No.5 MU 12 March 1953. Issued No.3 Squadron / L 22 May 1953. Returned UK 6 March 1956 and to Westlands 8 March 1956 for RIW / Rehab at Merryfield. SOC 18 December 1956 and scrapped

[Kieron Kirk]

All such Sabre's flew to various destinations in Europe as above. The markings and the serial no. are not fake, the MDAP stipulated that the a/c remained in RAF camouflage colours, the serial no.s were to be the original RCAF and "US AIR FORCE" plus " buzz number", in this case " FU-472" to be displayed on the fuselage. There were to be no clues as to the eventual destination of the a/c ( 301 to Italy and Jugoslavia ).

19472 flew from Liverpool/Speke on the 3rd January 1958 to Dunsfold, the pilot was a guy called Hunt and he landed the a/c at 1325. The company was Airwork, this particular a/c was sold for scrap on the 18th December 1958 and in due course the a/c appeared at one or both Staravia yard's at Church Crookham and Lasham.

Kieron.

[DaveReidUK]

All such Sabre's flew to various destinations in Europe as above. The markings and the serial no. are not fake, the MDAP stipulated that the a/c remained in RAF camouflage colours, the serial no.s were to be the original RCAF and "US AIR FORCE" plus " buzz number", in this case " FU-472" to be displayed on the fuselage

Fair enough, I stand corrected on the markings - though during its RAF service it would have presumably worn more conventional marks, like this 92 Sqdn example:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmforum.com-vbulletin/180x116/180px_canadair_sabre_f_4_xd769_j_92_hooton_park_24_07_55_edi ted_2_58168757997d4ee97a19011ee146ac4f5b3620ee.jpg

[jumpseater]

With an XB series prefix the aircraft would have worn the dark gloss green/medium sea grey upper surfaces and cerulean blue undersides. The 60 XD series airframes had silver underneath with a lower camouflage to underside demarcation. SCF sabre conversion flight for the most part had natural metal finish, until late on when they received/or painted camouflaged aircraft. The RAF received the aircraft in natural metal and painted them at MU’s prior to squadron release.