F-86 Sabre

The Canadair Sabre, officially the CL‑13, was the licensed Canadian version of the North American F‑86 Sabre jet fighter. Production began in 1949 at Canadair’s Montreal plant, and over 1,500 examples were built for the Royal Canadian Air Force, the United States Air Force, and several NATO allies. The aircraft entered service just before the Korean War, where its swept‑wing design and powerful Rolls‑Royce Nene or later General Electric J47 engines gave it a decisive speed advantage over prop‑driven opponents. Key features included a 35‑degree swept wing that reduced drag at trans‑sonic speeds, an all‑metal semi‑monocoque fuselage, and armament of six .50‑caliber machine guns, later upgraded to a combination of cannons and rockets. Later variants such as the Sabre Mk 6 incorporated a more powerful J47‑G engine with an after‑burner, increasing top speed to over 1,100 km/h. The Canadair Sabre played a pivotal role in establishing jet superiority for Western air forces, proving the effectiveness of swept‑wing technology and influencing subsequent designs like the Canadair CF‑104 Starfighter. Its combat record and export success cemented its legacy as a cornerstone of early Cold‑War aviation.

Canadair

Classification

Dimensions

Performance

Production & History

Design & Classification