| CAC Sabre | |
|---|---|
_CAC_Sabre_Mk.32_landing_at_Avalon_during_the_2015_Australian_International_Airshow.jpg) CAC Sabre | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter aircraft |
| National origin | Australia / United States |
| Manufacturer | Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation |
| Primary users | Royal Australian Air Force Indonesian Air Force Royal Malaysian Air Force |
| Number built | 112 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1953–1961 |
| Introduction date | 1954 |
| First flight | 3 August 1953 |
| Retired | 1971 (Royal Australian Air Force) 1982 (Indonesian Air Force) |
| Developed from | North American F-86 Sabre |
TheCAC Sabre, sometimes known as theAvon Sabre orCA-27, is an Australian variant of theNorth American Aviation F-86F Sabrefighter aircraft. The F-86F was redesigned and built by theCommonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Equipping fiveRoyal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons, the type saw action in theMalayan Emergency in the late 1950s and was employed for air defence in Malaysia and Thailand in the 1960s. Ex-RAAF models also saw service with theRoyal Malaysian Air Force and theIndonesian Air Force.
In 1951, CAC obtained a licence agreement to build the F-86F Sabre, in response to the cancelledCAC CA-23 project. In a major departure from the North American blueprint, it was decided that the CA-27 would be powered by a licence-built version of theRolls-Royce Avon R.A.7, which was planned to be also used in the CAC CA-23 previously, rather than theGeneral Electric J47. In theory, the Avon was capable of more than double the maximum thrust and double thethrust-to-weight ratio of the US engine. This necessitated a re-design of the fuselage, as the Avon was shorter, wider and lighter than the J47.[1] Because of the engine change the type is sometimes referred to as theAvon Sabre. To accommodate the Avon, over 60 percent of the fuselage was altered and there was a 25 percent increase in the size of the air intake. Another major revision was in replacing the F-86F's six machine guns with two 30mmADEN cannon,[2] while other changes were also made to the cockpit and to provide an increased fuel capacity.[3]
The prototype aircraft (designatedCA-26 Sabre) first flew on 3 August 1953. The production aircraft were designated theCA-27 Sabre and first deliveries to theRoyal Australian Air Force began in 1954. The first batch of aircraft were powered by the Avon 20 engine and were designated theSabre Mk 30. Between 1957 and 1958 this batch had the wing slats removed and were redesignatedSabre Mk 31.[1] These Sabres were supplemented by 20 new-build aircraft. The last batch of aircraft were designatedSabre Mk 32 and used the Avon 26 engine, of which 69 were built up to 1961.[2]
The RAAF operated the CA-27 from 1954 to 1971. TheAircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) received the first example in August 1954; re-delivered to No. 2 (Fighter) Operational Training Unit (2 OTU) in November. Over the next six years the Sabres progressively equippedNo. 75 Squadron RAAF (75 Sqn),No. 3 Squadron RAAF (3 Sqn),No. 77 Squadron RAAF (77 Sqn) andNo. 76 Squadron RAAF (76Sqn).[3]
From 1958 to 1960, CAC Sabres ofNo. 78 Wing RAAF (78 Wing), comprising 3 Sqn and 77 Sqn, undertook several ground attack sorties against communist insurgents in theFederation of Malaya, during theMalayan Emergency. Following the Emergency, they remained in Malaysia atRMAF Butterworth (RAAF Butterworth).[4] Armed withSidewinder missiles, the Sabres were responsible for regional air defence during theKonfrontasi between Indonesia and Malaysia from 1963 until 1966, though no combat took place.[5] Between October and December 1965, a detachment of six Sabres, initially from 77 Sqn and later from 3 Sqn, was based at Labuan to conduct combat patrols over the Indonesian–Malaysian border on Borneo.[6]
In 1962, a detachment of eight CAC Sabres, which was later expanded and designatedNo. 79 Squadron RAAF (79 Sqn), was sent from RMAF Butterworth toUbon Royal Thai Air Force Base (RAAF Ubon),Thailand, to assist the Thai and Laotian governments in actions against communist insurgents. Australia and Thailand were allies ofSouth Vietnam and theUnited States during theVietnam War; 79 Sqn was responsible for local air defence at Ubon, whereUnited States Air Force attack and bomber aircraft were based. The squadron never engagedNorth Vietnamese aircraft or ground forces.[7][8] Two Sabres were lost to engine failure in Thailand, in September 1964 and January 1968. 79 Sqn ceased operations and was deactivated in July 1968.[9]
The RAAF began re-equipping with theDassault Mirage III in 1964.[10] The last Sabres in Australian service, operated byNo. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF (5 OTU), were retired in July 1971.[11]
Former RAAF CAC Sabres were operated by 11 SquadronRoyal Malaysian Air Force (11 Sqn RMAF) between 1969 and 1972. Following the establishment of better relations with Indonesia, 23 CAC Sabres were donated to theIndonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) between 1973 and 1975, and operated by14th Air Squadron TNI-AU; five of these were former Malaysian aircraft.[2]
In Australia, there are only two former RAAF-owned Sabres (A94-983 and A94-352) that have been restored to flying condition, A94-983 is at theTemora Aviation Museum, New South Wales – ownership was transferred to the RAAF in July 2019 and it is operated by theAir Force Heritage Squadron (Temora Historic Flight).[12][13] A94-352 is currently owned privately by Sqn Ldr Jeff Trappett (RAAF retired) and is stored atLatrobe Regional Airport.[14] (A94-907 is also at Latrobe Valley being used as a source of parts in the restoration of A94-352.)
In 1973 A94-352 crashed on takeoff atNgurah Rai International Airport, Bali, on its delivery flight to the Indonesian Air Force. The engine was removed and returned toCAC for assessment. On 18 February 1974 a submission was made and approval given on 14 March 1975 for free transfer of some spare parts to theWarbirds Aviation Museum.
Data fromMeteor, Sabre and Mirage in Australian Service[15]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
