Canadian Warplanes 6: Canadair F-86E Sabres flown by Nos. 427, 430, and 431 Squadrons

Canadair F-86E Sabres flown by Nos. 427, 430, and 431 Squadrons

No. 427 Squadron RCAF

No. 427 Squadron flew out of No. 3 (Fighter) Wing at Zweibrücken, Germany, in March 1953. The squadron flew Sabre Mk. 2s from Sep 1952 to Jun 1953, Sabre Mk. 5s from May 1953 to Sep 1955, and Sabre Mk. 6s from Sep 1955 to Dec 1962. The Squadron was selected as the first European RCAF squadron to receive the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter in the nuclear strike role. The squadron was stood down from its day-fighter role on 15 December 1962 and reformed as 427 (Strike-Attack) Squadron two days later. The squadron was again disbanded on 1 July 1970. No. 427 Squadron was reformed as 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at CFB Petawawa, Ontario, where it continues to serve.

(RCAF Photo via Eric Bannwarth)

Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23615), No. 427 Squadron, 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrücken, Germany.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19423), No. 427 Squadron, 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrücken, Germany, 1954.

(RCAF Photo, PC-196)

Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19427), No. 427 Squadron, 13 Feb 1953.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19451), St Hubert, No. 427 Squadron, ready for Leapfrog 3.

(LCol (ret’d) Syd Burrows Photo)

Canadair F-86 Sabre with the No. 1 RCAF Air Division aerobatic team, the Fireballs, in 1954 at No. 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrucken, Germany. From left to right: S/L Chuck Keating (lead), F/O Rick Mace, F/O Syd Burrows and F/O Jack Frazer. It should be noted that the Fireballs flew Mk. 2 Sabres, this is a Mk. 5 (Serial No. 23153).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2, No. 427 Squadron.

(James Craik Photo)

Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2, No. 427 Squadron, with blast residue on gun port, Morocco.

No. 430 Squadron RCAF

No. 430 Squadron RCAF was formed during the Second World War as the “City of Sudbury” squadron in 1943. Initially created as an army co-operation squadron, 430 Squadron was redesignated as a fighter reconnaissance unit later that year. The unit was stationed in England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, and flew photo reconnaissance missions in support of planning for the Normandy landings. After D-Day, missions included before-and-after photography of attacks on V-1 flying bomb launch sites and support for ground forces. 430 Squadron was disbanded in Germany in August 1945.

In the Cold War period, the squadron was reformed in November 1951 at RCAF Station North Bay, Ontario, flying the Canadair F-86 Sabre, on 1 Nov 1951. It was given the nickname Silver Falcon. No. 430 Fighter Squadron went to 2 (F) Wing RCAF Station Grostenquin, France, in September 1952. The squadron was located at Grostenquin until deactivation in September 1962. The squadron flew Sabre Mk. 2s from Nov 1951 to Jun 1953, Sabre Mk. 5s from Jun 1953 to Jun 1957, and Sabre Mk, 6s from May 1957 to May 1963.

No. 430 Fighter Squadron was reactivated at 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrücken, Germany, in February 1963, and transitioned to the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter. The squadron moved to No. 1 (F) Wing, Lahr, Germany, in February 1969 until it was disbanded in May 1970.

The unit reformed again in 1971 as a French-language CF tactical helicopter squadron at CFB Valcartier, Quebec, and known officially as 430e Escadron tactique d’hélicoptères. There it operated the Bell CH-136 Kiowa helicopter, and the Bell CH-135 Twin Huey helicopter in support of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. The unit transitioned to the Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopter in 1994.

(RCAF Photo via James Craik)

Canadair F-86E Sabre Mk. 2, (Serial No. 19325), No. 430 Squadron, RCAF Station North Bay, Ontario. Wing Commander J. F. ‘Stocky’ Edwards DFC and Bar, DFM, strappiong in. He was the commanding officer of No. 430 ‘Silver Falcon’ (F) Squadron between 1 November 1951 to 26 of January, 1953. The squadron was reformed at RCAF Station North Bay on 1 November 1951.

(DND Photo)

Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6s of No. 430 Squadron, on Zulu alert at 2 (F) Wing, RCAF Station Grostenquin, France, June 1960.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

1 Canadian Air Division formation flight, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 12797) with Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk. 4B (Serial No. 18444), of No. 423 Squadron, Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (Serial No. 585), and Canadair F-86 Sabre (Serial No. 23586), of No. 430 Squadron, 2 (F) Wing, Grostenquin, France.

(DND Photo)

Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23440). No. 430 Squadron, over Germany, ca 1950s.

No. 431 Squadron RCAF

18 Jan 1954. No. 431 (Fighter) Squadron was re-formed at Bagotville, Quebec, flying the Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2. The squadron was formed on a temporary basis until there were enough new Avro CF-100 Canuck fighters available to fulfill RCAF squadron needs. No. 431 (Fighter) Squadron’s duties included aerial combat training and displaying the capabilities of jet operations to the public at air shows, the largest being Operation Prairie Pacific: a 50-minute exhibition with aircraft from several squadrons that travelled to selected locations across western Canada. The team from No. 431 Squadron consisted of four Sabres and a solo aircraft. This was the first Sabre team to be authorized to perform formation aerobatics in Canada. The squadron was disbanded on 1 Oct 1954.