Canadair F-86E Sabres flown by Nos. 441, 442, 443, and 444 Squadrons
No. 441 Squadron RCAF
No. 125 (Fighter) Squadron was formed on 20 April 1942 at Sydney, Nova Scotia and flew Hawker Hurricanes as part of RCAF Eastern Air Command. It was renumbered No. 441 Fighter Squadron when it transferred overseas to RAF Station Digby, Lincolnshire, England, on 8 February 1944. The Squadron was posted to airfields in England, France, and Belgium throughout the Second World War, flying the Supermarine Spitfire. When the squadron returned to England it was disbanded on 7 August 1945.
No. 1 (F) Wing, Canada’s first NATO fighter wing, was initially located at North Luffenham, England since its French base was not ready. The first of the wing’s three fighter squadrons (all squadrons flying Canadair F-86 Sabres), No. 410 Squadron, arrived at North Luffenham in November 1951. The squadron and its aircraft, along with those of No. 441 Squadron, were ferried across the Atlantic to Glasgow, Scotland aboard HMCS Magnificent. The personnel of No. 441 Squadron arrived by ocean liner in February 1952. In May–June 1952, No. 439 Squadron flew from RCAF Station Uplands via Bagotville, Goose Bay, Greenland, Iceland and Scotland, in an exercise known as “Operation Leapfrog”.
No. 441 Squadron reformed at RCAF Station St. Hubert, Quebec, on 1 March 1951 and went to No. 1 (F) Wing, then located at RAF North Luffenham, in Rutland, England on 13 February 1952. The squadron was temporarily situated at 3 (F) Wing Zweibrücken on 21 December 1954, before moving to their intended destination, RCAF Station Marville, France. The Squadron was disbanded on 1 September 1963 at Marville. The squadron flew Sabre Mk. 2s from Jun 1951 to Jun 1953, Sabre Mk. 5s from Jan 1955 to Aug 1956, and Sabre Mk. 6s from Aug 1956 to Sep 1963.
No. 441 Squadron was reformed on 15 Sep 1963 for the Strike/Reconnaissance role and equipped with the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter. The Squadron then moved with No. 1 (F) Wing to CFB Lahr, Germany, in April 1967. In 1971 the squadron moved to CFB Baden-Soellingen and changed its name to 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron. They disbanded again in 1986 and then finally reformed at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, on 26 June 1986.
On 6 July 2006, No. 441 Squadron was once again disbanded. The Squadron’s crew amalgamated with 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, and re-formed as 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron. The squadron’s colours and battle honours were placed in Sydney, Nova Scotia, where it first operated.
(RCAF Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86E Sabre Mk. 2 formation, No. 441 Squadron, North Luffenhan, UK. 1953 Aerobatic team.
(DND Photo)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19274), flying from RAF North Luffenham, England, before transferring to No. 1 (F) Wing, Marville, France.
(DND Photo)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19274), flying from RAF North Luffenham, before transferring to No. 1 (F) Wing, Marville, France.
(DND Photo)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19274), flying from RAF North Luffenham, before transferring to No. 1 (F) Wing, Marville, France.
(RCAF Photo via Jack Jack Fortin)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19165), (Serial No. 19152), (Serial No. 19162), (Serial No. 19146) coded BT, in formation, No. 441 Squadron, North Luffenham, England.
(RCAF Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19152), No. 441 Squadron, coded BT-C, 152, No. 441 Squadron, 1 (F) Wing.
(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19150), coded BT-A, No. 441 Squadron, North Luffenham, England. The aircraft is being prepared for a launch. The pilot is climbing aboard and technicians are applying ground power for the start.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 2 (Serial No. 19127), No. 441 Squadron, coded BT.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Three Sabre jet pilots from No. 441 (Silver Fox) Squadron based with No. 1 Fighter Wing at RCAF Station North Luffenham, are shown at their English base before leaving for No. 3 Fighter Wing at Zweibrucken, Germany, 3 Dec 1954. The Squadron was temporarily housed there until the airfield at Marville, France, was completed early the following year. Left to right: Flying Officer H.A. Davidson, of Toronto; Flying Officer D.D. Bergie, Trenton, Ontario; Flying Officer H.D. Klein, of Agassiz, British Columbia.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23659), No. 441 Squadron, coded BT, 4 (F) Baden-Soellingen, Germany.
(DND Photo via Mike Paradie)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No, 23017), No. 441 Squadron, coded BT.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23650), No. 441 Squadron, 4 (F) Baden-Soellingen, Germany.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No. 23004), No. 441 Squadron, coded BT, 1 (F) Wing, Prestwick, UK.
(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No. 23004), No. 441 Squadron, coded BT. General view of a ground crew team consisting of Armourers, Riggers, Fitters, Instrument Mechanics working on a “Silver Fox” Squadron Sabre at No. 1 (F) Wing in Marville, France (Note the fox on the left forward fuselage). This aircraft went on to the West German Air Force in 1957.
(eBay Photo via James Craik)
Canadair LC-13 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23504), No. 441 Squadron, Falcon Field, Arizona, c1970s.
No. 442 Squadron RCAF
No. 442 “City of Vancouver” Squadron (Auxiliary), coded SL,was formed at Vancouver, British Columbia on 15 Apr 1946, flying de Havilland Vampire, North American Mustang Mk. IV and Canadair F-86 Sabres until Oct 1958, when the unit was reassigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role. The squadron flew Sabre Mk. 5s from Aug 1956 to Aug 1958.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 formation from Vancouver Auxiliary Squadrons, over the Rockies. (Serial No. 23071), No. 442 Squadron, coded SL, (Serial No. 23115), No. 443 Squadron, coded PF, (Serial No. 23222), coded SL.
No. 443 Squadron RCAF
No. 443 “City of New Westminster” Squadron (Auxiliary), coded PF, was formed at Vancouver, British Columbia on 15 Sep 1951, flying de Havilland Vampire, North American Mustang Mk. IV and Canadair F-86 Sabres until Oct 1958, when the unit was reassigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role. The squadron was disbanded on 1 Apr 1964. The squadron flew Sabre Mk. 5s from Aug 1956 to Aug 1958.
(RCAF Photo)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No. 19101), No. 443 Squadron, coded CK-R.
No. 444 Squadron RCAF
No. 444 Fighter Squadron was formed in March 1953 at RCAF Station St. Hubert, Quebec, and moved to 4 (Fighter) Wing, RCAF Station Baden-Soellingen, Germany, in Sep 1953. The Squadron was deactivated on 1 Mar 1963. The squadron flew Sabre Mk. 4s from Mar 1953 to Mar 1954, and Sabre Mk. 6s from Apr 1955 to Feb 1963. Coded VH.
The squadron was reformed on 27 May 1963 as a Strike/Attack unit flying the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter from 1962 until it was deactivated on 1 Apr 1967.
The unit was re-formed as No. 444 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at CFB Lahr, Germany in 1972 as part of Canadian Forces Europe (CFE) until 1991. No. 444 Squadron flew the the Hiller CH-112 Nomad helicopter from 1961 to 1972, the Bell CH-136 Kiowa from 1972 to 1991 when it was stood down. It stood up again at CFB Goose Bay, Labrador, in 1993, and flew the Bell CH-135 Twin Huey from 1993 to 1996. No. 444 Combat Support Squadron is currently equipped with three Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopters. Its primary mission is to provide rapid response to local emergencies during flight operations and military exercises taking place at 5 Wing. In its utility role the squadron carries out tasks such as range support, search and rescue, and assistance to civil authorities.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 4 (Serial No. 19702), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, A.J. Bauer at the controls.
(F/O Rigby John Stamison Photo, from Paul Stamison via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 4 (Serial No. 19636), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, at RCAF Station St Hubert, Quebec, prior to Leapfrog IV, September 1953.
(F/O Rigby John Stamison Photo, from Paul Stamison via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 4 (Serial No. 19636), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, at RCAF Station St Hubert, Quebec, prior to Leapfrog IV, September 1953.
(F/O Rigby John Stamison Photo, from Paul Stamison via James Craik)
F/O Stamison with his Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 4 (Serial No. 19659), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, at RCAF Station St Hubert, Quebec, prior to Leapfrog IV, September 1953.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No. 23045), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No. 23115), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23421), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing, being serviced ca 1950s.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23620), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing, at Bertrix.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23596), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23488), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23472), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23585), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing, at Sardinia, Sep 1962.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23620), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23620), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing, at Prestwick, UK.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23635), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, undergoing maintenance at 4 (F) Wing.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No. 23472), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, at SAL for overhaul.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23664), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing with Gord James.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6 (Serial No. 23746), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, No. 4 (F) Wing.
(DND Photo via James Craik)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No. 23472), No. 444 Squadron, coded VH, in a dispersal area.
(RCAF photo via Fred Paradie)
Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 5 (Serial No. 23407), flown by F/O Ray Baltins, No. 444 Squadron, coded AQ, lost 4 July 1962.
There is a brief note in Larry Milberry’s book on the Canadair Sabre that suggests one of our pilots might have “crossed over” with his Sabre. Flying Officer Hagarty, a former Sabre pilot iwth Nos. 413 and 416 Squadrons, had heard a report of a 4-ship flight of Sabres from No. 444 Squadron operating out of 4 (F) Wing, Baden-Söllingen, that was up on a training flight. Ken stated, “One of the Sabre pilots, Flying Officer F. Ray Baltins reported that he had landing gear problems and that he was turning back to base. Flying Officer F.R. Baltins was never heard from again.”
Flying Officer Raimond Baltins (RCAF S/N 134969) was born in Latvia on 4 June 1937. He completed Operational Training Unit (OTU) Course Number 79 at RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswick (10 August to 31 Dec 1959). F/O Baltins flew with No. 444 Squadron from January 1960 to the time he went missing on 4 July 1962. He was flying Sabre (Serial No. 23407), which was officially struck off strength (SOS) on 11 September 1962.
When he did not return to base and there was no report of a crash, a rumour spread suggesting he might have crossed over. Considering the era, this would have been extremely unlikely, and there is an unconfirmed report that the wreckage of Flying Officer Baltins’ Sabre was later located in the Vosges Mountains in France. Flying Officer Baltins had immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1949. In 1964, his mother created an award for his old Air Cadet Squadron in Montreal, Quebec (Canadair Squadron). His name is listed on the memorial in the airpark at Trenton.
