CAC Sabre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| CAC-27 Sabre | |
|---|---|
 CAC CA-27 Sabre (A94-989), c. 1953 |
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| Type | Fighter aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation |
| Maiden flight | 3 August 1953 |
| Introduced | 1954 |
| Retired | 1982 (Indonesian Air Force) |
| Primary users | Royal Australian Air Force Indonesian Air Force Royal Malaysian Air Force |
| Number built | 112 |
| Developed from | F-86 Sabre |
The CAC Sabre, sometimes known as the Avon Sabre or CA-27, is an Australian variant of the North American F-86F Sabre fighter aircraft. The F-86F was re-designed and built by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC).
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[edit] Development
In 1951, CAC obtained a licence agreement to build the F-86. It was decided to power the aircraft using a licence-built version of the Rolls-Royce Avon R.A.7. This involved a re-design of the fuselage as the Avon was shorter, wider and lighter than the General Electric J47 that powered the North American-built aircraft. Because of the engine change the type is often referred to as the Avon Sabre. To accommodate the Avon, over 60% of the fuselage was redesigned along with a 25% increase in the size of the air intake. Another major revision was in replacing the F-86F's six machine guns with two 30mm Aden cannons, while other changes were also made to the cockpit and to provide an increased fuel capacity.
The prototype aircraft (designated CA-26 Sabre) first flew on 3 August 1953. The production aircraft were designated the CA-27 Sabre and first deliveries to the Royal Australian Air Force began in 1954. The first batch of aircraft were powered by the Avon 20 engine and were designated the Sabre Mk 30. Between 1957 and 1958 this batch had the wing slats removed and were redesignated Sabre Mk 31. These Sabres were supplemented by 20 new-build aircraft. The last batch of aircraft were designated Sabre Mk 32 and used the Avon 26 engine.
[edit] Operational history
The RAAF operated the CA-27 from 1956 to 1971.[1] Former RAAF Avon Sabres were operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) between 1969 and 1972. From 1973 to 1975, 23 Avon Sabres were donated to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU); five of these were former Malaysian aircraft.
In 1958–1960, Sabres completed numerous ground attack sorties against communist insurgents, during the Malayan Emergency, with No. 3 Squadron RAAF and No. 77 Squadron RAAF in Malaya. They remained in Malaysia following the Emergency, at RAAF Butterworth.
In 1962, a detachment of eight CA-27s, which was later expanded and designated No. 79 Squadron RAAF, was sent from Butterworth to RAAF Ubon, Ubon, Thailand, to assist the Thai and Laotian governments in actions against communist insurgents. During the Vietnam War, 79 Sqn provided air defence for the USAF attack aircraft and bombers based at Ubon.[2] The squadron never engaged North Vietnamese aircraft or ground forces and was withdrawn in 1968.
[edit] Variants
- CA-26 Sabre
- Prototype, one built
- CA-27 Sabre Mk 30
- Production version powered by the Avon 20 engine and fitted with wing slats; 22 built.
- CA-27 Sabre Mk 31
- Version similar to Mk. 30 but with wing slats removed; 20 built and surviving Mk. 30s converted to this standard.
- CA-27 Sabre Mk 32
- Final production batch with four wing pylons, Avon 26 engine and increased fuel capacity; 69 built.
[edit] Operators
- Indonesian Air Force
- No. 14 Squadron
- Royal Malaysian Air Force
- No. 11 Squadron
- No. 12 Squadron
[edit] Specifications (Mk 32)
Data from Meteor, Sabre and Mirage in Australian Service[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 11.43 m (37 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in)
- Height: 4.39 m (14 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 28.1 m² (302.3 ft²)
- Empty weight: 5443 kg (12,000 lb)
- Gross weight: 9,621 kg (21,210 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Avon, 33.4 kN (7,500 lbf) thrust
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,126 km/h (700 mph)
- Range: 1,850 km (1,153 miles)
- Service ceiling: 15,850 m (52,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 3,658 m/s (12,000 ft/min)
Armament
- 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
- 2 x 30 mm ADEN cannon in nose
- 2 x 500 lb or 1,000 lb bombs, or
- up to 24 air-to-ground rockets
[edit] See also
Related development
Related lists
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ RAAF Museum page on Sabre
- ^ Independent Review Panel On Vietnam Campaign Recognition For RAAF Service At Ubon, Thailand 25 June 1965 to 31 August 1968, "Report To The Minister Assisting The Minister For Defence" Department of Defence (Australia): 2004. Retrieved: 14 December 2007.
- ^ adf-serials.com, 2007, "A94-RAAF Sabre Mk. 30/31/32 Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-26/CA-27". Retrieved: 14 December 2007.
- ^ Wilson 1989, p. 66.
[edit] Bibliography
- Allward, Maurice. F-86 Sabre. London: Ian Allen, 1978. ISBN 0-71100-860-4.
- Curtis, Duncan. North American F-86 Sabre. Ramsbury, UK: Crowood, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-358-9.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1985.
- Wagner, Ray. The North American Sabre. London: Macdonald, 1963. No ISBN.
- Wilson, Stewart. Combat Aircraft since 1945. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1-875671-50-1.
- Wilson, Stewart. Meteor, Sabre and Mirage in Australian Service. Fyshwick, ACT, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd., 1989. ISBN 0-9587978-2-X.
[edit] External links
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