- Yes
- No
Hello, and welcome to my suggestion for the CL-13 Mk.4 in RAF Service, the Sabre F.4! I feel this could come to game as a nice alternative to the already in game Swifts and Venoms at around 8.7 to help boost the diversity of the British Tree. I also feel this would be a relatively easy addition due to the CL-13 Mk.4 already existing in the Italian Tech tree
History
Spoiler
The Sabres in RAF service are often forgotten about by both enthusiasts and historians alike, mainly due to the Sabres rather short service life of barely 5 years in service, however it was one of the most used aircraft in the RAF during that time, even more than domestic alternatives at the time such as the Supermarine Swift, Making it an integral part of RAF History and something often forgotten to history.
The story starts in the Early 50s, as the RAF’s Meteor and Vampire fighters were rapidly becoming obsolete, with the appearance of the Soviet Mig-15 that completely outclassed almost everything about these aircraft at the time, furthermore due to the severe lack of aircraft development compared to other Nations during late 40s britain had fallen severely behind in technology, and with both the Swift and Hunters that were to replace the ageing aircraft still severely delayed, the RAF began searching for something that could act as a stop gap until more capable aircraft became available.
As the UK desperately searched for an aircraft capable of being deployed in large numbers in a very short period of time, the USA Agreed to allow the Supply of 430 Canadian Built Sabres built under the Mutual Defence assistance act to Britain in order to stop the RAF from being completely outclassed against the brand new Soviet Fighters.
The Sabres equipped 12 Squadrons in RAF Service, with 11 being based in West Germany across several bases operated jointly by the West German Luftwaffe and the RAF, with them being the first line of defence against any potential Soviet invasion from the east, the one squadron remaining in the UK, 92 Squadron, was part of the RAF Fighter command and protected British airspace from any Soviet Bombers coming in from the north sea. The Pilots of the sabres (several of which had served alongside American Sabres during the Korean War) often referred to them as “Being a joy to fly” with many pilots expressing disappointment as the newer Swift and Hunter Aircraft Replaced them in the mid to late 50s.
from 1956 to 1958 all of the Sabre F.4s were returned to the US in which they underwent extensive refurbishment in order to be redistributed to other nations air forces, after their upgrade they were redesignated as F-86E(M) and 121 Sabres were given to Yugoslavia and another 179 Sabres being given to Italy with them operating well into the 70s.
Images
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A Sabre F.4 of 92 Squadron taking off from RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Circa 1956
Several Sabres of 112 Squadron over West Germany, the Unique Shark Teeth markings were given under special dispensation from the air ministry
A Sabre of 112 Squadron Flying alongside the Hunter due to replace it, Circa mid 1956
Ex RAF Sabre painted in USAF Markings prior to being sent to either Italy or Yugoslavia in 1967
Several RAF Sabres Flying in Formation
An early model Hunter Flying next to 2 Sabre F.4s
A coloured Diagram showing the Paint scheme of 112 Squadron
Sabre F.4 on display at the RAF Museum Hendon
A Sabre of 93 Squadron in Germany circa 1956
Specs/ Armament
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| Manufacturer | North American, designed and built by Canadair |
|---|---|
| Crew / passengers | One pilot in ejection seat |
| Powerplant | General Electric J-47-GE-14 Turbojet |
| Maximum speed | 590 mph (949 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 47,200 ft (14 386 m) |
| Empty weight | 10,434 lb (4,737 kg) |
| Gross weight | 14,577 lb (6,618 kg) |
| Span | 37 ft 11½ in (11.57 m) |
| Length | 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m) |
| Height | 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) |
| Wing area | 287.9 sq ft (26.74 m2) |
| Armament | Six .50-cal machine guns plus provisions for tanks, bombs and rockets (unguided) |
Why it should be in game
Spoiler
The Sabre F.4 Should come to game as alternative to the Vampire and Swift at 8.7, it would allow players to trade armament for a far more manoeuvrable or much faster airframe and would also help to bulk out the british tree at higher ranks, especially given that the UK doesn’t really have any aircraft like it as the Swifts are far less manoeuvrable, whilst the Venom is grossly outperformed in everything except turn fights by everything at its BR
Sources