IAF CL-13B Sabre Mk.6 - Israeli Sabre
- Yes.
- No.
This suggestion is for the CL-13B Sabre Mk.6 ordered by the IAF. Although the order was cancelled, 8 aircraft were made for them following their order with some being given IAF markings and IAF serial numbers. This aircraft would bolster the Israeli Air Tech Tree’s rank 6 by giving the tree an alternative fighter aircraft to the Super Mystère B2s and Skyhawks.
- 8.7
- 9.0
- 9.3
- 9.7
- I Voted No.
- As a Researchable vehicle
- As a Squadron vehicle
- As a Premium vehicle
- As a Event vehicle
- I Voted No.
History:
In the 1950s, the IAF was looking for new top of the line fighter jets to increases its numbers and strength. At the time the IAF only had the Meteors, Ouragans, and the newly aquired Mystère IVA which was the strongest aircraft in its arsenal at the time, however it wasn’t enough. Its neighboring country, Egypt, had just acquired over 100 new fighter jets of the MiG-15 and MiG-17 type, and 30 IL-28 new jet bombers. This was nearly double the amount of fighter jets in the IAF arsenal in 1955, and they realized they needed more aircraft, and stronger aircraft too.
It was decided upon to attempt to procure F-86F aircraft, however given the United States foreign policy at the time the deal fell through. Following this sometime during 1954-1955, with the support of the United States, Canadair was directed to offer 24 Canadair built F-86F aircraft to the IAF, but nothing seemingly came of this. Canadair made a second offer in July of 1956 instead for Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.6 aircraft as the solution to the problem they were faced with. Seeing as it was quite advanced and powerful for its time, and the IAF was in desperate need of more fighters, a contract was quickly negotiated and the IAF placed the order for 24 instances the aircraft.
In September of 1956 Israel sent 3 of their pilots from the 117th First Jet Squadron to Catierville. Following trials they then returned to Israel to train the rest of the squadron to prepare them for the Sabres they were intended to receive. The deal had developed so far that Canadair even added IAF roundels to at least 2 of the aircraft thay were planning to soon deliver to them.
Things were going well and 8 instances of the planned 24 aircraft had been completed, however things took a turn for the worse when the 1956 Suez Crisis broke out. Egypt had attempted to nationalize the Suez Canal. In response to this British, French, and Israeli forces invaded Egypt. British and French forces focused on strategic strikes, while Israeli forces focused on air superiority and air defense in an all out war.
This conflict came as a complete surprise to the United States, which was quite upset about being kept in the dark over this. As a result the United States revoked its support of the Israeli purchase of Sabres and pressured Canadair to cancel the contract in an attempt to mediate peace, to which Canadair promptly did. Israel sadly would never get there Sabres, and ended up receiving additional Mystères from the French in the end.
Canadair seized the 8 built CL-13 Sabre Mk.6s, which had been given IAF serial numbers from 6030 to 6037. They were later given new serials of 23753 to 23760 and put in Canadian service. These Sabres went on to serve with the RCAF for many years until their retirement. IAF number 6036 and RCAF number 23760 is the only one to be identified by the two existing photos of CL-13s with IAF markings. IAF number 6037 and RCAF number 23759 is supposedly the other one from the other IAF marked Sabre image, but given the lack of identifying markings on it this remains unknown. Supposedly Canadair later offered CL-13 Mk.5 aircraft to the IAF, although this report is unconfirmed as far as I’m aware, and nothing came of it in the end of its true.
In Short:
This Aircraft was purchased and trialed by the IAF, even bearing IAF markings at one point, however the deal to acquire them ultimately fell through. Ingame this CL-13 Mk.6 would play identical to the CL-13B Mk.6 Ingame in the German Air Tech Tree, with the minor inclusion of SNEB rocket pods and Napalm bombs. It would add an alternative to the Super Mystère B2 Sambad and Sa’ar in the Israeli tree, offering a highly maneuverable subsonic platform that the tree could really use and wouldn’t otherwise be able to get with the aircraft it historically operated.
Specifications:
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Type: Single-Seat Fighter Aircraft
Crew: 1 Pilot
Wingspan: 11.3m
Wing Area: 26.74m2
Length: 11.4m
Height: 4.50m
Powerplant: Orenda series 14 turbojet
Max Thrust: 7,275lb/3,302kg thrust
Max speed: 1,122km/h
Rate of Climb: 62.5m/s
Empty Weight: 10,618lb/4,818kg
Maximum Weight: 14,613lb/6,634kg
Service Ceiling: 16,458m
Range: 2,391km
Electronics and Systems:
- Radar: AN/APG-501 Radar Gunsight.
Armament:
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- Up to 2x Underwing Drop Tanks with a capacity of 200 gallons each.
- 6x Browning 50 caliber 12.7mm Machine Guns with 300 rounds of ammunition each, 1,800 in total.
- 2x Aim-9B Sidewinders
- 16x HVAR Rockets.
- 36x SNEB Rockets.
- 2x Napalm? Bombs.
- 2x AN-M65 1000lb Bombs.
Sources:
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https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/services/aircraft/f-86-sabre.html
https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadian-warplanes-6-north-american-f-86-sabre
Historical Documents - Office of the Historian
“The Canadair Sabre” by Larry Milberry , 1986
Perhaps the best F-86: Canadair’s Sabre Mk. 6 turning 60 – Military Aviation Chronicles
Israeli Air Force
Israeli Air Force
CASPIR Serial Search (No.23753 to 23760)
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! Hopefully there aren’t any historical errors or too many spelling/grammar mistakes. I hope y’all have a wonderfully blessed day and I’ll see ya in my next suggestion!