Canadian Military Aircraft Serial Numbers RCAF 19501 to 19550 Detailed List

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A note on the Canadair Sabre 4 The Canadair Sabre 4 was a minor refinement on the Sabre 2, which was basically a licenced copy of the F-86E.  It was originally intended to be built in small numbers for the RCAF, but a number of world events conspired to change this.  For the detailed story of how this stop-gap program would eventually see 428 aircraft built the reader is referred to pages 254 and on of Larry Milberry’s excellent book on the Canadair Sabre.  I will try to present an abbreviated version here. In the early 1950s the Western allies received a rude shock when the capabilities of the MiG-15 were made apparent over Korea.  The F-86F was barely able to hold its own, the F-86E (and by implication the Sabre 2) was at a minor disadvantage, while earlier straight wing jets were totally outclassed.  At the same time delays in the introduction of the improved Orenda powered Sabre 5 and 6 for the RCAF and similar delays with the first RAF swept wing fighters (the Hunter and the Swift) were occurring.  When these events combined with the increased Cold War tensions brought on by Korea, and the availability of US funding for NATO air forces, Canadair was able to use its spare shop capacity in 1952 and 1953 to build the Sabre 4 in much larger numbers than first planned.  All were US funded and most went directly to the RAF, where they served briefly in the UK and Germany until the Hunter and Swift became available.  Most of the survivors then returned to the USAF, for distribution on to other allies.  Around 70 were loaned briefly to the RCAF when they were first built, where at least some operated with both an RAF serial and an RCAF serial marked.  The exact number used by the RCAF is not clear, but Milberry and Griffin report 71 actually on the RCAF books – there may have been other loans not as well documented. The RAF serials were allocated and reallocated in small batches over the course of the program, as US funding was incrementally made available.  I have tried to report the actual serial marked on the aircraft in use with the RAF, based on Milberry’s book, but other sources sometimes report different matches between RAF and RCAF serials.  When most survivors returned to USAF control in 1956 and 1957 they received the originally allocated RCAF serial numbers for book keeping purposes, although it is not clear if this was always marked on the aircraft.  Those passed to the Italian Air Force would carry the RCAF serial with the prefix “MM” (Matricula Militare).
	Designer	Manufacturer	basic designation	variant or model	name
	company designation	company number
19501	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	401
	RCAF serial assigned when this aircraft was ordered, but diverted to the RAF before completion. Their serial XB594. First flight on 31 December 1952. To RAF c.1953. Used by No. 20 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany, coded "V". To USAF as a F-86E(M) on 15 March 1957, for transfer to other countries. Remarked with RCAF serial while with USAF.
19502	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	402
	RCAF serial assigned when this aircraft was ordered, but diverted to the RAF before completion. Their serial XB595. First flight on 6 January 1953. Used by No. 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany. To USAF as a F-86E(M) on 10 April 1956, for transfer to other countries. Remarked with RCAF serial while with USAF.
19503	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	403
	RCAF serial assigned when this aircraft was ordered, but diverted to the RAF before completion. Their serial XB596. First flight on 19 December 1952. To USAF as a F-86E(M) on , for transfer to other countries. Remarked with RCAF serial while with USAF. To Italian Air Force.
19504	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	404
	RCAF serial assigned when this aircraft was ordered, but diverted to the RAF before completion. Their serial XB597. First flight on 30 December 1952. To USAF as a F-86E(M) on , for transfer to other countries. Remarked with RCAF serial while with USAF.
19505	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	405
	RCAF serial assigned when this aircraft was ordered, but diverted to the RAF before completion. Their serial XB598. First flight on 18 December 1952. Used by No. 67 Squadron at Wildenrath, Germany, coded "R". To USAF as a F-86E(M) on 18 March 1957, for transfer to other countries. Remarked with RCAF serial while with USAF. To Italian Air Force, coded "2-70".
19506	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	406
	RCAF serial assigned when this aircraft was ordered, but diverted to the RAF before completion. Their serial XB599. First flight on 7 January 1953. To USAF as a F-86E(M) on 30 May 1956, for transfer to other countries. Remarked with RCAF serial while with USAF. To Italian Air Force. Pilot ejected near Decima on 14 July 1956, following a fire warning.
19507	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	407
	RCAF serial assigned when this aircraft was ordered, but diverted to the RAF before completion. Their serial XB600. First flight on 12 January 1953. Used by No. 67 Squadron at Wildenrath, Germany, coded "W". Destroyed in a wheels up landing at Wildenrath on 22 March 1954, following an electrical failure.
19508	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	408
	RCAF serial assigned when this aircraft was ordered, but diverted to the RAF before completion. Their serial XB601. First flight on 31 December 1952. Delivered to UK by No. 147 (Ferry) Squadron. Later used by the Ferry Training Unit of this Squadron, and the Fighter Weapons School at Leconfield, UK, coded "C". To USAF as a F-86E(M) on 12 October 1956, for transfer to other countries. Remarked with RCAF serial while with USAF. To Italian Air Force, coded "2-12".
19509	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	409
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB602. First flight on 19 December 1952. Used by the Sabre Conversion Flight. Back to USAF on 15 February 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force, coded "2-44" and later "4-24".
19510	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	410
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB603. First flight on 17 December 1952. Used by the Sabre Conversion Flight. Destroyed in a hard landing at Wildenrath, Germany after losing power on 15 June 1953.
19511	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	411
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB608. First flight on 6 January 1953. Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany. Back to USAF on 6 November 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force, coded "4-49".
19512	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	412
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB609. First flight on 16 December 1952. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany, and No. 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany. Back to USAF on 27 June 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force. Crashed near Brindisi, Italy after engine flame out on 24 July 1957.
19513	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	413
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB610. First flight on 17 December 1952. Lost on 5 April 1953, while with No. 147 Squadron. Artificial horizon failed during climb into clouds, pilot continued climb, lost control, and crashed into high ground. S/L Michael James Burke Cole, DFC killed.
19514	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	414
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB611. First flight on 19 December 1952. Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany, and by the Sabre Conversion Flight at RAF Wildenrath, Germany. Back to USAF on 17 December 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Yugoslavia.
19515	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	415
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB612. First flight on 7 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany. Forced landed 10 miles from base on 3 May 1955, following a flame out. Struck off RAF charge in September 1957.
19516	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	416
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB613. First flight on 23 December 1952. Used by No. 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany, coded "C". Back to USAF on 12 November 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force.
19517	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	417
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB614. First flight on 31 December 1952. Used by No. 3 Squadron and No. 234 Squadron (coded "J") in Germany. Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958. Reported in storage at RAF Church Crookham in October 1965.
19518	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	418
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB615. First flight on 31 December 1952. Used by No. 234 Squadron in Germany, coded "H". Reported crashed, no details.
19519	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	419
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB616. First flight on 8 January 1953. Used by the Sabre Conversion Flight at RAF Wildenrath, Germany. Also with No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Chivenor, UK. Back to USAF on 5 December 1956, marked with RCAF serial. Reported to Italian Air Force by some sources, to Yugoslavian Air Force by others.
19520	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	420
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB617. First flight on 6 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany. Back to USAF on 12 July 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force, marked "4-01". Later with Yugoslavian AF.
19521	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	421
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB618. First flight on 31 December 1952. Used by the Sabre Conversion Flight at RAF Wildenrath, Germany. Back to USAF on 12 September 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force, marked "4-25".
19522	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	422
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB619. First flight on 16 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany. Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958. Reported in storage at RAF Church Crookham in October 1965.
19523	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	423
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB620. First flight on 7 January 1953. Back to USAF on 27 November 1956, marked with RCAF serial. Used by the Royal Aeronautical Establishment. To Italian Air Force, coded "4-50" and later "13-3". Preserved, displayed at Rivolto, Italy. Moved to Grazzanise Air Base in late 1990s, by then fitted with tail from 19664.
19524	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	424
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB621. First flight on 8 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany. Back to USAF on 16 April 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air Force, marked "11-051".
19525	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	425
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB622. First flight on 5 January 1953. Used by the Air Fighting Development Squadron at RAF West Raynham by May 1953. Back to USAF on 24 April 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force.
19526	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	426
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB623. First flight on 6 January 1953. Used by No. 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany, coded "Q". Crashed on 26 April 1955, struck a snow bank while taking off from Oldenburg.
19527	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	427
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB624. First flight on 10 January 1953. Used by No. 71 and No. 67 Squadrons in Germany. Back to USAF on 16 July 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air Force, marked "11-052".
19528	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	428
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB625. First flight on 10 January 1953. Used by No. 67 Squadron in Germany. Back to USAF on 19 February 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force.
19529	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	429
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB626. First flight on 17 January 1953. Used by No. 67 Squadron in Germany. Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958. Reported in storage at RAF Church Crookham in October 1965.
19530	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	430
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB627. First flight on 21 January 1953. Used by No. 67 Squadron in Germany, coded "C". Crashed on 7 September 1954 near Liege, Belgium, after becoming lost and running out of fuel.
19531	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	431
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB628. First flight on 20 January 1953. Used by No. 67 Squadron in Germany, coded "L". With No. 71 Squadron in Germany, coded V" when lost. Struck by Sabre XB729 (19603) during an unauthorized mock attack by XB729, both aircraft came down 10 miles west of Kronfeld, Germany. Both pilots thrown clear of their aircraft, and made successful parachute descents.
19532	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	432
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB629. First flight on 17 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany. Used by No. 112 Squadron at Bruggen, Germany. Used by No. 93 Squadron at Jever, Germany. Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958.
19533	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	433
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB630. First flight on 22 January 1953. Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany, coded "P". Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958. Reported in storage at RAF Church Crookham in October 1965.
19534	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	434
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB631. First flight on 17 January 1953. Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany. Back to USAF on 5 June 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force. Preserved, displayed at Turin/Caselle Airport, marked "4-74".
19535	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	435
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB632. First flight on 12 January 1953. Used by No. 71 and No. 67 Squadrons in Germany. Back to USAF on 23 October 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force, later to Yugoslavian Air Force.
19536	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	436
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB633. First flight on 12 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany, coded "W". Crashed on 26 June 1955 at Geilenkirchen, encountered wake turbulence on take off.
19537	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	437
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB634. First flight on 21 January 1953. Used by No. 67 Squadron in Germany. Crashed on 5 April 1955, collided with Anson TX238 while landing at Wildendrath. Sabre pilot killed, 2 fatalities in the Anson.
19538	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	438
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB635. Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany, and by the Sabre Conversion Flight at RAF Wildenrath, Germany. Back to USAF on 27 March 1957, marked with RCAF serial. Tail section reported in storage at Vecci-Aguscello Gliding Club at Prati, Italy.
19539	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	439
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB636. Used by No. 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany. Back to USAF on 31 May 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Yugoslavian Air Force.
19540	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	440
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB637. First flight on 9 February 1953. Used by No. 71 Squadron in Germany. Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958. Reported in storage at RAF Church Crookham in October 1965.
19541	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	441
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB638. First flight on 20 January 1953. Used by No. 20 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany. Crashed on 5 August 1954, struck trees short of runway while landing at Oldenburg at night. Pilot F/O H. Capewell thrown clear of aircraft in seat, injured.
19542	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	442
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB639. First flight on 27 January 1953. Used by No. 67 Squadron in Germany. Back to USAF on 20 April 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force, coded "2-05". Used in Congo in 1963 in support of UN operations, operated by 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the Philippine AF. Preserved, on display at university in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Badly deteriorated and vandalized by 2008.
19543	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	443
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB640. First flight on 20 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany, coded "P". Back to USAF on 13 March 1957, marked with RCAF serial. Tail section reported in storage at Vecci-Aguscello Gliding Club at Prati, Italy.
19544	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	444
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB641. First flight on 22 January 1953. Used by No. 147 Squadron in the UK. Also with No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Chivenor, UK. Back to USAF on 12 January 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force.
19545	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	445
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB642. First flight on 26 January 1953. Used by No. 234 Squadron in Germany. Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958.
19546	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	446
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB643. First flight on 20 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany. Crashed on 24 February 1954 near Henri-Chapelle, Belgium in bad weather. XB667 (19553) crashed at the same time.
19547	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	447
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB644. First flight on 23 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany. Also with No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Chivenor, UK. Back to USAF on 25 June 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force. Crashed on 1 December 1956 near Spaloto, Yugoslavia, pilot was killed.
19548	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	448
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB645. First flight on 1 February 1953. Used by No. 20 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany, coded "W". Back to USAF on 1 March 1957, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force.
19549	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	449
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB646. First flight on 23 January 1953. Used by No. 3 Squadron in Germany. Used by No. 20 Squadron at Oldenburg, Germany, coded "M". Struck off RAF charge on 18 December 1958.
19550	North American	Canadair	Sabre	4
	CL-13	450
	Diverted to RAF before RCAF serial marked, became XB664. First flight on 21 January 1953. Used by No. 67 and No. 71 Squadrons in Germany. Back to USAF on 5 December 1956, marked with RCAF serial. To Italian Air Force.

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This data has come from a variety of sources, and may contain all sorts of errors. In the future, I will add a complete list of references. For now, some recent Internet references can be found at the links below.  I would welcome any corrections or additions you may have. Contact me using the link below.

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© 2013 by R. W. R. Walker      All rights reserved under the copyright laws.
This is an amateur site - please don't rely on any of this data for anything important!
Created 25 April 2013. Updated 25 April 2013.