The numbers tell their own story. With nearly 9,800 examples of all versions produced for 35 countries, the North American F-86 Sabre is the most prolific jet fighter in the western world. If you add the naval FJ-2 and FJ-3 Fury, the total exceeds 10,000. In all respects, its success was remarkable. No wonder the Sabre is such a sought-after warbird, with many still flying in the USA — and not just North American-built examples. In fact, the Canadair-built versions are particularly prized for their qualities. Initially the Montreal aircraft manufacturer assembled F-86Es without modifying them. But, judging the type to be improvable, the Canadian firm's research and development office got to work. It did so in tandem with engine manufacturer Avro Canada, which — on the basis of a previous powerplant — came up with the TR5 Orenda. Successive upgrades resulted in the ultimate Orenda, the Mkl4 with more than 7,2001b of thrust. It was far superior to the General Electric J47 that powered North American-built F-86s, being more reliable and more advanced. Aside from procurement for the Royal Canadian Air Force, the CL-13, as the Canadair Sabre was designated, achieved its own export sales: most notably, 431 went to the RAF and 300 to the West German Luftwaffe. In excess of 1,800 CL-13s were built.
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