Canadair Sabre Mk 6
Canadair · Canada · first flew 1954 · fighter
The Mk 6 is the definitive Canadair Sabre, powered by the Canadian Orenda 14 engine which gave it better performance than any J47-engined Sabre mark and made it arguably the finest gun-armed Sabre variant produced.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Orenda 14 engine gives a slightly larger engine diameter — subtle rear fuselage bulge at jetpipe compared with J47 marks |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Orenda 14 engine gives a slightly larger engine diameter — subtle rear fuselage bulge at jetpipe compared with J47 marks
- Leading-edge slats retained — distinguishes from the F-86F's slatless 6-3 wing
- RCAF markings and distinctive Canadian red-and-white roundels on most preserved aircraft
The Orenda engine creates a very subtly larger tailpipe area visible from directly behind — impractical for most spotters. The practical identifier is the retained leading-edge slats (seam line on upper wing) combined with RCAF or Luftwaffe markings, or the slightly superior performance statistics if known. Against the Mk 4, only the engine and marking differences apply.
Specifications
- The Canadair Sabre Mk 6 has a length of 11.43 m (37 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.31 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1114 km/h (692 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
655 Mk 6s built, serving RCAF, Luftwaffe, South Africa, Colombia, and Pakistan. The Luftwaffe Mk 6 equipped West Germany's reformed air force from 1957. South African Air Force used Mk 6s in the Rhodesian bush war, including combat action. Pakistan's Mk 6s engaged Indian aircraft in 1965.
Variants
The Mk 5 was the first Orenda-powered variant with a lower-powered Orenda 10. The Mk 6 is the production standard. No further production variants beyond Mk 6.
Where you'll see it
RCAF 1954-1963; Luftwaffe 1957-1966; SAAF until the 1970s; Pakistan until early 1980s. Airworthy Mk 6 flies with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Hamilton.
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