A Sabre jet is reborn Down Under

[Liberator3]

A new Sabre jet restoration is underway down under, see more at the Down Under Aviation News exclusive at https://downunderaviationnews.wordpress ... australia/

[Joe Scheil]

Great story. Incredible buy for $2000! Amazing.

[Bearcat SA]

The article says its a North American built Sabre ... I presume the owner knows its a Canadian built Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk 6

[quemerford]

Shame it will end up as another fake Korean War aircraft; why not paint it in a SAAF Sabre 6 scheme?

[Richard W.]

I love yellow stripes and checker tails, but I have to agree that a SAAF paint scheme would be cool.

[DADE]

Just an update on this particular SABRE.
This aircraft is still owned by the Aviation Heritage Museum at Bullcreek, Western Australia. They have the signed paperwork concerning the loan to the person that is rebuilding it and it is not owned by him, signed in 2017.
The museum would like to have this fact acknowledged.

Last edited by DADE on Tue May 12, 2020 8:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

[quemerford]

Well OK THEN.

[kalamazookid]

It's great to see an aircraft that probably wouldn't be receiving immediate attention getting it because of the initiative shown by this individual. The point is that the aircraft is being restored and getting the attention it needs. The paint scheme is immaterial to that point. Airplanes can be repainted.

[quemerford]

Shame it's not being repainted a bit more imaginatively/accurately. If it can be repainted then why bother with other bits? How far does one go with the "it'll do" attitude? Oh yes-we can put rivets in some other time. Etc etc.

[jeano]

Sabre 383 in her heyday- 1 sq SAAF

Attachments

[C VEICH]

Shame it's not being repainted a bit more imaginatively/accurately. If it can be repainted then why bother with other bits? How far does one go with the "it'll do" attitude? Oh yes-we can put rivets in some other time. Etc etc.

Not sure that is really an apples to apples comparison!

[kalamazookid]

Shame it's not being repainted a bit more imaginatively/accurately. If it can be repainted then why bother with other bits? How far does one go with the "it'll do" attitude? Oh yes-we can put rivets in some other time. Etc etc.

Not sure whether you're being facetious or whether you actually think I'm advocating for shoddy workmanship, so I'll clarify.

In my humble and unsolicited opinion, what color(s) the aircraft is painted is of secondary importance to the restoration and conservation work that physically preserves and prolongs the life of the airframe. If that physical work is of appropriate quality, any paint scheme is fine with me. In this case, we have an aircraft that was disassembled and unrestored that is now in the process of being assembled and restored. I would think that the process of physical restoration is more important than whatever aesthetic tickles one's particular fancy. This type of work is a win for the aircraft no matter what color it is ultimately painted.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on paint schemes and every organization or individual is entitled to make whatever paint scheme decision they see fit for their own particular mission or whims. My approach is that I'm not going to get hung up on whether the aircraft is painted my favorite color or scheme if the restoration work itself is good. Inaccurate paint schemes are much more easily remedied than unaddressed corrosion, using inappropriate restoration techniques or materials, failure to repair crucial parts, failing to store an aircraft in an appropriate environment, sloppy maintenance, etc.

Long story short: I'm glad the aircraft is being restored and the folks restoring it can paint it however they wish. If they want to paint "Kalamazookid has Terrible Opinions" on the nose, they are welcome to do that.

I look forward to more updates on the project.

[K5DH]

I've said this before. While I have nothing against painting a restored aircraft to honor a famous aviator, military unit, or aviation event, I rather like the idea of painting it to represent its own history.

With that weight off my chest... We can't have too many flying Sabre jets!!! I'll live with (and probably love) the "incorrect" livery. Glad to see another Sabre gettin' some serious love!

[Effin Ind.]

Thanks for the interesting comments regarding the Sabre MK6 that I am restoring to static display only.
Some actual facts so you don't have to make them up.
I don't own this aircraft, I only have a 99 year loan of it. The RAAF Museum will get it back when I am 159 years old.
I am paying for the restoration myself, I am not a millionaire, unlike other jet owners. All donations of missing parts gladly accepted.
When I took over the aircraft the previous museum's curator was glad it went to someone who would look after it and take an interest in it.
A Canadian built Sabre that flew for the South African Air force had no provenance in their Collections Policy.

As for the colour scheme I am doing the US Checkertail as it is as Hot Rod as possible. I will also be ageing the paintwork and adding powder stains around the gun ports.
I will also put my Uncle Albury Winton's name on the canopy as the pilot, a Korean vet, wounded in action from a grenade and later died from injuries back in Australia.
I have been reading the bemoaning South African Paint job saga since I joined this forum in Nov 2017. Get over it or better still, buy your own plane and paint it.

Trying hard to find the tail feathers and other parts that are missing.
Thanks to the people who are helping me, Phillip, Brendon, Adrian and friends and the RAAF Museum Bullcreek members Ian and Trevor.
Cheers, Wayne

[Mark Allen M]

All the work you’re putting into your Sabre. Seems a shame you have to give it back when you turn 159. Life’s too short.