With the prototype first flying in 1947, and the Mark VI in 1954, the Mark VI was powered by an Orenda 14 Turbojet of 3300kg, providing a top speed of 1142 kmh at sea level.The first CL13B Sabre was delivered in 1956 and assembled at No 1 Air Depot. A total of 34 CL13B's were supplied to the SAAF.

In Korea, the SAAF No 2 Squadron, the Flying Cheetahs, operated American manufactured F86F Sabres, but all of these were returned to the USAAF by 1953. 

SABRE #372 Restoration Project

The team, led by Jon Durant, has been working on this aircraft at AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town, for over two years.

Look for them in Facebook Groups as Sabre No.372 Restoration

Construction Number: 1481

Royal Canadian Air Force serial: 23691

First flight: 9 May 1956

Testing completed: 15 May 1956

Accepted by SAAF: 22 May 1956

To 2 Squadron coded ‘P’

To 1 Squadron late 1963 coded ‘X’

Moved with 1 Squadron to Pietersburg in January 1967

To 85 Advanced Flying School: 31 October 1975

Grounded: April 1980 – Total flying hours: 2138.25

Stored in Snake Valley

To School for Technical Training, Voortrekkerhoogte 

To SAFM Yesterplaat: 13 February 1987

To Thunder City on loan

Returned to SAFM Ysterplaat