February 7, 2025
#1815 Now on Display
The project began with an idea—one that would lead to 6,000 volunteer hours in a major restoration effort and a fundraising campaign unlike anything the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada had undertaken before.
“2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the RCAF, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. We knew we had to commemorate these milestones. After a few meetings, we settled on exactly how to do it,” said Terry Slobodian, CEO of the Royal Aviation Museum.
In early 2024, the museum launched the “Join the Sabre Squadron” campaign to secure the necessary funds for the complete restoration of its F-86 Sabre.
“The Sabre Squadron initiative was a first for the museum, offering donor rewards—including the first squadron patch ever created by the museum,” explained James Mitchell, Marketing Specialist for the Museum and designer of the Sabre Squadron patch.
A Historic Aircraft with a Unique Legacy
Sabre #1815 was of specific interest to the Royal Aviation Museum due to its historical significance as the last Sabre airframe produced in Canada. In 1996, thanks to the generosity of Air Commodore Kamran Qureshi of the Pakistan Air Force, this historic aircraft was returned to Canada. It was initially reassembled at what was then the Western Canada Aviation Museum. Tragically Air Commodore Kamran Qureshi would pass away in an unfortunate swimming incident the very day after he signed the transfer papers.
To honour the RCAF’s legacy, the museum decided not only to restore the aircraft but also to give it a significant livery overhaul.
A Golden Hawks scheme was considered – The Golden Hawks were an RCAF aerobatic flying team established in 1959 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the RCAF and the “Golden” 50th anniversary of Canadian flight, the team flew Canadian-built Canadair F-86 Sabre jet Mark 5 fighter aircraft, and later Mark 6’s, they also flew to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
“There are probably more Golden Hawks in museums today than there ever were in the sky,” joked Marsh Pettitt, Restoration Team Leader. “Instead, we wanted to consider what isn’t in a museum already. The Restoration team chose to honour the Sabres of No. 1 Canadian Air Division in Europe during the 1950s and ’60s, specifically with 441 Squadron’s ‘Checker-Checker’ tail markings. Didn’t hurt that I served with 441 either.”
Restoration Challenges and Discoveries
The restoration process began with the dismantling of Sabre #1815 on the museum’s Dr. D.S. Reimer Aviation Plaza – the outside space set aside for visiting aircraft, temporary loan planes and projects such as these.
“Once we took it apart, we realized it was going to be a much bigger project than we had expected. Years of outdoor storage had caused significant damage. Someone had covered corrosion with nearly 1,000 pounds of Bondo. That had to be addressed first,” said the Restoration Team Leader.
Further examination of the aircraft revealed mismatched wings with different serial numbers.
“It’s a testament to the aircraft’s modular design that it wasn’t an issue. We have 2101 on the left and 2102 on the right. Structurally, it was designed for that flexibility. But the crazing in the plexiglass canopy was a real challenge,” added Pettitt.
Expert Partnerships and Finishing Touches
The restoration was made possible through key partnerships, including Rock Glass, which provided a replacement windshield, and Cloverdale Paint, which worked with the team to custom-mix the exact RCAF colour scheme using an era-appropriate RCAF colour manual.
“There’s no buying these colours off the shelf at your local paint store. Took a few tries to get it just right,” added Marsh.
The Grand Unveiling
The official unveiling of the restored Sabre took place on January 22, 2025 drawing attendance from 17 Wing representatives, donors, media, VIP’s, and key museum supporters. After the covering was pulled back, guests were invited to get an up-close look at the aircraft, peer into the fully restored cockpit, and speak with the dedicated team behind the project. It was an enjoyable evening for aviation enthusiasts who got to mix and mingle with others just as excited to go behind the barriers in the Museum for this one evening.
“Every donation, no matter the size, played a role in making this restoration possible. We couldn’t have done it without the generosity of our supporters.”
-Marsh Pettitt
To thank donors, the museum’s marketing team provided stickers, pins, an exclusive giveaways contest, and a discount on the Museum’s Sabre tee shirt created just for this particular plane. The event marked a significant milestone—the first addition to the Military Skies Collection since the opening of the new museum.
“When you promise an unveiling, you forget you have to find a cover the right size for a fighter jet. It’s not something they sell on Amazon. So that was a challenge!” said James Mitchell. “Fortunately one of our event partners was able to help us out. Dream Day Decor and Specialty Linens came through for us, a seamstress made a custom cover that fit the dimensions exactly.”
Sabre #1815 is now on display for public viewing, in the Military Skies collection, at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada.
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