![[HMCS Magnificent]](../photos/support2/pma-1431.jpg)
It is October 1951 and the HMCS Magnificent takes on a cargo of RCAF F-86 Sabre Mk 2 aircraft at Norfolk Virginia - destination Europe.
There are a number of sources that indicate a total of "35" Sabres were moved on this trip. These sources go further to identify that there were 24 aircraft (concooned) above deck and 11 aircraft (uncocooned) below deck. We have obtained a number of photos from the National Archives of Canada that depict Sabres lashed above deck. Depending on the photo you examine, and your eyes, you will probably find yourself with a count of between 20 and 24 aircraft in a photo - but the photos depict a partial deck - as opposed to a full view. Out of fairness to this exercise, there are also photos showing Sabres being moved from below deck to the deck.
And now - the uncertainty creeps in. A total of 35 Sabres for two squadrons. While I do not argue the detail as presented, were there not 25 Sabres per squadron - and if so - why 35 aircraft moved as opposed to 50 aircraft moved? This has been at the back of my mind for a number of years.
In June 2004 I decided to do some "surfing on the Internet" and selected "HMCS Magnificent" as one of my keywords.
One of my early hits was to the following URL address:
http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/pdf/SabreMk6.pdf
This URL provided a 17 page (PDF format) file titled "Canadian Aviation Museum Aircraft, Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk.6, Prepared by Major (Ret'd) Stan Jaknukas. I found an interesting photo on page 7 of this document, as shown below.
This vessel is identified as the HMCS Magnificent. Comparison to other available photos of the HMCS Magnificent on the Internet verify this to be the case. Now then - if you have a keen eye, the time and the interest, "you count em". There are 48 Sabres on the deck.
So where does this leave us? Were there really "35" or were there "48" taken to Europe in the fall of 1951?
The answer: There were "35" Sabre Mk 2 aircraft taken from Canada to England in late 1951.
The photo which shows 48 Sabre Mk 5s on the deck of the Maggie was taken in 1956. It was at that time that the RCAF began equiping its auxiliary fighter squadrons (in Canada) with Sabre 5s drawn from Air Division Squadrons, which were by this time taking delivery of Sabre 6s. While many Sabre 5s were scrapped in the UK rather than transported all the way back to Canada, enough to supply the auxiliary squadrons were loaded aboard HMCS Magnificent and brought home to Canada.
| Return to the Details Page |
| Return to Top of Page |
Updated: September 29, 2004