German F-86 Canadair Sabre seat

[noOne]

From what I've seen of all kits made, including the Revell-Germany release,

you get the NAA typical ejection seat only.

The GermanAF modified many of it's 86s for the MartinBaker Mk5 seat,

and had to design a new track that raised the canopy up as it slid back to open.

All-in-all tis a huge difference visually.

I had a quick look thru my pics re RoG's JaboG71 JA-344 offering, but haven't come up with a pic yet showing which seat was used,

but I did find JA-339 w/ the MB Mk5.

Also... Some of these a/c were later sold and used by other countries,

and a few exist/fly today in private hands in the States.

Edited November 2, 2007 by noOne

[Harold]

From what I've seen of all kits made, including the Revell-Germany release,

you get the NAA typical ejection seat only.

The GermanAF modified many of it's 86s for the MartinBaker Mk5 seat,

and had to design a new track that raised the canopy up as it slid back to open.

All-in-all tis a huge difference visually.

I had a quick look thru my pics re RoG's JaboG71 JA-344 offering, but haven't come up with a pic yet showing which seat was used,

but I did find JA-339 w/ the MB Mk5.

Also... Some of these a/c were later sold and used by other countries,

and a few exist/fly today in private hands in the States.

It was a MK 4 modified enough to have new designation. It was a (MK DE 5A in Danish service) It is basically (some mods for each) the same one used in the German F-84F and the Danish F-100's.

The Danes and Norwegians used them in their F-86's as well, I believe.

I have made the seat in resin in 1/48 and in 1/32 scale.

Edited November 5, 2007 by Harold

[hooter]

From what I've seen of all kits made, including the Revell-Germany release,

you get the NAA typical ejection seat only.

The GermanAF modified many of it's 86s for the MartinBaker Mk5 seat,

and had to design a new track that raised the canopy up as it slid back to open.

All-in-all tis a huge difference visually.

I had a quick look thru my pics re RoG's JaboG71 JA-344 offering, but haven't come up with a pic yet showing which seat was used,

but I did find JA-339 w/ the MB Mk5.

Also... Some of these a/c were later sold and used by other countries,

and a few exist/fly today in private hands in the States.

I might be able to help you here. I have a copy of the F-40 book on the Canadair Sabre in Luftwaffe service, and on page 143 there is a photo of JA-344, which clearly shows the earlier NAA seat installed. Maybe it was upgraded later, but 90% of the other aircraft in this book seem to have the earlier type seat. Hope this helps !

[noOne]

Your post had me off into the dark archives... where I found 2 related F-40 publications re the WGAF Mk5 & Mk6 [ but only having 40 or so pages each!!! ]

I did find a pic within of the Mk6 JA-344 showing the NAA typical seat, and also found a reference that it was written/off early... Aug '63.

________________________

so far... I have also found an oh-so perfect closeup pic of the WGAF MB seat installation

& multiple pics of the modified canopy track req'd.

Now looking at these, I realize that everything behind the seat, under the canopy was changed also,

but I was too simple to realize it was so at the time -Doh!!

otherwise I would have taken more pics.

_______________________________

Perhaps this is a good time as any to advise that...

all the Canadair Mk5 &/or 6 instrument panels, right out of the factory, aren't like any of the NAA builds,

re instrument placement and significantly... the size of.

Choose for yourself whether this info is of interest, or a concern, or a new frustration to deal with.

Perhaps at least one here will see this as a new design mod & marketing challenge/opportunity.

just perhaps...

Edited November 6, 2007 by noOne

[Harold]

Here is a site with a Sabre with MB seats installed.

http://www.burgschleinitz.at/museum/gatow/gatow.htm

http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/index.html

Edited November 3, 2007 by Harold

[EFD3]

Larry Milberry's book"The Canadair Sabre" states the seat was a MB5. Also if you install a MB seat with the canopy open you have to modify the canopy rails. The rails were modified to lift the canopy up and over the seat as it was taller than the NAA seat. The above book is excellent for the Sabre in Candaian, German and other countries service. It lists every Canadair Sabre made and its fate and includes excellent 1/48th scale drawings. Check out canavbooks.com. Sells for $30.00 US is 372 pages loaded with hundreds of clear b/w photos and a bargain for todays books.

Terry

[noOne]

here's a link to a detailed pic of the MB Mk5 seat installation in a Mk6

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0282841/M/

Also, there is another photo here[in this series] that gives a very good side view perspective.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1181438/M/

Edited November 6, 2007 by noOne

[Harold]

I already have the seat made in resin, I may just do a full 'pit for that version later. I will have to find a few more detail shots of the 'pit though.

cheers,

Harold