CAC Sabre The CAC Sabre , sometimes known as the Avon Sabre or CA - 27 , is an Australian variant of the North American Aviation F - 86F Sabre fighter aircraft . The F - 86F was redesigned and built by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation ( CAC ) . Equipping five RAAF squadrons , the type saw action in the Malayan Emergency in the late 1950s , and was employed for air defence in Malaysia and Thailand in the 1960s . Ex - RAAF models also saw service with the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force . Development . In 1951 , CAC obtained a licence agreement to build the F - 86 . It was decided to power the aircraft using a licence - built version of the Rolls - Royce Avon R . A . 7 . This involved a re - design of the fuselage as the Avon was shorter , wider and lighter than the General Electric J47 that powered the North American - built aircraft . Because of the engine change the type is often referred to as the Avon Sabre . To accommodate the Avon , over 60 % of the fuselage was redesigned along with a 25 % increase in the size of the air intake . Another major revision was in replacing the F - 86F ' s six machine guns with two 30mm ADEN cannon , while other changes were also made to the cockpit and to provide an increased fuel capacity . The prototype aircraft ( designated CA - 26 Sabre ) first flew on 3 August 1953 . The production aircraft were designated the CA - 27 Sabre and first deliveries to the Royal Australian Air Force began in 1954 . The first batch of aircraft were powered by the Avon 20 engine and were designated the Sabre Mk 30 . Between 1957 and 1958 this batch had the wing slats removed and were redesignated Sabre Mk 31 . These Sabres were supplemented by 20 new - build aircraft . The last batch of aircraft were designated Sabre Mk 32 and used the Avon 26 engine , of which 69 were built up to 1961 . Operational history . The RAAF operated the CA - 27 from 1954 to 1971 . The Aircraft Research and Development Unit received the first example in August 1954 ; it was delivered to No . 2 ( Fighter ) Operational Training Unit ( subsequently No . 2 Operational Conversion Unit ) in November . Over the next six years the Sabres progressively equipped Nos . 75 , 3 , 77 and 76 Squadrons . From 1958 to 1960 , CAC Sabres of No . 78 Wing , comprising Nos . 3 and 77 Squadrons , completed numerous ground attack sorties against communist insurgents in Malaya , during the Malayan Emergency . Following the Emergency , they remained in Malaysia at RAAF Butterworth . Armed with Sidewinder missiles , the Sabres were responsible for regional air defence during the " Konfrontasi " between Indonesia and Malaysia from 1963 until 1966 , though no combat took place . Between October and December 1965 , a detachment of six Sabres , initially from No . 77 Squadron and later from No . 3 Squadron , was based at Labuan to conduct combat patrols over the Indonesian – Malaysian border on Borneo . In 1962 , a detachment of eight CAC Sabres , which was later expanded and designated No . 79 Squadron , was sent from Butterworth to RAAF Ubon , Thailand , to assist the Thai and Laotian governments in actions against communist insurgents . Australia and Thailand were allies of South Vietnam and the United States during the Vietnam War ; No . 79 Squadron was responsible for local air defence at Ubon , where United States Air Force attack and bomber aircraft were based . The squadron never engaged North Vietnam ese aircraft or ground forces and was disbanded in 1968 . The RAAF began re - equipping with the Dassault Mirage III in 1964 . The last Sabres in Australian service , operated by No . 5 Operational Training Unit , were retired in July 1971 . Former RAAF CAC Sabres were operated by No . 11 Squadron of the Royal Malaysian Air Force ( " TUDM " ) between 1969 and 1972 . Following the establishment of better relations with Indonesia , 23 CAC Sabres were donated to the Indonesian Air Force ( " TNI - AU " ) between 1973 and 1975 , and operated by No . 14 Squadron ; five of these were former Malaysian aircraft . In Australia one aircraft , RAAF Sabre A94 - 983 , has been restored to flying condition , and takes part in displays at the Temora Aviation Museum , New South Wales .