Canadair F-86 Sabre Golden Hawk

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• Sabres used on the Golden Hawks aerobatic team belonged to the Sabre Transition Unit (later 1 (Fighter) Operational Training Unit) of CFB Chatham, New Brunswick. Among other aerial maneuvers performed by the Golden Hawks, the pilots would sometimes stagger past the crowd at low altitude with the canopy open waving at the spectators.

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• Pilots for the Golden Hawks flight demonstration team were selected from the Sabre Operational Training Unit at CFB Chatham and each had had operational experience with the Air Division. They practiced three times daily for two-and-a-half months before putting on their initial display at Torbay, Newfoundland, the first of 63 shows across the country in 1959.

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• 23353 was a Canadair Sabre 5 which was brought on strength with the RCAF on 30 September, 1954 and was obviously part of the Golden Hawks aerobatic team which was formed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of powered flight in Canada as well as the 35th anniversary of the RCAF in 1959. However, whereas the Golden Hawks were able to extend their existance past the single year initialy envisioned for them and continue their performances until, having performed 317 shows ending in Montreal, Quebec in 1963, they were finally disbanded, '353 was written off on 16 November, 1960.

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• Selection of the team completed and having only two and a half months to prepare for their first scheduled public appearance, the first season's Golden Hawks team began a gruelling training schedule of three flights a day, six days a week, weather permitting, and intense discussion of the aerobatic maneuvers involved when the weather left them grounded. In spite of being delayed for a day on account of the weather for their premiere show at Torbay, Newfoundland on 16 May, 1959 and then having their take-off delayed three times until the last clouds broke, their first season was an unparalleled success right up to the climax at the Canadian International Airshow in Toronto where, together with the USAF Thunderbirds, they became part of the first international jet aerobatic team to fly in Canadian skies. Having initially been formed for only the one year, the public success of the team's displays led to the continuation of the team and their annual displays until they were finally disbanded after the 1963 season.

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• 1959 was the 50th Anniversary of powered flight in Canada as well as being the 35th Anniversary of the RCAF. This event was taken as a "golden" oppurtunity to form a Golden Anniversary aerobatic team for one year which would be called the Golden Hawks. As a result of the praise of both the media and the public for the team's performances the existence of the Golden Hawks was extended until February 7, 1964 when they were officially disbanded.

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