Sabres from the North: Mutual aid during the Cold War

The author gives the first published account of the Burns-Templar agreement which paved the way for intelligence co-operation authorised at the highest political level between the United States and the United Kingdom.

The work of Scottish Aviation at Prestwick Airport and Renfrew Airport is also fully described and illustrated with regard to USAF and RCAF refurbishment contracts for the North American F-86E and the Canadair Sabre with the Avro CF-100.

There is also fresh information on Frank Whittle's jet engine and the E28/39 and the work of the General Electric Company with British gas turbines. The Germans are not neglected and includes their gas turbine work on Heinkel and Messerschmitt ME262 airframes by von Ohain. There are fresh details of the work of von Ohain, his patents and the influence of Whittle patents on German gas turbines. Details are included of the German jet prototypes and their gas-turbines. The Me-262 is fully described with the USAAF pilot's report in the appendix. Also included are details of the Gloster Meteor and the Bell P-59 in RAF service. RAF pilots flying the F-86 Sabre in operations over Korea are also illustrated. The evolution of the Gloster E28/39 (Whittle) is fully illustrated.

Each chapter is supported by a wealth of drawings and pictures.

There is a chapter on Mutual Defense Aid Program (MDAP) the evolution of NATO and the Berlin Airlift all fully illustrated. The book describes the finance of the Sabre for MDAP production and the Sabres acquisition by the West German Air Force. Includes details of Skyraiders, Neptunes and Avengers which were supplied through MDAP together with aircraft types ordered and their destination within NATO (Probably for the first time.).

Includes the squadron histories of the Canadair Sabre in Royal Air Force Germany and Royal Air Force Fighter Command service. The MIG-15 is included as well as Soviet jet engine development.

A full description of the Sabres being delivered over the North Atlantic in "Becher's Brook" and "Leap Frog" via, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Stornoway, Prestwick or Kinloss or Lossiemouth which is reflected in the title. These flights are rarely published. Details of the first Sabre deployment with the carrier HMCS Magnificent are included and the deployment to Renfrew airport in 1951-52. Some aircraft were delivered through Stornoway. The involvement of Scottish Aviation, Airwork, Westland etc. is explained as well as the Sabre's fate at Church Crookham. In 1948 the USAT Barney Kirschbaum and the USS Sicily delivered Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars to Europe through Scotland and this operation is described.

The Canadair Sabre deployed in the Royal Canadian Air Force across Europe is fully described as is the refurbishment for MDAP and NATO together with CF-104 deployment. Operations in the Congo with ex-RAF Sabre F-4's, in Italian service, in the United Nations, flown by Philippine pilots and in the ex-German Sabres battling in the Indo/Pakistan wars are also included.

There is a comprehensive appendix covering the Mig-15, RB-45, the Gloster Meteor etc. The AVRO CF-100 is included with a record of its European deployment together with the Canadair CT-33 Silver Star.

Engine development includes the J-47, Orenda and the Rolls-Royce Nene manufactured in Canada. Also included are fresh details of Jacqueline Cochran and the Canadair Sabre F.3

The air sea work of the SB-17G, Handley Page Hastings and the Grumman Albatross-the "Duck Buts" are included with illustrations and their control from Prestwick. This was for "Leapfrog" and "Bechers Brook."

Sabres from the North has a comprehensive bibliography and Appendix which also gives a list of Whittle patents, the strength of 616 Squadron Royal Air Force on formation, MIG 15 flight test and ME-262 handling report.

A quality A5 paperback printed on high grade paper, making it very heavy with over 300 pictures and drawings.