Whatever happened to this Sabre?

Duxford auction 84; back to Tom Bracewell in Lancs; sold to Maurice Hovious in Vicksburg, Michigan circa 1985; stored at (Vicksburg? – some locals say “Frankenmuth airport” but there isn’t really one); donated to Frankenmuth VFW.

There is a photo in Michael O’Leary’s book of it in the USA: my assumption is that it was photographed whilst with Hovious’ Hov-Aire company at Vicksburg. They were restorers of Ford Tri-Motors so likely more on the classic aircraft photographer’s itinerary than “Frankenmuth airport” (which just seems to be a farm strip).

Hovious had apparently recovered a number of aircraft worldwide, so that part makes sense.

There has been a recent discussion of this aircraft on Air Britain Exchange and it’s been a case of adding up the parts and comparing photos. The visible repaired damage on the Frankenmuth Sabre is exactly the same as the damage repairs made to ‘TBF after it was hoisted into position at Blackpool in 1970. I saw it at Much Hoole in 1985 and can confirm. It’s very distinctive and I noted in back in 1985 and only later understood what the repairs were for.

It would be lovely to think that it might one day make its way back to the UK and be restored properly for indoor display…It was very complete when I saw it, but apparently kids used to play in it while it was stored with Hovious, so I imagine its instruments have long gone now.

Fascinating. Can you perhaps expand on the trail which led it to Frankenmuth, maybe photos in storage or links to references of its locations in the eighties and nineties?   I am wondering what you found to confirm this as one-time G-ATBF.

Well it’s been hidden in plain sight all these years: it seems to have gone to the West Coast at one point, possibly to Chino. Sometime in the 1980s it ended up with Hov-Air at Frankenmuth Airport. Michigan; it was restored by Maurice Hovious and placed on display Military & Space Museum in Frankenmuth on 29 July 1998. It’s still there, though the museum aren’t aware of its identity.

Photo shows it being installed on its podium in July 1998.

I really think she was slotted into the QF-86 drone programme.
The timing was about spot on for when Flight Systems were scouring the world for suitable airframes , picking up machines from South Africa and Japan amongst others.
Sadly whilst she was quite significant to the U.K she probably represented Dollars to FSI.

I suspect you may very well be right looking at the two pics, however, what happened to it after it went to America is the next question

I have been after this one for many years too. For the record there were 2 G-ATBF’s
G-ATBF(1) c/n 377 ex MM19477/XB543/RCAF19477 but I beleived it was damaged before delivery to the uk so they sent..
G-ATBF(2) ex MM19607/XB733/RCAF 19607

It was originally delivered to the Historic Aircraft Preservation Soc at Biggin Hill in 1967, and was there with the lanc G-ASXX(then airworthy in 1968), I assume the whole collection moved to Blackpool, then was sold off?

sabre/f104

the starfighter is at grainthorpe just up the e coast from mablethorpe.

LINCAIR might/might not be involved

LINCAIR web is www.binbrook.demon.co.uk

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sabre/ F104

The sabre i havent got a clue.

the f104 (22+57)resides in lincolnshire. With some lightnings (xr770 + others) & a draken.Something to do with LINCAIR. I cant find the web site as yet. Keep u posted

ps she was moved from skegness because a member of joe public thought it was funny 2 swing on the pointy bit of the nose

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Originally posted by Bograt
She wasn’t the ‘original’ G-ATBF, so probably not XB733 either. ageorge – that’s a very generous offer; do keep your ear to the ground, there are sometimes old fighters looking for a home (like the Vixen recently) and if it would keep an old jet from being scrapped, I’m all for it. Stuff like Vampires especially do not like being outside.

You’ve boosted my confidence a bit Bograt , I did look into buying a static Hunter last year but the cost of hiring the jigs and trestles just to remove the wings was too much for my meagre budget . I would be interested in obtaining a Vampire “pod” as I have access to a lorry with a HIAB , so transporting that wouldn’t be a problem , my barn is wind and water tight and I also have an open outside shelter that my tractors could be moved to. And then I could try scouting around looking for tailbooms , wings etc . My father-in-law is a carpenter to trade and he has had a look at the wooden skin and structure of a Vampire and reckons he could belp out . Only a dream right now but I can only live in hope that some one has a damaged/restorable pod I could work on , at least I could give it a decent home under cover .

Quote from the sale catalogue;

This example served with 92 squadron at Linton-on-Ouseas XB733/F on home defense duties. It was retired within three years and was sent for refurbishment in early 1956. From here it was allocated to the Yugoslavian and Italian Air Forces. G-ATBF was delivered to 4a Aerobrigata in Naples on 25th August 1956 as 4-54. In 1967, the Historic Aircraft Preservation Society aquired the non-airworthy Sabre and it returned to England (Biggen Hill).

It was moved to Blackpool and sold to the present owner in the early 1970’s”

Not sure why its in Luftwaffe markings though?

She wasn’t the ‘original’ G-ATBF, so probably not XB733 either. ageorge – that’s a very generous offer; do keep your ear to the ground, there are sometimes old fighters looking for a home (like the Vixen recently) and if it would keep an old jet from being scrapped, I’m all for it. Stuff like Vampires especially do not like being outside.

Originally posted by Joe Petroni
I think the F104 is still about somewhere in storage in Lincolnshire somewhere.

I did a search on Google and aparentley XB 733 crashed when being delivered to the Italian Air Force, which can’t be correct.

Anyway here is a picture of the aircraft assembled for the Duxford auction. It had a really high reserve, so I cannot belive the owners scrapped the aircraft when it didn’t sell.

I can’t believe somebody would scrap one of these !!!! , I have plenty of room next to a big barn and would love something like this to keep me busy !!! , I keep hearing about derelict airframes lying here and there , if somebody could help me transport one I could give it a decent home ( even if it means lobbing my tractors outside to keep the rain off it !!! ) , I tried to buy a Bristol Sycamore which was fairly local to me and the owner scrapped it rather than sell it to me !!!

I think the F104 is still about somewhere in storage in Lincolnshire somewhere.

I did a search on Google and aparentley XB 733 crashed when being delivered to the Italian Air Force, which can’t be correct.

Anyway here is a picture of the aircraft assembled for the Duxford auction. It had a really high reserve, so I cannot belive the owners scrapped the aircraft when it didn’t sell.

Along the same vein , in 1988 there was an ex German F104 Starfighter next to the “control tower” at the small airfield just outside Skegness ( Ingoldmells ) , me and the missus went for a pleasure flight and the F104 was lying propped against the building with the wings stacked against it . Does anybody have any photos or info regarding where she went to ???

She was certainly worth saving if you look at the lengths that TFC had to go to get the RAFM a genuine ex RAF Sabre from Italy.
I don’t think she went to the scrapman – I scrapman would pay peanuts for her and I am sure they wouldn’t choose this option after entering her in the auction at Duxford. I think realistically she was sent to the US to be used in the drone program .
As for the Midland museum they have the rear fuselage outside of a former RCAF Canadair Sabre which came from Cranfield – that’s all they have ever had of a Sabre.

Heard that it “may” have gone to the Midland Air Museum but was sold off in 1997.

no other details sorry

I reckon that’s another one the scrapman got

I have also been trying to track this aircraft down for some time. I have come across no leads since the time that you mention.

It had previously been part of the Reflectaire collection at Squires Gate Airport, Blackpool. That was wound up in 1972 and the collection auctioned off. The most well known part of the collection, Lancaster NX611, now resides at East Kirby. Another former part of the collection, VS Seafire FR Mk47, VP441, is being rebuilt to flying condition presently in the US.

I have been in touch with a former employee of Reflectaire who has also been trying to locate this Sabre. It then carried the registration G-ATBF but there is no trace of it on the register now.

I would be very interested in whatever turns up on this as well.

Regards,

Laurie.