The Flying Bulls have added a rare new aircraft to their renowned collection with the arrival of a Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk.6 formerly operated by French pilot and warbird owner Frédéric Akary. The aircraft, registered F-AYSB and previously displayed under the Mistral Warbirds banner, is currently the only flying F-86 Sabre variant based in Europe. Its move to The Flying Bulls places one of the continent’s rarest operational classic jets into one of the world’s best-known historic aircraft fleets. Akary, a former Air France captain, aerobatic pilot, and warbird operator, has spent years flying and maintaining the aircraft on the European airshow circuit. Based at Avignon-Provence Airport in southern France since 2019, the Sabre became a familiar sight at aviation events thanks to its polished presentation and the distinctive sound of its Orenda turbojet engine.
Built by Canadair as construction number 1675, the aircraft was originally delivered to the West German Air Force as Sabre Mk.6 S6-1675. During its military service, it carried several identities before eventually entering civilian ownership and later returning to Europe as F-AYSB. The Canadair-built Sabre Mk.6 is widely regarded as the ultimate version of the Sabre family. Powered by the Avro Canada Orenda 14 engine, the aircraft combined the proven F-86 airframe with improved thrust and handling characteristics. Canadair produced 655 examples of the Mk.6 variant during the 1950s. For decades, the Sabre has remained one of the most respected early jet fighters among pilots and historians alike. Its swept-wing design, balanced handling, and responsive controls helped define the transition from straight-wing fighters to the jet-powered aircraft that dominated the Cold War era.
Akary’s aviation background has made him uniquely connected to the aircraft. Before retiring from Air France after a 38-year career flying aircraft that included the Sud Aviation Caravelle, Airbus A320, Boeing 747, and Boeing 777, he also developed a parallel career in aerobatics and warbird flying. Over the years, he operated several historic aircraft, including a Hawker Sea Fury and the P-51D Mustang Moonbeam McSwine, before eventually acquiring the Sabre he had admired since childhood. Beyond flying the aircraft, Akary became heavily involved in its maintenance and preservation, dedicating significant time each winter to keeping the jet airworthy. That hands-on approach helped ensure the aircraft remained one of the few operational Korean War-era jets still flying anywhere in the world.
Today, although nearly 10,000 Sabres were built across all F-86 variants, only a small number remain airworthy. The presence of F-AYSB on the European airshow circuit has therefore been especially significant for enthusiasts of early jet aviation. Its addition to The Flying Bulls fleet strengthens the organization’s already impressive collection of historic aircraft. Based in Salzburg, Austria, The Flying Bulls operate a wide range of aircraft spanning the piston-engine and jet eras, including warbirds, helicopters, and aerobatic aircraft maintained to exceptionally high standards. The Sabre also fills an important historical niche within the collection, representing the early swept-wing jet fighter era that bridged WWII piston-engine fighters and later supersonic combat aircraft. Just as important as the aircraft itself is Akary’s continuing involvement. His years of operational experience with the Sabre, combined with his technical knowledge of the aircraft, will help preserve the authenticity and operational expertise associated with the jet. While future appearances will depend on operational schedules and maintenance requirements, the move ensures that Europe’s only flying Sabre will remain active on the airshow circuit under the care of one of the aviation world’s most respected warbird organizations. For aviation enthusiasts across Europe, the arrival of the Canadair Sabre at The Flying Bulls represents not just a change of ownership but the continuation of an important piece of living aviation history. For more information about the Flying Bulls, visit www.flyingbulls.at.
