North Luffenham
439 Squadron Photographs



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  1. 439 Squadron "Christmas Party" - December 1952.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  2. Larger image of the 439 Squadron Christmas Party photo - December 1952.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  3. Front cover of the Canadair "Sabre Shortcuts" booklet - November 1952.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  4. 439 Squadron OC and Flight Commander "mug shots" - November 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  5. 439 Squadron Officer "mug shots" - November 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  6. 439 Squadron Senior NCO and Corporal "mug shots" - November 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  7. 439 Squadron Corporal and AC "mug shots" - November 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  8. 439 Squadron AC "mug shots" - November 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  9. 439 Squadron AC "mug shots" - November 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  10. 439 Squadron AC "mug shots" - November 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  11. Assorted photos of 439 Squadron on Exercise Ardent - 11 October 1952.
    Courtesy As Indicated.

  12. 439 Squadron aircraft lined on the ramp on a foggy day at North Luffenham - October 1952.
    Courtesy Jack Fortin.

  13. 439 Squadron Sabre 19166 on the ramp on a foggy day at North Luffenham - October 1952.
    Note the code "EB" as opposed to the authorized "IG".
    Courtesy Jack Fortin.

  14. Aircraft technicians were a valuable asset to the squadron - September 1952.
    Courtesy 439 Squadron Archives.

  15. Ensconed at North Luffenham, 439ers Smiley, Everard, Pappas, Wheeler, Sills and Jennett take in the sun while waiting for some action - August 1952.
    Courtesy George Fitzgerald.

  16. Some of the pilots of 439 at the squadron's dispersal hut at North Luffenham - August 1952.
    Conditions weren't exactly ideal!
    Courtesy Bert Davis.

  17. 441 and 439 Squadron Sabres lined up on the ramp - August 1952.
    Courtesy Ed Holmes.

  18. 439 Squadron technicians "busy as a bee" - August 1952.
    Can you identify the long building in the background?
    Courtesy Ed Holmes.

  19. RCAF personnel and their Sabre - August 1952.
    F/O AJ Everard (in the cockpit) and AC1 JM Goadett.
    Courtesy Ed Holmes.

  20. F/O TD Wheeler sitting in a Sabre - August 1952.
    Courtesy Ed Holmes.

  21. 439 Squadron Sabre 2s being prepared for flight - July 1952.
    Courtesy George Fitzgerald.

  22. A 439 Squadron Sabre 2 being inspected by assorted groundcrew - July 1952.
    Courtesy George Fitzgerald.

  23. After a weeks well deserved leave, 439 Squadron became operational at North Luffenham - July 1952.
    Courtesy Gilbert Laberge.

  24. Driving Permit and Identification Card - 27 June 1952.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry

  25. Duke Warren's boys at 410 Squadron put up a bit of a skit in honour of 439 Squadron crossing the Atlantic - June 1952.
    Courtesy George Fitzgerald.

  26. 439 Squadron Sabre 2s at North Luffenham - June 1952.
    Courtesy DND PC100.

  27. 439 Squadron Sabre 2s at North Luffenham - June 1952.
    Courtesy GJ Fitzgerald.

  28. Assorted photos of 439 Squadron arriving at North Luffenham - 14 June 1952.
    Courtesy As Indicated.

  29. Operation Leapfrog I - May-June 1952.
    Courtesy Assorted Sources.

    439 Squadron was the third, and last, RCAF squadron to be assigned to 1 Wing North Luffenham. The F-86 Sabre aircraft were flown from Canada to England as part of Operation Leap-Frog I in May-June 1952.

  30. S/L CD "Cal" Bricker, Jr. assumed command as OC 439 Squadron in September 1951 - 30 May 1952.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  31. Perth Man Flying Jet to England - 30 May 1952.
    The Kingston Whig-Standard newspaper article.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  32. London Pilot Going Overseas - 30 May 1952.
    F/O Frank Fowler departing in his F-86 Sabre for Europe. Londron Free Press newspaper article.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

  33. Route for 439 Squadron crossing the Atlantic - 30 May 1952.
    Courtesy Mike Melnick.

  34. Route for 439 Squadron crossing the Atlantic - 30 May 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  35. Departure ceremonies at Uplands - 30 May 1952.
    Hon. Brooke Clazton (Minister of Nation Defense), A/M Curtis, A/V/M Dunlap, A/V/M Campbell, W/C Malloy (CO Uplands).
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  36. Departure ceremonies at Uplands - 30 May 1952.
    (L-R) S/L Cal Bricker, Hon Brooke Claxton (Minister of National Defense), F/O George Fitzgerald.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  37. Departure ceremonies at Uplands - 30 May 1952.
    (L-R) W/C Bud Malloy, S/L Cal Bricker, Hon Brooke Claxton (Minister of National Defense), F/O Tom Wilson, Cpl FC Hill.
    Courtesy Kenneth "KD" Macdonald.

  38. 439 Squadron Leapfrog 1 departure ceremonies at Uplands - 30 May 1952.
    MND Brooke Claxton with S/L Cal Bricker.
    Courtesy Kenneth "KD" Macdonald.

  39. Minister of National Defence Brook Claxton and his party inspect 439 Squadron aircraft - 30 May 1952.
    Courtesy Gilbert Laberge.

  40. Minister of National Defence Brook Claxton and his party inspect 439 Squadron aircraft - 30 May 1952.
    Courtesy Ren L'Ecuyer.

  41. 439 Squadron groundcrew personnel travelled in North Stars - 30 May 1952.
    Courtesy Gilbert Laberge.

  42. 439 Squadron personnel ready to board the 426 Squadron North Star - 30 May 1952.
    (L-R) LAC Frank Newberry, LAC Ray O'Link, LAC Ray Fournier.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  43. 439 Squadron Sabres on the ramp ready for departure to Europe - 30 May 1952.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  44. North Star ready for departure to Europe - 30 May 1952.
    Courtesy Bob Jackson.

  45. 439 pilots who participated in Operation Leapfrog I - 29 May 1952.
    The rest of the story.
    Courtesy DND PL54293.

  46. 439 Squadron pilots who particiated in Operation Leapfrog I - 29 May 1952.
    The rest of the story.
    Courtesy Kenneth "KD" Macdonald.

  47. Larger image of the 439 Squadron pilots who particiated in Operation Leapfrog I - 29 May 1952.
    The rest of the story.
    Courtesy Kenneth "KD" Macdonald.

  48. 439 Squadron aircraft ready for inspection at RCAF Station Uplands - 29 May 1952.
    Courtesy DND PC 81.

  49. 439 Squadron aircraft ready for inspection at RCAF Station Uplands - 29 May 1952.
    Courtesy Kenneth "KD" Macdonald.

  50. Larger image of the 439 Squadron aircraft at RCAF Station Uplands - 29 May 1952.
    Courtesy Kenneth "KD" Macdonald.

  51. 439 Squadron Sabre aircraft on the line at Uplands - 29 May 1952.
    Courtesy Mike Melnick.

  52. Bound For Britain - 28 May 1952.
    Kingston Whig-Standard newspaper article.
    Courtesy Frank Newberry.

  53. Baggage check at Uplands in preparation for the upcoming "Operation Leapfrog I" - 23 May 1952.
    Courtesy Ed Holmes.

  54. Preparations for departure from Uplands on Operation Leapfrog I - May 1952.
    Courtesy Gilbert Laberge.

  55. Slightly closer image of the previous photo - May 1952.
    Courtesy Gilbert Laberge.

  56. Last chance for administration matters prior to departure from Uplands - May 1952.
    Courtesy Gilbert Laberge.

  57. Ground crew personnel go through their checks prior to a Sabre departure from Uplands - May 1952.
    Courtesy Mike Melnick.

  58. Sabre 19240 was severely damaged in a prang at Uplands while with 439 Squadron - March 1952.
    Later, in a "let's see if it works" bit of fireworks, "240" was used in a dummy ejection seat trial, also at Uplands.
    Courtesy Al Seitz.



Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.


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Updated: February 11, 2005