KOREA Serial Numbers

By D. Cooke 

Four Sabres were lost during the war and one during the post armistice period. The 4 Sabres lost were replaced bringing the total number of SAAF Sabres to 22 ,17 of which were returned to the USAF.   The 18 original Sabres were numbered 601 to 618 inclusive and coded A to R, the uneven numbers A to I and the even numbers J to R. The replacement Sabres were numbered 619 to 622 but, it would seem, carried the codes of the lost Sabres. The majority carried names on the nose under the gun troughs on both sides. A list of the known aircraft serial, code and names follows - all taken from photographs in books or from my personal collection. (Webmaster note: most of D. Cooke's photos are included in the galleries).  

A photo has come to light showing the noses of 3 Sabres with the names:

NAUGHTY NELLY, UNJUST BRUNO & VIOLA. 

Unfortunately the codes or serial numbers cannot be seen but the 2 Squadron badge is visible. These were obviously replacement names for some of the Sabres.