The Avon Sabre was built in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and was the RAAF’s mainstay fighter during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. The Australian Sabre was the American design fitted with a more powerful British Rolls Royce engine and twin 30mm Aden canons. Australian Sabres were later modified to carry Sidewinder heat seeking air-to-air missiles. The first Australian built Avon Sabre flew on 3rd August, 1953 and during its test flight it became the first aircraft in Australia to break the sound barrier. Sabres saw service in Malaya in 1958 and Ubon (Thailand) in 1962. A94-951 was built in Australia and delivered to the RAAF on 4th December, 1956.