Taken on strength in 1954, Sabre 23283 was retired to Air Material Development Unit Detachment Mountain View (near Trenton) in 1969. Looking forlorn in this photo, the aircraft would fly again refurbished by Maritime Aircraft Overhaul and Repair Ltd, Moncton NB. Sold to Flight Systems as N2209E in 1970, the aircraft was converted to a QF-86E drone. It wore the RCAF serial (23283) on the fin as a US Army drone (1980 - 84).

Originally built as Canadair CL-13A Sabre 5 RCAF serial 23283 and modified as a QF-86E by Flight Systems Inc., at Mojave. The RCAF serial is said to have been adopted by the US Army when the aircraft was being used on their funded programs, although at the same it was registered N2290Z.

Former Royal Canadian Air Force CL-13 Sabre Mk5 with serial 23283 continued carrying its Canadian serial after conversion to QF-86E and when assigned to the US Army from 1980. It is here seen at Mojave (CA). The Sabre was also civil registered between 1978 and 1984 as N2290Z with Flight Systems at Mojave (CA).