Sabres of the 2640s, '50s and '60s!
Lt. Bhutto accuses via transatlantic cable: "How do we know the animated ships are Sabres? Their name isn't ever mentioned on screen! Are you just a big liar?"
It's true that fans pegged them as Sabres when the show aired based only on look. But today we have a script for WALKING WOUNDED and storyboards for act three of WORD OF HONOR which confirm they're both intended to be Sabres!
But what about Karnes' 'old' one from THE LAST ONE LEFT? We don't have any BTS material from the episode! That's true, but take a look at the WORD OF HONOR storyboards: the model sheet the artist references for Sabre in the script is Karnes' ship!
So they 'aged' the present day Sabre after the boards. As I say, fans knew immediately even though the ships are different. I do think you can best see the 'intent' when looking at their behindusses!
What's the continuity error... or continuity opportunity? In the Sabre's original appearance in WC2 (2665) it is designated F-57A. End Run then introduces the F-57B three-seater version and Fleet Action mentions the 'new' Sabre D (in 2668).
I asked noted military aviation historian Dundradal to consider a real world equivalent for us. He recommended the Douglas A-1 Skyraider which has a similar lengthy service history, wide variety of roles and a split set of designations!
"You aren't allowed to end the thread unless you compare the cockpits." - My brain.
And here's a very early version of the game cockpit recently recovered from an Origin hard drive!
Two final other appearances: they were last seen in continuity in the Wing Commander IV novel--inexplicably spelled "Saber"--as obsolete ships flying for the Border Worlds. They're also the hero ship in Kevin Droney's first draft of the Wing Commander movie screenplay (again as Sabers). Chris Roberts changed them to Rapiers in his initial rewrite!
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