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Convair Cosmopolitan (Canadian: 15 )

Convair CC-109 CC109 Cosmopolitan Samaritan 440 540

(RCAF Photo via Francois Dutil)
Canadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan (Serial No. 11159), in early service with the RCAF, ca 1960s. This is an early version of the aircraft with Napier Eland engines.

The Canadair CL-66 was a turboprop version of the civilian Convair CV-440 Metropolitan. The CC-109 Cosmopolitan or "Cosmo" in RCAF service became the standard VIP aircraft as well as replacing the Douglas Dakota and the North American B-25 Mitchell in light transport duties. After a lengthy career stretching into the 1990s, the CC-109 was replaced by the CC-142 Dash 8 and CC-144 Challenger. Wikipedia

After the integration of the Canadian Forces, the CC-109 fleet changed registrations (from 11XXX to 109XXX series) on 26-5-1970. The Canadair designation CL-66B was given to aircraft ordered by the RCAF. The CL-66B was patterned on the Convair-produced C-131F for the USAF. The left side of the fuselage was fitted with a large cargo door and the fuselage was strengthened by increasing the number of under floor beams. This mod both reduced the overall payload and the number of fittings for seats as compared to the CL-66C. The Canadair designation CL-66C was given to the three airframes that Canadair received from Convair when it phased out Convair 440 production. Canadair equipped the airframes with Napier Eland turboprops and the aircraft were also known as CV-540 under the Convair designation series. In 1966, due to severe reliability and maintainability issues with the Napier Eland engines, eight CC-109s were re-engined with civilian model Allison 501-D36 turboprops at the Pac-Aero facility in California. After the first eight aircraft, this production line ceased before any other RCAF aircraft could be accommodated.

source: Kestrel Publications

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Cosmopolitan Transport

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications CC-109 Cosmopolitan - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (12), RCAF 400 Squadron (6)
last update: 2023-11-08 19:50:08

Cosmopolitan 11106

s/n
 11106
m/d
 440
c/n
 454
c/r
 CF‑LMA

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

Built by Convair as a Model 440, registered as N8445H. Converted to Model 540/CL-66 with turboprops by Canadair, civil registration (if any) not known. Rolled out at Cartierville in early 1959 in RCAF markings. First flight on 19 February 1959 by Canadair pilots B. Longhurst and S. McLean. Leased to RCAF as 11106 with 412 Squadron, Rockcliffe to train crews for new CC-109s being built at that time. Returned to Canadair and to civil register as CF-LMA. Used as demonstrator and leased to Quebecair in 1960. Sold to RCAF in 1962 as 11162 (see entry below).

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
   1959-February-19 First Flight 2023-10-31
   1959-July-14 Taken on Strength (leased) 2023-10-31
   1960-March-11 Struck off Strength -returned to Canadair 2023-10-31
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 383 | 1968 632

Cosmopolitan 11107

s/n
 11107
m/d
 440
c/n
 462
c/r
 CF‑MKO

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

Built by Convair as a Model 440, registered as N8446H. Converted to Model 540 with Napier Eland turboprops by Canadair. Assigned to Central Experimental Proving Establishment (CEPE) at Rockcliffe 1959-06-19. Leased to RCAF 1959-11-30 as 11107 with 412 Squadron, Rockcliffe to train crews for new CC-109s being built at that time. Returned to Canadair and to civil register as CF-MKO 1960-01-29. Leased to Quebecair in 1960/1961. Sold to RCAF in 1962 as 11163 (see entry below).
2023-11-08
RCAF Aircraft Record Card
   1959-June-19 Taken on Strength (leased) 2019-08-20
   1960-January-29 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 383 | 1968 633

Cosmopolitan 11151

s/n
 11151
as/n
 109151
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 1
c/r
 C‑FNCI, C‑GULQ

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

First CL-66 completely built by Canadair. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Carried AVM Easton and Cornblatt to Burbank, California and return in June 1961. Carried Pakistan High Commissioner Sultan M. Kahn, Ottawa to Toronto and back June 1962. Converted to CV-580 standard with Allison 501-D36 turboprops (likely in 1966). Withdrawn from use on 7 July 1994. In storage at Air Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton in 1995. Sold in 1996 to civil register as C-FNCI. US registered as #N4AX. Sold to Kelowna Flightcraft in 2012 as C-GULQ and flown to Kelowna, BC. Not economically viable to return to service; later scrapped.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
   1960-June-21 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109151 from 11151 2023-10-31
   1996-October-11 Struck off Strength also given as 1994-07-07; later sold 2023-11-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11152

s/n
 11152
as/n
 109152
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 2
c/r
 C‑FNCL, C‑GLWF

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Seriously damaged in in-flight engine failure, date not clear. Converted to CV-580 standard with Allison 501-D36 turbprops in 1966. Still with No. 412 Squadron in fall of 1978 and based at CFB Uplands, Ontario in 1983. Based at CFB Lahr, Germany from 8 April 1991 to 1 October 1991, and from 14 May 1992 to 29 May 1993. This was the last CF aircraft based in Europe when it left. Withdrawn from use June 1994. In storage at Air Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton in 1995. Sold in 1996 to civil register as C-FNCL but never flown. Sold to Kelowna Flightcraft in 2011 as C-GLWF and flown to Kelowna, BC. Not economically viable to return to service; remains in open storage; final disposition unknown.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
   1960-April-07 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109152 from 11152 2023-10-31
   1996-October-11 Struck off Strength also given as 1994-06-20; later sold 2023-11-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11153

s/n
 11153
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 3

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Carried visiting NATO diplomats on tour over Niagara Falls on 25 May 1963. Converted to CV-580 standard with Allison 501-D36 turboprops in 1966. Badly damaged by fire on 5 May 1967 at Atlantic Aviation Canada ramp at Dorval, Quebec while in for modifications. Some parts salvaged; engines, propellers and tail surfaces winding up on 11160.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
RCAF Aircraft Record Card
   1960-March-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1969-April-26 Struck off Strength -airframe scrapped, some parts salvaged 2023-10-31

Cosmopolitan 11154

s/n
 11154
as/n
 109154
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 4
c/r
 C‑FNCT

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Converted to CV-580 standard with Allison 501-D36 turboprops, likely in 1966. To NORAD detachment at Colorado Springs by 1968. Withdrawn from use June 1994. In storage at Air Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton in 1995. Sold to civil register as C-FNCT but never flown. Sold to Sankair International as 9Q-CLU in 2001 and then re-registered in Rwanda as 9XR-NB. Later used by Aeroperlas as HP-1468 then HP1468A and then stored in Panama as HP-1468APP in 2003. Moved to Venezuela as YV-191T and then on to Bolivian Air Force as FAB-74 on 2006-04-24.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
   1960-April-28 Taken on Strength -also given as 1960-06-21 2023-11-01
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109154 from 11154 2023-11-01
   1996-October-11 Struck off Strength -also given as 1994-06-20; later sold 2023-11-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11155

s/n
 11155
as/n
 109155
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 5

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

As with other CL-66B's, was built with Napier Eland engines. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Was not modified with Allison engines. In storage at North Bay, Ontario shortly after Integration (1967-11-20). Struck off in 1972, scrapped later that year and reduced to spares.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
RCAF Aircraft Record Card
   1960-June-21 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109155 from 11155 2023-11-03
   1972-May-09 Struck off Strength -later scrapped and reduced to spares 2023-11-03
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11156

s/n
 11156
as/n
 109156
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 6
c/r
 C‑FNCV

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Re-engined with Allison engines at PacAero, Burbank, California in 1966. Based at CFB Uplands, Ontario, 1982 to 1983. With Lahr, Germany detachment late 1983. Withdrawn from use June 1994. In storage at Air Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton in 1995. Sold 1996, to civil register as C-FNCV in 1996, then to US register as N987L. To Kenya register as 5Y-BNV. To Central Africa Cargo of Lanseria, South Africa as 9XR-NC (Rwandan register). Reported on Swaziland register as 3D-ZOE when destroyed in a hard landing at Shabunda Airport, Democratic Republic of Congo, on 3 April 2004.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
   1960-June-21 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109156 from 11156 2023-11-03
   1996-October-11 Struck off Strength -also given as 1994-06-15; later sold 2023-11-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11157

s/n
 11157
as/n
 109157
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 7
c/r
 C‑FNCW, C‑GLWF

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Converted to CV-580 standard with Allison 501-D36 turboprops. Based at CFB Uplands, Ontario in 1983. With Lahr, Germany detachment early 1990s. Withdrawn from use June 1994. In storage at Air Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton in 1995. Sold in 1996 to civil register as C-FNCW, then N4FY, then to Panama as HP-1445AP. Sold to Kelowna Flightcraft in 2012 as C-GLWF and flown to Kelowna, BC. Not economically viable to return to service; later scrapped.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
   1960-June-21 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109157 from 11157 2023-11-03
   1996-October-11 Struck off Strength -also given as 1994-06-20; later sold 2023-11-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11158

s/n
 11158
as/n
 109158
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 8

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

As with other CL-66B's, was built with Napier Eland engines. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Was not modified with Allison engines. In storage at North Bay, Ontario shortly after Integration (1967-11-20). Struck off in 1972, scrapped later that year and reduced to spares.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
RCAF Aircraft Record Card
   1960-October-06 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109158 from 11158 2023-11-03
   1972-May-09 Struck off Strength -later scrapped and reduced to spares 2023-11-03
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11159

s/n
 11159
as/n
 109159
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 9
c/r
 C‑GNGB, C‑GTVJ

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Converted to CV-580 standard with Allison 501-D36 turboprops. With Lahr, Germany detachment 1975 and 1976. Visited Gatwick, UK on 20 January 1975, and Prestwick on 25 November 1976. Based at CFB Uplands, Ontario, 1982. Back at Lahr from 18 April 1990 to 7 June 1990. Withdrawn from use June 1994. In storage at Air Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton in 1995. Sold in 1996 to civil register as C-GNGB. Later became HP-1473 and then YV-192T in Venezuela. Sold to Kelowna Flightcraft in 2012 as C-GTVJ and flown to Kelowna, BC. Not economically viable to return to service; later scrapped.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
   1960-November-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109159 from 11159 2023-11-03
   1996-October-11 Struck off Strength -also given as 1994-06-15; later sold 2023-11-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11160

s/n
 11160
as/n
 109160
m/d
 CL‑66B
c/n
 10
c/r
 C‑GNCM, C‑GPQY

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

Last CL-66 airframe built. Delivered on 3 March 1961. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Carried Governor General Hon. R. Mitchener and party of 23 to Washington, DC on 7 June 1961. Converted to CV-580 standard with Allison 501-D36 turboprops. Seen at Schipol, Holland on 20 May 1972. Seen at Gatwick, UK in January 1978. Based at CFB Uplands, Ontario, 1983. With Lahr, Germany detachment from 1 October 1991 to 14 May 1992. Withdrawn from use June 1994. In storage at Air Maintenance Development Unit at CFB Trenton in 1995. Sold to the civil register in Saskatoon as C-GNCM. Sold to Kelowna Flightcraft in 2011 as C-GPQY and flown to Kelowna, BC. Not economically viable to return to service; later scrapped.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
   1961-February-20 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1970-May-26 Serial Change 109160 from 11160 2023-11-03
   1996-October-11 Struck off Strength -also given as 1994-05-04; later sold 2023-11-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 2005 127 | 2005 168

Cosmopolitan 11161

s/n
 11161
m/d
 CL‑66C
c/n
 475
c/r
 CF‑LMN

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

Built by Convair as a Model 440 registered as N8473H, converted to Model 540/CL-66C by Canadair. Intended as a lease to RCAF as 11108 but not taken up. Remained with Canadair as Model 540 demonstrator, CF-LMN. Finally sold to RCAF as #11161. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Not equipped with cargo door or other strengthening modifications. Did have a galley installed in July 1964. Not re-engined; put up for disposal as 14 Apr 1966. To civil register as N969N with Allison Division of General Motors on 23 August 1966, converted to Model CV580. To North Central Airlines, then Republic Airlines in 1979, and Northwest Airlines in 1986. Later owners include Air Resorts Airlines, Cool Air Inc., and R&R Holding. Reported as N582P, operated by Air Tahoma, at Vancouver in 2006.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
RCAF Aircraft Record Card
   1962-September-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1966-August-16 Struck off Strength -later sold 2023-11-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 632

Cosmopolitan 11162

s/n
 11162
m/d
 CL‑66C
c/n
 454
c/r
 CF‑LMA,C‑GKFR, C‑FHNM

Known Squadron Assignments: 412

Built by Convair as a Model 440 registered N8445H, converted to Model 540/CL-66C by Canadair. Leased to RCAF as 11106 as of 14 July 1959 (see entry above). Leased to Quebecair as CF-LMA in 1960 and then returned to Canadair in1961. Sold to RCAF as 11162. Not equipped with cargo door or other strengthening modifications. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Port engine exploded shortly after take off from Malton, Ontario on 19 March 1962. Lost hydraulics, including flaps and brakes. Deliberately ground looped on landing to avoid ravine, nose gear and left main gear collapsed, resulting in Category "B" damage. Repaired by Canadair. Not re-engined; put up for disposal as 14 Apr 1966. Sold to Universal Trading Corp. of Panama. Civil registrations after sale include N13328, YV-C-AVP, YV-56C, N90421, N586PL, C-GKFR (1986 to 1997, various owners including Kelowna Flightcraft and Quebecair), and N583P with Air Tahoma. Later registered as C-FHNM and reported as stored by Nolinor Aviation as of 2011-05-13. Online photos show C-FHNM flying with Nolinor Cargo as recently as 2018.

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
RCAF Aircraft Record Card
   1962-April-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1966-September-07 Struck off Strength -later sold. 2023-11-06

Cosmopolitan 11163

s/n
 11163
m/d
 CL‑66C
c/n
 462
c/r
 CF‑MKO

Known Squadron Assignments: 104(K); 412

Built by Convair as a Model 440 registered N8446H, converted to Model 540/CL-66C by Canadair. Leased to RCAF as 11107 as of 19 June 1959 (see entry above). Returned to Canadair. Leased to Quebecair as CF-MKO in 1960 and then returned to Canadair in 1961. Sold to RCAF as 11163 in 1962. Not equipped with cargo door or other strengthening modifications. With No. 104 (K) Unit at St. Hubert. Training started at Trenton in July 1962. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Not re-engined. Withdrawn from use on 14 April 1966. To US civil register as N968N with Allison Division of General Motors on 19 October 1966. Passed through many US owners including Central, Republic, Northwest, and Air Resorts Airlines as well as Cool Air. Reported scrapped in May 2003 at Tucson, Arizona (also given as June 1997).

with notes from Kestrel Publications

2023-11-08
RCAF Aircraft Record Card
   1962-April-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1966-September-14 Struck off Strength -later sold. 2023-11-08

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