de Havilland Canada CC-115 Buffalo
de Havilland Canada CC-115 Buffalo (Serial No. 15456).
The Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing (STOL) utility transport turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou. The aircraft has extraordinary STOL performance and is able to take off in distances much shorter than most light aircraft can manage.
The Buffalo arose from a 1962 US Army requirement for a STOL transport capable of carrying the same payload as the CH-47A Chinook helicopter. DHC based its design to meet the requirement on an enlarged version of its DHC-4 Caribou, already in large-scale service with the US Army, to be powered by General Electric T64 turboprops. The Buffalo was chosen as the winner of the US Army competition in early 1963, with four DHC-5s, designated YAC-2 (later CV-7A and subsequently C-8A) ordered. The first of these aircraft made its maiden flight on 9 April 1964. All four aircraft were delivered in 1965, the Buffalo carrying nearly twice the payload as the Caribou while having better STOL performance.
Company data claims a takeoff distance over a 50 ft (15 m) obstacle of 1,210 ft (369 m) at 41,000 lb (18,597 kg) and a landing distance of over a 50 ft (15 m) obstacle of 980 ft (299 m) at 39,100 lb (17,735 kg) for the DHC-5A model. A production DHC-5D Buffalo was used for breaking time-to-height records for the weight category 12,000-16,000 kg (26,430-35,242 lb) on 16 February 1976, reaching 3,000 m (9,836 ft) in 2 min 12.75 sec, 6,000 m (19,672 ft) in 4 min 27.5 sec and 9,000 m (29,508 ft) in 8 min 3.5 sec.
The RCAF first acquired 15 DHC-5A designated as CC-115 for tactical transports. These were initially operated at CFB St Hubert, QC by 429 Squadron in a tactical aviation role as part of Mobile Command. In 1970, the Buffalo aircraft were transferred to a transport and rescue role with 442 Squadron, 413 Squadron, 424 Squadron as part of Transport Command. 426 Squadron also flew the aircraft for training. Some were leased back or loaned back to the factory for trials and eventually returned to military service.
Three of the aircraft were also deployed on UN missions to the Middle East with 116 Transport Unit until 1979. They had a white paint scheme which was retained while they were serving in domestic transport with 424 Sqn in between deployments. On 9 August 1974, CF CC-115 Buffalo (Serial No. 115461) was shot down by a Syrian surface-to-air missile, killing all nine CF personnel on board. This represents the single biggest loss of Canadian lives on a UN mission as well as the most recent Canadian military aircraft to be shot down.
In 1975, the Buffalo dropped its tactical transport role and was converted to domestic search and rescue, except for a few that kept serving on UN missions. The initial paint scheme for the SAR converted aircraft was white and red while others still had the original drab paint. The previous drab paint and white paint were eventually replaced with the distinctive yellow and red scheme commonly seen today. The number of aircraft have been reduced to eight, with six on active service, one in storage (recently dismantled) and one used for battle damage training. The remaining operational Buffalos operate in the Search and Rescue (SAR) role for 442 Squadron at CFB Comox, British Columbia. Air Command was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2011, meaning the CC-115 has served with the RCAF, Air Command and now the RCAF once again. The Buffalo was replaced by the Lockheed CC-130 Hercules aircraft at search and rescue bases in CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia and CFB Trenton, Ontario. In 2016, the Department of Defense awarded Airbus a contract for 16 C-295s with delivery scheduled to begin in 2019 and running through 2022. Production of the DHC-5A ended in 1972 after sales to Brazil and Peru but restarted with the DHC-5D model in 1974. This variant sold to several overseas air forces beginning with Egypt. Production of the DHC-5D ended in December 1986. Harold Skaarup web page with revisions
Wikipedia de Havilland Buffalo
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
CC-115 Buffalo - Kestrel Publications
CC-115 DHC-5 Buffalo Engine Start-up and Takeoff
CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF Owned (15) RCAF 400 Squadrons (15) Canadian Crewed (15) Canadian Manufactured (15) Canadian Museum (6)Buffalo 9451
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Known Squadron Assignments: AETE; 424; 442
First flight 17 May 1967, as CF-LAQ. Delivered to Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment (CFB Uplands?) 17 May 1968. Still marked CF-LAQ when reported at Gatwick, UK on 22 May 1968. Seen at Gatwick again on 28 August 1969, carrying RCAF serial.From 115451
Leased back to de Havilland Canada for trial on 15 July 1970, registered as CF-LAQ. To Bell-Textron for air cushion trials on 15 November 1971 (back to CAF serial number?). First flight in this configuration in August 1973, by 4950th Test Wing, USAF. Carried US designation XC-8A for these tests. To Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, in 1975. Lease for this testing ended 30 April 1979. Converted to SAR configuration by de Havilland Canada by 30 October 1979. With 424 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Trenton, Ontario, in early 1990s. To 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, BC, by 1997. On display at the Edmonton International Airshow on 11 July 2002. Still operational with 442 Squadron in 2004, October 2005, and February 2009. SOS 2021. Preserved at Summerside Museum, PEI.
last update: 2024-September-22
1968-April-03 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115451 . 2019-08-20
2021 Struck off Strength 2021-11-08
Buffalo 9452
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Known Squadron Assignments: AETE; 424; 116ATU; 442
Delivered to Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment (CFB Uplands?) 8 July 1967. Later delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron, RCAF Station St. Hubert detachment.From 115452
Leased to de Havilland Canada for trials in 1972, registered CF-QVA. Operated by Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment and 424 Squadron crews at Edwards AFB in spring of that year, for artificial icing trials. To 116 Air Transport Unit for UN duties, at Ismailia, Egypt, from October 1973 to July 1979. Painted white for this service. Operated in Somalia in 1978. Used by 424 (T&R) Squadron, CFB Trenton, for Operation Oxide in early 1980 - support for UN election observers in Rhodesia. Seen at Mildenhall, UK on 9 March 1980, en route to Africa. Seen at Shannon Airport, Ireland, September 1982, in overall white scheme. Later to 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, BC. Still operational with 442 Squadron in 2004, and October 2005. Took part in 2006 Abbotsford air show, August 2006. Still with 442 Squadron in January 2009. To Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Rockcliffe Ont Dec 2023.
last update: 2024-September-22
1967-June-07 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115452. 2019-08-20
Buffalo 9453
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424; 442
First flight June 1967, as CF-ABR. Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 25 July 1968.From 115453
Still in full camouflage on 17 September 1972, when it visited Brampton, Ontario. Converted to SAR configuration by 11 September 1973. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton. Loaned to de Havilland Canada, registered CF-ABR, dates unknown. With 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, BC on 7 February 1979, in camouflage. First offered for sale 13 May 1992. Withdrawn from use and stored at CFB Mountain View by 14 October 1992. Seen in storage at Mountain View, without horizontal and vertical tails, in May 1994, in yellow SAR markings. Sold 1994, not delivered until May 1997, to Sky Relief Ltd of Zimbabwe, registered Z-SRD on 5 September 1997. Reported withdrawn from use c.2004. Later to Kenyan register as 5Y-SRD, in overall yellow paint scheme in 2005. All white, with UN markings, when featured in the 2006 movie "Constant Gardener". Apparently still operated by Sky Relief at that time. Reported undergoing major overhaul in September 2011, in Kenya.
last update: 2024-September-22
1968-May-06 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change renumbered as 115453 2019-08-20
1992-October-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Buffalo 9454
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 442; 424
Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 18 September 1967, still with this unit in 1969. Seen at Gatwick, UK on 4 September 1969. Serving with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton when renumbered.From 115454
Serving with 429 (Tac T) Squadron when renumbered. With 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, BC in 1974 in white SAR scheme, and on 7 February 1979, in yellow SAR scheme. With 424 Squadron in 1988. First stored at CFB Mountain View on 14 October 1992. Rotated in and out of active service for some time, later used as source of spares. Pieces noted at Mountain View, disassembled and widely scattered, in October 2005. Some pieces still there in August 2007. Fuselage stored outside by September 2007, still there in November 2008. Reported scheduled for scrapping by end of 2010, but fuselage still at Mountain View in October 2010.
last update: 2024-September-22
1967-May-28 to Civil Register Canadian rolled out, civil registration (if any) not known 2019-08-20
1967-July-13 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115454 2019-08-20
Buffalo 9455
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Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 413; 424
First delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton.From 115455
Serving with 429 (Tac T) Squadron when renumbered. With 413 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Summerside, PEI, in 1978, in white SAR finish. In yellow SAR finish by 1979. Damaged by engine fire on the ground while with this unit in 1979. To Trenton for lengthy repairs, returned c.1985. With 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton, Ontario, dates not known. Withdrawn from use and stored at CFB Mountain View on 10 February 1993. Offered for sale 16 May 1995. Sold to Sky Relief of Zimbabwe on 7 October 1995, registered Z-SRE. Delivered via Goose Bay, Kefklavik, Newcastle UK, Corfu, to Harare, Zimbabwe. Airframe purchased back by the CF as a source for parts in 2011.
last update: 2024-September-22
1967-September-13 Taken on Strength delivered to CAF 429 Sqn per Walker. Original Inv card in CASPR shows TOS 13 Sept/67. 2020-10-02
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115455 2019-08-20
1992-October-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Buffalo 9456
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Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424; 442
Reported marked CF-YPK when seen at Gatwick, UK on 20 June 1969. Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 9 November 1967. Seen at Gatwick again on 31 August 1969, carrying RCAF serial. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton.From 115456
Serving with 429 (Tac T) Squadron when renumbered. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton, dates not known. Converted to SAR configuration by 29 Ocotber 1975. With 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, BC by 1977, when it visited Abbottsford, BC in white SAR scheme. Also carried out fisheries patrols in 1977. Still in white scheme on 7 February 1979. Displayed at airshow at Fairford, UK on 22 July 1989, in yellow SAR scheme. Carried Skyhawks parachute demonstration team at Bromont, Quebec in 1993, in yellow SAR scheme. Diverted to Sitka, Alaska in 1996 after small fire in cockpit. Visited Penticton, BC in 442 Squadron markings in November 2000. Visited CFB Trenton, Ontario in May 2002. Carried Skyhawks at Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa, 1 July 2002. Still with this unit in October 2007. Still with 442 Squadron in March 2009. Damaged in November 2009 while undergoing maintenance at Kelowna Flightcraft at Kelowna, BC. Fuel tank ruptured during leak check, severe damage to main wing structure. Still at Kelowna in August 2010. SOS: 8 September 2020; Preserved at National Air Force Museum in Trenton, ON.
last update: 2024-September-22
1967-October-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115456. 2019-08-20
Buffalo 9457
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424; 413; 442
First flight 14 November 1967. Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 27 November 1967. Seen at Gatwick, UK on 5 February 1970. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton.From 115457
Serving with 429 (Tac T) Squadron when renumbered. Converted to SAR configuration by 17 March 1976. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton, dates not known. With 413 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Summerside, PEI, by 1978, in white SAR finish. In yellow SAR finish later in 1978, when it visited Goose Bay, Newfoundland. Visited Barnes Airport, MA, on 14 June 1987, and Westfield, MA on 31 June 1987, in yellow SAR scheme. With 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, in 1994. At CFB Trenton, Ontario on 30 May 1994. Visited Squamish, BC in February 1995. Still with this unit on 2 February 2005. Still with 442 Squadron in January 2009. SOS: 2020; Preserved at the Comox Air Force Museum.
last update: 2024-September-22
1968-November-17 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115457. 2019-08-20
Buffalo 9458
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424; 442
Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 2 January 1968. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton.From 115458
Serving with 429 (Tac T) Squadron when renumbered. Converted to SAR configuration by 17 March 1976. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton, dates not known. With 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, BC, in white SAR scheme by 1974. Carried stork symbol on tail, after baby girl delivered onboard during medivac flight on 29 April 1975. In overall yellow paint by 1987. Withdrawn from use and stored at CFB Mountain View, Ontario 23 July 1992. First offered for sale 14 October 1992. Sold to Sky Relief Ltd. Of Zimbabwe on 7 September 1995, registered as Z-SRF. Delivered via Goose Bay, Iceland, Newcastle, Corfu to Harare, Zimbabwe. Reportedly used for spares, broken up by 1997.
last update: 2024-September-22
1967-December-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115458 . 2019-08-20
1992-October-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Buffalo 9459
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424; 413
Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 31 January 1968. Visited London-Gatwick airport on 30 and 31 May 1968. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton.From 115459
Converted to SAR configuration by 17 March 1976. With 413 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Summerside, PEI, in 1978, in white SAR finish. In yellow SAR finish by 1979. Still with this unit in early 1991. Withdrawn from use and stored at CFB Mountain View on 22 May 1991. First offered for sale on 14 October 1992. Sold to Sky Relief Ltd. Of Zimbabwe on 18 January 1996, registered as Z-SRF. Delivered via Goose Bay, Iceland, Newcastle, Corfu to Harare, Zimbabwe.
last update: 2024-September-22
1968-January-18 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115459 . 2019-08-20
1992-October-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Buffalo 9460
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 116ATU; 424; 442
Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 31 January 1968.From 115460
Loaned back to de Havilland Canada, registered as CF-LAQ, dates unknown. Assigned to 116 Air Transport Unit for UN service in Middle East, October 1973 to July 1979. Overall white finish with UN markings. Used by 424 (T&R) Squadron, CFB Trenton, for Operation Oxide in early 1980 - support for UN election observers in Rhodesia. Seen at Mildenhall, UK on 9 March 1980, en route to Africa. Visited Griffis AFB, NY on 9 August 1980, in overall white scheme. With 442 Squadron, CFB Comox, BC, in 1982. Visited New Orleans in 1982. Visited CFB Borden, Ontario in June 1990, in camouflage. Withdrawn from use and stored at CFB Mountain View, Ontario on 22 September 1991. Seen in storage at Mountain View, without horizontal and vertical tails, in May 1994, in camouflage. First offered for sale in 1994. Sold to Sky Relief Ltd. Of Zimbabwe on 18 January 1996, registered as Z-SRB. Delivered via Goose Bay, Iceland, Newcastle, Corfu to Harare, Zimbabwe.
last update: 2024-September-22
1968-July-18 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115460 . 2019-08-20
1992-October-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Buffalo 9461
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424; 116ATU
Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 16 May 1968. Seen at Gatwick, UK on 3 June 1968.
With 424 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Trenton, Ontario. Seen at Gatwick, UK on 23 May1973. Lent from 424 Squadron. to 116 Air Transport Unit for use with the United Nations in the Middle East, late 1973. Only Buffalo lost during RCAF/CAF service. In 2002, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario acquired company number 85, ex Sudan Air Force number 811, ex Sudan Airways ST-AHP, in the US. It has been restored to the markings of 115461 when it was shot down.
- Aircraft was operating in service of United Nations, painted white with blue UN lettering (flight 51)
- Aircraft was on a peacekeeping mission with RCAF personnel on board, and was unarmed
- The Buffalo does not in any way resemble or have any flying characteristics of a fighter plane
- Flight plan filed with ICAO gave them similar protections as those for civilian commercial aircraft
- 3 missiles were fired at the Buffalo, with the second one directly hitting the port wing and engine, and the third destroying the fuselage (dismissing any notion that this was the accidental firing of a single missile)
- Outcome: 09 August 1974 became the worst civil aviation tragedy with the greatest loss of life in a single event by Canadian peacekeepers, operating under the United Nations.
1968-April-03 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115461 . 2019-08-20
1975-January-09 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Captain George Garry Foster CD 2021-08-31 1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Corporal Morris Harry Trevor Kennington 2021-08-31 1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Master Warrant Officer Cyril Bogdan Korejwo 2023-03-04 1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Master Warrant Officer Gaston Landry 2023-06-19 1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Captain Keith Bradley Mirau 2021-09-23 1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Corporal Michael William Simpson 2023-03-02 1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Master Corporal Ronald Clifford Spencer CD 2021-08-31 1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Corporal Bruce Kenneth Stringer 2023-03-04 1974-August-09 KIA CAF70 Captain Robert Barr Wicks CD 2021-08-30Buffalo 9462
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424; 116ATU; 442
Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 26 July 1968.From 115462
Serving with 429 (Tac T) Squadron when renumbered. Loaned to de Havilland Canada from 31 May 1974 to 20 June 1975,registered C-GNUZ-X. Used as trials aircraft and demonstrator for DHC-5D program. With 424 (T&R) Squadron at CFB Trenton later that year, for supply missions to northern strips. Converted to SAR configuration by 28 November 1975. Operated on behalf of UN 1979 - 1980 by 116 ATU in Egypt. To No. 1 CFTSA in Halifax, NS, for prototype installation of avionics upgrade, in October 1982. With 424 Sdn.in May 1984, when it transported the original Magna Carta from Kansas City to Hamilton. Static display at London, Ontario airshow June 1987. Still with this unit in 1990. Later assigned to 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, BC. Delivered fuel drums to storage at Tanqueray Fiord (JQ6) on Ellesmere Island, summer of 1996. This is an annual trip, called "Operation Hurricane". Seen at Phoenix, Arizona, 24 October 2002. Visited Port Alberni, BC on 22 July 2004. Carried Skyhawks parachute team at Halifax, NS on 12 September 2004. Still with this unit in September 2005, when it was displayed at the Oceana NAS air show. Seen at CFB Trenton, Ontario in August 2007. Still with 442 Squadron in January 2009. Took part in Abbotsford air show in August 2015. Displayed at 17 Wing, CFB Winnipeg.
last update: 2024-September-22
1968-July-03 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115462 . 2019-08-20
Buffalo 9463
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424
Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 3 October 1968.From 115463
Serving with 429 (Tac T) Squadron when renumbered. Loaned to de Havilland Canada in 1972, registered CF-DJU, for display at Transpo72, Dulles airport, Washington, DC. Converted to SAR configuration by 17 March 1976. Used by 424 (T&R) Squadron, CFB Trenton, for Operation Oxide in early 1980 - support for UN election observers in Rhodesia. Seen at Mildenhall, UK on 9 March 1980, en route to Africa. Seen at CFB Trenton, Ontario September 1981 still in overall white UN scheme. Flew in airshow at Greenham Common, UK, June and September 1981, in overall white scheme. At CFB Trenton in camouflage June 1990. Withdrawn from use and stored at CFB Mountain View, Ontario on 13 May 1992. First offered for sale in 1994. Sold to Sky Relief Ltd. Of Zimbabwe September 1995, registered as Z-SRG. Delivered via Goose Bay, Iceland, Newcastle, Corfu to Harare, Zimbabwe.
last update: 2024-September-22
1968-September-09 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115463 . 2019-08-20
1992-October-14 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Buffalo 9464
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GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 424
First flight on 4 November 1968, as CF-XTE. Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 17 December 1968. Seen at Gatwick, UK on 18 June 1969.From 115464
Loaned to de Havilland Canada, registered CF-XTE, dates unknown. Transferred from 429 Squadron at St. Hubert, Quebec to 424 (T&R) Squadron at CFB Trenton in June 1970. Flew support party for Artic tour by Prince Charles in April 1975. Converted to SAR configuration by 17 March 1976. Still with 424 (T&R) Squadron at CFB Trenton, Ontario September 1983, and at CFB North Bay August 1986, in camouflage. Withdrawn from use and stored at CFB Mountain View, Ontario June 1995. In use as instructional airframe at CFB Borden, Ontario by October 1997. Reported being scrapped at CFB Trenton in October 2005, but still on the Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron ramp, in December 2005. Still there in July 2008, reported as reserved for RCAF Museum at Trenton. Still in storage at Trenton in March 2011.
last update: 2024-September-22
1967-December-04 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115464 . 2019-08-20
Buffalo 9465
Downsview
GE CT-64-820-3
Known Squadron Assignments: 429; 413; 424; 442
Delivered to 429 (Tac T) Squadron on 17 December 1968.From 115465
Flew in Hamilton airshow, June 1975, in camouflage. Converted to SAR configuration by 17 March 1976. To 413 Squadron 1979 to 1985, as replacement for damaged 115455. In SAR configuration, but still camouflaged, while with this unit. Served with 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton, dates not known. Assigned to 442 (T & R) Squadron, CFB Comox, BC by 1991. Major left engine fire on ground during maintenance test, 7 February 1998, at Comox. Category C damage. Visited Phoenix, Arizona on 25 September 2003. Visited Calgary, Alberta on 20 May 2004. Took part in 2005 Abbotsford air show. Still with this unit in October 2005. Still with 442 Squadron in September 2008. On 26 Nov 2009, this a/c was undergoing a complete maintenance overhaul (referred to as a periodic inspection) at at a civilian contractor's facility. As part of this procedure, the a/c exterior was to be completely stripped and repainted; this task was being completed in parallel with the overhaul of mechanical systems. During refinishing, adhesive backed metal aluminum tape was used to seal the fuel tank vents, as per normal procedures. In this case, the repainting task was only partially completed and the tape had not yet been removed when the a/c was scheduled for a fuel leak check as part of a parallel maintenance routine. The crewchief had reviewed the Canadian Forces Technical Order (CFTO) pertaining to the fuel system and other systems, prior to commencing the leak check, which required the pressure refueling of all tanks. The outer wing fuel tanks were filled without incident, but as the inner wing fuel tanks were being filled a bang was heard. The investigation found that tape over the fuel vent had prevented the trapped air in the fuel tank from escaping during the refuelling operation, leading to an over-pressurization in the right inner-wing tank which resulted in significant (Cat C) structural damage of the right-hand wing.
last update: 2024-September-22
1968-December-06 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1970-May-28 Serial Change Became CAF 115465 . 2019-08-20
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