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The Boeing Vertol CH-113 Labrador was the RCAF Search and rescue version of the American Model 107-II-9 (CH-46) Sea Knight helicopter. The CH-113A Voyageur was the Canadian Army Assault and utility transport version of the Model 107-II-28 helicopter, later converted to CH-113A Labrador.
The RCAF procured six CH-113 Labrador helicopters for the SAR role and the Canadian Army acquired 12 of the similar CH-113A Voyageur for the medium-lift transport role. The RCAF Labradors were delivered first with the first one entering service on 11 October 1963. When the larger CH-147 Chinook was procured by the Canadian Forces in the mid-1970s, the Voyageur fleet was converted to Labrador specifications to undertake SAR missions. The refurbished Voyageurs were re-designated as CH-113A Labradors, with a total of 15 Labradors ultimately in service.
The Labrador was fitted with a watertight hull for marine landings, a 5,000 kilogram cargo hook and an external rescue hoist mounted over the right front door. It featured a 1,110 kilometer flying range, emergency medical equipment and an 18-person passenger capacity. By the 1990s, heavy use and hostile weather conditions had taken their toll on the Labrador fleet, resulting in increasing maintenance costs and the need for prompt replacement. In 1981, a mid-life upgrade of the fleet was carried out by Boeing Canada in Arnprior, Ontario. Known as the SAR-CUP (Search and Rescue Capability Upgrade Program), the refit scheme included new instrumentation, a nose-mounted weather radar, a tail-mounted auxiliary power unit, a new high-speed rescue hoist mounted over the side door and front-mounted searchlights. A total of six CH-113s and five CH-113As were upgraded with the last delivered in 1984. The last CH-113 was retired in 2004. Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Wikipedia Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight
YouTube Labrador Helicopter Boeing Vertol SAR Search and Rescue Demo 1995
Known Squadron Assignments: 102;424;103;
Registered as N6680D for manufacturer's trials in 1963. Used for cold weather trials at Churchill, Manitoba in winter of 1963/1964. Delivered to 102 (KU) Composite Unit at RCAF Trenton, Ontario. Still there when this unit became 424 (T&R) Squadron in July 1968, and still there when renumbered. Still with this Squadron when Sgt. W.N. Armstrong was killed in an incident involving this helicopter in Nova Scotia on 29 May 1969. Suffered major fire on 22 July 1969, repaired and returned to service.Sgt. W.N. Armstrong was killed in an incident involving this helicopter in Nova Scotia.
Known Squadron Assignments: 442;103;413
With 442 Squadron, RCAF Station Comox, BC, when it took part in rescue of crash survivors near Bramfield, Vancouver Island, on 18 July 1965. Because of the height of the trees, the pilot had to lower fuselage into tree tops to allow hoist cable to reach the ground. Pilot Flight Lieutenant D. M. Campbell received Air Force Cross for this mission. Damaged in hard landing at Coldfish Lake, 630 miles north of Vancouver, in 1968, while flying in parts and mechanics to an Albatross . Still with 442 Squadron at integration.Known Squadron Assignments: 103;442;413;
Based at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario, dates unknown. Also with 442 Squadron at CFB Comox, BC, dates unknown. From 11303Served with 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 14 Wing, Greenwood, NS, dates unknown. With 442 Squadron, CFB Comox, in 1975, 1979 and 1982. Performed multiple rescues, involving 12 boaters and hikers, following storm on 30 March 1975 while with this unit. MCpl W. Wacey received Star of Courage for this day, which included 9.5 hours flying. With 103 Rescue Unit, CFB Gander in 1975 in red, white and blue scheme. Back with 442 Squadron when it took part in mass rescue from buring cruise ship MV Prinsendam off Alaska coast on 4 October 1980.
MS Prinsendam, a Holland-America Line cruise ship built at Shipyard de Merwede in the Netherlands in 1973, was 427 feet long and typically carried about 350 passengers and 200 crew members. The ship was sailing through the Gulf of Alaska, approximately 120 miles south of Yakutat, Alaska, at midnight on October 4, 1980, when a fire broke out in the engine room. The vessel's master, Cornelis Dirk Wabeke (April 13, 1928 "“ August 16, 2011), declared the fire out of control one hour later and the Prinsendam sent a radio call requesting immediate assistance. The United States Coast Guard at Communications Station Kodiak, Alaska requested that the Prinsendam send out an SOS, but the captain declined. Chief Radio Officer Jack van der Zee sent one out anyway about a half-hour later, which alerted nearby vessels.
United States Coast Guard, USAF Air Rescue Service, and Royal Canadian Air Force CH-113 helicopters which had greater range, rescued the passengers and crew. Two USAF pararescuemen were inserted into one of the lifeboats. This boat was the last rescued with a flare spotted by lookout SN Louis Roderick aboard the USCGC Woodrush which was then relayed to the on-scene commander, USCGC Boutwell. The cutters USCGC Boutwell (WHEC-719), USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717), and USCGC Woodrush (WLB-407) responded in concert with other vessels in the area. The Sohio Intrepid and the Williamsburgh assisted on scene. The Williamsburgh served a vital role as a communications platform and was the first vessel to arrive on scene and take passengers on board. The Sohio Intrepid served as a platform for one of the USAF helicopters that was unable to refuel in flight. The rescue took place during a period of steadily deteriorating weather. The passenger vessel capsized and sank on October 8. The rescue is particularly noteworthy because of the distance traveled by the rescuers, the coordination of independent organizations, and the fact that all 520 passengers and crew were rescued without loss of life or serious injury.[(Wikipedia)
With No. 103 RU in 1983 and 1995 in overall yellow scheme. With 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton, dates not known. Reported stored at Gander in 2003.
last update: 2024-September-22Known Squadron Assignments: 442;413
With 442 Squadron at CFB Comox, BC, dates unknown.Known Squadron Assignments: 103;413;424;442
With No. 413 Squadron at CFB Summerside, PEI.
From 11305:
With No. 103 Rescue Unit, CFB Gander, Nfld., dates unknown. With 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton, dates not known. Landed at North Pole, 1 April 1974, while with 413 Squadron, CFB Summerside, PEI. Performed first mass paradrop at the North Pole, 4 Rescue Specialists, on 27 April 1974. This was part of CF support for Operation Frozen Tusker, a joint scientific and SAR training expedition to the pole. To Boeing Canada in October 1982, for first SARCUP upgrade program. Served with 442 Squadron, CFB Comox, BC in 1983. At Boeing Canada at Arnprior, Ontario for overhaul in February 1995.
Took part in search for survivors of Swissair Flight 111 in September 1998. With 413 T & R Squadron, CFB Greenwood, NS, at time of accident. Broke up in flight, while returning from SAR mission in northern Quebec. All 6 crew died. From official accident report: crew detected number 2 engine fire, dumped fuel after securing engine. JP8 fuel was being used (due to remote operating location), and ignited while being dumped. Fire spread to number 1 engine and aft pylon, resulted in structural failure, and blades striking fuselage.
last update: 2024-September-22Crashed after in-flight engine fire. Wreckage examination showed a fuel leak in the #2 engine compartment of CH11305 resulted in an in-flight fire. In the process of responding to the fire, the crew shut down the engine, activated the fire extinguishing system using the T-handle and commenced fuel dump procedures. The right hand dump tube did not extend during the fuel dump sequence; this increased the possibility of fuel to fuselage contact. The #2 fire T-handle was reset prior to the in-flight break-up; re-introducing fuel and oil into the engine compartment after the fire extinguishing system had been activated, likely re-igniting the fire or causing a small explosion in the # 2 engine compartment. During these actions the dumped fuel was ignited and this set off a catastrophic series of events causing rear rotor blade to fuselage contact and the break-up of the aircraft. Forces precipitated by the aircraft break-up and subsequent ground impact caused fatal injuries to all six crew members.
Known Squadron Assignments: 442;103;424
With 413 Squadron at CFB Summerside, PEI.Known Squadron Assignments: 450;413;424
No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Man. Operational by February 1965. To Edmonton Detachment (RCAF Station Namao, Alberta) summer of 1966. Operation Haylift, Claresholm, Alberta, April and May 1967 (disaster relief following blizzard). Unit renamed 450 (HT) Helicopter Squadron February 1968. Took part in search for escaped prisoners, 26 and 27 August 1968, near Edmonton, Alberta. Later with 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario.Known Squadron Assignments: AETE;103;442;450
Became Instructional Airframe A 697 on 4 September 1964, returned to flight status on 14 August 1969. Used by No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Man. To 450 (HT) Helicopter Squadron (Edmonton Detachment) by end of August 1969.Known Squadron Assignments:
Registered as N4626G for company tests. No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers Camp, Man. Operational by November 1964. Part of a three ship flight ferrying to St. Hubert, Quebec from Rivers Camp in August 1966. Crashed shortly after take off from Sawyer AFB in northern Michigan. Ran into low clouds, pilot became disoriented after loosing ground contact in low clouds, lost control during attempted climbing turn. Destroyed by post impact fire. One fatality, all 4 others onboard injured.Known Squadron Assignments: 450;413;442;424
Registered to Boeing-Vertol as N4633G on 22 March 1965, this registration cancelled 17 May 1965. Delivered to No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Manitoba. Operational by November 1964. Operated from deck of HMCS Bonaventure, July 1965. To Edmonton Detachment, 1966. To Alaska for Exercise Frontier Assault 1967. Later with 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario.Known Squadron Assignments: 450;442;413
No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Man. Operational by January 1965. To Europe onboard HMCS Provider in 1967, for exercises in Germany. Visited CFB La Macaza, Quebec in September 1968, probably with St. Hubert detachment of 450 Squadron at this time. Later with 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario.Known Squadron Assignments: 450;413;442
Registered to Boeing-Vertol as N4635G for compnay tests. No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Man. Operational by January 1965. Took part in Exercise White Caribou 1966. Later with 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario.Known Squadron Assignments: 450
To No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Manitoba on 2 February 1965. Operational by February 1965. To Edmonton Detachment (RCAF Station Namao, Alberta) 23 September 1966. Took part in Red Deer, Alberta air show, 4 and 5 August 1967. Flown by Capt. G. C. Walker and Lt. Houle. Lifted dinosaur bones at Trochu, Alberta for University of Alberta Paleontology Department on 19 September 1967, flown by Capts. G. C. Walker and Davis. Believed to be first helicopter airlift of dinosaur bones in Canada. Unit renamed 450 (HT) Helicopter Squadron, CAF February 1968. Still with this unit, by then based at CFB Uplands, when renumbered. While based at Uplands this aircraft became the personal favourite of Prime Minister P. Treadeau, and regularly flew him and his party around eastern Canada.
From 11313
To Boeing Canada at Arnprior for repainting and fly in repairs, back to 450 Squadron at Namao on 8 March 1973. Serving with 450 (HT) Squadron at time of crash. 3 fatalities: Captain Ronald Raymond Fleming CD, Captain Ronald George Davidson, and Master Corporal Malcolm Ross Caton.
. last update: 2024-September-22Known Squadron Assignments: 450
Delivered from Boeing Canada, Arnprior, Ontario, to CJATC on 8 to 10 March 1965, by Captains G. C. Walker and Danford. Served with No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, based at Canadian Joint Air Training Centre, Rivers, Manitoba. To Europe onboard HMCS Provider in 1967, for exercises in Germany. Serving with 450 (HT) Squadron at time of crash (St. Hubert detachment?).Known Squadron Assignments: 450;424;414;103
No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Man. Operational by February 1965. To Edmonton Detachment (RCAF Station Namao, Alberta) summer of 1966. Unit renamed 450 (HT) Helicopter Squadron, CAF February 1968. Took part in Moose Jaw air show, 9 June 1968, flown by Capts. G. C. Walker and Binney. Flew photographic cover for 500 ton blast at CFB Suffield, Alberta, 9 August 1968, flown by Capts. G. C. Walker and Davis. Later with 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario.Known Squadron Assignments: 450;424;442
With No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Manitoba by May 1966. To St. Hubert detachment 1967. Later with 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario.Known Squadron Assignments:
No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Man. Lost control during boost-off training, largely destroyed by post impact fire. One fatality, Capt. S.F. Hand. First Voyageur / Labrador crash, and first fatality. Training procedures revised after this crash.
last update: 2024-September-22Known Squadron Assignments: 450;442;413
With No. 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCASC, based at CJATC, Rivers, Manitoba by May 1966. Later with 450 Squadron at CFB Uplands, Ontario.