Boeing CH-113 Labrador (RCAF)/Voyageur (Army)

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (DND Photo via Francois Dutil)
Boeing Vertol CH-113 Labrador (Serial No. 11302), in formation.

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

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Wikipedia Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight

YouTube Labrador Helicopter Boeing Vertol SAR Search and Rescue Demo 1995

Helis Web Page

Labrador/Voyageur CH-113A 10413

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.

Accident Report

,

,

,

,