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-113 10405

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.

RCAF Accident Report

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413 (TR) Sqn Ad Vigilamus Undis ("Tusker")

History of the Squadron during World War II (Aircraft: Catalina I, IB, IV)

The squadron was formed as the eleventh RCAF squadron created overseas in WWII. It was formed in Stranraer, Scotland on July 1, 1941 as a flying boat General Reconnaissance unit, flying Catalina aircraft on reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols. It flew from Stranraer and from Sullom Voe in the Shetland Islands. In March 1942 it was hurriedly sent to the Far East, to Koggala in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) , and was pressed into service to maintain reconnaissance to watch for the Japanese fleet that was thought to be on the way to attack Ceylon. Indeed, the fleet was detected by Squadron Leader L.J. Birchall on April 4, 1942 and the defenders in Ceylon were alerted so that the invasion did not take place. S/L Birchall was awarded the DFC for his operation, on which he was shot down and taken as a POW. The squadron remained in Ceylon, with outposts at different locations in the Indian Ocean until January 1945. The squadron personnel were returned to England by sea, and the squadron was disbanded at Bournemouth, England on February 23, 1945.

In the course of operations the squadron logged over 11,500 operational hours for the loss of 3 aircraft, with 27 aircrew being killed, missing or POW. Squadron members were awarded 1 DSO, 4 DFCs, 2 AFCs and 1 MiD. Battle Honours were: Atlantic 1941-43, Ceylon 1942, Eastern Waters 1942-44.Wikipedia, Kostenuk and Griffin

Maps for Movements of 413 Squadron 1941-45

MAP 1: 413 Squadron Movements 1941-45(right-click on image to display enlarged in new tab)

MAP 2: 413 Squadron Bases in the Indian Ocean 1942-45

413 Squadron History Summary 1941-45

History of the Squadron Post-WWII (Aircraft: Lancaster X, Mitchell II, Canso A, Norseman, Sabre II & V, Canuck, Labrador, Hercules, Cormorant)

Re-created at RCAF Rockcliffe, Ontario on April 1, 1947, it took over the duties of No. 13 (Photographic) Squadron, flying Avro Lancaster X, North American Mitchell II, Consolidated Canso A and Noorduyn Norseman aircraft. It operated in this photographic role until November 1, 1950, when it was disbanded.

The squadron re-formed again on August 1, 1951, as a fighter squadron at CFB Bagotville, Quebec . Equipped with the F-86 Sabre II and V they deployed to Zweibrücken, Germany in April 1953. In 1956, it was decided to replace one Sabre squadron in each of the Air Division Europe with an all-weather fighter unit. The squadron accordingly was stood down on April 7, 1957, returned to Canada and was then reactivated on May 1 as an all-weather fighter squadron, operating the Avro CF-100 Canuck out of Bagotville. The squadron again disbanded on December 30, 1961.

The squadron was reactivated at CFB Summerside, Prince Edward Island on July 8, 1968, in its current role of a Transportation and Rescue Squadron. With the closure of Summerside, the squadron relocated to CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia on June 10, 1991. The CH-113 Labrador helicopter was used during this time. The present duties of the squadron are to conduct search and rescue and airlift throughout an 1,800,000 square mile area in eastern Canada. As the primary air search and rescue unit on Canada's East Coast, 413 Squadron crews cover an area extending from the south of Nova Scotia, north to Iqaluit on Baffin Island as far west as Quebec City and east out to the middle of the Atlantic. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, Halifax (JRCC) operationally controls one Hercules and four Cormorant Aircraft for primary Search and Rescue response. 413 Squadron has crews on standby 24-hours a day to respond to marine vessels or aircraft in distress, to carry out medical evacuations, or search for missing persons year round. 413 Squadron has an intimate working relationship with the non-profit Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) in the Maritimes and Newfoundland/Labrador. Both the Hercules and the Cormorant carry out annual visits to each of the zones in the Halifax Search and Rescue Region to assist in the training of CASARA member as spotters. 413 Squadron also provides one Hercules aircraft for global strategic transport. Missions include humanitarian airlift and support of other units of the Canadian Forces. Generally the destinations are in North America, the Caribbean, or Western Europe, but could be anywhere in the world.