Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Gypsumville, ManitobaBoeing CH-113 Labrador (RCAF)/Voyageur (Army)
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
CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF Owned (18) RCAF 400 Squadrons (16) Canadian Crewed (17) Canadian Museum (4)Labrador/Voyageur CH-113A 10410
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.From 11310
With 413 Squadron, CFB Summerside, PEI, dates unknown. With 450 Squadron when M.Cpl. R.G. Slobogian was killed in an incident involving this helicopter on 8 July 1972. Converted to SAR configuration Labrador 1975. Seen at Trenton in 1976, in partial SAR markings (red band over Army olive drab). With 103 Rescue Unit, CFB Gander, Nfld, in 1982. Flew 8.1 hours on 15 February 1982, searching for survivors of Ocean Ranger oil rig. Refueled on other oil rigs during this mission. With 442 Squadron, CFB Comox, BC in 1991 and 1995. Subsequently operated by 424 Squadron, CFB Trenton, Ontario. Took part in retirement ceremonies and flight display at Trenton, 26 June 2004. Delivered to CFSATE, CFB Borden, Ontario, for use as instructional airframe on 19 July 2004. Still at Borden in 2006 and 2008. Disassembled and trucked to CFB Comox in early 2010, for eventual display there.
1964-11-09 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1971-11-19 Serial Change Became CAF 11310. 2019-08-20
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