RCAF 100th Part 2 – The Most Recent Past Five Decades

BELL CH-146 GRIFFON

Photographers include: Bob Finch, William Ellison, Ken Middleton, Scott Jankowski, Scott Zeno, Corey Beitler, Don Linn and Ken Kula

The Royal Canadian Air Force celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024. Here is an incomplete look at most aircraft types which were introduced during the RCAF’s most recent five decades of service. You can look at retired RCAF aircraft from its first five decades at an earlier “scrapbook” at https://www.Photorecon.net too.

LOCKHEED CC-130J HERCULES 2010 – CURRENT

AIRBUS CC-150 POLARIS 1992 – CURRENT

The five Airbus CC-150s were former Wardair and Candian Airlines passenger jets. The RCAF added air refueling capabilities to two airframes… this is one of them.

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CF-188 HORNET 1982 – CURRENT

The CF-188 is easily identifiable from other Hornets by the searchlight on the port side of the aircraft, just ahead of the cockpit. 

BELL CH-146 GRIFFON 1994 – CURRENT

LOCKHEED CP-140 AURORA 1980 – CURRENT

The latest upgrade to the RCAF’s venerable Lockheed Orion variant is known as the CP-140M. They will be replaced by P-8 Poseidons. 

LOCKHEED CP-140A ARCTURAS 1992 – 2011

The three Arcturas were similar to the Aurora with the exceptions of no anti-submarine equipment and a different radar aboard. These were the final three Lockheed P-3 airframes built.

DEHAVILLAND CANADA CT-142 DASH 8 1982 – 2003

Two CT-142s replaced a pair of CC-132 (Dash 7s) for inter-European transport during the late 1980s. Four more Dash 8 airframes were converted into CT-142 “Gonzo” navigation trainers (see below).

DEHAVILLAND CANADA CT-142 DASH 8 1989 – CURRENT

CANADAIR CC-144 CHALLENGER 1983 – CURRENT

Canadair’s Challengers have been used as transports, medivac aircraft and even three Electronic Warfare trainers. 

BAE CT-155 HAWK 2000 – 2024

The BAE Hawk will be phased out of RCAF service in the latter portion of 2024.

BEECHCRAFT CT-156 HARVARD II 2000 – CURRENT

BEECHCRAFT BEECH 90B 2005?- CURRENT

BELL 206B JET RANGER 2005? – CURRENT

BELL 412CF OUTLAW 2005? – CURRENT

BOEING CC-177 GLOBEMASTER III 2007 – CURRENT

BELL CH-139 JET RANGER 1981 – 1993

AUGUSTA WESTLAND CH-149 CORMORANT 2000 – CURRENT

Grob 120A 2013 – CURRENT

Other aircraft types include the retired CC-132 Dash Seven and the CH-148 Cyclone. 

Programs under development or approaching deployment include:

CC-295 Kingfisher, the twin engined adaptation of the Airbus C-295M aircraft as a follow-on replacement for elderly CC-130 aircraft, as well as the recently retired CC-115 Buffalo. Aircraft are being delivered now.

F-35 Lightning II will ultimately replace the CF-188 Hornets currently in service. Initial deliveries start in 2026.

Boeing P-8A Poseidon, a variant of the B-737 transport, will replace the Lockheed CP-140 Auroras starting in 2026.

Airbus CC-330 Husky (A-330MRTT) tanker/transport will replace the aging CC-150 Polaris aircraft. The first of nine CC-330s was delivered in 2023

Beechcraft CE-145C Vigilance is a modified BE-350ER platform that will be used for surveillance and reconnaissance. The first aircraft was delivered in early 2024.

Below: GALLERIES 0F AIRCRAFT – HOVER OVER THUMBNAIL FOR THE TYPE AND/OR CLICK FOR A LARGER PHOTO

FIGHTERS