Litvyak's profiles

[Litvyak]

Interesting...

Well, I guess that's better than "that's ridiculous"! 

[Litvyak]

Well, here's a whole pile of new profiles...


From 1995 the Canadian Army took delivery of 114 Bell 412s built under licence by Fleet Canada as the replacement for the CH-118 Iroquois, CH-135 Twin Huey and CH-136 Kiowa in most roles. Designated CH-146 Griffon (serials 146501-146614), they are used in transport, observation, MEDEVAC, light gunship and other roles.


Griffons are also used by the army for domestic SAR operations; these are painted in the standard yellow SAR scheme.


Griffons were also deployed to Afghanistan, where they wore the loviz desert scheme and were used for a variety of purposes.

[Litvyak]

28 CH-146 Griffon replaced the CH-118 Iroquois in 1994-95 in RCAF base flight duties (serials 146801-146828). Unlike the Army's Griffon's, the RCAF units were built by Bell.


The RCN received 16 CH-146N Griffon from Fleet Canada, a navalised version of the Army's Griffon (serials 146901-146916). Operated by HU 20 (RCNAS Patricia Bay), HU 21 (RCNAS Shearwater) and HU 22 (HMCS Cape Young), they are shore-based but frequently deploy to the helicopter-capable ships of the Pacific, Atlantic and Northern Fleets respectively.


HU 23 squadron of the RCN Fleet Air Arm based at HMCS Cape Young operates four CH-146N in the SAR role.

[Litvyak]

42 Noorduyn-built Harvard Mk. II were on strength in 1946 (serials 3800-3841), the majority of them assigned to the RCAF's Central Flying School at RCAF Summerside (PEI). The last of the CFS Harvards was withdrawn in 1950, having been replaced by DHC-1 Chipmunks, but the type remained in operation with reserve units.


RCAF reserve units operated the Harvard from 1946, as well - 400 Sqn (VC-era code AA) and 401 Sqn (AB) flew them from 1946 until 1948, while 442 Sqn (BU) operated them from 1946 until 1955.


411 Sqn (Air Reserve) (AB-era unit code KH) received Harvards from the CFS in 1952. Along with 442 Sqn, 411 Sqn operated their Harvards until the type's final retirement in 1955.

[Litvyak]

Twenty BAe Hawk 100 designated CT-155 Hawk and numbered 155301 through 155320 were delivered in 2000 to the RCAF. 5309 through 5320 are assigned to the Central Flying School and serve as the RCAF's primary jet trainer, officially having replaced the CT-114 Tutor in that role in 2006.


441 Sqn was reformed in 2000 at RCAF Cold Lake as an Aggressor squadron and were assigned Hawks 5301 through 5308. The eight aircraft are painted in four unique aggressor schemes - 5301 and 5302 wear this "desert" scheme.


441 Sqn's Aggressor Hawks 5303 and 5304 wear this scheme, known as "Faux Pas".


Aggressor Hawks 5305 and 5306 wear the "Grape" scheme...


...while 5307 and 5308 wear the "Lizard" scheme.

[Litvyak]

The 431 Aerial Demonstration Squadron, aka "Snowbirds", retired their CT-114 Tutors in 2006 and replaced them with twelve Hawks numbered 155321 through 155332.

[elmayerle]

Any chance of T-45 equivalents showing up in RCN markings?  Might the Hawk 200 show up as a low-cost supplement for some dfensive purposes?  Perhaps crossed with the T-45 equivalent?

[Litvyak]

The RCN FAA still has Spectres at VT 900 for carrier-landing training at Pat Bay (the last operational CF-110s of any variant), and they're getting due for a replacement, so the T-45 is definitely a possibility! I don't know of any other carrier-capable aircraft off hand that'd be suitable for said training...

As for the Hawk 200: those could fill the gap left after the retirement of the CA-114 Attackers (RW: CL-41G Tebuan is the closest equivalent). As it stands right now, the RCAF has the one strike squadron with Rattlers, and 8 fighter squadrons (with CF-188 and CF-201). While I don't think the DND would see a need to raise six squadrons worth of Hawk 200s (there were six squadrons of CA-114s), standing a few squadrons up as Air Reserve squadrons could probably be worthwhile... something to think about, for sure! :)

[Litvyak]

When the RCN decided to build the two Queen Charlotte-class carriers to replace the Colossus-class HMCS Bonaventure, the Fleet Air Arm decided that a native AEW capability was required. To fulfill this need, the FAA opted for the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye. Due to it being a relative of the CP-121 Tracker and the CC-121 Greyhound, it was designated CE-121 Hawkeye. Twelve were delivered (serials 121601-121612) and operated from 1970 to 1988 by VAW 890 (on HMCS Bonaventure (II)) and by VAW 891 (on HMCS Queen Charlotte).


When the new-construction CC-121A Greyhound were ordered in 1986 to replace the original Greyhounds delivered in 1967, twelve further airframes were ordered which were used to replace the original Hawkeyes. These new-build CE-121s were given the same serials as the old ones, and were divided between VAW 890 and VAW 891. In preparation for the commissioning of the HMCS Magnificent in 2015, VAW 892 will be raised at RCNAS Shearwater in 2014, and will be permanently assigned to the new carrier once it is commissioned.

[Litvyak]

Four Lockheed C-130B Hercules were delivered to the RCAF in 1960, designated Hercules Mk. I. This illustration depicts a CC-130B in the delivery scheme with the old roundel and pre-1964 serial number (serials 10301-10304). In 1962, the RCAF took delivery of twenty C-130E, designating them Hercules Mk. II (serials 10305-10324).


In 1964, the Hercules Mk. I was redesignated CC-130B Hercules (new serials 130301-130304) and the Mk. II was redesignated CC-130E Hercules (new serials 130305-130324), opting to use the American subtype designator rather than assigning 'A' and 'B' to the two. Shown here is a CC-130E of 408 Sqn in the 1964-65 transitional scheme featuring new lettering with the old-style roundel.


From 1965 the old roundels were replaced with the new-leaf roundels, resulting in this, the ultimate appearance of the original Hercs in RCAF service. 435 Sqn's four CC-130B were retired and sold in 1974, while the CC-130E were withdrawn in 1975-76, with the Hercules being replaced in RCAF service by the CC-127 Keewatin.


After an extensive study for a replacement for the Keewatin, the RCAF decided to return to the Hercules, ordering 36 CC-130J Hercules from Lockheed (serials 130325-130360). The first CC-130J arrived in 2012 and was assigned to 408 Sqn; 424, 426 and 435 Sqns are to transition to the J model by the end of 2013.

[GTX_Admin]

Interesting...

Well, I guess that's better than "that's ridiculous"! 

Just about everything in this forum is ridiculous...that's what makes it fun...why differentiate for your stuff...

[GTX_Admin]

When the RCN decided to build the two Queen Charlotte-class carriers to replace the Colossus-class HMCS Bonaventure

Tell me more...please.

[Litvyak]

The CC-127 Keewatin was the result of a cooperation between de Havilland Canada and Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan to develop a transport aircraft of a similar class to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Though the versions for the Japanese Self-Defence Forces and the RCAF were visually nearly identical, there were significant differences: the Kawasaki-built JSDF C-1s had a higher payload but significantly shorter range than the RCAF's DHC-built CC-127s. Forty Keewatins (serials 127501-127540) entered RCAF service from 1974, entering service with 426 (illustrated) and 435 Sqns. 408 Sqn converted to the CC-127 in 1975, and 429 Sqn in 1976.


The CC-127s were repainted into the current loviz dark grey scheme used on transport aircraft from 1988. 429 Sqn's Keewatins were transferred to 424 Sqn in 1989 (illustrated here), and 413 Sqn received several in 1993. They are still in service, but are gradually being replaced by the CC-130J.


431 Sqn "Snowbirds" has operated a CC-127 since the unit's formation in 1978, using it as a support aircraft carrying parts and ground crew when the demo team is travelling from airshow to airshow. It is still in service, and there are no immediate plans to replace it.

[Litvyak]

When the RCN decided to build the two Queen Charlotte-class carriers to replace the Colossus-class HMCS Bonaventure

Tell me more...please.

Well, first off, I made a mistake - the original Bonnie was a modified Majestic class, not Colossus, but that's by the by...

In 1960 the RCN decided to replace Bonnie with two new-built carriers. Studies led to the selection in 1962 of a design based on the design of the American Forrestal-class supercarrier. However, it was decided that the 60,000+ ton size of the Forrestal was a little bit beyond what the RCN could either handle or need, so a reduced-size version of the design was developed as a major cooperative effort between Versatile Vickers in Montreal, Davie Shipbuilding in Lévis, Yarrows Ltd. in Esquimalt (BC) and Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver (BC), along with the cooperation of the Norfolk Navy Yard, the builders of the USS Forrestal. By 1964 the design was finalised, and the shipyards at North Vancouver and Lévis were expanded in 1964-65 to handle the 48,900 ton bulk of the new carriers. The keels were laid in 1966 - HMCS Queen Charlotte, named after the Queen Charlotte Islands, as the lead ship at Burrard Dry Dock <<non sequitur, this just made me realise that the North Vancouver waterfront and Lower Lonsdale/Esplanade area would be IMMENSELY different in AltCan!>>, and the second HMCS Bonaventure at Davie.

Queenie was launched in May 1970 and commissioned into the RCN June 1971 as the flagship of the Pacific Fleet. A month later, the original Bonnie was decommissioned. The new Bonnie was launched in October 1970 and commissioned in July 1971 as flagship of the Atlantic fleet.

These ships can carry up to 72 aircraft operationally; at present, the standard air wing consists of 70 aircraft - 36 CF-201N Seafire II fighters in two squadrons, 8 CEF-110N Spirit combat jammers, 4 CE-121 Hawkeye AEW and 6 CP-170 Viking ASW aircraft, 4 CC-121A Greyhound transport aircraft, along with 8 CH-148 ASW and 4 CH-148 minesweeping helicopters.

Both saw service in Vietnam, Bonnie took part in the Falklands War, Operation Allied Force (Yugoslavia 1999) and the Libyan intervention of 2011, while Queenie took part in the first Gulf War/Operation Friction and in the initial phase of the operations in Afghanistan in 2001.

Queenie is to be decommissioned in 2014 and Bonnie in 2015, to be replaced by the new Magnificent-class CVNs under construction (HMCS Magnificent is to be launched in July of this year and scheduled to commission in 2015, the third Bonnie is to commission in 2016, and the second Queenie in 2020). If of interest, I can give more info on the Maggie, too...

[Litvyak]

The competition to determine the replacement of the CF-108 Archer saw the McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 beat out three other contenders - the Avro Canada C.111, the Dassault Mirage F.1 and the General Dynamics F-16. 114 were ordered in both A and B models, replacing the CF-108 and complementing the CF-110 Spectre as the RCAF's front line fighters. Five squadrons - 410 and 425 in 1983, 409 in 1984 (illustrated), 416 and 419 likewise in 1984 transitioned from the Archer to the CF-188 Hornet, as they were designated in RCAF service (serials 188401-188514). From delivery until 1988 they wore the then-standard air superiority blue scheme.


In 1988 the Hornets were repainted into the current loviz light grey scheme used on fighters. Illustrated here is a CF-188A of 425 Sqn. The Hornet is to be replaced in squadron service by the CF-305 Arrow II starting by 2015.


The Central Evaluation & Proving Establishment took four Hornets in 2008 from RCAF stocks, for use in the testing of air-launched ordnance and other experiments.


The RCAF bought two Beechcraft Super King Airs in 1975 to use as navigation trainers. Assigned to 402 Sqn, they were given the designation CT-145 Huron (serials 145101 and 145102) and painted in the standard yellow trainer scheme.


In 1993 the Hurons were repainted into the current overall dark blue trainer scheme.

[Litvyak]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand the last batch for now!


Following the positive experience with a Mil product over the 5-year lease of the CH-166 (Mi-26) from 2001 to 2006, the Canadian Army ordered 24 Mi-17V-5 from Mil, designating them CH-178 Hurricane (serials 178701-178724). They are in service as heavy transports and assault/troop insertion duties.


The CH-178 has seen extensive duty in Afghanistan in the CA's desert scheme, as it is perfectly suited for the environment its predecessor, the Mi-8, was designed for.


The first Canadian operator of the Mi-17, however, was the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who bought Mi-17s through the Canadian Mil and Kamov representative, Kelowna Flightcraft. The RCMP supplemented their Mi-17 fleet in 2007 with four more, this time of the V-5 variant very similar to the CH-178.


To fill the need for new VIP transports - and the need for an aerial refueller more suited to higher-speed operations than the C-130 - the RCAF bought six Boeing 707-347C second-hand in 1972. Designated CC-137 Husky (serials 137101-137106), they were modified from the airliner standard into a VIP configuration with tanker capability (only four refuelling systems were purchased, however, which were moved between airframes periodically). Operated by 437 Sqn, they wore the standard white/sky transport scheme until 1988.


In 1988 the Huskies were repainted into a unique variant of the loviz dark grey transport scheme - the only one to retain the lightning bolt. Though replaced in the VIP role by the CC-150 Polaris (likewise second-hand airliners), they remained in service as tankers until 1998, when the CC-150s were modified to serve in that role (though the use of the Polaris as a tanker was short-lived, being supplanted by the CK-176 in 2007).

[GTX_Admin]

I love the CC-127s. :)

[GTX_Admin]

In 1960 the RCN decided to replace Bonnie with two new-built carriers. Studies led to the selection in 1962 of a design based on the design of the American Forrestal-class supercarrier. However, it was decided that the 60,000+ ton size of the Forrestal was a little bit beyond what the RCN could either handle or need, so a reduced-size version of the design was developed as a major cooperative effort between Versatile Vickers in Montreal, Davie Shipbuilding in Lévis, Yarrows Ltd. in Esquimalt (BC) and Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver (BC), along with the cooperation of the Norfolk Navy Yard, the builders of the USS Forrestal. By 1964 the design was finalised, and the shipyards at North Vancouver and Lévis were expanded in 1964-65 to handle the 48,900 ton bulk of the new carriers.

So something similar in size to the CVVs?

Now cough up the Maggie info and nobody needs to get hurt...

[RussC]

I thought I recognized the Kawasaki C-1 ! Nice re-paint/mark 's.

[Litvyak]

Thanks for the compliments, but the bulk of them for the CC-127 should go to Apophenia, who gave me the idea for the DHC/Kawasaki cooperation on the Keewatins.

As for Maggie:

The RCN unveiled its "Navy 2020" plan in 1995, which among other things called for the replacement of the Queen Charlotte-class carriers with larger carriers starting in 2015, with a third to be added by 2020 to allow for the maintenance of a carrier battle group at sea at all times.

In 2001 it was announced that a scaled-up version of the Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth design would be used, with nuclear propulsion. In 2004, the MIL-Davie facility in Levis, Quebec started an expansion program to accommodate vessels of up to 70,000 tons; the construction was finished in 2008 and the RCN placed the order for the construction of the lead ship, to be called HMCS Magnificent, in 2009. She was laid down in the same year, and is to be launched in 2012 and commissioned in 2015.

The order for the second carrier, to be christened HMCS Bonaventure, was placed in 2010, with construction contracted to Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Brest, France, as the MIL-Davie facility has only one drydock capable of handling a ship of this size. The keel was laid in late 2010; the ship is to be launched in 2013, taken to Canada for outfitting and is to be commissioned in 2016.

The third ship, to be called HMCS Queen Charlotte, is to begin construction in 2015 at MIL-Davie after the commissioning of HMCS Magnificent.

The standard air wing is to be comprised of 36 CF-201N Seafire II multirole fighters, 8 CEF-201N Avenger II combat jammers, 3 modernised CE-121 Hawkeye AEW aircraft, 6 CP-170 Viking ASW patrol aircraft, 6 CC-121A Greyhound transports, as well as 12 CH-148 Petrel helicopters (8 ASW, 4 minesweeping), though it would be possible to operate 84 aircraft.

[GTX_Admin]

Hmmm, a nuclear, enlarged QE class sounds interesting.

[Empty Handed]

Some very interesting stuff in this thread!  :)

[elmayerle]

So, would the Huskies eventually get re-engined with either CFM-56s or with late-model JT8Ds, as the USAF is doing with their E-8s?  For that matter, how about the winglets that Boeing-Wichita demonstrated did work on the 707?

[Litvyak]

So, would the Huskies eventually get re-engined with either CFM-56s or with late-model JT8Ds, as the USAF is doing with their E-8s?  For that matter, how about the winglets that Boeing-Wichita demonstrated did work on the 707?

Well, as per my notes, the Huskies end up sold to the USAF for new E-8s or whatever, while they're replaced with the CC-150 Polaris - which in AltCan is /not/ an Airbus... but I don't want to give away more than that yet.

For the moment, though, everyone loves Hueys, so here are some:


Canadian Army Aviation operated a large number of Bell UH-1 helicopters for all manner of duties, from tactical transport to MEDEVAC to SAR; over the years 1964 to 1995 a total of 225 saw service with the CA. 25 were delivered from Bell in 1964, designated Iroquois AHU.3A1 (serials 2001-2025). 18 of these were delivered from Bell in the overall green used on CAA aircraft based in Canada.


The other 7 of the first batch of 25 AHU.3A1 were delivered from Bell in the CA's European camouflage scheme and were deployed to Europe; the illustration shows one as they appeared from delivery in 1964 until the introduction of the new flag in 1965.


In 1965 the Red Ensign was replaced by the new blue flag, and the old CAA roundel was replaced with the new RCAF roundel. The Army's Europe-based aircraft saw this change made most quickly. Iroquois 2069 seen here is a Bell-built Iroquois AHU.3A2 (serials 2026-2075) as it appeared from delivery in 1966 until 1968. The AHU.3A2 had minor differences from the AHU.3A1, and were the last CA Hueys built by Bell in the US.


Starting from 1967, all Hueys built for the CA were built under licence by Fleet Canada. The first batch from Fleet, delivered in 1967 with serials 2076-2090, were designated Iroquois AHU.3B. These were identical to the Bell-built AHU.3A2, and had American-built engines installed into the airframes built by Fleet.


Starting in 1966 some CA Hueys were assigned permanently to the SAR role, given the designation Iroquois AHR.1, and painted in a scheme virtually identical to that used on the RCN's SAR helicopters. 2062 seen here is a Bell-built AHR.1A2 (the variant designators were identical to those of the AHU.3, even if a certain variant was not operated in the SAR role!).

[Litvyak]

The Canadian Army deployed to Vietnam in 1967, and took their Hueys with them, where they played a role for Canadian operations equivalent to the role American UH-1s meant to US operations. CA AHU.3s were painted into a wraparound Southeast Asia camo scheme seen here. 2044 seen here is a Bell-built AHU.3A2.


In 1968, CA aircraft were renumbered according to the AFRP designation scheme introduced that year. Under this, the AHU.3 were redesignated CH-118 Iroquois. AHU.3A1 became CH-118A (serials 118501-118525), AHU.3A2 became CH-118B (118526-118575), while the Fleet-built, American-powered AHU.3B were given the new designation CH-118C (serials 118576-118590). CH-118C 118590, named "Evelyn" after the pilot's wife, is shown here as it appeared before its last sortie on October 9, 1973. That day saw heavy fighting between the NVA and a Canadian Army unit, and Capt. Steve Hryvnak had made five successful MEDEVAC runs before setting off on his sixth of the day. As his helicopter touched down to make the pickup, it was struck by an anti-tank rocket, killing the copilot, CWO Frank Demetlika and the medic, 2Lt Eric Pritchard. Hryvnak and his gunner, Sjt. Mark MacAdam survived, but the helicopter was too damaged to fly again. Hryvnak and MacAdam salvaged the helicopter's door gun, and used it to protect themselves and the wounded soldier until another helicopter could be sent in to make the pickup. Subsequently, Hryvnak and MacAdam were both awarded the Victoria Cross.


The CH-118D (serials 118591-118680) was the second of the Fleet-built Huey variants, generally identical to the CH-118C but fitted with a Canadian-made engine. 118600 seen here was built in 1969 and deployed to Europe, and illustrates the scheme seen on Europe-based Hueys between 1968 and 1984.


118643 illustrated here was a CH-118D assigned when new in 1972 to domestic SAR duties. The scheme seen on 8643 is the SAR scheme used on CA helicopters between 1968 and 1980.


The fourth and last of the Fleet-built CH-118s was the CH-118F (serials 118700-118776), and featured a more powerful engine than its predecessor, the CH-118E, and replaced other systems common to the D and E models with newer systems. 118776 seen here was the last of the Fleet-built Hueys, coming off the production line in 1975, and showing off the scheme used on Canadian-based helicopters between 1968 and 1984.