The Canadian Army took delivery of 35 Sikorsky H-34s in 1954-55, designating them
Blackfoot AHC Mk. 1 under the Army's 1951 designation scheme and assigning them serials in the 601-635 range. Despite the 'AHC' designation, they were used in a variety of roles by Army Aviation. Those aircraft stationed in Canada received the standard overall green scheme.
CAA Blackfeet played an important role in the Army's European operations as well; like other Army Aviation aircraft assigned to Europe, the AHC.1s wore the standard CAA European camouflage.
The 1965 introduction of the new Canadian flag resulted in a modification of the markings on all CAA aircraft. The changes were minor, however, replacing only the flag used as a 'fin' flash and the roundel.
Europe-based AHC.1s also had their roundels and flags replaced - more quickly, actually, than those aircraft based in Canada. While a few Canada-based Blackfeet retained the old roundel and Red Ensign into mid-1966, those in Europe were re-marked within three months of the issue of the new specifications.
As part of the AFRP, the AHC.1s were redesignated CH-125 and given the new serials 126651 through 126685. Further, the Army received the RCAF's two Blackfeet in 1968 (with new serials 126630 and 126631). Apart from slight adjustments to the lettering, no changes were made to the overall finish of Army Aviation's CH-125s; the two taken over from the RCAF, however, were repainted into the standard overall green scheme. This was the last scheme worn by CH-125s. Most were retired in 1971, but the two RCAF units, which had been re-engined with PT6T engines and designated CH-125T, remained in service until 1973.
European-based aircraft likewise received the new lettering; the illustration shows the last CH-125 to wear European camouflage - it was repainted into Southeast Asian camouflage in 1970.
With Canada's entry into the Vietnam War, Army Aviation CH-125s were deployed to Vietnam to serve behind the lines, primarily as ambulances to transport the more seriously wounded to hospital ships; as such, all were marked with the large red cross roundel. Despite being used mostly behind the lines, nine were lost during the war (seven to enemy action). Like the Canadian-based aircraft, the type was withdrawn from use in 1971 and destroyed on the spot in Vietnam.
RCAF:
The RCAF received two Sikorsky H-34s in 1955, which were designated Blackfoot Mk. I and given the serial numbers 9630 and 9631. These were used in the SAR role by 403 Sqn out of RCAF Calgary; illustrated is Blackhawk 9631 as it appeared from delivery in 1955 through to the end of the AB+3 era in 1958.
The lettering of the RCAF's Blackfeet was modified in 1958 when the switch was made from the AB+3 system to the more stable 4+RCAF system. In the Blackfoot's case, in addition to the change of ID markings, this entailed the removal of the full "Royal Canadian Air Force" titles.
In 1964, the RCAF introduced a new aircraft designation system, under which the Blackfoot was redesignated
CH-125 Blackfoot, which change required a modification of the lettering on the aircraft. Beyond the change in the numbers, though, the "RESCUE" titles were also changed in colour from black to dayglo orange. Late in 1964, 403 Sqn was redeployed to RCAF Terrace.
By October 1965, the RCAF's CH-125s were repainted along with their other SAR helicopters into a new scheme, distinctive from Navy and Army Aviation SAR helicopters. This scheme was retained until both CH-125s were transferred to the Army in 1968. As an aside, the two CH-125s were re-engined with PT6T engines in 1967.
(With this post comes the first hint of a new Army designation scheme that was in use from 1951 until the introduction of the UADS in 1968. More info later!)
