Canadair CL-28
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| CP-107 Argus | |
|---|---|
 Canadair Argus Mk 2 |
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| Type | maritime patrol aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Canadair |
| Designed by | Tom Harvie [1] |
| Maiden flight | 28 March 1957 |
| Introduced | 1957 |
| Retired | 1982 |
| Primary users | Royal Canadian Air Force Canadian Forces |
| Produced | 1957- 1960 |
| Number built | 33 |
| Unit cost | $5,513,000 [2] |
| Developed from | Bristol Britannia |
The Canadair CP-107 Argus (CL-28) was a marine reconnaissance aircraft designed and manufactured by Canadair for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canadian Forces (CF). In its early years, the Argus was reputedly the finest anti-submarine patrol bomber in the world.[3] The Argus served throughout the Cold War in the RCAF's Maritime Air Command and later the CF's Maritime Air Group and Air Command.
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[edit] Design and development
Canadair began work on the CL-28 in April 1954 and at the time it was the largest aircraft built in Canada. The hybrid design was derived from the Bristol Britannia transport, having the same wings, tail surfaces and landing gear except for being "Americanized" - meaning that it used the same general design, but changing the British materials and standard parts for North American ones.
The fuselage was completely redesigned by Canadair, going from the pressure cabin of the Britannia to a non-pressurised one with bomb bays fore and aft of the wings. The powerplant was also changed from the Bristol Proteus turbo-prop engines to Wright R-3350 compound (piston) engines, which had lower fuel consumption necessary for extended missions.
[edit] Operational history
The Argus replaced the RCAF Lancaster and Neptune aircraft types previously flown in the maritime roles. One of the most effective anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft of its day, the Argus was a mainstay for the RCAF. A large amount of equipment was carried, including: search radar, sonar buoys, electronic counter measures ECM), explosive echo ranging (EER) and Magnetic anomaly detector (MAD). Up to 8,000 lb (3,632 kg) of weapons could be carried in the bomb bays, including torpedoes, bombs, mines and depth charges.
A flight crew of five consisting of two pilots, a navigator, a flight engineer and a radio operator plus relief crew of four was normally carried. In addition, there were six or more ASW equipment operators, the number of which was dependent on the mission. Two crew bunks and a galley were provided to extend the efficiency of the crew on long patrols. The CL-28 had an endurance of approximately 26½ hours. An Argus flown by 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron held the record of slightly over 31 hours for the longest flight by an unrefuelled aircraft. This record stood for almost 20 years until broken by the Rutan Voyager experimental aircraft which circled the globe unrefuelled.
The principal difference between the Mark I and Mark II was primarily in the different navigation, communication and tactical electronic equipment fitted internally. Externally, the Mk II exhibited a redesigned smaller nose radome and additional ECM antennae above the fuselage.
The Argus flew its last service mission on 24 July 1981, and was replaced by the CP-140 Aurora.
[edit] Variants
- Argus Mk 1 : Long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the RCAF. This aircraft was fitted with an American APS-20 radar in a chin-mounted radome. (13 built)
- Argus Mk 2 : Long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft for the RCAF. This aircraft was fitted with a British ASV-21 radar in a chin-mounted radome. (20-built)
[edit] Operators
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- No. 404 Squadron RCAF
- No. 405 Squadron RCAF
- No. 407 Squadron RCAF
- No. 415 Squadron RCAF
- Canadian Forces
[edit] Specifications
Data from The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 15
- Length: 128 ft 9.5in (39.26 m)
- Wingspan: 142 ft 3.5in (43.37 m)
- Height: 38 ft 8 in (11.79 m)
- Wing area: 2,075 sq ft (192.77 m²)
- Empty weight: 81,000 lb (36,741 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 157,000 lb (71,214 kg)
- Powerplant: 4× Wright R-3350 TC18EA1 Turbo-Compound engines, 3,700 shp (2,535 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 315 mph (507 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 207 mph (333 km/h)
- Range: 5,900 mi (9,495 km)
- Service ceiling 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Armament Max 8,000 lb bombs, depth charges, torpedoes, mines and 3,800 lb air-to-surface missiles and free-fall weapons on underwing hardpoints
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ Pickler and Milberry 1995, p. 121.
- ^ Canadair Argus Retrieved: 21 February 2007.
- ^ Canadair CP-Argus 2 Retrieved: 21 February 2007.
- ^ Donald 1997, p. 118.
[edit] Bibliography
- Donald, David. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, Ontario: Prospero Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
- Pickler, Ron and Milberry, Larry. Canadair: The First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
[edit] External links
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