De Havilland Canada CC-115 Buffalo (DHC-5D) aircraft
The CC-115 Buffalo is instantly recognizable in its bright yellow search-and-rescue scheme but some may be surprised to know that the DHC-5 Buffalo was conceived as a tactical transport. CC-115s first entered RCAF service in 1967 with SAR as a secondary role. Conversion to the dedicated SAR role began in 1973 and eastern Buffs were replaced by CC-130s. Only in BC did CC-115s soldier on. Six CC-115 remain is service with 442 Sqn at Comox BC where they serve alongside CH-149 Cormorant SAR helicopters. These aircraft are responsible for SAR patrols over the mountains of the Yukon and BC, the BC coast, and 600nm (1110km) out into the Pacific. As gruelling as aerial SAR may be, ironical- ly, CC-115 airframe life has been extended by flying SAR rather than the original high-stress STOL role. Nonetheless, the Buffalo are aging and DND planned to replace them with new fixed-wing SAR aircraft. That project has slid. For now, the Air Force intends to upgrade the engines of CC-115s. So, 442 Sqn flies SAR and more tranport missions (including Arctic resupply and parachute training) than is well known – and will continue to until parts run out. the DHC-5 Buffalo was designed to meet a US Army requirement for a fixed-wing tactical transport with a cargo capacity to match the CH-47 Chinook helicopter. US military Buffalo service was brief. Only four prototype CV-7As arrived before the US Army was ordered to stop operating fixed-wing aircraft. These four Buffalo became USAF C-8As but no further US military Buffalo orders were made. Fifteen CC-115 entered Canadian service in 1967/68. First intended as STOL transport aircraft, the Buffalo were later divided among SAR/Transport squadrons. The first conversion to full SAR configuration was done in 1973.
Size: 5414px × 3874px
Location: Georgia Straits Nanoose Bay Vancouver Island BC British Columbia
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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