CANADAIR ARGUS
Argus 732 on display at the RCAF Memorial Museum.
The Canadian-built, Canadair Argus was
a unique hybrid that employed the wings, tail surfaces and undercarriage of the
British designed Britannia transport, married to a completely new un-pressurized
fuselage of Canadian design and equipped with different American-designed
engines.
One of the most effective anti-submarine warfare aircraft of its day, the Argus
was a mainstay for the RCAF in the maritime role. 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 replaced the Lancaster and Neptune aircraft types previously flown in
the maritime roles and eventually, the Argus was itself to be replaced by the
current CP-140 Aurora aircraft.
DETAILS
Manufacturer: Canadair (license-built version of Bristol
Britannia)
Designation: CP-107 Model No: CL-20 Marks: Mk I, II
Role: ASW
TOS: 1957 SOS: 1982 No: 33
Service: RCAF & CF
SPECIFICATIONS
Crew / Passengers: 15: two pilots, two flight engineers, navigator, radio
operator + relief crew of four + 6 operators for ASW equipment
Powerplant: four 3,700 hp Wright R-3350-EA1 engines
Performance: Max Speed: 288 mph (463 km/h) Cruising Speed: 207 mph (333
km/h)
Service Ceiling: 24,200 ft (7,376 m) Range: 4,420 nm (8,190 km)
Endurance: 261/2 hr
Weights: Empty: 81,000 lbs (36,744 kg) Gross: 157,000 lbs
Dimensions: Span:142 ft 31/2 in (43.38 m) Length:128 ft 3 in
(39.09 m) Height: 36 ft 8 ½ in (11.2m)
Wing Area: 2,075 sq ft (192.77 sq m)
Armament: 8,000 lbs of torpedoes, bombs, depth charges, mines, etc
Original Cost: $5,513,000