Canadair CT-114 Tutor

Air Canada CT-114 Teacher Story

Canada used to manage a booming aviation industry until politics and business dictated its place. The aviation industry experienced tremendous growth in the years following World War II (1939-1945), when the jet age was sweeping airline services across the globe.

Founded in 1944 during the war years, the Canadiar Group has made a name for itself well into the new millennium (today's brand name is Bombardier Aerospace). Throughout its long history, the company has achieved good results with both locally designed and foreign-built aircraft.

Canadair CT-114 "Tutor" (company model "CL-41") is a Cold War product that appeared in the early 1960s in a coaching role. At its core, it is a traditional two-seater (side-by-side) jet with straight-wing attachments.

The line was in service until 2000, with 212 examples built between 1963 and 1966. However, the CT-114 found few overseas buyers, with Malaysia being the only foreign operator, which operated until 1985, when it was succeeded by the Italian Aermacchi MB339.

While the dedicated trainer formations were unarmed - they (later) carried a pair of external fuel tanks under the belly for extended flight time - the ground attack form destined for Malaysia could be equipped with the usual ground attack arsenal - gun pods , rocket pods and conventionally dropped bombs.

The first flight of the CL-41 took place on January 13, 1960, followed by an order for 190 such examples in September 1961. Over time, the fleet's avionics have been upgraded and the supply of external fuel tanks has been increased. The "CL-41" designation was used to denote two prototypes, which were used extensively for testing and design purposes. The CL-41A was Canada's last trainer with 190 aircraft.

The CL-41G is a dedicated ground attack version delivered to Malaysia in number 20. Known locally as "Tebuan" (meaning "Wasp"), they gained more powerful turbojets and underwing mounts for ordnance. Also includes support for drop tanks.

The CL-41R is a one-off modification of the CL-41 prototype, equipped with the CF-104 (a licensed version of the US Lockheed F-104 Starfighter) to undergo testing with F-104 avionics and radar modifications.

The CT-114, which lacked publicity or sales for a competing jet trainer type at the time, has grown into a solid training platform and a proud accomplishment for the Canadian aviation industry. It has a healthy long life of nearly 40 years, which is a testament to the product's solid design and engineering.

Specification

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