Grumman CP-121 Tracker - Ottawa, Ontario - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The following is from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum's Website:

An American twin-engine, anti-submarine aircraft designed and manufactured mainly by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation from 1952 to 1967

Its wings folded to save space on aircraft carriers

Designed for the U.S. Navy but also used by other navies

Served on the Canadian aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure and on shore bases

Manufactured under licence by de Havilland Canada from 1956 to 1960

Only Canadian-built aircraft ordered for the Royal Canadian Navy

Many converted into forest-fire water bomber; Conair Aviation of Abbotsford, British Columbia converted several aircraft

First flight was on May 31, 1956 (CS2F-1)

Artifact no.:
1990.0077
Manufacturer:
de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.
Manufacturer Location:
Canada
Manufacture Date:
1960
Registration no.:
12187 (CAF)
Acquisition Date:
1990

History:

The Tracker was the first Canadian-built aircraft ever ordered for the Royal Canadian Navy. It replaced the aging Grumman Avenger as the Navy’s anti-submarine patrol aircraft. With the retirement of the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure, the Tracker reverted to land-based coastal surveillance. In 1960, 17 Canadian Trackers were given to the Netherlands. When the Trackers were retired from the Canadian Forces some were converted to water bombers and are still active in the 1990s. Canada built a total of 99.

The Tracker’s detection equipment was similar to what larger, land-based patrol aircraft like the Canadair Argus carried. The Tracker also flew equipped with sonobuoys, smoke markers, torpedoes, flares, and explosive charges, but in much smaller quantities than the Argus.

Current Location:

Reserve Hangar, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Transfer from Canadian Forces

This Tracker was manufactured by de Havilland Canada for the Royal Canadian Navy in 1960. It was taken on strength in April 1960 and began service with VS 880 Squadron aboard HMCS Bonaventure late in the following year. Based off "Bonnie" for the next eight years, the aircraft was used on missions and exercises to Europe, the Caribbean and South America.

In November 1969, the Tracker was transferred to VU 33 Squadron at Canadian Forces Base Patricia Bay, British Columbia to support ships operating there. It was transferred back to VS 880 Squadron in early 1974, this time at CFB Shearwater, Nova Scotia (HMCS Bonaventure had been retired). It was used at Canadian Forces bases in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for maritime surveillance and fishery patrol until 1990, when the aircraft was retired. In April of that year, the Tracker was donated to the Museum and flown to Rockcliffe airport.

Technical Information:

Wing Span 21.2 m (69 ft 8 in)
Length 12.9 m (42 ft 3 in)
Height 5 m (16 ft 3 1/2 in)
Weight, Empty 7,935 kg (17,500 lb)
Weight, Gross 10,975 kg (24,195 lb)
Cruising Speed 241 km/h (150 mph)
Max Speed 438 km/h (272 mph)
Rate of Climb 710 m (2,330 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 6,949 m (22,800 ft)
Range 1,558 km (968 mi)
Power Plant two Wright R-1820-82-MR5 Cyclone 1,525 hp, radial engines

Reference: (visit link)

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Grumman CP-121 Tracker Tail Number: (S/N): 12187 Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Canada Aviation and Space Museum inside / outside: inside Other Information:: Canada Aviation and Space Museum - Ottawa, Ontario Opening hours Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fees Adult $15, Youth (3-17) $10 Senior (age 60+) / Student $13 - Free on Thursday from 4 to 5 PM An additional 5$ entrance fee to visit the hanger where this aircraft is located will need to be purchased before the visit takes place. You will be escorted by a tour guide. Tours of the hangar are scheduled for 11 AM and 1 PM. There is paid parking on site. Taking photographs is allowed. Access restrictions: You will be briefed by the tour guide at the commencement of your tour and he/she will explain the activities that you may have to restrain from within the hangar. There are barriers on the floor that serve to prevent visitors from approaching too close and touching the aircrafts.

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   04/22/2023 jiggs11 visited it