Canadian Armed Forces
Canadian Military Aircraft
Serial Numbers
Canadian Armed Forces
February 1968 to present
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Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces
The three Canadian military arms, the
RCAF, the RCN, and the Canadian Army, were integrated into the Canadian
Armed Forces in February 1968. From that date, aircraft procurement and
numbering fell under a single authority. Since then, some aspects of
integration have been “undone”, mainly to boost moral and recruitment.
Centralized aircraft procurement and serial numbering, however, has
remained unchanged.
A new Canadian type identifier system in
the
1950s
Prior to integration, the RCAF had begun to identify
new aircraft types
with a two letter, three number Type Designation, starting with the
CF-100
Canuck. The first letter is always C. The second
letter, known as the Basic Mission Symbol, defines the
basic aircraft mission, and is largely based on the American DND type
identifiers.
The three digits were issued sequentially, starting with 100.
Several out of sequence numbers were used, to align with American
aircraft
designations. Shortly after integration, all in service types not
already covered by this numbering were given a
designation within this system. See the table below for a list of
type
designations I’ve identified so far. For a more detailed explanation
and history of
this system see Andreas
Parsch’s excellent web page.
The assigning of Type
Designations and Popular Names was controlled by CFAO
36-37, but this was replaced in 2007 by A-GA-005-000/AG-001 and
C-05-005-001/AG-001, which are apparently not available to the public.
A new Canadian serial number system from
1968
This designation system became the basis for a new
“unified”
serial number system that was was introduced in phases. New
procurement began using this new system
as early as May 1968. By this time, the Canadair built CF-5s had
received new six digit serial numbers starting with 116701, in place of the 5
digit RCAF serials they were
originally ordered with. For new procurement from 1986, only 6
digit serial
numbers are to be used. This post
integration serial number always starts
with the 3 digits of
the Type Designation. For new procurement, the last 2 or 3 digits
are
usually
sequential. In a few cases, the last digits
are based on manufacturers numbers, or on previous military serial
numbers.
Remarking the existing fleet
For those existing aircraft given new serial numbers
within this
system,
the last 2 or 3 digits are usually the last 2 or 3 digits of the old
RCAF or RCN serial number. For example, RCAF CF-104 Starfighter 12645
became CAF 104645,
and Canadian Army CH-113A Voyageur 10418
became CAF
11318.
The selection of the 3rd and fourth from last digits, and the
timing of each change over, insured that there would never be two
aircraft
operating with the same last four digits (often used as a radio call
sign). For example, the CC-117
Falcons had to be remarked before the CF-100 Canucks, so that Falcon 20504
would not be operated at the same time as Canuck 100504.
Existing aircraft were
renumbered from May 1970
to about 1973. Remarking of operational aircraft
of the same type was generally done in as short a time as
possible, so it is very rare
(unknown?) to see a photograph of 2 or more aircraft of the same type
with a mix of pre- and post-integration numbers. The “first
date” in my database for these aircraft is the effective date of the
CAF order authorizing the new serials. Officially, 30 days were
allowed from this date for the remarking. In practice, some types
took longer. In particular, aircraft in storage or in use as
Instructional Airframes were sometimes not remarked until they returned
to
flight status. For some aircraft, this meant they completed their
CAF career without ever being marked with their assigned number.
Remarking the entire
inventory took about three years. Obviously, not all of the
original fleets of these existing types survived to
be renumbered on integration. My database only contains those
aircraft
that I can positively identify as having been actually remarked, and is
probably far from complete. If you have documented proof (like a
photograph) of an aircraft being remarked that is not in my lists, I
would love to hear from you.
Some recent trends
The CAF followed a common trend amongst world air
forces, and began
leasing aircraft, especially trainers, in the 1990s. Some of these were
operated with civil registrations, in the current Canadian C-Fxxx or
C-Gxxx series. These civil registered aircraft do not have
Canadian Forces Type Designators, except for the Jetrangers that were
originally purchased and owned by the Forces. These civil
registered aircraft now
have their own web page.
By the end of the last century,
the Forces had begun to assign Type Designators in blocks. The
original block continues in rough numerical order, having reached 150
with the Airbus A310. A
second block was started for leased aircraft, with the CT-155 Hawk
in 2000, shortly followed by the CT-156 Harvard II.
According to urban legend, the 155 block was selected
because all these aircraft would be used by 15 Wing at
CFB Moose Jaw. The
third block, for unmanned vehicles, began with the CU-160 Eagle a few
years later, and has reached at least CU-170 (perhaps with gaps,
perhaps
not). The CF-18 remains a block onto itself, at CF-188, as does
the new CC-177.
Northern aeronumerologists await the next issue of a Type Designator
with great anticipation, but the current budget situation makes these
events few and far between.
Some un-official Canadian designations and
popular names
Starting in the
1960s, several American aircraft manufacturers began referring to sales
(or even potential sales) to the CAF by using the American designation
with a “C” prefix. For example, the CUH-1N (really a CH-135), and the
CF-5 (the CF-116). Even the Canadian press, and some members of
the CAF, will use these unofficial designations from time to time. To
add to the confusion, two of these names (the CF-5 and the CF-18) have
been adopted as the official Popular Name. I am in the process of
updating my data base to use only the official Type Designation and
Popular Name.
The table below will connect you
to two types of listings of these
aircraft. The “Brief lists” present a minimum amount of information
about as many aircraft as I can fit on a reasonably sized page.
Use these lists to
identify individual aircraft, or to quickly scan a large range of
serials. The other lists contain all the information currently in
my database, and are broken into many more pages to keep the data
manageable.
Type
Designation
Name and type
(closest equivalent US or civil designation)
Lists
CF-100
Avro
Canada Canuck, all weather fighter
detailed list
22 records
updated 19 January 2008
CF-101
McDonnell
Voodoo, all weather fighter
(F-101B, F-101F)
note: first series retained their RCAF 5 digit serials
until returned to USAF in late 1960s
second series: 101001 to 101067 detailed list
67 records
updated 27 December 2008
CT-102
Grob
Astra, primary trainer
(G120A)
The use of CT-102 for the Grob may be
unofficial, but it has appeared in several DND publications. The
aircraft carry civil
registrations. No known serial allocations.
NOTE: 102 was originally skipped to prevent confusion with
Avro Canada C-102, the
Jetliner
103
Not
used, possibly reserved for the Avro Canada C-103 (design
project for swept wing CF-100)
no known serial allocations
CF-104
Canadair
Starfighter, attack and reconnaissance
(Lockheed F-104D, F-104G)
two seaters detailed
list
36 records
updated 21 July 2009
104700 to 104771
45 records
updated 28 April 2013
104772 to 104832
45 records
updated 28 April 2013
104833 to 104900
46 records
updated 28 April 2013
CF-105
Avro
Canada Arrow, all weather fighter
all scrapped prior to integration,
see RCAF 5 digit serials
25201
and up
CC-106
Canadair
Yukon, transport
(CL-44)
106921 to 106932
12 records
updated 12 March 2006
CP-107
Canadair
Argus, maritime reconnaissance
10710 to 10742
32 records
updated 21 april 2006
CC-108
de
Havilland Canada Caribou
(C-7)
Retained RCAF
serial numbers until retired in
June 1971
CC-109
Canadair
Cosmopolitan, transport
(C-131)
detailed
list
9 records
updated 26 August 2005
CSR-110
Grumman
Albatross, search and rescue
(HU-16)
Retained their
RCAF serial numbers until retired in December 1970
CT-111
Slingsby
Firefly, trainer
(T-3)
note: originally reserved for Lockheed Starfighter, as
CF-111, prior to
integration
This may be an unofficial type designation.
Aircraft were leased, and carried civil
registrations, including C-GSTQ
(coded “205”). A recent (2005) CF flight safety report used the
“CT-111” designation.
CH-112
Hiller
Nomad, trainer, liaison, and AOP helicopter
(H-23)
detailed list
20 records, updated
9 April 2011
CH-113
Boeing
Vertol Voyageur and Labrador,
transport and SAR helicopter
(H-46)
detailed
list
15 records
updated 30 June 2006
CT-114
Canadair
Tutor, trainer
I have identified 176 Tutors that
received CAF serials (out of 190 built for RCAF)
114001 to 114050
48 records
updated 24 October 2004
114051 to 114100
49 records
updated 24 October 2004
114101 to 114150
43 records
updated 24 October 2004
114151 to 114190
33 records
updated 24 October 2004
CC-115
de
Havilland Canada Buffalo, transport, SAR
(C-8)
115451 to
115465
15 records
updated 4 February 2005
CF-116
Canadair CF-5, light fighter
(Northrop F-5A, F-5B)
single
seaters:
116701 to 116745
45 records
updated 20 April 2012
116746 to 116789
44 records
updated 20 April 2012
two
seaters:
116801
to 116846
46 records
updated 20 April 2012
CC-117
Dassault
Falcon, transport
117501 to 117508
8 records
updated 23 July 2006
CH-118
Bell
Iroquois, utility helicopter
(UH-1H)
118101 to 118110
10 records
updated 14 January 2006
CO-119
Cessna
Bird Dog, AOP
(L-19 / O-1)
detailed list
23 records
updated 7 January 2007
CT-120
de
Havilland Canada Chipmunk, trainer
detailed list
52 records
updated 14 January 2006
CP-121
de
Havilland
Canada Tracker, maritime reconnaissance
(Grumman S2F / S-1)
detailed
list
57 records
updated 18 November 2005
CP-122
Lockheed
Neptune, maritime reconnaissance
(P2V / P-2)
retained their RCAF 5 digit serial numbers
until retired in mid 1968
CC-123
de
Havilland Canada Otter,
transport and SAR
Designation CSR-123 was also used.
Retained their RCAF 4 digit serials until retired.
CH-124
Sikorsky
Sea
King, ASW and utility helicopter
(SH-3A)
detailed
list
39 records
updated 14 April 2006
CH-125
Vertol
H-21, transport and SAR helicopter
retained their RCAF 4 digit serial numbers
until retired in early 1970s
CH-126
Sikorsky
H-34, transport and SAR helicopter
(Sikorsky S-58)
retained their RCAF 4 digit serial numbers
until retired in early 1970s
CH-127
Vertol
H-44, transport and SAR helicopter
(Vertol Model 44)
retained their RCAF 4 digit serial numbers
until retired in early 1970s
CT-128
Beechcraft
Expeditor, trainer
(C-45)
At
unification, the Canadian Forces inherited 159 Expeditors with a mix of
serial number types, most of them
in storage. 21 of these Expeditors in the 1500 range were given
new 4
digit serials, to avoid conflict with RCN serials for
CP-121
Trackers. These aircraft are in the detailed list below.
The CF history of the remaining aircraft is recorded with their RCAF
history, on the appropriate RCAF 4
digit serial page, the post war RCAF
page, or the RAF serial number page.
CAF
serials in the 12801 and up range were allocated for the Expeditors,
but I can find no evidence that any were applied before the last of the
fleet was
retired in 1972.
5179 to 5199
21 records
updated 6 April 2007
CC-129
Douglas
Dakota, transport
(C-47 Skytrain)
At
unification, the CAF fleet of 94 Dakotas carried 3 digit, 4 digit and 5
digit RCAF serial numbers, and RAF serial numbers. For this
reason, the 71 still owned when the fleet was renumbered did not use
the old last two or last three for any of
the new serials, in the 12901 to 12971 range.
detailed
list
71 records
updated 6 January 2012
CC-130
Lockheed
Hercules, transport
(C-130)
detailed
list
(56 records)
updated 27 April 2013
CX-131
Canadair
CL-84 Dynavert,
experimental tilt wing VTOL
Serial numbers starting 13101 were allocated,
but never marked. Retained their
RCAF serial numbers throughout their life.
CC-132
de
Havilland Canada Dash Seven, transport
132001, 132002
(2 records)
updated 21 May 2006
CT-133
Canadair T-33, trainer
(Lockheed T-33)
The
only T-33s remaining in service when renumbered where all Mk. 3s,
although the CAF did not use this notation. Of 656 Mk. 3s
delivered to the RCAF, I have identified 158 that received new serial
numbers.
up to 133352
51 records
updated 19 August 2005
133353 to 133508
51 records
updated 19 August 2005
133509 and up
56 records
updated 19 August 2005
CT-134
Beechcraft
Musketeer, trainer
CT-134,
as delivered:
13401 to 13425
CT-134,
as renumbered in 1973:
134201 to 134225
CT-134A:
134226 to 134246
CH-135
Bell
Twin Huey, utility and SAR helicopter
(UH-1N)
135101 to 135150
50 records
updated 16 June 2006
CH-136
Bell
Kiowa, observation helicopter
(OH-58A)
136201 to 136274
75 records
updated 7 July 2006
CC-137
Boeing
707, transport and tanker
(C-137)
13701 to 13705
5 records
updated 14 July 2006
CC-138
de
Havilland Canada Twin Otter, SAR
(UV-18)
13801 to 13809
9 records
updated 14 July 2006
CH-139
Bell
Jetranger, trainer helicopter
(H-57)
139301 to 139314
later received civil
registrations
CP-140
Lockheed
Aurora and Arcturus,
maritime reconnaissance
(P-3 Orion)
140101 to 140118
Aurora
140119 to 140121 Arcturus
21 records
updated 28 October 2006
CC-141
reserved
for planned purchase of Lockheed C-141 Starlifter,
project not proceeded with
Serial
numbers 14101 to 14104 were reserved during contract
negotiations. The purchase was canceled when the Boeing 707s
(CC-137s) became available.
CC,
CT-142
de
Havilland Canada Dash Eight, transport and trainer
142801 to
142806
6 records
updated 1 March 2007
CH-143
MBB
BK-117A-3D, test bed helicopter
143106
1 record
updated 12 March 2006
CC,
CE-144
Canadair
Challenger, transport and EW trainer
144601
to 144618
18 records
updated 25 August 2005
CT-145
Beechcraft
Super King Air, trainer
(C-12)
145201 (2 different aircraft) and 145202.
Now replaced by leased BE90s, with civil
registrations, including C-GMBC
2
additional civil B200 King Airs were leased in June 2009 from Aero
Support of London, Ontario, for use by the new Multi-Engine Utility
Flight at CFB Trenton. Initially received with civil
registrations C-GDVF and C-GDNH. They are coded 208 and 209,
which may mean they have serials 145208 and 145209 (still to be
confirmed).
I
have received an unconfirmed report of two civil registered B200
Kingairs being operated in Kandahar in 2011, possibly in support of the
Canadian military and possibly by the Canadian military. Reported
serials are C-GDTS and C-GVDS. More info anyone?
CH-146
Bell
Griffon, utility and SAR helicopter
(Model 412)
Note that the trainers used at the former CFB Portage are
sometimes referred to as CT-146 Outlaws, probably unofficially
146400 to
146449
50 records
updated 30 June 2007
146450 to 146499
50 records
updated 30 June 2007
CH-147
Boeing
Vertol Chinook, transport helicopter
(CH-47C, CH-47D, CH-47F)
147001 to 147009,
147201 to 147207, 147301 to 147315
31 records
updated 27 June 2013
First
batch: nine purchased new, in service 1974 to 1992.
Second
batch: six CH-47D purchased second hand from the US for use in
Afghanistan in 2008, plus one replacement in 2010.
Surviving aircraft were returned to the USA during late 2011.
Third batch: 15 new
build CH-147F, with first flight in June 2012,
and deliveries starting in June 2013. They will be based at CFB
Petawawa.
CH-148
reserved
for EHI Petrol ASW helicopter, order for 35 aircraft canceled
Sikorsky Cyclone, ASW helicopter, (S-92)
no known serial allocations for
Petrol
148801 to 14828
28 records
updated 25 July 2012
28 Cyclones ordered 2004, deliveries to start in 2009, uh 2010, er 2011, um 2012,
maybe 2013. Maybe not.
CH-149
EHI
Chimo (order for 15 aircraft canceled), re-assigned to
EHI Cormorant,
both SAR helicopters
149901 to 149915
15 records
updated 25 August 2006
CC-150
Airbus
Polaris, transport and tanker
(A310)
15001 to 15005
5 records
updated 11 December 2007
151
152
153
154
CT-155
British
Aerospace Hawk, trainer
(Hawk Mk. 115)
155201 to
155220 (first batch, 2000)
155221, 155222 (replacement aircraft, 2004)
22 records
updated 10 September 2005
CT-156
Raytheon
Harvard II, trainer
(T-6 Texan II)
156101 to 156124
(first batch, 2000)
156125, 156126 (second batch, 2002)
26 records
updated 1 March 2008
157
158
159
CU-160
EADS/IAI
Eagle 1
Quoting
from CASR:
“DND leased an EADS /IAI Eagle-1 for its
Tofino-based PLIX trials in July 2003. The UAV, designated CU-160 Eagle,
was operated by Israelis on a charter arrangement
and was an IAI Heron conversion prototype,
but fitted with a belly radome.”
CU-161
SAGEM
Sperwer, UAV
Detailed list
31 records
updated 13 December 2009
CU-162
Meggitt
Defence System
Vindicator
UAV
162001 (at least)
Believed to be used as UAV target in air defence
training. Serial number 162031 received Category B damage in a
launch incident at CFB Gagetown, NB on 31 January 2006
CU-163
General
Atomics Aeronautical Systems Altair,
long endurance UAV
(Predator B)
163301
leased 2004 for tests in Eastern Canada and Arctic
164
There
are unconfirmed reports on the Internet that the CU-164 designation was
reserved for a study of long range UAVs intended for use in the Arctic
165
The
one reference to the CU-165 in a 2009 CF safety report appears to be a
typo
166
CU-167
Advanced
Ceramics Research Silver Fox,
mini UAV
167001 to 167004 (at least)
Thanks to our Designated UAV Expert, Stephen Priestley at CASR, for providing much
of my UAV information. Now, what happened to 164 to 166?
CU-168
Elbit Skylark
mini UAV
Order for 5, plus option for five more, placed
in March 2006.
This hand launched, electric powered UAV was used operationally in
Afghanistan. Program to procure replacements launched in March
2013.
CU-169
Boeing-Insitu
ScanEagle
In
use with the Air Defence Artillery since July 2008.
Possibly a
replacement for the CU-162, also used for ship launched trials.
In November 2011 DND announced that a ScanEagle would be deployed on
HMCS Charlottetown on an upcoming deployment off Libya.
CU-170
IAI
Heron
$CDN100,000,000
contract awarded in spring of 2008 to IAI’s Canadian partner, MacDonald
Dettwiler, to provide and operate an undisclosed number of IAI Herons
in Afghanistan. Several were in use with the Joint Task Force
Afghanistan Air Wing at Kandahar by end of 2008. Serials
identified so far include 170251 (possible) and 170252 (confirmed).
CC-177
Boeing
Globemaster III
(C-17A)
177701 to 177704
4 records
updated 1 March 2008
CH-178
Mil
Mi-17-V5
178404 to 178407
Lease agreement negotiated
in early 2010 for 4 helicopters use by the Canadian Forces from
Kandahar, Afghanistan, although this was not publicly announced until
fall 2010 (following press reports of the helicopters in service in May
and June of 2010). Unlike the leased civil registered and civil
crewed Mi-8s
at Kandahar, these aircraft are in full military markings, and are
flown by Canadian Forces crews into combat situations.
UPDATE: At least 3 of these helicopters were airfrieghted to Graf
Ignatievo air base in Bulgaria on 18 August 2011, with the Canadian
markings covered with tape.
CF-188
McDonnell
Douglas CF-18, multi-role fighter
(F-18A, F-18B)
188701 to
188749 (single seat)
49 records
updated 31 May 2008
188750 to
188798 (single seat)
49 records
updated 31 May 2008
188901 to 188940 (dual seat)
40 records
updated 31 May 2008
This
data has come
from a variety of sources, and may contain all sorts of errors. In the
future, I will add a complete list of references. For now, some recent
Internet references can be found at the links below. I would
welcome any corrections or additions you may have. Contact me using the
link below.
To
main page
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contact me
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Military Aircraft
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Project
© 2004 – 2013 by R. W. R.
Walker
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rights
reserved under the copyright laws.
This is an amateur site – please don’t rely on any of this data for
anything important!
Created 28 April 2004. Updated 27 June 2013.