RCAF North Stars
Photo courtesy
of Department of National Defence
Canadian Military Aircraft
Serial Numbers
RCAF 17501 to 17525
Detailed List
Photo courtesy
of 1000aircraftphotos.com
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Designer
Manufacturer
basic designation
variant or model
name
company designation
company number
17501
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
108
first date: 4
September 1947 – Taken on
strength
First new
built North Star for RCAF. First flight on
14 July 1947, by Canadair pilots Lilly and Wickham.
With No. 426
(T) Squadron by November 1947. Destroyed
in ground fire on 22 (or 9?) July 1953 at Rockcliffe, while being
operated by the Central Experimental & Proving Establishment. Was being loaded for flight into the north. Fire is believed to have started in cargo, no
injuries
last date: 4 August 1953 – struck off after fire,
see comments
17502
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
109
first date: 2 September 1947 – Taken on
strength
First
flight on 10 July 1947, by Canadair pilots Lilly and Milne. Serving with No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF
Station Dorval, PQ by November 1947, when it was first used for crew
training. Operated in support of Iron Ore
Company construction in Quebec and Labrador. Performed
first North Star flight in support of UN operations in Korea, leaving McChord AFB on 27 July,
arriving in Japan
on 29 July 1950. With
No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Also used by No. 4 Operational Training Unit
at Trenton. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium
Congo, in 1960. To Chile
in June of 1960, for earthquake relief flights. To
No. 107 (S&R) Unit at Torbay,
Newfoundland, with
SAR modifications. To the UK for
SAR training exercise, October 1963. Stored
at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off and sold. Sold to Transflorida Aviation on 28 January
1966. To civil register as CF-UXA,
registered to Cavalier Aircraft of Canada. Operated
from Sarasota and Miami,
Florida on freight operations
throughout Caribbean, by Air Caicos
and later Air Turk. Last flight on 19 June
1975, when it was ferried from Miami to
Sarasota
to be scrapped. Scrapped in May 1976.
last date: 9 May 1966 – Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17503
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
110
first date: 7
October 1947 – Taken on
strength
First
flight 8 August 1947, by Canadair pilots Lilly and Anglin.
Delivered to No. 112 (T) Flight, Rivers Camp, Manitoba in
April 1949. Also served with No. 426 (T)
Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ. Crashed
on approach to Vancouver
airport, on 30 December 1953, while with this unit.
Was returning to Sea Island
after engine failure, encountered heavy icing on descent.
Stalled on short final, nose and starboard wing tip struck
first. Starboard wing completely broken
off. Came to rest upside down at end of
runway. Passenger W/C R.W. McNair received
Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct for helping survivors exit
wreck, although soaked in fuel from initial crash.
Only minor injuries to some of the 54 occupants.
last date: 14 January 1954 – Struck off after
crash, see comments
17504
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-4
111
first date: 10 October 1947 – Taken on
strength
With No. 426 (T)
Squadron by November 1947. Carried UN
staff to South East Asia from Dorval
17 August to 6 September 1956. Stops
included Beirut, Bahrain, Karachi,
Calcutta, and Saigon. Carried Staff College
tour across US 4 to 15 April 1957. Escorted
T-33s to Turkey,
in Operation Starflight, May 1958. Fitted
with radar nose by June 1960. Carried UN
troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Later
to civil register as CF-VLW. Sold to D.D.
Allyn of Sarasota,
Florida on 28
September 1966. Flown to Sarasota, later
scrapped there.
last date: 3 October
1960 – Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17505
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
112
first date: 7
October 1947 – Taken on
strength
Served with
No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ. Crashed while landing at Shemya AFB, Alaska on 27
December 1953 while attempting to land on snow covered runway, in 50
knot crosswind. Aircraft was blown off the
runway while still at speed and broke up. No
injuries.
last date: 4 February 1954 – Struck off after
crash, see comments
17506
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
113
first date: 1 November 1947 – Taken on
strength
Operated in
support of Iron Ore Company construction in Quebec
and Labrador. Made
third North Strip trip into Korea, 16/18 November 1951. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium
Congo, in 1960, with No. 426 (T) Squadron. Made
last official RCAF North Star flight on 8 December 1965, flying from
Downsview to Trenton. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario
when struck off. Sold to Trans Florida
Aviation in 1966, ferried to Sarasota,
Florida, later
scrapped there.
last date: 3 October
1966 – Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17507
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
114
first date: 27
November 1947 – Taken on
strength
With No. 426 (T)
Squadron by January 1948, originally carrying red and blue roundels. Operated in support of Iron Ore Company
construction in Quebec and Labrador. With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Also used by No. 4 Operational Training Unit
at Trenton. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium
Congo, in 1960. Later to No.
107 (SAR) Unit at RCAF Station Torbay, Newfoundland, with SAR
modifications. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. To civil register as CF-UOY, sold to Trans
Florida Aviation in October 1966. Sold to
Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena in December 1967, their serial number FAS-300,
later YS-27C. Withdrawn from use by 1970. Stored outdoors at Ilopango Airport, El
Salvador for many years, seen there
c.1980.
last date: 8 October 1965 – Struck off, to Crown
Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17508
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
115
first date: 14 November 1947 – Taken on
strength
Damaged by
ground fire during refueling at Watson Lake, Yukon
on 19 December 1949, repaired. With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium
Congo, in 1960. Fitted with radar nose by
end of 1960. Used by No. 4 (T) Operational
Training Unit at Trenton,
dates unknown. Took part in type
retirement ceremony at Trenton
in 1965. Stored at Mountain
View, Ontario
when struck off. Sold to D.D. Allyn 28
September 1966. Ferried to Sarasota, Florida, later scrapped there.
last date: 3 October
1966 – Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17509
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
116
first date: 10
December 1947 – Taken on
strength
Served with
No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ. Struck hill top during instrument approach to Ashiya, Japan on 19 April 1951. Landed successfully at Ashiya on 2 engines. Still with this unit in 1956, when it
delivered mail to RCAF stations in Europe. Transport missions to DEW Line sites summer of
1958, including flight over North Pole 2 June 1958 en route from
Resolute to Thule. Damaged by fire at RCAF Station Trenton,
Ontario on 24 March 1960. Was being ground
run by No. 6 Repair Depot, jumped chocks and struck ground equipment. Aircraft was ferried to St. Jean, PQ,
and scrapped there.
last date: 11 May 1960 – struck off after fire,
see comments
17510
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
117
first date: 10 February 1948 – Taken on
strength
Accepted by
No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ
at Canadair on 11 February 1948. Carried
UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Fitted
with radar nose by end of 1960. Used by
No. 107 (S&R) Unit at RCAF Station Torbay, Newfoundland, with SAR
modifications. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when sold.
Sold to Trans Florida Aviation on 28 January 1966,
registered as CF-UXB. Operated from Sarasota and Miami,
Florida on freight operations
throughout Caribbean, by Air Caicos
and later Air Turk. Damaged in landing
accident at Sarasota
on 17 September 1971, later scrapped there. Had
21,674 logged time when scrapped.
last date: 9 May 1966 – Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17511
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
118
first date: 10
February 1948 – Taken on
strength
Accepted by
No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ
at Canadair on 17 February 1948. Located
downed USAF F-084 near Watson
Lake, Yukon on
7 January 1950, dropped survival gear. Several
flights to Korea,
with UN flag marked on tail. Struck by
lightning on 22 March 1955, damaged starboard aileron.
Took part in Operation Western Weal, escorting 12 ex-RCAF
T-33s to Turkey,
fall of 1959. Carried UN troops and
supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. In
storage at Mountain View,
Ontario when struck
off. Sold to Samuel S. Sigal Enterprises
on 30 October 1963.
last date: 18 March 1964 – Struck off, to Crown
Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17512
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
119
first date: 27 February 1948 – Taken on
strength
Served with
No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ. Set record for non-stop trans-Canada flight,
14-15 January 1949, Vancouver to Halifax in 8:32
flying time. Made 4th and final North Star
trip into Korea,
11 December 1951. At Watson Lake, Yukon
for cold weather trials early 1950s. To Greenland for Operation Re-supply in April 1952. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium
Congo, in 1960. To Chile
in June of 1960, for earthquake relief flights. Sold
to Samuel S. Sigal Enterprises on 30 October 1963.
last date: 18 March
1964 – Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17513
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
120
first date: 27
February 1948 – Taken on
strength
Used for
icing research, named “Rockcliffe Ice Wagon”. Operated
by Central Experimental & Proving Establishment, in joint effort
with National Research Council. Category B
damage on 4 January 1951. Returned to
transport configuration, delivered to RCAF Station Lachine (Dorval), PQ. Destroyed in hanger fire at Dorval, PQ
on 19 March 1956.
last date: 27 April 1956 – Struck off after
ground fire
17514
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
121
first date: 8 March 1948 – Taken on
strength
With No. 425 (T)
Squadron. To Greenland
for Operation Re-supply in April 1952. With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Fitted briefly with belly radar installation
in late 1950s. Delivered nerve gas from Baltimore, USA
to Suffield, Alberta, June 1959.
Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Later to civil register as CF-SVP-X. Operated by National Aeronautical
Establishment with extensive magnetic survey gear.
Used to map earth’s magnetic field, and to develop
anti-submarine detection gear. Last
airworthy North Star. Last working flight
on 8 May 1975, on behalf of the National Aeronautical Establishment. Later to Crown Assets for disposal, offered
for sale from November 1978. Purchased by
Aircraft Salvage of Dallas,
Texas in February
1979. Sold to Miami based company.
Operated in Caribbean
until about 1980 as N8022L. Allegedly used
in smuggling operations. Scrapped early
1980s at Greater Inagua Island.
last date: 27
September 1956 – Free issue to National Research Council
17515
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
122
first date: 8 March
1948 – Taken on
strength
With No. 426 (T)
Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton,
Ontario. Lost dingy from port wing storage in
turbulence on 9 May 1950. Struck by
lightning near North Battleford, Saskatchewan on 8 May 1953. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium
Congo, in 1960. Fitted with radar nose by
early 1960s. Took part in North Star stand
down ceremony at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 8 December 1965. Donated to the National Aeronautical
Collection. Still on Canadian Forces books. Stored outdoors at Rockcliffe for many years.
last date: –
17516
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
123
first date: 17 March 1948 – Taken on
strength
Served with
No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ
in 1949. To Europe, via south Atlantic, in April of that year.
Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960
and 1961. Returned to Nellis AFB on 17
September 1962, following engine failure. In
storage at Mountain View,
Ontario when struck
off. Sold to D. D.
Allyn on 28 September 1966. Later to civil
register as CF-VLZ. Ferried to Sarasota, Florida, scrapped there.
last date: 3 October
1966 – Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17517
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
I
C-54GM / CL-2
124
first date: 6 April
1948 – Taken on
strength
With No. 426 (T)
Squadron, RCAF Station Lachine (Dorval),
PQ, when it carried VIPs on Artic tour in April 1949.
Back to Resolute, NWT again in July 1949.
Made first 2 North Star flights into Korea,
on 11/12 May and 7/8 June 1951. Carried
royal baggage during royal tour of July 1959, fitted with radar nose by
then. Operated between Key
West and Panama
in fall of 1960, in support of relief efforts in Chile,
following earthquake there. Carried UN
troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960 and 1961, with No. 426
(T) Squadron. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. Sold to Samuel S. Sigal Enterprises on 30
October 1963.
last date: 18 March 1964 – Struck off, to Crown
Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17518
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
MI
C-54GM / CL-2
102
first date: 16 March 1948 – Taken on
strength, on return from loan to TCA
Built as
DC-4M-1, loaned to TCA as CF-TEK from 19 November 1946.
TCA fleet number 84/184. Converted
to C-54GM before return to RCAF. Flew
first RCAF scheduled trans Atlantic North Star flight on 15 April 1947?. Delivered on 20 April 1949, used by No. 412
(T) Squadron, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. Modified
with 34 seat VIP interior, extra window in cargo door, and APU. Still with 412 Squadron when it moved to RCAF
Station Uplands in the summer of 1955. Carried
16 air attaches to Rivers Camp, Manitoba on 19 October 1961. Still with this unit when withdrawn from use
in 1962. At Aircraft Industries at St. Jean, PQ when struck off.
last date: 12
September 1962 – Struck off
17519
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
MI
DC-4M1 / CL-2
103
first date: 16 March
1948 – Taken on
strength
built
as DC-4M-1. Loaned to Trans Canada
Airlines on 17 June 1947. Registered as
CF-TEL, their fleet number 85/185. Used by
No. 426 (T) Squadron after return to RCAF. Still
in TCA markings when it crashed at Sydney, NS on 12 August 1948.
last date: 25 February 1949 – Struck off
17520
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
MI
C-54GM / CL-2
104
first date: 16 March 1948 – Taken on
strength
Built
as DC-4M-1. Loaned to Trans Canada
Airlines from 21 January 1947. Registered
as CF-TEM, fleet number 86/186. Flew first
TCA trans Atlantic North Star flight, on 15 April 1947.
Converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF.
With No. 426
(T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ in April 1949, with VIP interior. Carried Minister of External Affairs to UK
that month. Carried Prime Minister St.
Laurent to Banff, Alberta and return, 1 – 6 September 1949. Later with No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF
Station Uplands, Ontario. Carried tour
group from Imperial Defense College to Whitehorse, Yukon and Vancouver,
BC in August 1951. Carried Governor
General Alexander to Tokyo and return in June 1952.
Carried load of VIPs, including Governor General V.
Massey, over North Pole on 24 March 1956. Carried
A/C Carpenter from Goose Bay to Ottawa June 1961. Carried
foreign diplomats on northern tour October 1961. Crashed
on 1 February 1962, shortly after takeoff from Hall Beach, NWT. Was carrying VIPs on Dew Line inspection. Inboard engines both failed at 500 feet on
take off. Third engine began to lose oil
pressure while holding for weather improvement. Crashed
while attempting single engine landing with 30 mph crosswind, ceiling
obscured and half mile visibility in blowing snow.
No fatalities. Improper
engine warm up had lead to internal damage on all engines, resulting in
gradual loss of oil pressure. No injuries. Spar cracked during salvage attempts, and
aircraft written off.
last date: 26 April
1962 – Struck off
17521
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
MI
C-54GM / CL-2
105
first date: 6 March
1948 – Taken on
strength
Built
as DC-4M-1. Loaned to Trans Canada
Airlines from 10 February 1947. Registered
as CF-TEO, fleet number 87/187. Converted
to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF. Returned
to RCAF on 31 October 1949. Used by No.
426 and No. 412 Squadrons. Carried UN
troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960 and 1961, with No. 426
Squadron. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario
when struck off. Sold to Samuel E. Sigal
Enterprises Ltd. on 30 October 1963.
last date: 18 March 1965 – Struck off, to Crown
Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17522
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
MI
C-54GM / CL-2
106
first date: 16 March 1948 – Taken on
strength
Built
as DC-4M-1, loaned to Trans Canada Airlines from 20 March 1047. Their registration CF-TEP, fleet number 88/188. Converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF. Loaned to Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1949,
used for route proving flights to Shanghai, China.
Back to RCAF on 15 August 1949. Operated
by No. 426 (T) Squadron. With No. 4 Operational Training Unit at
RCAF Station Dorval, PQ in 1952. Crashed
near RAF North Luffenham on 8 May 1954, while with No. 4 OTU. Had diverted to Luffenham for precautionary
landing, touched down 75 feet short of runway. Struck
mound of clay and concrete, landing gear driven up into wing. Aircraft came to rest on runway, leaking fuel,
but no fire. No injuries.
Classified as Category B damage, but not repaired. Cockpit reported stored at Buffalo Airways,
Red Deer, Alberta in 2007.
last date: 29 November
1954 – Struck off
17523
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
MI
C-54GM / CL-2
107
first date: 16 March
1948 – Taken on
strength
Built
as DC-4M-1, loaned to Trans Canada Airlines from 28 March 1047. Their registration CF-TEQ, fleet number 89/189. Converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF. Returned to RCAF on 25 June 1949.
Operated by No. 426 (T) Squadron. Destroyed
in crash while taking off from Resolute NWT on 15 March 1951. Aircraft started to swing on icy runway in
crosswinds, pilot ordered “pull it off” and rotated, flight engineer
misunderstood and closed throttles at same time. No
injuries.
last date: 18 April 1951 – Struck off
17524
Douglas
Canadair
C-5
C-5 / CL-5
171
first date: 20 July 1950 – Taken on
strength
First
flight on 15 May 1950, by Canadair pilots A. Lilly and B. Longhurst. Taken on strength date also reported as 6 June
1950? Last North Star airframe, paid for
in part with insurance money from crash of CF-TEL while on loan to
Trans Canada Airlines. Equipped with VIP
interior, with 24 seats. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station
Uplands, Ontario. One of first VIP flights
was 6-12 July 1950, transporting Prime Minster St. Laurent to
Saskatoon, Calgary and return, with Canadair pilot Al Lilly as
instructor pilot. See RCAF 10000 for
subsequent history.
last date: 17 February
1951 – Renumbered as 10000 (which see)
17525
Douglas
Canadair
North Star
MI
C-54GM / CL-2
101
first date: 25
August 1950 – Taken on
strength
First
North Star built. First flight on 1 July
1946, at Cartierville, PQ. Built as
DC-4M-1, registered CF-TEN-X. Used
extensively for company trials and certification testing.
converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF.
With No. 426
(T) Squadron at RCAF Station Dorval, PQ in 1956. Seen
at London, UK in March 1957, fitted with radar nose by then. Crashed on 21 June 1959 on approach to
Athens-Athinai airport. Struck sea wall on
short final. Damaged caused fuel leak,
aircraft destroyed by fire. No injuries.
last date: 13 July 1959 – Struck off
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.
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© 2007 by
R. W. R. Walker All rights
reserved under the copyright laws.
This is an amateur site – please don’t rely on any of this data for
anything important!
Created 2 September 2007. Updated 2 September 2007.