A CH-113 Labrador search-and-rescue helicopter manoeuvres in shallow water in the Bay of Quinte.
The Boeing Vertol CH-113 Labrador was the Canadian version of the US CH-46 Sea Knight. It was a twin-engine, twin-rotor, helicopter used in search and rescue (SAR) operations from 1963 until 2004.
The Royal Canadian Air Force procured six CH-113 Labrador helicopters for the SAR role and the Canadian Army acquired 12 of the similar CH-113A Voyageur for the medium-lift transport role. The RCAF Labradors were delivered first with the first one entering service on 11 October 1963.
At the time of the Canadian Forces acquisition of the CH-147 Chinook in the mid-1970s, the existing Army Voyageur fleet was converted to Labrador specifications for use in the SAR role. The refurbished Voyageurs were then designated as CH-113A Labradors. This resulted in a total of 15 Labradors in service.
The Labrador was fitted with a watertight hull for marine landings, a 5,000 kilogram cargo hook and an external rescue hoist mounted over the right front door. It featured an 1,110 kilometer flying range, emergency medical equipment and an 18 person passenger capacity. By the 1990s the heavy use and hostile weather conditions of air-marine rescue were taking their toll on the Labrador fleet, resulting in increased maintenance costs and a replacement was required.
In 1998 a CH-113 from CFB Greenwood crashed on Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula while returning from a SAR mission, resulting in the deaths of all crewmembers on board. It was very evident that the fleet required replacing. The government placed an order with AgustaWestland for 15 aircraft to be called the CH-149 Cormorant. Delivery of the new aircraft began in 2003 and the last CH-113 was retired in 2004.
In October 2005 Columbia Helicopters of Portland, Oregon purchased eight of the retired CH-113 Labradors. This added to their complement of 15 Vertol 107-II Helicopters.
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Photo source: Canadian Department of National Defence