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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Grumman CP-121 Tracker

Hours and Location

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Browse All Visitor Information

Grumman CP-121 Tracker

Grumman CP-121 Tracker

Highlights:

  • 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)

Image Gallery:

CASM-20916

CASM-353420

CASM-21190

CASM-21190

CASM-23165

CASM-23165

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

Grumman CP-121 Tracker plan

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1990.0077
Manufacturer
de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.
Manufacturer Location
Canada
Manufacture Date
1960
Acquisition Date
1990
Registration Number
12187 (CAF)
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy