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The Early Cold War
Naval Aviation

Between 1946 and 1970, Canada's navy operated three aircraft carriers to help fulfil its anti-submarine mission and to help protect ships against enemy aircraft. These carriers required specialized equipment, procedures, and training for their crews.

HMCS Magnificent
HMCS Magnificent

HMCS Magnificent seen here with Fairey Firefly aircraft on its flight deck (left), was Canada's second post-war aircraft carrier.

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) acquired Magnificent in 1948 to replace HMCS Warrior. Drawing on experience with Warrior, Magnificent was modified for cold weather operations and also incorporated improved crew facilities. Serving in the RCN until 1956, Magnificent operated with other Canadian ships, as well as alongside elements of Britain's Royal Navy, the United States Navy, and other navies from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), particularly in Atlantic, Caribbean, and European waters.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19750148-097





HMCS Warrior
HMCS Magnificent
HMCS Bonaventure
Fairey Firefly Aircraft and Plane Guard Destroyer, HMCS Warrior
Grumman Avenger aboard HMCS Magnificent
Grumman Tracker Launch, HMCS Bonaventure
Grumman Avenger Landing Aboard HMCS Warrior
Hawker Sea Fury Landing on HMCS Magnificent
Supermarine Seafire
Supermarine Seafire Crash, HMCS Warrior
Fairey Firefly Crash, HMCS Warrior
Landing on HMCS Bonaventure
McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee
Flight Deck and Island, HMCS Bonaventure
McDonnell Banshee, HMCS Bonaventure
Grumman Tracker, HMCS Shearwater
Bell HTL-4 Helicopter
Personnel Delivery by Helicopter
Life Raft and Emergency Supplies
Petty Officer, HMCS Magnificent
Triangular Bandage
Canadian Sailors Board HMCS Bonaventure
From School to Sea!
Robert N. McKinley Medal Set, HMCS Bonaventure