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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.

Personnel Delivery by Helicopter
Personnel Delivery by Helicopter

A Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) helicopter lowers Roman Catholic chaplain L.A. Dougan onto the destroyer HMCS St. Laurent, where he will say Mass.

The Sikorsky H04S, also known by its "S-55" model number, was the first widely available helicopter capable of carrying large loads. The Royal Canadian Navy used the H04S for anti-submarine warfare, as well as for search and rescue work. The hoist protruding from the side of the helicopter could raise and lower rescue personnel and survivors from the water, from ships, or from other locations where landings were not possible.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19900076-895





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