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Canadian Forces Aircraft — DeHavilland Canada CC-115
Buffalo |
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Buffalo – DeHavilland Canada's Tactical Twin
The CC-115 Buffalo is instantly recognizable in its bright yellow search-and-rescue scheme but some may be
surprised to know that the DHC-5 Buffalo was conceived as a tactical transport. [1] CC-115s first
entered RCAF service in 1967 with SAR as a secondary role. Conversion to the dedicated SAR role began in
1973 and eastern Buffs were replaced by CC-130s. Only in BC did CC-115s soldier on.[2] |
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"where the Buffalo roam" "then swayed to earth"
Six CC-115 remain is service with 442 Sqn at Comox BC where they serve alongside CH-149 Cormorant SAR
helicopters. These aircraft are responsible for SAR patrols over the mountains of the Yukon and BC, the BC
coast, and 600nm (1110km) out into the Pacific. As gruelling as aerial SAR may be, ironical- ly, CC-115 airframe life
has been extended by flying SAR rather than the original high-stress STOL role.
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DHC CC-115 Buffalo
Specifications
| Name: |
DeHavilland [3] DHC-5A |
Dimen:
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Span 29.2m, wing area 87.
7m2, length
24m, ht 8.76m |
Power:
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2 x GE CT64-820-3 turbo-
props,
1748 kW (normal) |
| Ceiling: |
Service 8380 m (27500 ft) |
| Range: |
1205 km (650 nm) max [4] |
| Weight: |
Gross 13380kg (SAR role) |
| Speed: |
322 km/h (173 kts) cruise |
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FWSAR, Transport, and the Buff 's Future
Nonetheless, the Buffalo are aging and DND planned to replace them with new fixed-wing SAR aircraft. That project has been on-again off-again for years. Upgraded
Buffalo are the interim plan. Avionics updates are underway and re-engining was mooted. Meanwhile, the Buffs fly SAR and transport missions [5] and will
continue to do so until parts run out. [6]
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[1] A turboprop follow-on to the piston-engined DHC-4 Caribou, the DHC-5 Buffalo was
designed to meet a US Army requirement for a fixed-wing tactical transport with a cargo capacity to match the CH-47
Chinook helicopter. US military Buffalo service was brief. Only four prototype CV-7As
arrived before the US Army was ordered to stop operating fixed-wing aircraft. These four Buffalo became USAF
C-8As but no further US military Buffalo orders were made. Fifteen CC-115 entered Canadian service in
1967/68. First intended as STOL transport aircraft, the Buffalo were later divided among SAR/Transport
squadrons. The first conversion to full SAR configuration was done in 1973.
[2] For a complete listing of RCAF and Canadian Forces CC-115 Buffalos, see Bill Walker's
Canadian
Military Aircraft Serial Numbers.
[3] DeHavilland Canada began as a subsidiary of a British parent in 1928. After a period as a Crown Corporation, in
1988 the company was bought by Boeing which destroyed the jigs for the Buffalo and other DHC designs for
liability reasons. In 1992, Bombardier bought DHC from Boeing. In early 2006, BC-based Viking Air purchased
the type certificates for
out-of-production DHC designs including the DHC-5s.
[4] Actual ranges will depend entirely upon operating weights. Obviously, heavily-laden Buffalo
flying tactical assault missions will have a smaller radius of operation than CC-115s in the SAR role. Ferry
flights with maxiumum fuel load are listed as high as 3280km ( DHC-5D ).
[5] Transport roles for the small CC-115 fleet still include parachute training (supplemented by leased aircraft) and
Arctic station resupply.
[6] CC-115 airframe life is not the real problem, parts availability is (only 126 DHC-5s were built and
many are no longer on active service). Other Buffalo operators can move quickly to bid on DHC-5 parts
whenever they're available. DND is prevented from following suit by the government procurement policies. The Air Force
must first go through Treasury Board and then follow lengthy Public Works procedures.
CC-115 heavy maintenance is performed by Kelowna Flightcraft which also completed
Buffalo Avionics Life Extension update installation.
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Photo Credits — CC-115 Buffalo side view: Stephen Priestley, middle
right: CASRA , bottom left: Daniel Lacroix
, all others: CF / DND
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