The Canadian aerobatic team Snowbirds will retire its Canadair CT-114 Tutor trainer aircraft after completing the current demonstration season. The ageing jets will be replaced by Swiss Pilatus PC-21 turboprops, designated CT-157 Siskin IIs in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Development of the CT-114 Tutor two-seat basic jet trainer, internally designated CL-41A, began in the late 1950s at the Canadian company Canadair, with the prototype flying in January 1960. Powered by a single 2,633 lb. Orenda J85-CAN-40 turbojet, the CL-41A had a maximum speed of 486 mph at 27,500 ft. In 1963, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) ordered 190 aircraft, delivered in 1966.
A CT-41G counter-insurgency variant was developed, equipped with armour protection for the crew and six external pylons for 0.3 in miniguns, Mk 81 general-purpose bombs, or drop tanks. Powered by a 2,950 lb st General Electric J85-J4 turbojet, 20 were delivered to the Royal Malaysian Air Force in 1967.
Its ease of handling and high manoeuvrability made the Tutor a successful platform not only for pilot training but also for aerobatic displays. In 1971, the RCAF Snowbirds aerobatic team was formed within No. 431 Squadron. The team operated 11 CT-114s, nine of which took part in demonstration shows. They were modified for airshow operations with a coloured smoke system and a modified fuel system to allow them to remain inverted for extended periods.
The RCAF retired the CT-114 Tutor from its training squadrons in 2000, replacing it with the CT-156 Harvard II.
Following its final performance with the Tutors in October this year, the Snowbirds will take a break from airshows until 2030 while re-equipping with the CT-157.
by David Oliver
