Inflight refueling.

Rory · November 06, 2006, 12:58:15 PM

What method, if any, did the Canadian Air Force use for inflight refueling in the 60's please?

Am I going to have to paint a stuuuupid little door for the flying boom or can I build a stonking gurt lance type ala Gloster Javelin (please, please, please)?

rallymodeller · November 06, 2006, 01:02:08 PM

The RCAF/CAF didn't really go in for IFR until the CF-5's came along, and even then that was a relatively late addition. Our Starfighters (IIRC) never had the probes, and most of out A/C before that were never designed for them. The CC137s didn't get IFR hose and drogue pods until the 80's, as far as I can remember.

Rory · November 06, 2006, 01:09:19 PM

Just had a poke about on Google for a CC137 still none the wiser though I do like the look of the " The Simpsons CC137 Lisa Montage Circular Jigsaw " that was first on the listings (NOT). So if no system was in use 60's probe and drogue is the system that is used now.

((thinking Javelin again YIPPEE!)

rallymodeller · November 06, 2006, 02:29:36 PM

Yep -- likely it would have been probe-and-drogue as it is the drogue reel is most easily adaptable to many carrier aircraft, and it is MUCH easier to fit the probe to existing aircraft. Boom-type refuelling was originally designed for USAF strategic bombers and since they had the infrastructure for it they went to boom-style for fighters as well.

A good RCAF IFR refueller would have been a development of the CL-44/CC-106 Yukon turboprop transport (itself a development of the Bristol Britannia). The RCAF was also one of the first air forces in the world (if not the first) to use a jet transport in the form of the Comet airliner.

Wanna go for a double What If? How about a C-102 Jetliner in-flight refueller...

So, what -- gonna replace the Canuck? Say it ain't so!

Rory · November 06, 2006, 09:36:50 PM

Quote
So, what -- gonna replace the Canuck? Say it ain't so!

Now we both know that the only thing to replace a Clunk with is another Clunk!

Once I have sanded down a couple of pounds of filler and slapped some paint on "IT" I will show you

And if you are lucky the kit as well

mrdj · November 06, 2006, 09:40:27 PM

CF-101s had a probe. The first batch had a retractable probe right in front of the cockpit. At the time, the RCAF didn't have tankers, and when the CC-137s came out, the Batch 2 Voodoos had the probe replaced by an IR ball.

upnorth · November 06, 2006, 10:56:17 PM

QuoteCF-101s had a probe. The first batch had a retractable probe right in front of the cockpit. At the time, the RCAF didn't have tankers, and when the CC-137s came out, the Batch 2 Voodoos had the probe replaced by an IR ball.

I thought we ordered our CF-101Bs without the probe and the probe doors sealed shut at the factory.

nev · November 07, 2006, 05:59:30 AM

QuoteWhat method, if any, did the Canadian Air Force use for inflight refueling in the 60's please?

Am I going to have to paint a stuuuupid little door for the flying boom or can I build a stonking gurt lance type ala Gloster Javelin (please, please, please)?

I have a part-done RCAF VC-10. Would be ideal for refuelling your RCAF Javelins

mrdj · November 07, 2006, 07:18:19 AM

QuoteI thought we ordered our CF-101Bs without the probe and the probe doors sealed shut at the factory

As I recall, RCAF Voodoos weren't ordered from the factory, they were taken from USAF stocks. It was an exchange for some NORAD radar sites.

rallymodeller · November 07, 2006, 01:15:36 PM

Quote
QuoteI thought we ordered our CF-101Bs without the probe and the probe doors sealed shut at the factory

As I recall, RCAF Voodoos weren't ordered from the factory, they were taken from USAF stocks. It was an exchange for some NORAD radar sites.

Yep -- the 101B's were offered both in exchange for the Pinetree Line and DEW stations, and because NORAD ADC wasn't very happy about the whole BOMARC thing. Later ('70-'71) we traded in the B and F's we had on a similar number of refurbished B's and new F's -- these are the ones with the IR seeker ball.