Canadair CL-28 Argus
1957
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Canadair CL-28 Argus

Long-range anti-submarine patrol aircraft developed from Bristol "Britannia" turboprop airliner. The first prototype flew on March 27, 1957. 33 built. Retired in 1981, replaced by P-3 "Orion".

3-View 
Canadair CL-28 ArgusA three-view drawing (592 x 945)


Specification 
 MODELCL-28 "Argus"
 CREW15
 ENGINE4 x Wright R-3350-EA1 Cyclone, 2535kW
 WEIGHTS
    Take-off weight71214 kg157001 lb
    Empty weight36741 kg81000 lb
 DIMENSIONS
    Wingspan43.37 m142 ft 3 in
    Length39.26 m129 ft 10 in
    Height11.79 m39 ft 8 in
    Wing area192.77 m22074.96 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
    Max. speed507 km/h315 mph
    Ceiling7620 m25000 ft
    Range9495 km5900 miles
 ARMAMENT3629kg of weapons inside the fuselage and 1724kg on external hardpoints

Comments 
Ken M Hamilton, kenhamil(@)accesswave.ca, 03.03.2010

I was a pilot crew commander(VPCC) on the Argus with VP405 and I also was a pilot instructor on VP404. During some of that time, I flew the Argus air demonstration at various airshows around North America. There was absolutely nothing more impressive than an Argus approaching at full power and near maximum airspeed. The audio-visual effect was amazing. The Argus could always steal the show, and it gave both pilots and flight engineer a good workout.

Bill McKenzie, billmckenzie1(@)cogeco.ca, 30.01.2010

The photo is defenitely a CL 28 Argus manufactured by Canadair. I flew these a/c 4,788 hours as a Pilot and Instructor on 3 Sqdns. On the 21 jan. 1971 I was tasked to fly Argus 20741 from Saint Jean N.B. to RCAF Stn Greewood N.S. by doing a 3-engine Take-Off for an a/c ferry flight.(And it was successful)

RF McElman, rfmcelman(@)ns.sympatico.ca, 26.01.2010

THe Argus was replaced by the CP140 Aurora which was a deritive of the P 3 Orion.

Bob Cooke, robertcooke(@)sympatico.ca, 26.12.2009

It most certainly is an Argus. While I was RCAF ground crew (ComOp) and stationed at RCAF Station Greenwood, I flew in them. In fact, I was possibly the last person to have radio contact with the Argus that crashed into the sea off Puerto Rico during Operation Maple Springboard on March 25, 1965.

Jean Lavoie, jlavoie(@)groupekanak.com, 15.11.2009

The picture depicting 710 is an Argus mark 1 of the first generation, 710 is actually the first Argus and prototype built by Canadair in Montreal and is equipt , like all 13 mark 1, with the american APS-20 search radar wich has the big antenna radome, all others Argus (22)where mark 2 with british ASV-21 search radar with the smaller radome. The Wright engines where fitted for low specific fuel consumption (not for cost saving), on the 31 may 1974, 711 a 407 Squadron Argus mark 1 from Comox flew 31.1 hours straight with no external or added fuel tank

Barry, 04.11.2009

I agree it is a CL28 Argus. It is the later model with the larger radome that actaully gave a better performance than the earlier model with a smaller radome.
However I do not agree that piston engines gave the aircraft a better performance. The Proteus turbo prop of the original Brittania would have given a far greater endurance and range. I think more to the point the Cyclone was more of a low cost option.

Ken Wright, g7k(@)candw.ky, 07.09.2009

The photo at the top of the page is definately an Argus. I flew over 2000 hours in the Argus as a Radio Officer.
Piston engins were specified as they gave a longer range than turbo props and gave us a longer loiter time mid-Atlantic. The Argus had the longest range of any aircraft until Rutan's arond the world flight.

Reed, 23.08.2009

The picture you have is not of an argus!

3VI, landmania(@)libero.it, 25.08.2007

Photos inverted. This is the CL-44, and the one in CL-44 page is a CL-28...

3VI, landmania(@)libero.it, 25.08.2007

Why Canadair replaced turboprops with piston engines? I think turboprop is the best way to push a patrol aircraft longer. It's a nonsense...

Marc Landry, marcland(@)rogers.com, 27.01.2007

I am a former master navigator on the "Argus"; flew with RCAF 404 MP Squadron 1963-66.
I would very much like to acquire a dest model of the Canadair Argus.
Canyou inform me how to go about this?

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