|
The
CP-107 Argus aircraft was introduced into operational service with
Maritime Air Command of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1958, a total of
33 aircraft were produced. The Argus was in service for 23 years with
Maritime Air Command Squadrons 404, 405, 407, 415, 449, the 2(M)OTU
Detachment, the Argus Conversion Unit and the Maritime Proving and
Evaluation Unit (MP&EU). The Argus was withdrawn from service in
1981. Two versions of the aircraft were produced: the MK1 fitted with
the APS-20 Radar and the MK2 fitted with the ASV21 Radar. Two aircraft
were lost during their 23 years of service: 20727 which crashed at sea
near Puerto Rico on 23 Mar 65 with the loss of 16 lives, and 20737 which
crashed at Summerside, PEI on 31 Mar 77 with the loss of 3 lives.
This
painting depicts the MP&EU Argus 20729 marking on top of a
co-operating submarine to commence another trial run to gather data to
evaluate either new equipment or a new tactical evolution. Argus 729 was
assigned to the MP&EU on 15 Apr 61 and remained with the Unit until
4 Jul 80 when she was decommissioned. The long endurance of the Argus
(the record flight time of 31 hrs was established by 407 Sqn on 31 May/1
Jun 1974.) made her an ideal data collection platform; many 18 hour
flights were made orbiting a sonobouy field. Her data collection ability
made her the envy of our NATO R&D units.
The
artist Don Connolly was commissioned by Squadron Leader Russ Hicks
(RCAF) to capture 729 at work in memory of his long association with
Maritime Command’s Research and Development Units and his many hours
as a navigator aboard Argus 729.
|
