Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

 RCAF CT-142 Dash 8 'Gonzo'

The Royal Canadian Air Force currently operates four (with two others having been sold) modified Dash 8's as CT-142's nicknamed the 'Gonzo'. For anyone familiar with the Sesame Street character (with the exaggerated snout), the origin of the nickname is obvious.

They were built as De Havilland Canada DHC-8-100's at Toronto, Downsview.

Aircrew from the RCAF and air forces around the world train on this turboprop aircraft. Training on the CT-142 involves navigation, tactics and surveillance as well as search and rescue.

The reason for the extended nose on the aircraft is because it employs a suite of on-board training computers and a large radar system.

 Following is a list of each of the six aircraft and its current status as per PlaneSpotters.net. 

• Current fleet and registration:
  • 142803 - Delivered March 1990 -  Active (featured in the video below).
  • 142804 - Delivered December 1989 - Active
  • 142805 - Delivered October 1990 - Active
  • 142806 - Delivered May 1991 - Active
• Former fleet:
  • 142801 - Delivered April 1987 - Acquired by Field Aviation, January 2002 and re-registered C-GJUZ.
    • Last Canadian registration, C-FCGE with Pal Aerospace.
  • Currently stored at Muskoka, Ontario (YQA) since July 2022 and registered to The Netherlands Coastguard as PH-CGE.
  • 142802 - Delivered June 1987 - Acquired by Field Aviation, January 2002 and re-registered C-GJVB.
    • Acquired by Transport Canada in February 2007 and re-registered C-GSUR.
    • Still active as maritime surveillance and based in Vancouver.

Full details at: www.rwrwalker.ca/CF_Dash_8

Landing, Startup, Takeoff & Cockpit Tour at YYJ

Posted on YouTube by Nybotor1