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Serial: CA180/A782, CF-CKT, RCAF 2307 Manufactured: 1952 Two 450 hp P & W R-985-AN-3 or B5 nine-cylinder radial engines Maximum speed: 225 mph Empty weight: 5,785 lbs. Loaded weight: 9,000 lbs. Span: 47' 7" Length: 33' 11" Height: 9' 3" Wing Area: 349 sq. ft. CF-CKT served with RCAF 401 (Aux) Sqn (Montreal), 403 (Aux) Sqn (Calgary), plus RCAF Stations Rivers, Portage la Prairie and Summerside, and sold surplus in the 1960's. Purchased by the Canadian Museum of Flight in 1982 it was airlifted to the museum in 1984 from Abbotsford Airport by Okanagan Helicopters. This airplane was used for smoke jumping, and will be restored to flying condition when funds permit. General Information The C-45 is a military version of the Model 18 light commercial transport which first flew on January 15, 1937, and 5,204 military models were delivered during WWII . The final USAF versions were the C-45G and C-45H utility transports, 468 and 432 of which were respectively converted from wartime T-7 and T-11 trainer variants, and the RC-45H and TC-45H photographic and training models. The U.S. Navy employed the RC-45J and TC-45J. A number of C-45 transports served with the RCAF from 1944-1967 under the name Expeditor 3NM, 3NMT, 3T, etc., as a twin engined navigational trainer, crew transport and a "hack", or taxi. Versions of both the C-45 and its civil counterpart, the Model 18, served with thirty of the world's air forces. Between 1958 and 1964, the two local RCAF Auxiliary units (442 and 443 Sqns) flew about a dozen of these aircraft. One of the first business airplanes readily available surplus after WWII, these popular aircraft underwent many modifications and engine variations, and many, including a few fitted with seaplane floats, still fly commercially. Photo: Museum archive | |
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