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Canadair CP-Argus 2

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The Argus was a radical redesign of the Bristol Britannia featuring a new, unpressurized fuselage and powerful piston engines. The redesign increased the low-altitude range and provided space in the aircraft for weapons and electronic equipment. Thirteen Mk.1s were built. The remaining 20 were Mk.2s, with upgraded electronics and a smaller radome (radar dome). Argus aircraft operated successfully over Canada’s ocean boundaries. They were retired from the Canadian Armed Forces(CAF) in 1982.

The Argus was equipped with a powerful radar, underwater listening devices, electronic countermeasures equipment, and a magnetic anomaly detector, which at low altitude could detect deformations in the earth’s magnetic field caused by metal objects as small as a boat’s engine. For night visual identification, a remote-controlled 70-million candlepower searchlight was located on the wing. Equipped with four bunks and a galley, the Argus could accommodate two crews for 24-hour-plus flights. In its early years, the Argus was undoubtedly the finest anti-submarine patrol bomber in the world. Maximum range was 8,190 km (5,089 mi).

Museum Example

The last Argus was built in 1960. The museum Argus Mk.2 operated from Greenwood, Nova Scotia and Summerside, Prince Edward Island until 1982, when it was flown to the Canada Aviation Museum.

Specifications

Wing Span:
43.4 m (142 ft 3 1/2 in)
Length:
39.1 m (128 ft 3 in)
Height:
11.5 m (37 ft 8 1/2 in)
Weight, Empty:
36,735 kg (81,000 lb)
Weight, Gross:
67,120 kg (148,000 lb)
Cruising Speed:
333 km/h (207 mph)
Max Speed:
464 km/h (288 mph)
Rate of Climb:
274 m (900 ft) /min
Service Ceiling:
7,380 m (24,200 ft)
Range:
8,189 km (5,089 mi)
Power Plant:
four Wright R-3350 TC981 EA-1 Turbo Compound, 3,700 hp, radial engines

Additional Photographs

The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.

Find out more about our Image bank here.