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Canadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan
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(left) CV-540 Cosmopolitan with Eland turboprop engines (right) CL-66 Cosmopolitan with Allison T-56 turboprops. ( CV-540 Photo courtesy Mike Hurst / CL-66 CF Photo)
Canadair's parent company in the late 1950's was General Dynamics who also owned Convair Aircraft in the United States. When Convair phased out the Convair CV-440 twin engine transport design, Canadair purchased the production jigs along with some uncompleted airframes. Canadair further refined the original design with 3,500 shp Napier Eland turboprop engines. These new variant was initially known as the Convair 540 since they were initially based on the uncompleted CV-540 airframes. New build aircraft were subsequently given the CL-66 Canadair designation.
The RCAF became the launch customer for this new version by ordering ten CL-66B variants which incorporated a reinforced floor, wide load doors and the ability for both cargo and passengers. The aircraft were introduced in Air Transport Command and were primarily used for the bulk of the type's career for VIP transport duties. The aircraft were also deployed to Europe for Canadian NATO contingent support as well as to the US in support of Canadian NORAD operations.
In 1966, eight of the RCAF Cosmopolitans were re-engine with Allison T-56 turboprops. After an avionics upgrade to "glass cockpit" status, the aircraft were retired in 1995.
| Manufacturer: | Canadair Aircraft Ltd |
| Crew/Passengers: | crew of four with provisions for 40 passengers or up to 14,300 lb (6,486 kg) in cargo |
| Power Plant: | two 3,500 eshp Napier Eland 504 turboprop engines / Allison T-56 turboprops |
| Performance: | Max Speed: 340 mph (547 km/h) Cruising Speed: 322 mph ( 518 km/h) Service Ceiling: 26,200 ft (6,220 m) Range: 1,244 mi (1,996 km) |
| Weights: | Empty: 32,333 lb ( 14,666 kg) Gross: 47,000 lb ( 21,319 kg) |
| Dimensions: | Span: 105 ft 4 in ( 32.12 m) Length: 81 ft 6 in ( 24.84 m) Height: 28 ft 2 in (8.49 m) Wing Area: sq ft ( sq m) |
| Armament: | None |
| Cost: | CV540 (used) - $880,000 CL-66B (new) - $2,000,000 |