RCAF North Stars

Photo courtesy of Department of National Defence

Canadian Military Aircraft
Serial Numbers
RCAF 17501 to 17525
Detailed List

Photo courtesy of 1000aircraftphotos.com

	Designer	Manufacturer	basic designation	variant or model	name
	company designation	company number
17501	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	108
	first date: 4 September 1947 - Taken on strength
	First new built North Star for RCAF. First flight on 14 July 1947, by Canadair pilots Lilly and Wickham. With No. 426 (T) Squadron by November 1947. Destroyed in ground fire on 22 (or 9?) July 1953 at Rockcliffe, while being operated by the Central Experimental & Proving Establishment. Was being loaded for flight into the north. Fire is believed to have started in cargo, no injuries
	last date: 4 August 1953 - struck off after fire, see comments
17502	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	109
	first date: 2 September 1947 - Taken on strength
	First flight on 10 July 1947, by Canadair pilots Lilly and Milne. Serving with No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ by November 1947, when it was first used for crew training. Operated in support of Iron Ore Company construction in Quebec and Labrador. Performed first North Star flight in support of UN operations in Korea, leaving McChord AFB on 27 July, arriving in Japan on 29 July 1950. With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Also used by No. 4 Operational Training Unit at Trenton. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. To Chile in June of 1960, for earthquake relief flights. To No. 107 (S&R) Unit at Torbay, Newfoundland, with SAR modifications. To the UK for SAR training exercise, October 1963. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off and sold. Sold to Transflorida Aviation on 28 January 1966. To civil register as CF-UXA, registered to Cavalier Aircraft of Canada. Operated from Sarasota and Miami, Florida on freight operations throughout Caribbean, by Air Caicos and later Air Turk. Last flight on 19 June 1975, when it was ferried from Miami to Sarasota to be scrapped. Scrapped in May 1976.
	last date: 9 May 1966 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17503	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	110
	first date: 7 October 1947 - Taken on strength
	First flight 8 August 1947, by Canadair pilots Lilly and Anglin. Delivered to No. 112 (T) Flight, Rivers Camp, Manitoba in April 1949. Also served with No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ. Crashed on approach to Vancouver airport, on 30 December 1953, while with this unit. Was returning to Sea Island after engine failure, encountered heavy icing on descent. Stalled on short final, nose and starboard wing tip struck first. Starboard wing completely broken off. Came to rest upside down at end of runway. Passenger W/C R.W. McNair received Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct for helping survivors exit wreck, although soaked in fuel from initial crash. Only minor injuries to some of the 54 occupants.
	last date: 14 January 1954 - Struck off after crash, see comments
17504	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-4	111
	first date: 10 October 1947 - Taken on strength
	With No. 426 (T) Squadron by November 1947. Carried UN staff to South East Asia from Dorval 17 August to 6 September 1956. Stops included Beirut, Bahrain, Karachi, Calcutta, and Saigon. Carried Staff College tour across US 4 to 15 April 1957. Escorted T-33s to Turkey, in Operation Starflight, May 1958. Fitted with radar nose by June 1960. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Later to civil register as CF-VLW. Sold to D.D. Allyn of Sarasota, Florida on 28 September 1966. Flown to Sarasota, later scrapped there.
	last date: 3 October 1960 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17505	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	112
	first date: 7 October 1947 - Taken on strength
	Served with No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ. Crashed while landing at Shemya AFB, Alaska on 27 December 1953 while attempting to land on snow covered runway, in 50 knot crosswind. Aircraft was blown off the runway while still at speed and broke up. No injuries.
	last date: 4 February 1954 - Struck off after crash, see comments
17506	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	113
	first date: 1 November 1947 - Taken on strength
	Operated in support of Iron Ore Company construction in Quebec and Labrador. Made third North Strip trip into Korea, 16/18 November 1951. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960, with No. 426 (T) Squadron. Made last official RCAF North Star flight on 8 December 1965, flying from Downsview to Trenton. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. Sold to Trans Florida Aviation in 1966, ferried to Sarasota, Florida, later scrapped there.
	last date: 3 October 1966 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17507	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	114
	first date: 27 November 1947 - Taken on strength
	With No. 426 (T) Squadron by January 1948, originally carrying red and blue roundels. Operated in support of Iron Ore Company construction in Quebec and Labrador. With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Also used by No. 4 Operational Training Unit at Trenton. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Later to No. 107 (SAR) Unit at RCAF Station Torbay, Newfoundland, with SAR modifications. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. To civil register as CF-UOY, sold to Trans Florida Aviation in October 1966. Sold to Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena in December 1967, their serial number FAS-300, later YS-27C. Withdrawn from use by 1970. Stored outdoors at Ilopango Airport, El Salvador for many years, seen there c.1980.
	last date: 8 October 1965 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17508	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	115
	first date: 14 November 1947 - Taken on strength
	Damaged by ground fire during refueling at Watson Lake, Yukon on 19 December 1949, repaired. With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Fitted with radar nose by end of 1960. Used by No. 4 (T) Operational Training Unit at Trenton, dates unknown. Took part in type retirement ceremony at Trenton in 1965. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. Sold to D.D. Allyn 28 September 1966. Ferried to Sarasota, Florida, later scrapped there.
	last date: 3 October 1966 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17509	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	116
	first date: 10 December 1947 - Taken on strength
	Served with No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ. Struck hill top during instrument approach to Ashiya, Japan on 19 April 1951. Landed successfully at Ashiya on 2 engines. Still with this unit in 1956, when it delivered mail to RCAF stations in Europe. Transport missions to DEW Line sites summer of 1958, including flight over North Pole 2 June 1958 en route from Resolute to Thule. Damaged by fire at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 24 March 1960. Was being ground run by No. 6 Repair Depot, jumped chocks and struck ground equipment. Aircraft was ferried to St. Jean, PQ, and scrapped there.
	last date: 11 May 1960 - struck off after fire, see comments
17510	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	117
	first date: 10 February 1948 - Taken on strength
	Accepted by No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ at Canadair on 11 February 1948. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Fitted with radar nose by end of 1960. Used by No. 107 (S&R) Unit at RCAF Station Torbay, Newfoundland, with SAR modifications. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when sold. Sold to Trans Florida Aviation on 28 January 1966, registered as CF-UXB. Operated from Sarasota and Miami, Florida on freight operations throughout Caribbean, by Air Caicos and later Air Turk. Damaged in landing accident at Sarasota on 17 September 1971, later scrapped there. Had 21,674 logged time when scrapped.
	last date: 9 May 1966 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17511	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	118
	first date: 10 February 1948 - Taken on strength
	Accepted by No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ at Canadair on 17 February 1948. Located downed USAF F-084 near Watson Lake, Yukon on 7 January 1950, dropped survival gear. Several flights to Korea, with UN flag marked on tail. Struck by lightning on 22 March 1955, damaged starboard aileron. Took part in Operation Western Weal, escorting 12 ex-RCAF T-33s to Turkey, fall of 1959. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. In storage at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. Sold to Samuel S. Sigal Enterprises on 30 October 1963.
	last date: 18 March 1964 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17512	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	119
	first date: 27 February 1948 - Taken on strength
	Served with No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ. Set record for non-stop trans-Canada flight, 14-15 January 1949, Vancouver to Halifax in 8:32 flying time. Made 4th and final North Star trip into Korea, 11 December 1951. At Watson Lake, Yukon for cold weather trials early 1950s. To Greenland for Operation Re-supply in April 1952. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. To Chile in June of 1960, for earthquake relief flights. Sold to Samuel S. Sigal Enterprises on 30 October 1963.
	last date: 18 March 1964 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17513	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	120
	first date: 27 February 1948 - Taken on strength
	Used for icing research, named "Rockcliffe Ice Wagon". Operated by Central Experimental & Proving Establishment, in joint effort with National Research Council. Category B damage on 4 January 1951. Returned to transport configuration, delivered to RCAF Station Lachine (Dorval), PQ. Destroyed in hanger fire at Dorval, PQ on 19 March 1956.
	last date: 27 April 1956 - Struck off after ground fire
17514	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	121
	first date: 8 March 1948 - Taken on strength
	With No. 425 (T) Squadron. To Greenland for Operation Re-supply in April 1952. With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Fitted briefly with belly radar installation in late 1950s. Delivered nerve gas from Baltimore, USA to Suffield, Alberta, June 1959. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Later to civil register as CF-SVP-X. Operated by National Aeronautical Establishment with extensive magnetic survey gear. Used to map earth's magnetic field, and to develop anti-submarine detection gear. Last airworthy North Star. Last working flight on 8 May 1975, on behalf of the National Aeronautical Establishment. Later to Crown Assets for disposal, offered for sale from November 1978. Purchased by Aircraft Salvage of Dallas, Texas in February 1979. Sold to Miami based company. Operated in Caribbean until about 1980 as N8022L. Allegedly used in smuggling operations. Scrapped early 1980s at Greater Inagua Island.
	last date: 27 September 1956 - Free issue to National Research Council
17515	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	122
	first date: 8 March 1948 - Taken on strength
	With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Stations Dorval, PQ and Trenton, Ontario. Lost dingy from port wing storage in turbulence on 9 May 1950. Struck by lightning near North Battleford, Saskatchewan on 8 May 1953. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960. Fitted with radar nose by early 1960s. Took part in North Star stand down ceremony at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 8 December 1965. Donated to the National Aeronautical Collection. Still on Canadian Forces books. Stored outdoors at Rockcliffe for many years.
	last date: -
17516	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	123
	first date: 17 March 1948 - Taken on strength
	Served with No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ in 1949. To Europe, via south Atlantic, in April of that year. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960 and 1961. Returned to Nellis AFB on 17 September 1962, following engine failure. In storage at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. Sold to D. D. Allyn on 28 September 1966. Later to civil register as CF-VLZ. Ferried to Sarasota, Florida, scrapped there.
	last date: 3 October 1966 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17517	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	I
	C-54GM / CL-2	124
	first date: 6 April 1948 - Taken on strength
	With No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Lachine (Dorval), PQ, when it carried VIPs on Artic tour in April 1949. Back to Resolute, NWT again in July 1949. Made first 2 North Star flights into Korea, on 11/12 May and 7/8 June 1951. Carried royal baggage during royal tour of July 1959, fitted with radar nose by then. Operated between Key West and Panama in fall of 1960, in support of relief efforts in Chile, following earthquake there. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960 and 1961, with No. 426 (T) Squadron. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. Sold to Samuel S. Sigal Enterprises on 30 October 1963.
	last date: 18 March 1964 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17518	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	MI
	C-54GM / CL-2	102
	first date: 16 March 1948 - Taken on strength, on return from loan to TCA
	Built as DC-4M-1, loaned to TCA as CF-TEK from 19 November 1946. TCA fleet number 84/184. Converted to C-54GM before return to RCAF. Flew first RCAF scheduled trans Atlantic North Star flight on 15 April 1947?. Delivered on 20 April 1949, used by No. 412 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. Modified with 34 seat VIP interior, extra window in cargo door, and APU. Still with 412 Squadron when it moved to RCAF Station Uplands in the summer of 1955. Carried 16 air attaches to Rivers Camp, Manitoba on 19 October 1961. Still with this unit when withdrawn from use in 1962. At Aircraft Industries at St. Jean, PQ when struck off.
	last date: 12 September 1962 - Struck off
17519	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	MI
	DC-4M1 / CL-2	103
	first date: 16 March 1948 - Taken on strength
	built as DC-4M-1. Loaned to Trans Canada Airlines on 17 June 1947. Registered as CF-TEL, their fleet number 85/185. Used by No. 426 (T) Squadron after return to RCAF. Still in TCA markings when it crashed at Sydney, NS on 12 August 1948.
	last date: 25 February 1949 - Struck off
17520	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	MI
	C-54GM / CL-2	104
	first date: 16 March 1948 - Taken on strength
	Built as DC-4M-1. Loaned to Trans Canada Airlines from 21 January 1947. Registered as CF-TEM, fleet number 86/186. Flew first TCA trans Atlantic North Star flight, on 15 April 1947. Converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF. With No. 426 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Dorval, PQ in April 1949, with VIP interior. Carried Minister of External Affairs to UK that month. Carried Prime Minister St. Laurent to Banff, Alberta and return, 1 - 6 September 1949. Later with No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. Carried tour group from Imperial Defense College to Whitehorse, Yukon and Vancouver, BC in August 1951. Carried Governor General Alexander to Tokyo and return in June 1952. Carried load of VIPs, including Governor General V. Massey, over North Pole on 24 March 1956. Carried A/C Carpenter from Goose Bay to Ottawa June 1961. Carried foreign diplomats on northern tour October 1961. Crashed on 1 February 1962, shortly after takeoff from Hall Beach, NWT. Was carrying VIPs on Dew Line inspection. Inboard engines both failed at 500 feet on take off. Third engine began to lose oil pressure while holding for weather improvement. Crashed while attempting single engine landing with 30 mph crosswind, ceiling obscured and half mile visibility in blowing snow. No fatalities. Improper engine warm up had lead to internal damage on all engines, resulting in gradual loss of oil pressure. No injuries. Spar cracked during salvage attempts, and aircraft written off.
	last date: 26 April 1962 - Struck off
17521	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	MI
	C-54GM / CL-2	105
	first date: 6 March 1948 - Taken on strength
	Built as DC-4M-1. Loaned to Trans Canada Airlines from 10 February 1947. Registered as CF-TEO, fleet number 87/187. Converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF. Returned to RCAF on 31 October 1949. Used by No. 426 and No. 412 Squadrons. Carried UN troops and supplies to Belgium Congo, in 1960 and 1961, with No. 426 Squadron. Stored at Mountain View, Ontario when struck off. Sold to Samuel E. Sigal Enterprises Ltd. on 30 October 1963.
	last date: 18 March 1965 - Struck off, to Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for sale
17522	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	MI
	C-54GM / CL-2	106
	first date: 16 March 1948 - Taken on strength
	Built as DC-4M-1, loaned to Trans Canada Airlines from 20 March 1047. Their registration CF-TEP, fleet number 88/188. Converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF. Loaned to Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1949, used for route proving flights to Shanghai, China. Back to RCAF on 15 August 1949. Operated by No. 426 (T) Squadron. With No. 4 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Dorval, PQ in 1952. Crashed near RAF North Luffenham on 8 May 1954, while with No. 4 OTU. Had diverted to Luffenham for precautionary landing, touched down 75 feet short of runway. Struck mound of clay and concrete, landing gear driven up into wing. Aircraft came to rest on runway, leaking fuel, but no fire. No injuries. Classified as Category B damage, but not repaired. Cockpit reported stored at Buffalo Airways, Red Deer, Alberta in 2007.
	last date: 29 November 1954 - Struck off
17523	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	MI
	C-54GM / CL-2	107
	first date: 16 March 1948 - Taken on strength
	Built as DC-4M-1, loaned to Trans Canada Airlines from 28 March 1047. Their registration CF-TEQ, fleet number 89/189. Converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF. Returned to RCAF on 25 June 1949. Operated by No. 426 (T) Squadron. Destroyed in crash while taking off from Resolute NWT on 15 March 1951. Aircraft started to swing on icy runway in crosswinds, pilot ordered "pull it off" and rotated, flight engineer misunderstood and closed throttles at same time. No injuries.
	last date: 18 April 1951 - Struck off
17524	Douglas	Canadair	C-5
	C-5 / CL-5	171
	first date: 20 July 1950 - Taken on strength
	First flight on 15 May 1950, by Canadair pilots A. Lilly and B. Longhurst. Taken on strength date also reported as 6 June 1950? Last North Star airframe, paid for in part with insurance money from crash of CF-TEL while on loan to Trans Canada Airlines. Equipped with VIP interior, with 24 seats. With No. 412 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario. One of first VIP flights was 6-12 July 1950, transporting Prime Minster St. Laurent to Saskatoon, Calgary and return, with Canadair pilot Al Lilly as instructor pilot. See RCAF 10000 for subsequent history.
	last date: 17 February 1951 - Renumbered as 10000 (which see)
17525	Douglas	Canadair	North Star	MI
	C-54GM / CL-2	101
	first date: 25 August 1950 - Taken on strength
	First North Star built. First flight on 1 July 1946, at Cartierville, PQ. Built as DC-4M-1, registered CF-TEN-X. Used extensively for company trials and certification testing. converted to C-54GM before delivery to RCAF. With No. 426 (T) Squadron at RCAF Station Dorval, PQ in 1956. Seen at London, UK in March 1957, fitted with radar nose by then. Crashed on 21 June 1959 on approach to Athens-Athinai airport. Struck sea wall on short final. Damaged caused fuel leak, aircraft destroyed by fire. No injuries.
	last date: 13 July 1959 - Struck off