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The Early Cold War
Naval Aviation

Between 1946 and 1970, Canada's navy operated three aircraft carriers to help fulfil its anti-submarine mission and to help protect ships against enemy aircraft. These carriers required specialized equipment, procedures, and training for their crews.

Petty Officer, HMCS Magnificent
Petty Officer, HMCS Magnificent

This mid-1950s photograph shows an unidentified Petty Officer Second Class from the aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent.

His cap tally identifies his ship as the Magnificent, which remained in Canadian service until 1957, and the crossed anchors on his left sleeve denote his rank. The two chevrons below denote at least eight years of good conduct. Like many members of the Royal Canadian Navy in the immediate post-war period, his medal ribbons attest to service during the Second World War, while the bottom row is for service in the Korean War.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20020135-009





HMCS Warrior
HMCS Magnificent
HMCS Bonaventure
Fairey Firefly Aircraft and Plane Guard Destroyer, HMCS Warrior
Grumman Avenger aboard HMCS Magnificent
Grumman Tracker Launch, HMCS Bonaventure
Grumman Avenger Landing Aboard HMCS Warrior
Hawker Sea Fury Landing on HMCS Magnificent
Supermarine Seafire
Supermarine Seafire Crash, HMCS Warrior
Fairey Firefly Crash, HMCS Warrior
Landing on HMCS Bonaventure
McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee
Flight Deck and Island, HMCS Bonaventure
McDonnell Banshee, HMCS Bonaventure
Grumman Tracker, HMCS Shearwater
Bell HTL-4 Helicopter
Personnel Delivery by Helicopter
Life Raft and Emergency Supplies
Petty Officer, HMCS Magnificent
Triangular Bandage
Canadian Sailors Board HMCS Bonaventure
From School to Sea!
Robert N. McKinley Medal Set, HMCS Bonaventure