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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.

Grumman Avenger Landing Aboard HMCS Warrior
Grumman Avenger Landing Aboard HMCS Warrior

In this photograph, a Grumman Avenger is about to land on the aircraft carrier HMCS Warrior.

The Avenger's pilot has lowered the aircraft's landing gear, along with a hook hanging down below its tail. The hook is designed to catch one of several arrester cables, stretching across the carrier's flight deck (centre), that bring aircraft to a rapid halt. A plane guard destroyer (right) stands by to rescue the crew in case of a landing accident. The aircraft is likely American because the Royal Canadian Navy did not operate Avengers at the time Warrior was in Canadian service.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19910238-685





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