Canadair CL-41R

[Miki_Hoshii]

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

• Yes
• No

[What BR should the CL-41R have?]

• 6.7
• 7.0
• 7.3
• 7.7
• Other
• Voted No

[Which nation should the CL-41R go to?]

• United Kingdom
• United States
• A Canadian Tree/Sub-Tree
• Other
• Voted No

​

Hello everyone! Today I’ll be writing up a suggestion on a vehicle from my home country, rather than a Japanese or ROC vehicle. Today we’ll be covering the Canadair CL-41R NASARR radar trainer jet.

History:

In 1959, Canadair had received the contract to license manufacture the RCAF’s new CF-104 Starfighter nuclear strike and reconnaissance aircraft. During the same period Canadair had been developing a brand new unarmed jet trainer out of its own funds for the past 4 years internally designated the CL-41. The CL-41 was a low wing, T-tail, side-by-side, single engine jet trainer. The powerplant came in the form of a single Orenda J85-CAN-40 turbojet producing 2,700 lbf (12 kN) of thrust. The CL-41R was the logical radar trainer development of the CL-41 program once Canadair became the manufacture for the CF-104. The CL-41R stretched the nose 6 feet (1.8 metres) in length, and gave it a pointed radome. Inside the new elongated nose housed a voltage regulator, three invertors, and the NASARR R-24A ground radar with an 80 nautical mile search range. In the rear of the fuselage, the aircraft received a pair of bulges on each side of the aircraft behind the wings, and in front of the airbrakes. These bulges housed the TACAN, S.I.F., A.R.C.552, A.D.C. Computer, I/N Computer, NASARR low voltage power supply, and the NASARR Electronic Control Amplifier. In the cockpit, a radar display was added, angled towards the right-hand side pilot. Associated radar controls were added to the middle of the cockpit between both pilots, the antenna tilt indicator, S.I.F. panel, and inertial navigator control panel were placed on the right side of the cockpit. The engine was changed out for the more powerful Canadian Pratt & Whitney (Now known as Pratt & Whitney Canada) JTC-12A-2 turbojet producing 2,900 lbf (12.9 kN) of thrust. All of the changes in equipment resulted in a weight increase over the standard CL-41 of 750 lbs (340 kg). Additionally each wing was given a pylon store with the capability of mounting a variety NATO weapons including gunpods, napalm, bombs, rocket pods, or fuel tanks up to 500 lbs in weight. The sole prototype was converted from a CL-41 prototype trainer, and flew in 1960. A refined version of the CL-41, known as the CL-41A trainer would be adopted by the RCAF under the designation CT-114 Tutor. The CL-41R itself however, failed to find any purchase locally, or abroad with other F-104G operators. The sole prototype is currently waiting for restoration at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum.

In-Game:

The CL-41R could fill in as a unique light strike aircraft closest in role to the Sk 60B. Though being a single engine design, lacking the power to weight advantages of the Swedish design, or the weapon stations of the Sk 60B. The CL-41R could easily be implemented in the British, or American trees or could be a part of a unique Canadian branch of aircraft in-game.

Specifications:

General characteristics :

Crew: 2

Length: 40 ft 7 in (12.4 m)

Wingspan: 36 ft 4 in (11.1 m)

Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.86 m)

Empty weight: 5,610 lb (2,545 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 7,350 lb (3,334 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Canadian Pratt & Whitney JTC-12A-2 turbojet engine producing 2,900 lbf (12.9 kN) of thrust.

Performance:

Maximum speed: 687 km/h (427 mph) at 6,096 m (20,000 ft)

Range: 833 km (518 mi)

Service ceiling: 11,582 m (38,000 ft)

Rate of climb: 17.3 m/s (3,400 ft/min)

Armament:

2x 7.62 mm SUU-11/A gunpods with 3000 rounds total

2x 12.7 mm SUU-12/A gunpods with 1500 rounds total

2x 250 lb AN-M57A1 bombs

2x 250 lb Mk.81 bombs

2x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs

2x 500 lb Mk.82 bombs

2x 500 lb BLU-11/B napalm bombs

38x 70mm Mighty Mouse rockets

Other:

NASARR R-24A Ground Radar (148 km (92 mi) max scope range)

Sources:

Canadair CT-114 Tutor - Wikipedia

E0 05-195A-1 CANADIAN FORCES, AIRCRAFT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS TUTOR, 1973

CL-41R NASARR TRAINER Brochure, 1960

MODEL CL-41T PRELIMINARY DESIGN REPORT RAX-41-113, February 5th, 1965 (For comparable armament with weights of 500 lbs and less)

[StormRyder13]

+1 for a Canadian TT.

[FlyingOstridge]

Funky aircraft. It’s got that “didn’t I do it for you” look.

[Swettymonkey]

+1 for a Canadian Tech Tree