Boeing CH-113 Labrador

Boeing Vertol · Canada · first flew 1962 · transport aircraft

The CH-113 Labrador is a Canadian Armed Forces search-and-rescue helicopter based on the Boeing Vertol 107 (CH-46 Sea Knight family), distinguished by its tandem-rotor configuration and operated for decades as Canada's primary long-range SAR aircraft. It served across vast arctic, mountain, and coastal environments.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	25.7 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Tandem-rotor SAR helicopter
Bright orange-and-white Canadian SAR livery
Chinook-family twin-rotor layout

Instantly recognisable tandem-rotor helicopter with twin turboshaft engine pods flanking the rear rotor pylon; the vivid orange-and-white SAR colour scheme and lack of stub wings distinguish it from military Chinooks.

Specifications

The Boeing CH-113 Labrador has a length of 25.7 m (84 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.2 m (50 ft).
Its maximum speed is 270 km/h (168 mph).
Typical crew: 3–4.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Canada acquired the CH-113 in the early 1960s; the aircraft entered service with the Royal Canadian Air Force before integration into the unified Canadian Armed Forces. It performed countless rescues over remote terrain where no other platform could reach. The type was retired in the early 2000s after nearly four decades of service.

Variants

The CH-113A Voyageur was the utility transport derivative; the Labrador was the dedicated SAR variant equipped with rescue hoists, extended-range fuel and specialist crew.

Where you'll see it

Operated exclusively by the Canadian Armed Forces; replaced by the AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant from 2002 onwards.

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