One of the most famous and hardest-working pieces of flying fruit has arrived in Trenton.
This past Saturday, the National Air Force Museum of Canada at CFB Trenton accepted the delivery of a Vertol Canada CH-125 Workhorse from the BC Aviation Museum in Saanich, British Columbia.
Commonly referred to as the “Flying Banana” due to its shape, this single-engine tandem rotor helicopter was first acquired by the RCAF in 1954 and remained in active service until 1973.
During their early service, the CH-125 transported personnel, equipment, and supplies to remote radar sites across Canada. After supporting transport operations, the helicopters were transitioned to a search and rescue role until they were replaced by the CH-113 Labrador.
The restoration effort will take a long time. The current body of the aircraft has no engine, rotors or spare parts, since they still have to be shipped before the entire thing can be re-assembled, painted and restored to showroom quality.
It will be a labour of love for those lucky enough to restore it, and a welcome addition to the displays in Trenton when it’s done.
It’s name may be playful and whimsical, but the “Flying Banana” was a more of a workhorse than a piece of fruit, with countless missions equipping some of our most vital security installations and later helping to find and rescue people in distress.
It’s proud legacy will soon be on display at the National Air Force Museum of Canada at CFB Trenton, the newest cherry on top of their sweet and substantial history lessons and displays.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
