Beech CT-134 Musketeer

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• The Musketeer replaced the Chipmunk as the CF's primary trainer in 1971. At the end of the Chipmunk's service, air frames were no longer being produced and engine spares had to be specially manufactured with lead times of up to two years. These factors underscored the need for a replacement primary training Aircraft.

  CF Photo

• Musketeer 412 was reserialed to 134212 on 4 April, 1973 in order to eliminate duplication of tail numbers with the wide-ranging CT-133 serials and was subsequently struck off strength in March, 1994. Although ocassionally referred to as the "Muskrat", there is some question whether this was just another unofficial nickname (i.e "Musket") or an original proposal for an official name with Canadian connotations.

  CF Photo

• The Musketeer was bought in 1971 to replace the Chipmunk as a primary flight trainer. Based at CFB Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, they helped train thousanads of pilots until their retirement in 1992. Many of the surviving Musketeers are held in museums or aviation maintenance schools, as they were not allowed to be sold to the public for flying purposes.

  CF Photo