Bonaventure, 1965. The Shearwater Angel crew at HMCS Shearwater, May 1970. This one belonged to Squadron VX-10, a test and evaluation squadron. Bonaventure crew. She is also the first aircraft carrier to be owned outright by Canada and incorporates several post-war technical developments: an angled deck, mirror landing aid, and steam catapult. HMCS MAGNIFICENT - Served With the RCN from 1948 to 1957. February, 1968: HMCS Gatineau at sea. ... but they were actually commissioned as RN ships. On Bonaventure, Squadrons VS-880 and VS-881 served but as with the Banshees, in 1959 one squadron was disbanded (VS-881) and its machines were taken over by VS-880. HMCS Bonaventure Walk-Around Changes to Powerful included an all-new, modern island superstructure with American radar fitted to a lattice-style mast work. The ships carried about 20 aircraft with a crew of 1,000 and a maximum speed of 18 kts. In May, work was stopped on her. The ship was laid down for the British Royal Navy as HMS Powerful in November 1943. Model of a Sikorsky HO4S Chickasaw. Photo Courtesy of Esther Fralic. ... but the RCN decided to rename her BONAVENTURE after the bird sanctuary in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. HMCS Bonaventure (CVL-22) and HMCS Fraser (DDH-233) HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) (ex HMS Powerful / R 95): HMCS Bonaventure (CVL-22) was a Majestic class aircraft carrier. The Light Fleet Aircraft Carrier, HMCS BONAVENTURE, was laid down as HMS Powerful in November 1943 in the yards at Belfast of the shipbuilding firm of Harland and Wolff and launched there on 25 February 1946. HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22) was a Majestic class aircraft carrier.She served in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Command from 1957 to 1970 and was the third and the last aircraft carrier to serve Canada. The Royal Canadian Navy needed a replacement for HMCS MAGNIFICENT and obtained approval from the Cabinet to purchase the still-unfinished ship. Photo: Sentinel magazine. She served in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Command from 1957 to 1970 and was the third and the last aircraft carrier to serve Canada. Downed Sea King helicopter astern at left. Photo: Sentinel magazine. MacKenzie Division, 66-man gun crew. February, 1968: HMCS Onondaga & helicopter at sea. HMCS BONAVENTURE This page is being put together to hopefully bring together once again the Commissioning Crew of HMCS Bonaventure at Belfast Northern Ireland in 1957, as well as to identify handlers from their course photo's. ... high. HMCS Bonaventure's fighter squadrons had lasted only 5 years. Late in March of 1964 the Bonaventure was used to ferry army equipment and supplies to Cyprus in support of the UN Peacekeeping Force. Three photos--one of the crew of HMCS Bonaventure, and two of collision damage to the bow of HMCS Chaudiere. Today in aviation history January 17, 1957 – HMCS Bonaventure, Canada’s last aircraft carrier, is commissioned at Belfast, Northern Ireland. February, 1968: HMCS Provider's stern at left with HMCS Gatineau behind. Equally-modern jet-powered fighter aircraft would be launched from her deck by way of a steam catapult and recovery via arrestor wire. At the end of World War II, work on the ship was suspended in 1946. Photo: Dave Banfield‎. Photo: Bruce Forsyth. Taken from Bonaventure's quarterdeck below the flight deck. HMCS Bonaventure: 1:144 scale r/c: Part 6: Air Wing ... (above). HMCS Cornwallis Gun Crew, 1962. HMCS Bonaventure Crew, 1960's. A Sea King coming in for a landing at HMCS Shearwater, Sept 1969. HMCS Huron & St Laurent, 1944. February, 1968: Aircraft & crew on HMCS Bonaventure's flight deck. 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