Dates

Event

Constructed as a Canso A by Canadian Vickers.

16 June 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Canadian Air Force with s/n 11093.

16 June 1944

Transferred to Eastern Air Command.
Placed in stored reserve.

Circa 5 December 1944

Transferred to No 162 (BR) Squadron.
Operated with markings: D

13 August 1945

Transferred to No 10 Repair Depot, Calgary.
Converted to a freighter with No 10.

20 May 1947

Transferred to Experimental and Proving Establishment.
Used as a prototype for fuel tank modifications.

January 1949

Transferred to No 413 (P) Squadron, Rockcliffe, ON.

16 May 1949

Transferred to de Havilland Canada.
Sent to de Havilland for modifications.

25 October 1949

Transferred to North West Air Command.

From 1949 to 1951

Transferred to Sea Island.

6 September 1951

Transferred to Canadian Pacific Airlines.
Sent to Canadian Pacific for repairs.

January 1954

Transferred to Aircraft Industries Limited.
Sent to Aircraft Industries for reconditioning.

22 August 1955

Transferred to No 408 (P) Squadron, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, ON.

25 November 1955

Transferred to Aircraft Industries Limited.
Sent to Aircraft Industries for modifications.

9 July 1957

Assigned to Lincoln Park for storage.

9 August 1960

Available for disposal at Lincoln Park.

Transferred to Crown Assests Disposal Corporation.

Photographer: FORUM of http://www.mission4today.com/

10 April 1961

Struck off Strength/Charge from the Royal Canadian Air Force.

1962

To David T Dorosh, Edmonton, AB.
It is possible the airframe was never operated from, or moved to, Edmonton.

23 November 1965

To David T Dorosh, Edmonton, AB with new c/r CF-NJL.

By 1966

Ferry flight. Delivered to Gananoque Airport, Gananoque, ON.
Flown to Gananoque, ON, withdrawn from use and placed in storage in a at the airport.
View the Location Dossier

Robert Phillips comments (15 May 2023): David Dorosh, the last known owner of Canso CF-NJL, and I worked together at Survair LTD as maintenance engineers on PBY-5A and other aircraft. Dave wanted me to partner with him on purchasing the Claresholm air base in Alberta. I did not have a pot or window so had to decline. Dave was single at the time and I was married with a family. I often wonder where that partnership would have gone. Dave purchased CF-NJL surplus from I believe Crown Assets at the time. It had no engines or propellers. Dave purchased two overhauled engines and installed them onto the airframe. He also acquired propellers and considerable other aviation related items, which he stored in the aircraft, as the military were scrapping many of their aircraft at the time. Dave and I were both licenced on the PBY. Dave subsequently inspected, repaired and certified the aircraft airworthy and had it registered CF-NJL. Subsequently he engaged the services of George Ayerhart and another pilot to ferry CF-NJL from Alberta to Gananoque, near Ottawa where we both worked when our aircraft were not on magnetometer or photo contract with Canadian Aero Services. My last contact with Dave was vis a letter which he received just before heading south in his motor home. I visited the aircraft once while stored in Gananoque, where I believe it still remains. Great memories of working with Dave.

6 May 1995

Photographer: Mike Henniger

2003

The engines were reported to have been run in 2003. Greg Dorosh comments (18 August 2016): Engines never run on this date according to David. Not sure who/why this was added. Further corrections to come.

8 June 2004

To unknown owner with c/r CF-NJL.

13 July 2008

Photographer: Mike Henniger

13 July 2008

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: The airframe is preserved in the same condition it was retired, right down to the stenciling on the fuselage and wings.

19 July 2010

Gerald Murphy comments (22 March 2011): Still in storage. Fabric on control surfaces showing signs of deterioration. Tires showing extreme checking.

June 2022

The Legacy comments (June 19): Still in storage. Tail surfaces have been removed. Hangar in delapitated condition. Called the airport; the tail surfaces were removed by the owner and shipped to a fabricator to make replacements. Still being maintained. Owner has no intention to sell the airframe, and to leave it in situ for the time being.