Canadair Challenger Business Jet: A Widebody Pioneer | Aviation International News

Canadair Challenger: A Widebody Pioneer

Bombardier's successful programs trace back to a company that produced flying boats during World War II

CL-600 — The CL-600, represented here by the second prototype, marked a major step in executive aircraft development with its wide-body cabin greatly appreciated by passengers who could stand up inside. The type not only laid the foundations for a business jet dynasty now headed by the majestic Global 8000 but also spawned a major airliner family. © Canadair

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

May 1, 2024

Bombardier’s Challenger jets remain strong sellers today but the roots of these programs, as well as of its flagship Globals, trace back decades to the company Canadian Vickers, which produced large numbers of PBV-1 Canso (license-built Catalina) amphibious aircraft for the Allied war effort in World War II.

In 1944, it was taken over by the Canadian government, although it was sold in 1946 to what later became General Dynamics. A vast production facility was constructed at Cartierville in Quebec, which during the Cold War built CL-13/F-86 Sabres, CL-90/F-104 Starfighters, and CL-219/F-5 Freedom Fighters to assist with the rearming of NATO air arms. There were commercial projects, too, such as the CL-44 derivative of the Britannia airliner, the CL-66 version of the Convair CV-540, and the CL-215 amphibian.

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Challenger 600 Series

Bombardier

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