In 1958, the RCAF wanted to replace their aging C-47 Dakotas with a turbo powered aircraft.
Their choice was the Vickers Viscount, the Canadian government decided against this.
Instead, Canadair offered a series of CV-540 variants powered by Napier Eland turboprops.
The project was given the number CL-66 and three versions were considered.
The CL-66A was to be a 48/64 passenger aircraft.
The CL-66B designed to be a cargo/passenger configuration with a payload of 14200 lb.
The CL-66C used the Convair built CV-440s, having only their new engines fitted at Canadair.
The first CL-66 to fly was a “C” version with its first flight in February 1959; the CL-66B had its first flight in January 1960.
The RCAF took ten aircraft, mainly Bs.
The Eland not only proved to be unreliable, but also did not deliver the expected power, consequently, the RCAF instituted an engine upgrade in 1966–1967, installing Allison 501-D36 engines.
After eight airframes had been re-engine, the company phased out further development work on the type.
The remaining final two Eland examples were subsequently scrapped.
No. 412 Squadron at CFB Ottawa, flew the “Cosmo”, from 1960 to 1994 as VIP transport.
The Cosmopolitan aircraft were also deployed to Europe for Canadian NATO contingent support as well as to the US in support of Canadian NORAD operations.
