Article content

Some Defence Watch readers have asked about a RCAF Sea King that has been seen flying with an unusual paint scheme. They also asked why there hasn’t been any publicity about this new paint scheme.

So Defence Watchasked the RCAF those questions. Below is the answer:

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Sea King helicopters with commemorative paint schemes headed for museums Back to video

“As the Royal Canadian Air Force transitions from the CH-124 Sea King to the CH-148 Cyclone, it was decided that two Sea Kings, CH-12401 and CH-12417, would eventually be turned over to the Shearwater Museum and the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, respectively,” RCAF spokesman David Lavallee explained. “As part of the commemorative value of having these aircraft in these museums, they were painted in the Royal Canadian Navy scheme that the Sea King sported when it was first acquired by the Canadian Armed Forces. Both aircraft were painted at 12 Wing Shearwater this spring. CH-12417 is still fully operational, and now that painting is complete, it is transiting to 443 Squadron at Patricia Bay, B.C., from where it will operate, as Halifax-based 423 Squadron is now only operating the CH-148 Cyclone.”