Canadian Warplanes 6: Dassault CC-117 Falcon 20C

Canadian Warplanes, Jets,

Dassault CC-117 Falcon 20C

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon 20C (Serial No. 20503).  French business jet initially known as the Dassault-Breguet Mystère 20, it made its first flight on 4 May 1963.

The RCAF and Canadian Armed Forces operated a fleet of 8 Dassault Falcon 10 executive jets on VIP and Government transport duties for a twenty year period. The initial purchase of 7 new Falcon 20s was in 1967 with a single additional purchase in 1971. Initially the first 7 Falcons were operated by the 412 Squadron as short haul VIP jet transports based at Ottawa Uplands and were configured to carry 10 passengers.

In the mid 1980s 4 of the Canadian Forces Falcon 20s were transferred to 414 Squadron for use as electronic jamming aircraft, having been replaced by brand new CC1-144 Challengers. The Canadian Forces eventually retired the CC-117 Falcon 20 fleet in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

One example 117508 was transferred to the Canadian Department of Energy Mines and Resources and was operated by Innotech Aviation eventually with the civilian registration C-GRSD-X during the 1970s. (Henry Tenby Web Page)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon 20C (Serial Nos. 20501-20507), for a total of 7 aircraft.  These aircraft were flown by No. 412 Transport Squadron and No. 414 Squadron from 1979- to 1989.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon (Serial No. 117501), shown here in 1967 as 20501, prior to being renumbered under the newer system to 117501.

(DND Photo via Fred Paradie)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon (Serial No. 117502).

(DND Photo via Fred Paradie)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon (Serial No. 117503).

(DND Photo via Fred Paradie)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon (Serial No. 117504).

(DND Photo via Fred Paradie)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon (Serial No. 117505).

(CAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon (Serial No. 117505), No. 414 Squadron, 1985.

(DND Photo via Fred Paradie)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon (Serial No. 117507).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Dassault CC-117 Falcon (Serial No. 117508).