Canadian Warplanes 7: Bell CH-136 Kiowa helicopter

Bell CH-136 Kiowa

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4886183)

Fallex 79, No. 444 Squadron Bell CH-136 Kiowa over a 4 CMBG Leopard tank during Exercise Snakebite, Bavaria, Germany, 5 June 1979.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown Aviation Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa, No. 444 Squadron based at CFB Lahr in Germany, visiting the UK, 30 July 1976.

The OH-58A Kiowa is a 4-place observation helicopter.  The Kiowa has two-place pilot seating, although the controls in the left seat are designed to be removed to carry a passenger up front.  A total of 74 OH-58A helicopters were delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces between 1971 and 1972 as a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH), performing duties such as reconnaissance, command and liaison or artillery fire direction. The CAF redesignated them as the CH-136 Kiowa.  Although similar in appearance to the trainer Bell CH-139 Jet Ranger, major differences between the two helicopters include the main rotor blades and dynamic components.  The CH-136 was powered by a C-18 engine and the CH-139 was powered by a C-20 engine.

No. 438 Squadron flew the CH-136 from 1982 to 1995.  No. 400 Squadron flew the CH-136 from 1980 to 1995.  No. 427 Squadron flew the CH-136 from 1972 to 1992. No. 444 Squadron flew the CH-136 from 1972 to 1991.  No. 408 Squadron flew the CH-136 from 1971 to 1995.  No. 430 Squadron flew the CH-136 from 1971 to 1995. No. 422 Squadron flew the CH-136 from ca 1971 to ca 1995.

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (74), (Serial Nos. 136201-136274)

(Vic Johnson Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 1362--), No. 444 Sqn, 4 CMBG, Germany.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4728075)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 1362--), No. 444 Sqn, 4 CMBG, Germany, Sep 1977.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136234), No. 444 Sqn, 4 CMBG, Germany.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136234), No. 444 Sqn, 4 CMBG, Germany, trailed by a pair of Royal Netherlands Air Force Alouette III helicopters.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4822595)

Bell CH-136 Kiowas, No. 444 Sqn, Ex Certain Rampart 80, Germany, Sep 1980.

(Neil C. Aird Photo, via Benoit Thibeault)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136218), CFB Trenton, Ontario, 10 June 1972.

(Mike Freer - Touchdown Aviation Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 1362-4), No. 444 Squadron, Lahr, Germany.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136250), 427 Sqn, CFB Petawawa, Ontario, 1974.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136250), 427 Sqn, CFB Petawawa, Ontario, 1974.

(Stephen List Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa, (Serial No. 136201), AETE CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, 1994.

(Author Photos)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136216), 75th Anniversary commemorative paint scheme, mounted on a pylon at the entrance to 5 Canadian Division Support Group Base Gagetown, New Brunswick.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136259), mounted on a pylon in front of No. 408 Squadron HQ, Namao, Alberta.

 (Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136248), mounted on a pylon at the Air Force Heritage Park, Winnipeg-James Armstrong Richardson Airport, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136257), mounted on a pylon in front of 1 Wing, CFB Kingston, Ontario.

(Author Photos)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136257), mounted on a pylon in front of 1 Wing, CFB Kingston, Ontario.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136274), Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136207), mounted on a pylon, CFB Petawawa, Ontario.

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136230).  Stored with the Canada Air & Space Museum, Toronto, Ontario.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136228), mounted on a pylon near the North Gate of CFB Borden, Angus, Ontario.

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136247), (Serial No. 136775), and (Serial No. 136007), with the CFB Borden, Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Training and Engineering (CFSATE).

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136204), 1972-1995 "For Ffreedom" colours, National Air Force Museum of Canada, CFB Trenton, Ontario.

The museum’s example served No. 408 ‘Goose’ Squadron in Edmonton, where its primary goal was to provide tactical air support for the army.  Upon its retirement in 1996, the aircraft was given its current paint scheme to honour both the Kiowa and 408 Squadron’s contribution to the Canadian Forces.  The image of the flying geese represents 408’s mascot, while the ‘For Freedom’ phrase is the squadron’s motto.  The black-and-white markings on the tail are the same markings used by Allied Invasion aircraft during the Second World War, in which 408 Squadron was involved.  The ‘EQ’ represents the unit’s Second World War tail code.  (NAFMC)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136272), C/N 44072.  Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Ontario.  This Kiowa was one of the last to be delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces in 1974.  It is painted in the markings of No. 408 (Goose) Squadron, based at Namao, Alberta.  The Museum acquired the helicopter in 2007.  (CWHM)

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136274), 430 Squadron, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136211).  Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Canadian Aviation Heritage Centre (CAHC), Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Quebec.

(Dutch Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa Helicopter (Serial No. 136211), No. 438 Squadron, mounted on a pylon. St Hubert, CFB Montreal, Quebec.  No. 438 Squadron flew the CH-136 from 1982 to 1995.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 136205), mounted on a pylon, No. 430 Squadron, CFB Valcartier, Quebec.

(Author Photo)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa, (Serial No. 136203), Connaught Range and Primary Training Centre, Shirley's Bay, Ottawa, Ontario.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Bell CH-136 Kiowa, (Serial No. 136203), in service.

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