Canadair CL-41 Tutor

In a time where most countries still had their own aircraft industry they wanted to develop their own (jet) aircraft. Canada was no exception. There, Canadair designed model CL-41, a two seat, side-by-side jet trainer named Tutor. The aircraft has a bubble canopy sticking out of the fuselage, although the rear is of metal sheet, not glass. Typical is the horizontal strake at the side of the nose on all versions except the prototypes. The small engine intakes are in the wing roots; they have a long D shape. The engine is in the rear fuselage with an exhaust pipe in the tail cone. Above is a simple, low T-tail with straight edges, no dorsal fin and no top fairing.

Three features of the production CL-41 Tutor are shown here: the small, long D shaped air intakes, canopy and horizontal strake at the side of the nose.

The CL-41 has a very low T-tail, which is also very simple: straight edges, no dorsal fin and no (bullet) fairings at the top.

Different versions

The different versions of the Tutor can be recognised by:

the presence of a horizontal strake at the side of the nose
the shape of the nose
the presence of pylons under the wings

CL-41

The prototypes of the Tutor, designated CL‑41, already looked very similar to the production versions. The main difference is the absence of a horizontal strake at the side of the nose.

One of the prototype CL-41s on display. Note the absence of a strake on the nose. (photo: Bzuk/WikiMedia)

CL-41A

This is the production version for the Royal Canadian Air Force, designated CT-114 by them. Compared to the prototypes it has a horizontal strake at the side of the nose. A photos of this version is at the top.

CL-41G

To increase sale potential Canadair made the CL-41G ground attack version, which has the ability to store weapons and drop tanks at pylons under the wings. It was only used by the Malaysian air force, which gave it the name 'Tebuan'.

An example of a Malaysian CL-41G, with pylons under the wings. (photo: Kurt Finger/WikiMedia)

CL-41R

One CL-41 was fitted with the nose of a CF‑104 Starfighter, to investigate the suitability for use as a preliminary trainer for future Starfighter pilots. Just was CL-41 was converted to such a CL-41R.

The single CL-41R, flying together with the fighter it was supposed to train pilots for, the CF-104 Starfighter. This Tutor version has the nose of the Starfighter. (photo: San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives/WikiMedia)

Confusion possible with

Diamond D-Jet

The Diamond D-Jet has air intakes in the wing roots and a low T-tail, like the Tutor. However, the intakes are more oval and the tail is more a cruciform one with high mounted horizontal stabilisers. Finally, the Diamond aircraft has a cabin with small windows and has winglets. (photo: RuthAS/WikiMedia)

Morane-Saulnier MS760 Paris

This side-by-side jet trainer has air intakes in the wing roots and a low T-tail, like the Tutor. However, the intakes are nearly triangular. Moreover, the MS760 is a twin engine aircraft with the exhausts at the side of the fuselage, behind the wings. Finally, the canopy is longer.

Aero L-29 Delfin

The L-29 is similar to the CL-41: it has air intakes in the wing roots, but half ovals, and a low T-tail. Additionally, it is a single engine jet as well. However, the Delfin has a tandem two seat cockpit.

Cessna T-37

From the same era is the Cessna T-37 side-by-side jet trainer. Especially, the front has similarities with the CL-41. The T-37 is a twin jet though, with exhausts directly behind the wings. Also, the tail has a cruciform shape.