Canadian Armed Forces De Havilland Canada CC-132 (DHC-7) - No. 412 (T) Squadron detachment, CFB Lahr, Germany

Back in the 1950 and ‘60s, De Havilland Canada (DHC) was the global leader in the development and production of STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft. Aircraft such as the DHC-3 Otter, DHC-4 Caribou, DHC-5 Buffalo and DHC-6 Twin Otter were proven and reliable aircraft that could access isolated locations — with or without a runway. With the rapid growth of commercial aviation, an aircraft was sought to fly short distances from short runways and smaller airports, in the hopes of reducing congestion at major national and international airports. Thus, the "Dash 7" was born. The prototype was unveiled 50 years ago on February 5, 1975, and first flew on March 27. Configured for 50 seats, the four-engine aircraft could take off from runways or unprepared airstrips less than 700 meters (2,000 feet) long. In addition to seeing service with several commuter airlines throughout North America, numerous aircraft were produced for airlines around the globe that operated routes into challenging airfields, including arctic, mountainous or tropical regions unsuitable to support larger jet aircraft. In contrast, only a handful of military customers could be won over. One of these were the Canadian Armed Forces. Between 1979 and 1987, two aircraft designated CC-132 were stationed as part of the 412th Transport Squadron at the Canadian Forces Base Lahr in the Black Forest region in southwestern Germany, transporting high-ranking passengers and freight around Europe.