50-605: The Beechcraft CT-134 Musketeer is a military training derivative of the Musketeer built by Beechcraft for the Canadian Armed Forces . The CT-134 was a single engine, low-wing, four-seat light aircraft with fixed landing gear and a limited aerobatic capability. In the early 1960s, the Royal Canadian Air Force ’s standard elementary training aircraft was the de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk . Flight instruction
100-510: A 1966 model year. Despite having a lower model number, it was a later variant and was a lower-powered trainer version of the Model 23. It lacked the 23's third side window and had a Lycoming O-320-E2C powerplant of 150 bhp (110 kW). The Sport was introduced in 1966 with a standard price of $ 11,500. When properly equipped, the A19, B19, and M19 Sports are approved for limited aerobatics. The Model 19
150-424: A body length (excluding the tail) of 20–35 cm (8–14 in). They are covered with short, thick fur of medium to dark brown color. Their long tails, covered with scales rather than hair, are laterally compressed and generate a small amount of thrust, with their webbed hind feet being the main means of propulsion , and the unique tail mainly important in directional stability. Muskrats spend most of their time in
200-568: A word of Algonquian (possibly Powhatan ) origin, muscascus (literally "it is red", so called for its colorings), or from the Abenaki native word mòskwas , as seen in the archaic English name for the animal, musquash . Because of the association with the " musky " odor, which the muskrat uses to mark its territory, and its flattened tail, the name became altered to musk-beaver; later it became "muskrat" due to its resemblance to rats. Similarly, its specific name zibethicus means "musky", being
250-401: A year. Muskrat populations appear to go through a regular pattern of rise and dramatic decline spread over a six- to 10-year period. Some other rodents, including famously the muskrat's close relatives, such as the lemmings, go through the same type of population changes. Native Americans have long considered the muskrat to be an important animal. Some predict winter snowfall levels by observing
300-403: Is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent native to North America and an introduced species in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. The muskrat is found in wetlands over various climates and habitats. It has crucial effects on the ecology of wetlands, and is a resource of food and fur for humans. Adult muskrats weigh 0.6–2 kg ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 – 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 lb), with
350-870: Is less graceful than anticipated. Nevertheless, with practice, smooth landings are easy to accomplish. As a result of this type of landing gear design, Beechcraft did not design or offer wheel fairings for the fixed gear models. Several aftermarket manufacturers have designed and tested wheel fairings for Musketeers. During their production years the Musketeer family of aircraft were popular trainers and were used by many flying schools. Most Musketeers are now privately owned. Data from Airliners.net The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Muskrat Castor zibethicus Linnaeus, 1766 The muskrat or common muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus )
400-530: Is only slightly longer. It is almost certainly the most prominent and heaviest member of the diverse family Cricetidae , which includes all voles , lemmings , and most mice native to the Americas, and hamsters in Eurasia. The muskrat is much smaller than a beaver ( Castor canadensis ), with which they often share a habitat. Muskrats are covered with short, thick fur, which is medium to dark brown or black, with
450-594: Is particularly concerning in areas with delicate ecosystems, where they can outcompete or displace native species. Several European countries have implemented control measures and eradication programs to manage muskrat populations and mitigate their impact. Muskrats normally live in families consisting of a male and female and their young. During the spring, they often fight with other muskrats over territory and potential mates. Many are injured or killed in these fights. Muskrat families build nests to protect themselves and their young from cold and predators. Muskrats burrow into
500-528: Is the round-tailed muskrat ( Neofiber alleni ). It is the largest species in the subfamily Arvicolinae , which includes 142 other species of rodents, mostly voles and lemmings . Muskrats are referred to as " rats " in a general sense because they are medium-sized rodents with an adaptable lifestyle and an omnivorous diet. They are not, however, members of the genus Rattus . They are not closely related to beavers , with which they share habitat and general appearance. The muskrat's name probably comes from
550-923: The BBC David Attenborough wildlife documentary The Life of Mammals . Plant materials compose about 95% of their diets, but they also eat small animals, such as freshwater mussels , frogs , crayfish , fish , and small turtles . Muskrats follow trails they make in swamps and ponds. They continue to follow their trails under the ice when the water freezes. Muskrats provide an important food resource for many other animals, including mink , foxes , cougars , coyotes , wolves , lynx , bobcats , raccoons , bears , wolverines , eagles , hawks , large owls , snakes , alligators , and bull sharks . Otters , snapping turtles , herons , bullfrogs , large fish such as pike and largemouth bass , and predatory land reptiles such as monitor lizards prey on baby muskrats. Caribou , moose , and elk sometimes feed on
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#1732894692091600-537: The Piper PA-28 Cherokees use oleo struts and the Grumman American AA-5s use fiberglass-sprung main gear, the Musketeer family use a trailing idler link gear system with compressed rubber pucks for shock absorption. This gives the aircraft quite different landing characteristics compared to the competition; light touchdowns are often accompanied by the idler links skipping and producing a landing that
650-466: The "B" model it replaced in 1977. Sierra production ended at the same time as the Model 23 Sundowner assembly line was closed up, during the aviation economic downturn of 1983. A total of 744 Sierras were delivered. The Musketeer design was further developed into a twin-engined aircraft, the Beechcraft Model 76 Duchess . The Canadian Forces purchased twenty-four 1971 model B23 Musketeers, with
700-473: The 20th century and have become an invasive species in northwestern Europe. They primarily inhabit wetlands, areas in or near saline and freshwater wetlands, rivers, lakes, or ponds. They are not found in Florida, where the round-tailed muskrat , or Florida water rat ( Neofiber alleni ), fills their ecological niche . Their populations naturally cycle; in areas where they become abundant, they can remove much of
750-555: The B23 Musketeer Custom of 1968. In 1970 the C23 version was introduced also under the name "Musketeer Custom". In 1972 the C23 was renamed the "Sundowner". When properly equipped, the B23 and C23 are approved for limited aerobatics . A total of 2,331 Beechcraft 23s of all variants were manufactured by the time production was completed 20 years later in 1983. The Beech 19 was introduced as
800-548: The Beech line between the fixed gear Musketeers and the much larger, faster, more complex and expensive Beechcraft Bonanza . 1974 saw the introduction of the improved B24R Sierra powered by the Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engine and new propeller variant as a 1974 model year. The improved C24R in 1977 was powered by the same engine and larger propeller. Beech also did an aerodynamic cleanup on the "C" model making it 6 knots faster than
850-807: The CF as CT-134A Musketeer II . These were numbered 134025-134048. The CT-134 was approved for limited aerobatics, including loops, rolls, chandelles and lazy eights . Both batches of Musketeers served with 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School and the Canadian Forces Flying Instructor School at CFB Portage la Prairie Manitoba and the Canadian Forces Central Flying School , in Winnipeg , until they were replaced by Slingsby Fireflys operated under contract by Bombardier Aerospace in 1992. During their 21 years of service,
900-465: The CT-134 and CT-134A fleet at 3 CFFTS trained about 5,000 Canadian military pilot graduates. In operational service, the CT-134 suffered very few accidents. One of the few serious accidents occurred on 23 March 1990 when Musketeer 134229 had an engine failure on take-off from Erickson Municipal Airport at Erickson, Manitoba , while giving familiarization flights to Royal Canadian Air Cadets . The accident
950-554: The O-360-A4G engine of 180 hp (130 kW), modified by the addition of a cowling strake , horizontal stabilizer strake and ventral fin to improve spin recovery performance. They were initially serial numbered as 13401-13424, but were re-numbered 134001-134024 to avoid confusion with other CF aircraft serial numbers. The initial batch of CT-134s was replaced in late 1981 with a purchase of twenty-four more aircraft. These were 1982 model Beechcraft C23 Sundowners and were designated by
1000-505: The adjective of zibethus " civet musk ; civet ". The genus name comes from the Huron word for the animal, ondathra , and entered Neo-Latin as Ondatra via French. An adult muskrat is about 40–70 cm (16–28 in) long, half of that length being the tail, and weighs 0.6–2 kg ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 – 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 lb). That is about four times the weight of the brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ), though an adult muskrat
1050-500: The bank with an underwater entrance in streams, ponds, or lakes. These entrances are 15–20 cm (6–8 in) wide. In marshes, push-ups are constructed from vegetation and mud. These push-ups are up to 90 cm (3 ft) in height. In snowy areas, they keep the openings to their push-ups closed by plugging them with vegetation, which they replace daily. Some muskrat push-ups are swept away in spring floods and must be replaced yearly. Muskrats also build feeding platforms constructed in
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#17328946920911100-615: The belly a bit lighter ( countershaded ); as the animal ages, it turns partly gray. The fur has two layers, which protect it from cold water. They have long tails covered with scales rather than hair. To aid in swimming, their tails are slightly flattened vertically, a shape that is unique to them. When they walk on land, their tails drag on the ground, which makes their tracks easy to recognize. Muskrats spend most of their time in water and are well suited to their semiaquatic life. They can swim underwater for 12 to 17 minutes. Their bodies, like those of seals and whales , are less sensitive to
1150-470: The buildup of carbon dioxide than those of most other mammals. They can close off their ears to keep water out. Their hind feet are partially webbed and are their primary means of propulsion. Their tail functions as a rudder, controlling the direction they swim. Muskrats are found in most of Canada, the United States, and a small part of northern Mexico. They were introduced to Europe at the beginning of
1200-457: The eating of flesh, except for fish, is prohibited); this tradition dates back to at least the early 19th century. In 2019, it was reported that a series of muskrat dinners were held during Lent in the areas along the Detroit River , with up to 900 muskrats being consumed at a single dinner. The preparation involved the removal of the musk glands and the gutting and cleaning of the carcass before
1250-425: The first CT-134 arriving at CFB Portage la Prairie on March 23, 1971. The initial batch of CT-134s was replaced in late 1981 with twenty-four 1982 model Beechcraft C23 Sundowners, which were designated by the CF as CT-134A Musketeer II. A significant difference between the Musketeer line and other similar light aircraft is the Musketeer's landing gear. While the competitive Cessna 172s use spring-steel main gear,
1300-413: The first Sierras, which were designated A24R models. Other than the instrument panel these aircraft were mechanically identical to the earlier A23-24 model. The Model 23-24 Musketeer Super III proved the utility of the 200 hp (150 kW) engine in the Musketeer airframe, but the fixed-gear configuration prevented using full advantage of the extra power of the injected Lycoming. The obvious solution
1350-459: The highest payloads of four-cylinder, fixed gear, simple single-engined aircraft available. Most Model 23-24s were produced in a four-seat configuration. A very small number were produced with a 4+2 configuration with the baggage area convertible to seat two children. This configuration option was more common on the Sierra models that followed the Model 23-24. One of the few weaknesses of the Model 23-24
1400-555: The line was the Model 23. It was introduced under the "Musketeer" name as a 1963 model at an initial price of $ 13,300 and was powered by a Lycoming O-320 -D2B engine of 160 bhp (120 kW). The next year this engine was replaced by the Continental IO-346 -A engine of 165 bhp (123 kW). This engine was not a success and was in turn replaced by the Lycoming O-360 -A4J engine of 180 bhp (130 kW) starting with
1450-482: The meat was parboiled for four hours with onion and garlic and finally fried. Muskrat fur is warm, becoming prime in northern North America at the beginning of December. In the early 20th century, the trapping of the animal for its fur became an important industry there. During that era, the fur was specially trimmed and dyed to be sold widely in the US as "Hudson seal" fur. Muskrats were introduced at that time to Europe as
1500-640: The muskrat has been included in the list of invasive alien species of Union concern (the Union list) since August 2, 2017. This implies that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union . Muskrats were introduced to Europe in the early 20th century for fur farming. In many European countries, muskrats have become problematic, damaging flood control systems, crops, and river banks with burrowing activities. Their presence
1550-418: The muskrat industry by eating muskrats caught in traps or taking skins left out to dry. Muskrats, like most rodents, are prolific breeders. Females can have two or three litters a year of six to eight young each. The babies are born small and hairless and weigh only about 22 g (340 gr). In southern environments, young muskrats mature in six months, while in colder northern environments, it takes about
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1600-680: The muskrat populations have declined by at least one-half in 34 US states. The collapse was near-total, between 90 and 99 percent in a handful of states. Rhode Island's muskrat populations are estimated to be roughly 15 percent of what they were several decades ago. The decline in muskrat populations began in the 1990s and early 2000s. Ondatra zibethicus has 16 subspecies: O.z. albus , O.z. aquihnis , O.z. bemardi , O.z. cinnamominus , O.z. macrodom , O.z. mergens , O.z. obscurus , O.z. occipitalis , O.z. osoyoosensis , O.z. pallidus , O.z.ripensis , O.z. rivalicus , O.z. roidmani , O.z. spatulatus , O.z. zalaphus and O.z. zibethicus . In Europe,
1650-474: The nickname Muskrat . Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83 General characteristics Performance Avionics Standard instrument fit with radios and navigation equipment such as VOR/LOC Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Beechcraft Musketeer The Beechcraft Musketeer is a family of single-engined, low-wing, light aircraft that
1700-434: The result of alligator predation. While much wetland habitat has been eliminated due to human activity, new muskrat habitat has been created by the construction of canals or irrigation channels (e.g., acequias ), and the muskrat remains widespread. They can live alongside streams that contain the sulfurous water that drains away from coal mines. Fish and frogs perish in such streams, yet muskrats may thrive and occupy
1750-503: The size and timing of muskrat lodge construction. In several Native American creation myths , the muskrat dives to the bottom of the primordial sea to bring up the mud from which the earth is created after other animals have failed in the task. Muskrats have sometimes been a food resource for North Americans. In the southeastern portion of Michigan , a longstanding dispensation allows Catholics to consume muskrat as their Friday penance, on Ash Wednesday , and on Lenten Fridays (when
1800-404: The standard Model 23 Musketeer of that year. This model initially sold for a price of $ 16,350 in 1966. In 1966 a single demonstration Model 23-24 was equipped with a constant speed propeller. In succeeding years approximately one third of production aircraft were delivered with the constant speed propeller. The Super Musketeer typically has a useful load of 1050 to 1080 pounds – giving it one of
1850-449: The structural problems they all suffered from years of aerobatics. Instead, they were donated to museums or used for air force and civil maintenance training. Some CT-134s still serve as monuments at a few current and former Canadian Forces Bases as well as Royal Canadian Legion halls, a distinction held by very few light aircraft in this class. In Canadian military service, the aircraft was referred to by student and instructor pilots by
1900-446: The vegetation in wetlands. They are thought to play a major role in determining the vegetation of prairie wetlands in particular. They also selectively remove preferred plant species, thereby changing the abundance of plant species in many kinds of wetlands. Species commonly eaten include cattail and yellow water lily . Alligators are thought to be an important natural predator, and the absence of muskrats from Florida may, in part, be
1950-583: The vegetation which makes up muskrat push-ups during the winter when other food is scarce for them. In their introduced range in the former Soviet Union, the muskrat's greatest predator is the golden jackal . They can be completely eradicated in shallow water bodies. During the winter of 1948–49 in the Amu Darya (river in central Asia), muskrats constituted 12.3% of jackal feces contents, and 71% of muskrat houses were destroyed by jackals, 16% of which froze and became unsuitable for muskrat occupation. Jackals also harm
2000-438: The water and can swim underwater for 12 to 17 minutes. They live in families of a male and female pair and their young. They build nests to protect themselves from the cold and predators, often burrowed into the bank with an underwater entrance. Muskrats feed mostly on cattail and other aquatic vegetation but also eat small animals. Ondatra zibethicus is the only extant species in the genus Ondatra ; its closest relative
2050-499: The water from cut pieces of vegetation supported by a branch structure. They help maintain open areas in marshes, which helps to provide habitat for aquatic birds . Muskrats are most active at night or near dawn and dusk. They feed on cattails and other aquatic vegetation. They do not store food for the winter, but sometimes eat the insides of their push-ups. While they may appear to steal food beavers have stored, more seemingly cooperative partnerships with beavers exist, as featured in
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2100-458: The wetlands. Muskrats also benefit from human persecution of some of their predators. The muskrat is classed as a "prohibited new organism" under New Zealand's Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 , preventing it from being imported into the country. The trematode Metorchis conjunctus can also infect muskrats. According to an article in Hakai Magazine , from April 2024,
2150-580: Was caused by fuel starvation and the aircraft was written off. Maintenance of the CT-134 fleet was primarily carried out by the CFB Portage la Prairie Base Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Organization, with Depot Level Inspection and Repair (DLIR) being conducted by Field Aviation at Calgary International Airport in Calgary , Alberta . Upon retirement, the CT-134s and CT-134As were not sold for flying use due to
2200-578: Was completed by student pilots on the DHC-1 before they progressed to the then-brand-new Canadair CT-114 Tutor jet trainer. A decision was made by RCAF HQ to remove the DHC-1s from service and not replace them, as it was felt that the CT-114 was easy enough to fly that initial training was not needed. The CT-114 quickly developed a failure rate of near 95% amongst student jet pilots and it was clear that an elementary trainer
2250-569: Was named the "Musketeer Sport" and a total of 922 were built over the 15 years of production which ended with the 1979 model year. Along with the introduction of the lower-powered Model 19 in 1966, Beechcraft also introduced a higher-powered version of the Model 23 Musketeer and named it the Beechcraft 23–24 Musketeer Super III. This upgraded model, first flown on 19 November 1965, had a Lycoming IO-360 fuel injected powerplant which produced 200 bhp (150 kW), 35 hp (26 kW) more than
2300-478: Was needed. Due to the RCAF's previous customer relationship with Beechcraft while operating that company's Expeditor twin-engine aircraft, a hasty purchase of twenty-four B23 Musketeers was made in 1971. The first CT-134 arrived at CFB Portage la Prairie on March 23, 1971. The new trainers were designated CT-134 Musketeer in the then Canadian Armed Forces . The aircraft purchased were standard Model B23s equipped with
2350-551: Was produced by Beechcraft . The line includes the Model 19 Musketeer Sport , the Model 23 Musketeer , Custom and Sundowner , the Model 23-24 Musketeer Super III, the retractable gear Model 24R Sierra and the military CT-134 Musketeer . The Musketeer line was in production from model years 1963 to 1983, during which time a total of 4,366 were produced. The type certificate for the Musketeer family of aircraft has been owned by Hawker Beechcraft since March 26, 2007. The first of
2400-456: Was retracting the landing gear and this resulted in the Model 24R. The Musketeer Super R, A24R in 1970 was the first model year for the new retractable version of the Musketeer to compete with the Piper Arrow. Renamed the "Sierra", in 1972. The initial A24R Sierra was powered by a Lycoming IO-360-A1B of 200 bhp (150 kW) and sold for a standard price of $ 24,950. The Model 24R completed
2450-477: Was superseded by the Model 24 Sierra. These were serial numbered MA-1 to MA-369 and were the only models to have a "MA" serial number, making them easier to distinguish than other members of the Musketeer line. In the last few airframes of the series a new instrument panel with the same "vertical tape" gauges that were used in the early Sierras was introduced. These models were known as the A24 and are not to be confused with
2500-442: Was that it had a simple heat distribution system that provided warm air via the firewall to the area under the instrument panel only. This meant heat to the rear seat passengers was less than optimal. Later aircraft featured increasingly better ducting designs that provided heat to all four seating positions. The fixed-gear Model 23-24 was produced only between 1966 and 1969. A total of 369 Musketeer Super IIIs were completed before it
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