The CH-136 Bell Kiowa was the military version of the civilian Bell Ranger helicopter and was used for reconnaissance, observation, target acquisition, personnel transport and adjustment of fire. Its main features were speed and maneuverability. It could fly low and fast and because of this, the first ones had a serious problem: the rotors could become entangled in power lines, causing serious and even fatal crashes. To solve this, Kiowas were retrofitted with “horns” to deflect power lines away from the rotors. 

Canada’s 74 Kiowas arrived in 1971 and 1972, and served with eight Canadian Tactical Helicopter Squadrons across Canada and in West Germany before they were retired in 1996 and replaced by CH-146 Griffons.

CH-136204 started its career with the US Army and came to Canada in 1971. It began service with the No. 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (No. 3 CFFTS) at CFB Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, where it sported orange markings over camouflage. 

It flew in the lead position as a member of the 1977 and 1978 Dragonflies demonstration team, but in June 1979 it was damaged while with the School. After being repaired, it returned to service and in the 1980s it was used by reserve squadrons at CFB Downsview in Ontario. In June of 1987, while being operated by a crew from 411 Squadron, the Kiowa suffered damage again when it lost power and had to make an emergency landing near Paint Lake, Ontario. After being repaired, it was transferred to CFB Edmonton in February 1995, where it served with 408 “Canada Goose” Squadron until its retirement. It arrived at the Museum in 1995 sporting a flashy paint job of flying Canada geese against a blue sky applied by a technician from the 408 “Goose” Squadron of Edmonton upon its retirement in 1996. The mural honoured both the squadron’s anniversary and the retirement of  the entire Kiowa fleet. When the Kiowa was due for new paint, it was returned to the paint scheme it would have been in when it served with No. 3 CFFTS.