The Canadair CL-604 Challenger was a long range business jet designed and built in Canada from the 1980s. It was successful as a business jet and has subsequently be developed as a popular regional jet.

The Canadair CL-604 began as a project to build a low-wing, long range business jet around 1974.

The project was taken over by Canadair in 1976, resulting in the CL-600 which first flew in 1978 and entered production in 1980.

Early sales were very slow, leading Canadair to the verge of bankruptcy and the production of a new version with new engines, the CL-601 which was more popular with customers.

The improved CL-604, which was launched in 1995, became the most popular of the Challenger range.

Further developments of this basic model have led to the Bombardier range of successful CRJ larger regional jets.

This model represents A37-001 of 34 Squadron, RAAF, in 2010.

Data: Regional airliner. Engines two General Electric CF34-3B turbofan engines of 3595kG thrust each. Wing span 19.61m. Length 20.85m. Maximum take-off weight 21,863kg. Normal cruising speed 850km/h. Range 7082km. Payload 9 passengers. Crew 2,

Revell 1/144 kit with Hawkeye decals. This model was completed by Leigh Edmonds in November 2023.