RCAF History Forum

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linecrew
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by linecrew »

I guess this now qualifies as RCAF history. Two CP-140 Arcturus are now sitting in the Arizona desert having been withdrawn from use in 2011.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanair/61 ... otostream/
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Moose47
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

The R.C.A.F.`s No. 426 `Thunderbird' (T) Squadron took part in the Korean Airlift known as 'Operation Hawk' from July, 1950 to June, 1954. The squadron was based at McChord Air Force Base located eight miles south of Tacoma, Washington between the 25th of July, 1950 and 15th of June, 1954. Canadair North Stars of the squadron carried out 600 return flights across the North Pacific between Vancouver, British Columbia and Tokyo, Japan (Haneda Air Base). This amounted to 34,000 flying hours. The 'Thunderbirds' carried 13,000 personnel and 7 million pounds of freight and mail. There were no personnel lost and one aircraft written off in Shemya, Alaska

The North Star was faster than the U.S.A.F.'s Douglas C-54 Skymaster and was often tasked with medical evacuation from Japan back to the United States. A dear friend of mine, a crusty old Scot by the name of Tommy Bryant, told me many years ago about overhearing two young American airmen comment about the North Star while he was on temporary duty at Haneda Air Base. One of them got excited and said "look at that funny Charlie 54 with the Allisons!"

Cheers...Chris
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Moose47
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

"Happy Birthday Royal Canadian Air Force!"

Royal Approval
By the 1st of April, 1924 the restructuring of the Canadian Air Force was completed. It was now time to turn a new page in Air Force history with the addition of the prefix 'Royal' to its name. The honour had been authorized by King George V on the 15th of February 1923. The word Royal started to show up in Air Force Orders by the 13th of March and on the following day appeared on all official correspondence henceforth. The prefix was not officially approved by the Canadian government until the 1st of April 1924 when at that time the King's Regulations and Orders for the Royal Canadian Air Force were implemented.

Aircraft Serving With The Royal Canadian Air Force as of the 1st of April 1924
Curtiss HS-2L
de Havilland D.H.4
de Havilland D.H.9
Vickers Viking Mk. IV
S.E. 5a
Avro 504K

Cheers...Chris
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Moose47
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

Aircraft Taken On Strength by Date, Type and Numbers
24th- 1941 Airspeed A.S. 10 Oxford Mk.'s 1/11 - 606
7th - 1930 Avro 616 Avian Mk. IVM Major - 18
27th - 1942 Avro 652A Anson Mk. I - 2
25th - 1952 Bristol Type 170 Freighter Mk.31C - 3
25th - 1956 Bristol Type 170 Freighter Mk. 31 - 1
19th - 1960 Canadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan - 10
26th - 1927 Vickers Vanessa - 1
11th - 1928 Vickers Vigil - 1
20th - 1942 Cessna T-50 Crane Mk. I - 82
13th - 1965 Cessna L182E - 4
18th - 1963 Cessna 182F - 2
15th - 1943 Consolidated Model 32 Liberator Mk.'s 111/IV - 22
10th - 1942 Curtiss Model 87 Kittyhawk Mk. IA - 12
10th - 1940 de Havilland D.H.82C Tiger Moth - 1,384
23rd - 1943 de Havilland D.H.98 Mosquito T. Mk. III - 24
29th - 1953 de Havilland D.H.106 Comet Mk. IA - 2
1st - 1948 de Havilland Canada D.H.C. 1A-1 Chipmunk - 1
23rd - 1964 de Havilland Canada CC-108 Caribou Mk. 1B - 4
16th - 1943 Douglas DB-7 Boston Mk. IIA - 1
30th - 1929 Fairchild 71- 11
12th - 1929 Fairchild Super Universal - 1
24th - 1944 Grumman G-21A Goose Mk. I - 2
7th - 1943 Lockheed-Vega V-146 Ventura G.R. Mk. V - 137
17th - 1940 North American NA-61 Harvard Mk. I - 3
9th - 1941 North American NA-81 Harvard Mk. II - 101
3rd - 1928 Pitcairn Model PA-5 Mailwing - 1
5th - 1947 Siskorsky H-5 - 7



Aircraft Struck Off Strength – By Date and Type

26th - 1944 - Airspeed A.S. 10 Oxford Mk. I
26th - 1944 - Avro 652A Anson Mk. I
7th - 1945 - Beechcraft 18D
30th - 1962 - Bell H-13B
16th - 1941 - Consolidated 0-17 Courier Mk. VII
26th - 1962 - Consolidated Model 28 Canso A
18th - 1947 - Consolidated Model 32 Liberator B. Mk. VI
27th - 1954 - Curtiss-Reid Rambler Mk. I
17th - 1948 - de Havilland D.H.98 Mosquito T. Mk. 27
13th - 1942 - Fairchild Super 71P
21st - 1942 - Grumman G-23 Goblin
18th - 1947 - Lockheed-Vega V-146 Ventura G.R. Mk. V
23rd - 1947 - Lockheed-Vega V-146 Ventura Mk. I
11th - 1949 - North American AT-16 Harvard Mk. IIB
5th - 1965 - Sikorsky H-5
21st - 1965 - Sikorsky H-19
24th - 1943 - Stearman Model D-75N1
25th - 1946 - Westland Lysander Mk. III T.T.

Cheers...Chris
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Old Dog Flying »

A good many of these types can be seen in miniature at http://www.barneysairforce.com
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Moose47
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

Forgot to post this yesterday.

Cheers...Chris


New Formations

No. 1 (Operations) Wing
It was formed at Winnipeg, Manitoba on the 1st of April, 1925 under the command of Squadron Leader G. O. Johnson MC1. The Wing operated a wide variety of aircraft including the Vickers Viking, Canadian Vickers Vedette Mk. I and Canadian Vickers Varuna Mk. I.

No. 1 (Operations) Squadron
Squadron Leader A. E. Godfrey MC AFC assumed command of the squadron upon formation on the 1st of April 1925 at Jerciho Beach, British Columbia. The squadron operated Curtiss HS-2L flying boats.

No. 2 (Operations) Squadron
This unit was formed at High River, Alberta on the 1st of April, 1925 under the command of Squadron Leader A.A.L. Cuffe. The squadron commenced operation with the de Havilland D.H.4, Avro 504N and Avro 552A.

No. 3 (Operations) Squadron
This flying boat squadron (with the exception of the float-equipped Avro 552A) was formed at Rockliffe, Ontario on the 1st of April, 1925. It operated the Curtiss HS-2L, Vickers Viking, Canadian Vickers Varuna and Canadian Vedette. The squadron's first commanding officer was Squadron Leader A. B. Shearer.

No. 4 (Operations) Squadron
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia was home for this flying boat unit. It was formed on the 1st of April 1925 under the command of Flight Lieutenant T. A. Lawrence. The squadron operated the Canadian Vickers Varuna and Curtiss HS-2L.

The photos attached are:

(1) Vickers Viking Mk. IV G-CYET

(2) Canadian Vickers Varuna
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Moose47
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

No. 422 'Flying Yachtsmen' (G.R.) Squadron

This general reconnaissance squadron was formed at Lough Erne, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland on the 2nd of April 1942. It was leaderless and without any aircraft until the 1st of July when Wing Commander L. W. Skey DFC, a Canadian serving with the Royal Air Force, assumed command of squadron. No. 422 (GR) Squadron's first aircraft were the disappointing Saro Lerwick Mk. I flying boat which was flown non-operationally from July to November, 1942 and the highly successful Consolidated Model 28 Catalina Mk. IB flying boat. The squadron would operate the Catalina Mk. IB and Mk. IIIA in a variety of roles including convoy escort and transport until converting to the Short Sunderland Mk. III in November, 1942.

No. 422 (GR) Squadron used the following Saro Lerwicks:

L7250 DG*U

L7256 DG*V

L7258 DG*R

L7259 DG*Q

L7260 TA*P
The TA code was assigned to No. 4 (Coastal) O.T.U. at Invergordon, County Ross & Cromarty, Scotland but was retained on this particular aircraft after transfer to the squadron.

L7264 DG*N

L7266 DG*Y

L7267 DG*S
It was destroyed in a crash during landing at Lough Erne on the 10th of September 1942.

I used the attached photo to represent the type flown by No. 422 (GR) Squadron. It shows a Saro Lerwick Mk. I s/n L7265 and coded WQ-Q from No. 209 'Hong Kong' (GR) Squadron taking off from Loch Ryan, Scotland circa March, 1941. This aircraft was transferred to No. 4 (Coastal) O.T.U. at Invergordon and later crashed on the 21st of December, 1941 while landing.

Cheers...Chris
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Moose47
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

Here is another one that should have been posted on the 1st.

No. 5 Operational Training Unit

Part of the R.C.A.F.'s No. 4 Training Command, this unit was formed at R.C.A.F. Station Boundry Bay, British Columbia on the 1st of April 1944. It was equipped with the Consolidated Model 32 Liberator B. Mk. VI and used to teach bomber crews destined for service in India and Burma with squadrons flying the type. It also used a significant number of North American Mitchells for crew training.

No. 5 O.T.U. Detachment was formed at Abbotsford, B.C. Abbotsford was designated a satellite field and used by the detachment from the 14th of August, 1944 to the 1st of October, 1945.

No. 5 O.T.U. also had a Fighter Affiliation Flight using Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk.III's and IV's that provided realistic training for the bomber crews where they experienced being escorted and simulated being attacked.

Support aircraft included the Bristol Bolingbroke Mk. IVT, Avro Anson Mk. V, Noorduyn Norseman and North American Harvard Mk. II.

No. 5 O.T.U. was disbanded on the 31st of October, 1945.

Cheers...Chris
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Old Dog Flying »

The B-25Ds used at Boundary Bay carried some guns but not all positions were so equipped. Here is a 1:48 scale replica of a ZBB aircraft. Not only P-40s were based at ZBB but also Canadian built Hurricane MkXIIs. The fighters were also tasked with intercepting Japanese Fire Balloons which were launched from Japan in an attempt to cause forest fires here on the west coast.

Barney

Image
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by bmc »

Moose. I've been following this thread since its inception. I want to thank for all of your posts and determination to keep it going. My dad was with 22 sqaudron at Rockliffe as an aero engine mechanic. He spent most of his flying time in Goose 926 and 941. I have a pile of picture I want/need to scan to contribute. It will take a while as I am dealing with health issues. When stronger, I'm happy to share.

This is just great stuff.
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Old Dog Flying »

More ZBB model aircraft: 1;48 scale Hurricane Mk XII

Image

Bolingbroke also in 1:48

Image
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Old Dog Flying »

BMC: You will enjoy this pic...1:48 scale Goose

Image

Image
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bmc
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by bmc »

I'm speechless. That's incredible.

941 is now parked in the Caribbean following an accident. 926 is wreck in the boneyard to Port Hardy.

Thabk you for sharing that with me.

Brian
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Moose47
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day Brian

I think you meant to type No. 12 Squadron.

No. 12 Communications Squadron based at R.C.A.F. Station Rockcliffe, Ontario operated the following Grumman Gooses or is it Geese?

Grumman Goose
CF-BKE later R.C.A.F. s/n 924

CF-BTE later R.C.A.F. s/n 939

CF-BTF later R.C.A.F. s/n 940

CF-BQE later R.C.A.F. s/n 941

NC16912 later R.C.A.F. s/n 942

R.C.A.F. s/n 917
The port oleo broke while being moved at Ottawa on the 13th of February, 1940 causing the port wing to strike the ground. The aircraft was repaired. It later landed at the Toronto Island Airport on the 17th of May, 1940 with the gear retracted. The pilot had been distracted by a combination of foul WX and engine trouble. The aircraft was subsequently repaired,

R.C.A.F. s/n 924
The port oleo broke while being moved at Ottawa on the 21st of February, 1940 causing the port wing to strike the ground. The aircraft was repaired.

R.C.A.F. s/n 925

R.C.A.F. s/n 926

R.C.A.F. s/n 943
On the 20th of August, 1942, this aircraft got tossed around during a wind storm causing it to strike the following No. 12 Squadron aircraft: Goose s/n 944, Lockheed 12A s/n 7654, and Norseman Mk. IV s/n 2477, Repairs were carried out. A wing float was torn off during a glassy water landing at Lake. St. Gabriel on the 12th of August, 1943 causing the Goose to roll over on its back and sink. It was later recovered and repaired

Goose Mk. II
CF-BTE later R.C.A.F. s/n 939

R.C.A.F. s/n 383

R.C.A.F. s/n 386

R.C.A.F. s/n 390
This aircraft ran over a shoal while taking off from Leon Lake, Ontario on the 3rd of August. 1945, damaging the hull. The aircraft was repaired.

The attached photo is of Goose s/n 926.

Cheers...Chris
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Old Dog Flying »

A few photos of 5 OTU Boundary Bay during the Second World War. Initially CZBB was an RAF OTU but in 1944 it was turned over to the RCAF. A total of 192 crews were trained at Boundary Bay.

Photos from the RCAF

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Old Dog Flying »

A couple more from my old stomping ground, Boundary Bay, BC

Image

Note the lack of a spinner on the Hurricane..this version, a Mk XII was equipped with a Hamilton-Standard prop and the spinners would not fit over the hub.

Image
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

Here are brief descriptions pertaining to the Mitchell and Liberator prangs in Barney's great photos.

On the 10th of August, 1944, Mitchell s/n FW274 and coded AO-274 crashed at 22:30 hours immediately after take-off, while heading out on a nighttime bombing exercise. It ended up in Mud Bay about 600 yards off the end of Runway 12. The pilot J23276 Flying Officer W. J. C. Jackson stated that the crash was not a result of airframe or engine failure but that he relaxed his attention from his instruments momentarily to look ahead and crashed immediately afterwards. R171043 L.A.C. Norman McCallum Campbell from Montreal, Quebec, an airframe mechanic, was the sole fatality.


Liberator s/n EW130 with a crew of eight were out testing the aircraft on the 4th of September, 1944. They experienced smoke from a brush fire while setting up to land. The skipper, J7078 Flight Lieutenant W. S. Forbes used both landing lights which may have blocked his vision where the lights struck the smoke. The aircraft undershot and struck a dead tree losing the port inner propeller and port undercarriage at 21:18 hours. The aircraft was written off.

Cheers...Chris
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

Here is another shot of R.C.A.F. Goose s/n 926 for bmc.

Cheers...Chris
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by bmc »

Thanks Chris. I have an original black and white of that image in my dad's scrap book.

About 15 years ago, an aquaintance designed a Goose for fltsim. A friend who is a Canadian aviation historian, sent accurate colours for 926 and they were used for the fltsim. After years of looking at B&W images, it was something else to see the plane in simulation.
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Moose47
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Re: RCAF History Forum

Post by Moose47 »

G'day

Here is a photo of an Avro 504K. What makes this particular aircraft special is that it was built by Canadian Aeroplanes Limited of Toronto, Ontario. Two aircraft (R.A.F. s/n's C1501 and C1502) were built and delivered in October and November, 1918.

Neither the manufacturer or the RAF (Canada) had a designation for the Canadian version. To differentiate between the British-built Avro 504's and the Canadian built aircraft, they settled on calling it the Avro 504 (Canadian). What made the 130 horsepower Clerget 9B-powered Canadian version unique was that the manufacturer used Curtiss JN-4 (Canadian) fittings as a means of minimizing the need for new tooling as well as a new complete undercarriage with three legs on each side. The engine cowling was slightly different. A pair of instruments were mounted ahead of the front cockpit outside of the coaming.

On the 1st of October, 1918, the prototype aircraft s/n C15021 was delivered to the School of Aerial Fighting at Beamsville, Ontario. While there it was test flown by Captain A. E. 'Earl' Godfrey MC. His passenger in the back seat was the General Superintendent of Canadian Aeroplanes Limited, Mr. G. N. Duffy. Incidentally, Captain Godfrey would go on to become Air Vice-Marshal Godfrey MC of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

As a result of the Armistice that ended the First World War, the original order for 500 of this aircraft type signed in July, 1918 was canceled only after two were built.

A proposed order by the U. S. Army for 100 aircraft was not carried through due to the unavailability of the 100 horsepower Gnome Monosoupapes engine which the Americans were to supply.

The fate of C1501 and C1502 remain a mystery although it had been stated by Mr. G. N. Duffy that C1502 and parts for eight other aircraft were purchased by Mr. F. G. Ericson and his associates. They may have ended up in the United States as there is no record of either having been used in Canada other than initial flying trials by the military.

Cheers...Chris
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