RCAF History Forum

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a rare colour photo of an R.C.A.F. Fleet 16B Finch Mk. II. The first of 431 Finch Mk. II's was taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 26th of March, 1940. The five-cylinder Kinner B-5R powered bi-plane served as a basic trainer with many of the Elementary Flying Training Schools of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The Finch Mk. II was struck off strength with the R.C.A.F. on the 28th of June, 1948.

Cheers...Chris

[fleet16b]

Due to the presence of the airspeed indivator on the port strut and the large buzz numbers on the fuselage, this leads me to believe that it was taken at #4 EFTS Windsor Mills Que.
Great colour shot !
We still fuel the Fleets by standing between the cockpits just like the civilian ground crew in the pic

This version is definitely a Fleet Finch 16B ( Finch Mk2 > RCAF designation) as can be seen by the lack of nav lights and the thinner prop design. Mk 2's had the Kinner B5 125 hp engine

The Fleet Finch 16R ( Finch Mk 1 > RCAF designation) was had nav lights and was powerd by the Kinner R55 which produced 160 hp.
I have flown both versions of the Finch plus their predecessor the Fawn
IMHO the Mk1 was the best version as the added H.P. made her a way better aircraft.
Once the US got into the war, Kinner Engine production started concentrating on building Kinner R55's for the the PT-22 trainers for US Army Air Corps so Fleet Industries started having problems getting engines.
The RCAF had no choice but to increase the orders for the Dehavilland Tigermoth thus the Fleets started getting phased out
Overall the Fleets are a great aircraft and really enjoyable to fly ....kinda like an old Harley .
Low compression lots of vibration and absolutely no stealth characteristics . You can hear me coming 5 miles away
There are around 8 currently flying in Canada

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a shot of Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIb, s/n BE485 and coded AE*W from No. 402 'City of Winnipeg' (F) Squadron. It is seen carrying a pair of 250 pound general-purpose bombs over the English Channel enroute to France during an intruder sortie. The Hurricane Mk. IIb served with the squadron from June, 1941 to March, 1942 when it was replaced by the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb.

Hurricane s/n BE485 was taken on strength at R.A.F. Station Warmwell, Dorset in December, 1941. At the time, the squadron was part of No. 10 Group, R.A.F. Fighter Command.

Hurricane s/n BE485 was transferred along with other Hurricanes from the unit to No. 175 (F) Squadron which formed at Warmwell on the 3rd of March, 1942. It was lost on the 16th of April, 1942 during 'Ramrod 2' which was the squadron's first combat operation. R83059 Flight Sergeant Bricker Wilson Forman, R.C.A.F. from Windsor, Ontario, was killed in action after his Hurricane developed a glycol leak causing him to ditch in the English Channel. He was observed in his dinghy but was not rescued. When finally recovered, he was already dead.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is Vickers Wellington B. Mk. III, s/n X3763 and coded KW*E from No. 425 'Alouette' (B) Squadron. It was struck by flak while over the target during an operation against Kiel, Germany on the 13th/14th of October, 1942. The aircraft was later re-coded as KW*L. It crash-landed in France at Mussey-sur-Marne (Haute Marne) on the west bank of the Marne River eight kilometres south of Joinville after being shot down during an operation to Stutgart, Germany on the night of the 15th/16th April, 1943. Luftwaffe night-fighter pilot Leutnant Franze Draude with 4/NJG 4 claimed the victory.

The crew made up of four members of the Royal Canadian Air Force and two from the Royal Air Force, were killed in action.

No. 425 (B) Squadron used the 'Wimpy' as the Wellington was affectionately known as from Dishforth, Yorkshire between August, 1942 and April, 1943.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a nice photo of a ski-equipped Fleet Finch Mk. II, s/n 4448. It was one of 404 of the type used by the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada during the Second World War.

Finch s/n 4448 was taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 15th of May, 1940. During its time with the R.C.A.F. it served with No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Malton Airport in Ontario. This was followed by a stint with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, Nova Scotia. It finally ended up with the No. 21 Elementary Flying Training School at Chatham, New Brunswick.

At 09:00 hours on the 28th of August, 1941, the aircraft was involved in a Category 'A' crash. R8084 Temporary/Sergeant R. F. White, an instructor at the school, took the Finch out for a test flight. He performed un-authorized low-level aerobatics. Wright struck the top of a small garage while in a turn too close to the ground 2 miles east of Loggieville, New Brunswick. The aircraft was written off on the 21st of October, 1941 and reduced to spares and produce. Wright was fined 200 bucks for his actions.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G`day

During the set up of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in the fall of 1939, it was agreed that the Avro Anson Mk. I would be the primary multi-engine trainer. The British-built aircraft were shipped to Canada and then re-assembled. The first Avro Anson Mk. I`s entered service with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 19th of February, 1940. The R.C.A.F. would go on to use 1.528 Mk. I`s, with the last of the type not being struck off strength until the 3rd of July, 1947.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G`day

Here is a nice shot of a Fairey Battle Mk. I landing on Runway No. 3 at R.C.A.F. Station Camp Borden, Ontario. The control tower is atop of Building A26. Unfortunately, it was torn down a year before I was posted there, An empty Harvard Mk. I from No. 1 Service Flying Training School sits kitty-corner on the ramp across from the control tower.

Cheers...Chris

[fleet16b]

G'day

Here is a nice photo of a ski-equipped Fleet Finch Mk. II, s/n 4448. It was one of 404 of the type used by the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada during the Second World War.

Finch s/n 4448 was taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 15th of May, 1940. During its time with the R.C.A.F. it served with No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Malton Airport in Ontario. This was followed by a stint with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, Nova Scotia. It finally ended up with the No. 21 Elementary Flying Training School at Chatham, New Brunswick.

At 09:00 hours on the 28th of August, 1941, the aircraft was involved in a Category 'A' crash. R8084 Temporary/Sergeant R. F. White, an instructor at the school, took the Finch out for a test flight. He performed un-authorized low-level aerobatics. Wright struck the top of a small garage while in a turn too close to the ground 2 miles east of Loggieville, New Brunswick. The aircraft was written off on the 21st of October, 1941 and reduced to spares and produce. Wright was fined 200 bucks for his actions.

Cheers...Chris

Very nice study of a typical BCATP Finch.
This Finch is sporting the markings as they appear straight from the factory with a small roundel and rcaf s/n
Many schools repainted the roundels in a larger form and also would take the two last numbers and paint them
in very large font forward of the roundel. These were called "buzz numbers" and were applied in an attempt to curb the low flying problem by encouraging those on the ground to report the aircraft s/n to authorities.
In the case of this aircraft it seems that there were no buzz numbers and possibley the pilot was aware of this and the aircraft came to grief .

The pilot/student(?) is wearing the standard RCAF/RAF Sidcot Suit with the "Teddy Bear" liner underneath.
Standard issue RCAF flying boots . Hanging from around his neck can be seen the tubes and funnel mouth piece for the Gosport Speaking Tube System

[Old Dog Flying]

The Battle is on final for runway 29..I worked Borden Tower 1969-70 and it was a very shakey old cab. The CE Section added a new railing around the cat walk after we lost one of our controllers who unfortunately fell to the ground when the railing gave way.

Barney

[Moose47]

G'day Barney

During the Second World War, the runways were numbered No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. The Control Tower was listed as Building A26. It was overtop of Building A105 which was the Crash Tender Garage. Inturn A105 adjoined Hangar A8 which was one of 16 built during the First World War.

I never noticed until brought to my attention by my brother, the fire engine next to the tower is actually a half-track.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

A Harvard Mk. I from No. 1 Service Flying Training School at R.C.A.F. Camp Borden, Ontario lands on Runway No. 3 with a brisk headwind (note the wind sock). The R.C.A.F. used 34 Harvard Mk. I's of which three were instructional airframes. The type was finally struck off strength on the 9th of May, 1956. On the ramp between Hangars A8 and A7 is an Avro Anson Mk. I also from the same school.

Cheers...Chris

[shitdisturber]

G'day Barney

During the Second World War, the runways were numbered No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. The Control Tower was listed as Building A26. It was overtop of Building A105 which was the Crash Tender Garage. Inturn A105 adjoined Hangar A8 which was one of 16 built during the First World War.

I never noticed until brought to my attention by my brother, the fire engine next to the tower is actually a half-track.

Cheers...Chris

Based on my knowledge of Borden as a kid in school; and who knows any military base better than a kid? A half-track was the perfect fire engine for Borden. With all that sand, a regular vehicle from that era would most likely get hopelessly bogged down long before it got anywhere near a crash site.

[Old Dog Flying]

During my posting to Borden, we had the standard wheeled equipment used at every base in the country..and I had to call them out on quite a few occasions.

Barney

[shitdisturber]

During my posting to Borden, we had the standard wheeled equipment used at every base in the country..and I had to call them out on quite a few occasions.

Barney

True enough; but the equipment during the era that I was going to school and you were posted to Borden was considerably more powerful with much better tires than they had in the thirties which is when I'm guessing that photo was taken.

[Moose47]

G`day

Here we have a Boeing B-47B Stratojet bomber (B-47B-25-BW), U.S.A.F. s/n 51-2059 over Malton Airport. After entering service with the United States Air Force,the aircraft had some mods done to it and subsequently re-designated as a TB-47B. The aircraft served with Strategic Air Command's 321st Bomb Wing at Pinecastle Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida. The role of the wing was to train crews destined for the B-47.

In 1956, 51-2059 was loaned to the Royal Canadian Air Force as a flying testbed for the 20,000 pound static thrust Orenda PS-13 Iroqouis turbojet. The aircraft was converted by Canadair in Cartierville and given the company designation CL-52. The R.C.A.F. took delivery of the aircraft on the 5th of March, 1956 and gave it the serial number X059. `X`for experimental and 059 being the last three digits of the U.S.A.F. serial number.

The R.C.A.F. only put 31 hours of flying on it when it was struck off strength on the 22nd of May, 1959. It was later sent to the M.A.S.D.C. - Military Aircraft Storage and Disposal Centre at Davis-Monthan, A.F.B. Base in southeast Tuscon, Arizona where it was scrapped.

Cheers...Chris

[Old Dog Flying]

That big Orenda engine nacelle was approximately 30 feet long. When 059 was returned to the USAF then fuselage was bent. Even though the engine was offset, with it running at high power settings, the 3 on the right side were throttled back and the 3 on the left side were at full military power...and still there was plenty of yaw.

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a Handley Page Hampden Mk. I from No. 408 'Goose' (B) Squadron based at Balderton, Nottinghamshire, England. The crew have just exited the aircraft after a flight on the 20th of January, 1942. Affectionately known as the 'Flying Suitcase' , 'Flying Pan Handle' or 'Tadpole', the Hampden was used by No. 408 Squadron from July, 1941 until September, 1942, when it was replaced by the Handley Page Halifax.

At the time the photo was taken, the squadron was part of R.A.F. Bomber Command's No. 5 Group and commanded by Kingston, Ontario native, Wing Commander Nelles Woods Timmerman DSO DFC. He was serving as a member of the Royal Air Force at the time he assumed command. Timmerman commanded the 'Goose' Squadron from the 24th of June, 1941 until the 25th of March, 1942.

Cheers...Chris

[Bushav8er]

Anyone have any info on what looks very much like an Anson located in northern Sask - 56.313707, -103.05048

Was thinking it may have been out of Prince Albert but that's only a guess based on proximity.

[Moose47]

G'day

It appears to be an Avro Anson Mk. V.

Strange that it is only the partial remains of the fuselage.

Cheers...Chris

[Bushav8er]

G'day

It appears to be an Avro Anson Mk. V.

Strange that it is only the partial remains of the fuselage.

Cheers...Chris

The area it's in is a creek bed/marsh the looks like it was once much wetter. I'm thinking the wings are submerged and over grown but can't tell. You would think that if engines are on they would be higher than the wing and partly visible. It also looks like parts were salvaged, or vandalized over the years.

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a rather grainy shot of a Bristol Beaufighter T.F. Mk XC, s/n NV427 and coded EO*L from No. 404 'Buffalo' (Coastal Fighter) Squadron. The squadron operated the Beaufighter Mk. IIF from September, 1942 to April, 1943; the Beaufighter XIC from March to December, 1943 and the torpedo-carrying Beaufighter T.F. Mk. XC from September, 1944 until being replaced by the rocket projectile-firing de Havilland P.R. Mk. VIC Mosquito in March, 1945.

On the 8th of March, 1945, the squadron dispatched nine Beaufighters led by Squadron Leader Bobby Schoales. They formed part of a 49 aircraft strike force from Coastal Command's Dallachy Wing based at Dallachy, Morayshire, Scotland. Their target was a convoy of six ships that were sheltered under the high cliff walls of a narrow fjord located south of Vindspol, Midgulen, Norway.

Five of the Canadian Beaufighters singled out the Dutch car ferry 'Heindal'. They hit it hard with R.P.'s (Rocket Projectiles). Squadron Leader Schoales and the crew of another Beaufighter struck an auxiliary vessel. The crew of EQ*L carried out an attack on the largest vessel in the convoy. During the attack, it was shot down by ship-borne flak.

The crew were:

Pilot – J24425 Flying Officer Raymond Clifford Ridge DFC from Angusville, Manitoba.

It should be noted that this was his 58th trip against the enemy. He was to be screened and designated OTE – Operational Tour Expired then sent home if he had lived and carried out two more trips. Incidentally, the day before he was killed in action, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The body of Flying Officer Ridge was never found. His name is inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial

Navigator – 187955 Flying Pilot Officer Peter McCartney DFC, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

His name is also inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial that honours those with no known grave.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is an aerial photo of a Douglas Boston Mk. III. s/n Z2165 and coded TH*X from No. 418 (Intruder) Squadron.

This aircraft was lost on the night of the 30th of November / 1st of December, 1942 while carrying out a combined intruder and leaflet (code name Nickle) dropping sortie in the Thorout and Roulers area of Western Flanders in Belgium.

The three-man crew's remains were never found. Their names are inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial at Englefied Green, Egham, Surrey, England.

At the time of the loss, the squadron was based at Bradwell Bay, Essex and part of Royal Air Force Fighter Command. It was lead by R.A.F. Wing R.A.F. Wing Commander A. E. Saunders. The squadron operated the Boston from November, 1941 to July, 1943 when it was replaced by the de Havilland Mosquito Mk. II.

The Crew

Pilot – R87408 Flight Sergeant Merton Ralph Lockwood, Royal Canadian Air Force, age 21 years old from Pinkham, Saskatchewan.

Observer – 1126894 Sergeant Robert Valentine Ievers, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Wireless Operator /Air Gunner (WAG) - R69145 Sergeant John Joseph Graham Chabot, Royal Canadian Air Force, age 25 from Coniston, Ontario.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

If anyone on here has Canadian, Commonwealth or American military aircraft photos that need to be identified, please post them. I'll try to write up a bit of history of it or them as well.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Quiz time folks.

What type of aircraft is it and where was the photo taken.

Barney, you are going to have to go silent on this one buddy.

Cheers...Chris

[sidestick stirrer]

North Star, Gibraltor?