RCAF aircraft flying today?

[airman337]

Just wondering if anyone knows what is the oldest flying ex RCAF aircraft that is still flying in Canada today?

[lownslow]

There's a Gipsy Moth somewhere out west in RCAF colours but I don't know if it was originally an Air Force-owned machine. I'm sure someone will name something older, but I can't imagine it being much older.

[Moose47]

G'day

Right now my money is on CF-APA, a de Havilland DH 60 GM Moth. The aircraft was built by the parent company in England and assembled by de Havilland of Canada at Downsview, Ontario. It was taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 15th of October, 1929 and later struck off strength on the 20th of July, 1931. While in military service it carried the government registration G-CYWV. It was then given the Canadian civil aircraft registration CF-APA. The aircraft is currently owned by the Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley, British Columbia.

Cheers...Chris

[lhalliday]

The Canadian Museum of Flight at Langley Airport have a Tiger Moth (C-GMFT) that they fly for special occasions.

The oldest ex-RCAF planes I've seen flying regularly (not as museum displays) are WW2-era, Chipmunks, Harvards, that sort of thing.

...laura

[lownslow]

Come to think of it, there's a Curtiss Canuck or two flying in the US. If any parts of those trace their way back to the RCAF that would likely be your answer for oldest airworthy RCAF airplane.

[Moose47]

G'day lownslow

The JN-4 (Can) was struck off strength with the Canadian Air Force on the15th of January, 1923. The Royal Canadian Air Force was not formed until the 1st of April, 1924.

Cheers...Chris

[cgzro]

Our Fleet Finch at Vintage Wings was built in 1943 and she flies 20-30 hours a year ;) Ditto for our Spit and Hurricane.

We also have a Fox Moth in the collection which belonged to the King of England for 6 months which he used for training of some kind. I think thats 1937 and is has the Royal Family DD markings under its Canadian registration. Kinda cool.

Our Swordfish is also quite old but has not flown for a few years due to difficulties with overhauling the old engine.

Cheers,

Peter

[lownslow]

G'day lownslow

The JN-4 (Can) was struck off strength with the Canadian Air Force on the15th of January, 1923. The Royal Canadian Air Force was not formed until the 1st of April, 1924.

Cheers...Chris

I figured I'd get caught in a technicality there but didn't bother to look it up.

[Moose47]

G'day cgzro

"Our Fleet Finch at Vintage Wings was built in 1943"

Your Finch Mk. II s/n 4462 was taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 3rd of June, 1940. It was struck off strength on the 13th of March, 1944.

Cheers...Chris

[fleet16b]

I confirm , from my records , the VWC Finch mkII history.

Fleet Finch Model 16B > Finch II RCAF # 4462
First date: 3 June 1940 - Taken on strength
Suffered Category B damage on 1 June 1942 while with No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor Mills, Que
Struck off 13 March 1944

The VWC Finch is flying example however not a very accurate representative of the type.
It has been converted to open cockpit with Stearman windscreens installed.
There was never an open cockpit version of this aircraft produced , this was a post war civilian mod.
Markings are fairly accurate to #4 EFTS but not 100% and unfortunately the aircraft was repainted with a very glossy modern finish.
Great to see it in current use while so many other VWC aircraft have been mothballed over the last couple of years

Note*** The aircraft history I quote above is for RCAF #4462 .
Peter can you confirm that the aircraft is actually that airframe ?
If it is just painted to represent it. That may clear up your 1943 comment

[fleet16b]

Come to think of it, there's a Curtiss Canuck or two flying in the US. If any parts of those trace their way back to the RCAF that would likely be your answer for oldest airworthy RCAF airplane.

The majority of Curtiss JN 4s still flying are Canadian Airframes.
Canadian Airplanes Ltd produced the largest amount of these aircraft .
Post WW1 there were close to 2000 surplus Canucks at CAL in various stages of assembly.
These were purchased and then sold relatively cheap to civilians thru out N. America.
In turn , these Canadian Canucks became the basis for the majority of Barnstormers in the 1920's - early 30's
I currently own the logbooks , data plate and title for one of the CAL Canucks

[goingmach_1]

The Swordfish out at VWoC I think is the oldest. Albeit she is hibernation, a little money thrown at the engine issue and she's good as new!

[lownslow]

How about one of the couple Avro 504s in the world; do any of them trace their heritage back to the RCAF? I wouldn't be surprised if the first 504 at Old Rhinebeck did (not their current one).

[cgzro]

Finch ... "1940"

Yes, my bad, my notes say the same thing.

[Moose47]

Finch ... "1940"

Yes, my bad, my notes say the same thing.

All is forgiven, me son!

[Moose47]

The Swordfish out at VWoC I think is the oldest. Albeit she is hibernation, a little money thrown at the engine issue and she's good as new!

First off, the aircraft was not used in Canada until 1943. Secondly it was a naval aircraft used by the Fleet Air Arm's (Royal Navy ) No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School at R.C.A.F. Station Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. This unit was part of No. 3 Training Command of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

How about one of the couple Avro 504s in the world; do any of them trace their heritage back to the RCAF? I wouldn't be surprised if the first 504 at Old Rhinebeck did (not their current one).

G'day lownslow

The United States ordered 52 Avro 504K's for the American Expeditionary Force's 3rd Instruction Centre at Issoudun, France. The survivors were shipped back to the U. S. at the end of the war. The were taken over by the Interallied Corporation.

One of the former U. S. military aircraft (s/n A958) and registered as NC5918 was purchased by J. H. C. 'Cole' Palen from an owner at Roosevelt Field, East Garden City, Long Island, New York in 1951. Palen's name would go on to be synonymous with Old Rheinbeck Aerodrome. The aircraft was re-registered as N8736R.

It was being restored when badly damaged after the hangar door collapsed under the weight of too much snow. After the second rebuild, Palen made a few flights in it. In 1966, he sold the aircraft to the Canadian Government. It is currently on display at the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa. Incidentally, the former Roosevelt field is now a site of the second largest mall in the state.

The Avro 504K at the Old Rheinbeck Aerodrome currently has (black and yellow checkers) is a replica that was built in 1966. The aircraft is powered by an original 110 HP Le Rhône type J rotary engine.

In 1920, as a practical means of disposing of aircraft deemed surplus after the First World War, the British government presented a number of aircraft to the Dominions of Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Canada. India was also a beneficiary. Included with the aircraft presented to Canada were 62 Avro 504K's which were taken on strength with the fledgling Canadian Air Force . The aircraft carried a civilian Canadian government registration i.e G-CYCK. Canadian Air Force 504K's operated as training aircraft for a few years to part-time personnel from the Training Depot at Station Camp Borden, Ontario (R.C.A.F. Station Camp Borden as of the 1st of April, 1924). A number of trained personnel and aircraft were seconded to the Air Board's Civil Operations Branch where they were used in a variety of roles including for forest fire patrols.

The Avro 504K was struck off strength with Royal Canadian Air Force on the 30th of October, 1929.

Eight Avro 504K's were exported to Canada for commercial use in 1920.

Cheers...Chris

[lownslow]

Thanks Chris, I was unaware that Cole Palen's first 504 was originally a US-owned machine. I had just assumed it went to Roosevelt field from Canada.

So I guess the OP's answer pretty well has to be a Gipsy Moth then.

[k225]

Dave Hadfield posted a video of the test flight of CF-AAJ on July 8 th 2023. The aircraft is DH60M # 757 (Cirrus III) DH.60M to Canadian Govt without CofA; arr Mount Dennis 25.3.29. Toc by RCAF at High River Air Station as G-CYXE 23.4.29. This may be the oldest currently flying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG2-A3n-JIk