Siskin (Total: 22, Canadian: 15, Group 0)

Armstrong Whitworth Siskin

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3642436)
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin Mk. IIIA, RCAF (Serial No. 21), later (Serial No. 302), with F/L Beamish, No. 1 Squadron

The Armstrong Whitworth Siskin was a biplane single-seat fighter aircraft developed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. It was also the first all-metal fighter to be operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), as well as being one of the first new fighters to enter service following the end of the First World War.

Development of the Siskin was heavily influenced by RAF Specification Type I, including its initial use of the ABC Dragonfly radial engine. Making its first flight in May 1919, the Siskin possessed good qualities in spite of the Dragonfly's poor performance. In the following year, the much better Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar was installed and flight with this powerplant was made on 20 March 1921. In response to Air Ministry Specification 14/22, the aircraft was redesigned with an all-metal structure, and orders were placed in 1922.

It was angular in form, with little attention paid to obvious avenues for drag reduction. Perhaps its most distinctive feature was its fixed conventional landing gear, which had relatively lengthy oleo strut shock absorbers carrying the axle, which was in turn connected by radius rods to a pair of V-struts situated behind the axle. Its wings were of unequal span. It was powered by a single ABC Dragonfly radial engine, which was installed on the nose in a streamlined cowling. To regulate the engine's temperature, each individual cylinder had its own cooling channel. Armament consisted of a pair of Vickers machine guns mounted directly in front of the pilot.

Between 1926 and 1939, Canada operated a sizable fleet of Siskins. During 1926, the British Air Ministry had dispatched a pair of Siskin IIIs to Canada, where they underwent testing by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) under winter flying conditions. The Siskin was considered a modern type at the time of its acquisition by the RCAF, which opted to purchase the Mark IIIA. The Canadian procurement involved both new-built aircraft and second-hand RAF Siskins being supplied to numerous RCAF squadrons.

The Siskin equipped the Fighter Flight at Camp Borden and Trenton. During 1937, the Flight became No. I (Fighter) Squadron, and was transferred from Trenton to Calgary in August 1938. The unit continued to operated the Siskin up until the outbreak of the Second World War, shortly after which the type was rapidly retired and replaced by Hawker Hurricane monoplane fighters. Following the Siskin's withdrawal by the RCAF, the airframes were turned over to various technical establishments for use as instructional airframes. Wikipedia (with revisions)

Wikipedia Wikipedia Armstrong Whitworth Siskin

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrel Publications Armstrong Whitworth Siskin - Kestrel Publications

Siskin 20, IIIA

s/n 20

as/n J8632

c/n AW 208

Armstrong Whitworth

20

Ex RAF J8632. Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. Part of the 1929 air demonstration team, flew first RCAF public demonstrations that summer across Ontario and Eastern US. Took part in air show in Toronto, 1929 or 1930. Named "Captain Sir Arthur Whitten Brown" in ceremony on 19 July 1929. Part of Siskin Exhibition Flight, 1932. Renumbered as 302.
After 302 With Fighter Flight of No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Station Trenton, 1935 to 1937. Used by No. 1 (F) Squadron, at RCAF Station Trenton, Ont., 1937 and 1938. Later became instructional airframe A26, possibly used by No. 113 (F) Squadron in this role.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1927-December-20 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1932-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered 2019-08-20
   1946-September-05 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200 | 1968 203 | 1968 207 | 1968 481

Siskin 21, IIIA

s/n 21

c/n AW 207

Armstrong Whitworth

21

Registration G-CYZE reserved, only used briefly (if at all). Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario.
After 303 Renumbered from 21. With Fighter Flight of No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Station Trenton, 1935 to 1937. Used by No. 1 (F) Squadron, at RCAF Station Trenton, Ont., 1937 and 1938. Damaged in landing accident, date unknown. Used as an instructional airframe throughout WW2, serial A 27. To No. 58 (Royal Canadian Air Cadets) Squadron as training aid.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1927-December-26 Taken on Strength 2020-10-19
   1929-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered as RCAF 303. 2019-08-20
   1947-August-18 Struck off Strength 2020-09-19
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200 | 1968 203

Siskin 22, IIIA

s/n 22

as/n 304

c/n AW 235

Armstrong Whitworth

22

Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. Took part in air show in Toronto, 1929 or 1930. Took part in 1931 Trans Canada Air Pageant. Part of Siskin Exhibition Flight, 1932
After 304 Renumbered from 22. With Fighter Flight of No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Station Trenton, 1935 to 1937. Used by No. 1 (F) Squadron, at RCAF Station Trenton, Ont., 1937 and 1938. Became instructional airframe A 28, users included No. 92 (Royal Canadian Air Cadets) Squadron.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1928-July-26 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1932-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered as 304 2019-08-20
   1946-July-22 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 203 | 1968 207

Siskin 23, IIIA

s/n 23

Armstrong Whitworth

23

Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. Later flown in demonstration teams by Flying Officer Fowler Gobeil. Took part in 1931 Trans Canada Air Pageant. Mid air with 61 during formation practice at RCAF Station Trenton, killing pilot of other aircraft, demonstration team leader Flight Lieutenant Henry Hewson. Gobeil parachuted to safety.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1928-July-26 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1932-August-10 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 203

Siskin 59, IIIA

s/n 59

as/n 305 J7759

c/n AW 397

Armstrong Whitworth

59

Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. Later with Siskin Flight, Rockcliffe 1929. Part of the 1929 air demonstration team at the Clevland Air Races. Named "Captain Sir John Alcock DSC" in ceremony on 19 July 1929. Took part in 1931 Trans Canada Air Pageant. Category B accident at Minden, near Trenton, on 18 June 1938. Renumbered as 305, some time after 1931.
After 10 Ex RAF J7759. Initially operated with RAF serial number, for evaluation. Then assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. The subsequent identity is not clear, may have become 305 or 310?
After 305 Renumbered from 59.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1929-June-17 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1939-January-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, as 305 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 203 | 1968 207

Siskin 60, IIIA

s/n 60

c/n AW148

Armstrong Whitworth

60

Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. Operated on skiis. Part of the 1929 air demonstration team. Took part in 1931 Trans Canada Air Pageant. Part of Siskin Exhibition Flight, 1932. Served with Test flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, dates unknown. Renumbered as 306 sometime after 1932.
After 306 Used by No. 113 (F) Squadron in 1939. Became Instructional Airframe A 29.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1929-June-22 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1942-September-29 Struck off Strength Struck off, as 306 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 203 | 1968 481

Siskin 61, IIIA

s/n 61

Armstrong Whitworth

61

Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. Part of demonstration team at 1929 Cleveland Air Races. Mid air with 23 during formation practice at RCAF Station Trenton, killing pilot, demonstration team leader Flight Lieutenant Henry Hewson.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1929-June-28 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1932-August-10 Struck off Strength Struck off after mid air on 26 July 1932, one fatality, see comments. 2019-08-20
1932-July-26 KIFA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Henry Willis Hewson 2023-03-27
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 203

Siskin 62, IIIDC

s/n 62

c/n AW 215

Armstrong Whitworth

62

Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. Dual control trainer. Became Instructional Airframe A 29. Renumbered as 307.
After 307 Renumbered from 62. Became Instructional Airframe A 11.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1929-May-29 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-12 Struck off Strength Struck off, after renumbering as 307 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 203 | 1968 207 | 1968 481

Siskin 63, IIIDC

s/n 63

as/n 308

Armstrong Whitworth

63

Initially assigned to Training Squadron, B Flight, Camp Borden, Ontario. Dual control trainer.
Renumbered to 308
last update: 2024-December-25
   1929-May-29 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1937-August-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, after renumbering as 308 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 203 | 1968 207

Siskin 210, IIIA

s/n 210

c/n AW 699

Armstrong Whitworth

210

Took part in 1931 Trans Canada Air Pageant, while marked as 210.
After 309 Renumbered from 210. With Fighter Flight of No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Station Trenton, 1935 to 1937. Used by No. 1 (F) Squadron, at RCAF Station Trenton, Ont., 1937 and 1938. Also with No. 113 (F) Squadron in 1939. Later became Instructional airframe A 30.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1931-June-23 Taken on Strength 2020-09-21
   1931-June-23 Serial Change Renumbered as 309 2019-08-20
   1942-September-29 Struck off Strength 2020-09-21
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 206 | 1968 207 | 1968 481

Siskin 301, III / IIIA

s/n 301

Armstrong Whitworth

301

Modified to Mk. IIIA on 12 January 1930. Some sources have this aircraft becoming 305, but this may be wrong.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1926-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1929-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from RCAF 10. 2019-08-20
   1935-March-26 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 203 | 1968 207

Siskin 302, Mk. lllA

s/n 302

Armstrong Whitworth

302


last update: 2025-March-10

Siskin 303, IIIA

s/n 303

c/n AW 281

Armstrong Whitworth

303

Renumbered from 21. With Fighter Flight of No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Station Trenton, 1935 to 1937. Used by No. 1 (F) Squadron, at RCAF Station Trenton, Ont., 1937 and 1938. Damaged in landing accident, date unknown. Used as an instructional airframe throughout WW2, serial A 27. To No. 58 (Royal Canadian Air Cadets) Squadron as training aid.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1927-December-26 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1929-June-30 Serial Change renumbered 2019-08-20
   1939-December-19 Classified Instructional A 27 2020-06-09
   1947-August-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 207 | 1968 481

Siskin 306, IIIA

s/n 306

c/n AW148

Armstrong Whitworth

306

Used by No. 113 (F) Squadron in 1939. Became Instructional Airframe A 29.
last update: 2024-December-25
   1929-June-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1932-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from RCAF 60 2019-08-20
   1939-December-19 Classified Instructional CA A 29 2020-06-11
   1942-September-29 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 207

Siskin J7758, Mk. III

s/n J7758

c/n 147

Armstrong Whitworth

J 7758

Arrived in Canada on 25 January 1926. Operated with RAF serial number for evaluation. Evaluated by No. 2 (Operations) Squadron at High River, Alberta, in June 1927. Crashed 28 June 1927 at High River, killing pilot Pilot Officer C. M. Anderson. Sometimes reported as becoming RCAF serial number 10, then 301, but this was probably J7759.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1926-January-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1927-September-22 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 499