Vancouver (Total: 6, Canadian: 6, Group 0)

Canadian Vickers Vancouver

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580999)
Canadian Vickers Vancouver, RCAF (Serial No. 903), No. 4 (Flying Boat) Squadron, 19 Aug 1936

The Canadian Vickers Vancouver was a Canadian transport/patrol flying boat of the 1930s built by Canadian Vickers. It was a twin-engine, equal-span biplane. The hull was of metal and the rest of the structure of fabric-covered wood.

The Vancouver was developed as a replacement for the Varuna in response to a Royal Canadian Air Force requirement for a flying boat to transport men and equipment to forest fires. The main difference from the Varuna was a duralumin hull and more powerful engines. The two flight crew were located in two tandem open cockpits, forward of the wing. The main cabin could accommodate a firefighting team of six men and all the required equipment. Five aircraft were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force, one was later converted into a coastal patrol aircraft.

In the mid-1930s, the Vancouvers were modified as coastal patrol aircraft by the installation of machine guns and bombs.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, Vancouvers served with 4 Squadron, RCAF at Jericho Beach Air Station until withdrawn from service in 1940. After a brief period of service in training duties, they were finally withdrawn and struck off in 1940. None of the aircraft saw service after 1940. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia Canadian Vickers Vancouver

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrel Publications Canadian Vickers Vancouver - Kestrel Publications

Vancouver 902, Mk. II, IIS/W

s/n 902

c/n CV 164

Canadian Vickers Limited

902

Initially civil registered as G-CYVQ. Used at Ladder Lake SK in 1930. As part of an air mail service to Ottawa, flew mail from incoming liners at Belle Isle, Labrador to Havre St. Pierre, QC, as well as the Havre St. Pierre to Rimouski leg, during Imperial Economic Conference, summer of 1932. Refitted with Armstrong Siddeley Serval engines. With No. 4 (FB) Squadron, later No. 4 (BR) Sdn., RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 1933 to 1939. Refitted with Wright J-6E 975W engines to become IIS/W variant. With No. 13 (OT) Squadron, RCAF Stations Sea Island or Patricia Bay, BC, 1940. Withdrawn from service after 765 total flying hours (136 hours since last overhaul).source: Kestrel Publications

last update: 2024-December-25
   1930-July-16 Taken on Strength 2020-08-17
   1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVQ 2019-08-20
   1940-November-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198 | 1968 218

Vancouver 903, Mk. II, IIS/W

s/n 903

c/n CV 165

Canadian Vickers Limited

903

Initially civil registered as G-CYVR. Used at Lac du Bonnet MB in 1930. Provided air mail service from incoming liners at Belle Isle, Labrador to Havre St. Pierre, QC during Imperial Economic Conference, summer of 1932. Later became RCAF #903. Refitted with Armstrong Siddeley Serval engines. Seen at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario, on 2 February 1938. With No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 1933 to 1939, coded "FY*D". Refitted with Wright J-6 975W engines to become IIS/W variant. With No. 13 (OT) Squadron, RCAF Stations Sea Island or Patricia Bay, BC, 1940. Withdrawn from service after 653 total flying hours (272 hours since last overhaul).source: Kestrel Publications

last update: 2024-December-25
   1930-July-24 Taken on Strength 2020-08-17
   1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVR 2019-08-20
   1940-November-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198 | 1968 218

Vancouver 904, Mk. II

s/n 904

c/n CV 166

Canadian Vickers Limited

904

Initially civil registered as G-CYVS. Fitted with geared Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx engines. Used on west coast. Became RCAF #904. With No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 1933 to 1939. Armed by October 1938. May have later served at seaplane school. Withdrawn from service after 529 total flying hours (328 hours since last overhaul). Ginger Cootes Airways attempted to buy airframe in October 1940, but the offer was refused. Engines were used for instructional purposes after aircraft was struck off.source: Kestrel Publications

last update: 2024-December-25
   1930-August-28 Taken on Strength 2020-08-17
   1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVS 2019-08-20
   1940 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198 | 1968 218

Vancouver 905, Mk. II

s/n 905

c/n CV 167

Canadian Vickers Limited

905

Initially civil registered as G-CYVT. Fitted with geared Lynx engines. Used at Lac du Bonnet, MB. Became RCAF #905. With No. 4 (FB) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, from 1933. Damaged on 5 February 1936, when it dragged its anchor during a storm and beat itself to pieces against a dock belonging to the Vancouver Yacht Club before sinking in 20 feet of water. Engines were salvaged but the airframe was not repaired. Had 369:40 logged time when struck off.source: Kestrel Publications

last update: 2024-December-25
   1930-August-15 Acceptance Test Flight 2020-08-17
   1930-August-15 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVT. 2019-08-20
   1936-May-05 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198 | 1968 218

Vancouver 906, Mk. I, IIS/W

s/n 906

c/n CV 168

Canadian Vickers Limited

906

Initially civil registered as G-CYVU. Fitted with geared Lynx engines. Became RCAF #906. Converted to armed Service Standard as Mk. IIS/W. Refitted with Armstrong Siddeley Serval engines. With No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 1933 to 1939. Struck off by 1940.source: Kestrel Publications

last update: 2024-December-25
   1930-September-02 Acceptance Test Flight 2023-05-04
   1930-September-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVU. 2019-08-20
   1940 Struck off Strength 2023-05-04
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 198 | 1968 218

Vancouver GCYXS, I/IA

s/n GCYXS

c/n CV 107

Canadian Vickers Limited

G-CYXS

First Vancouver prototype initially civil registered as G-CYXS. Accepted by RCAF 21 September 1929 (also reported as 23 August 1929). Used for initial acceptance tests at RCAF Station Ottawa. Reported to have been fitted with geared Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx IV engines although the Aircraft Record Card indicates Wright J-6E engines. Partially modified to Mk. II standards in 1930 as Mk. IA (Lynx IVC engines) but was considered uneconomical to convert to full military standard.
source: Kestrel Publications


last update: 2025-February-06
   1929-April First Flight First flight 2019-08-20
   1929-August-23 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1934-October-03 Struck off Strength reduced to spares and produce 2023-05-03
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 199