Varuna (Total: 8, Canadian: 8, Group 0)

Canadian Vickers Varuna

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN 3388223)
Canadian Vickers Varuna I, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYGV, Shirley's Bay, Ontario, 18 Nov 1925

The Canadian Vickers Varuna was a Canadian flying boat of the 1920s built by Canadian Vickers as a twin-engined, unequal-span biplane, with a wooden hull and steel tube structure.

The Varuna was developed in response to a Royal Canadian Air Force requirement for a flying boat to transport men and equipment to forest fires. It was a large-scale twin-engined version of the Vedette.

Most Varunas spent their service in Manitoba operating in their intended role; all Varuna IIs were withdrawn in 1930 and the sole Varuna I was struck off in 1932. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia Canadian Vickers Varuna

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Varuna I serial G-CYGV

s/n GCYGV

c/n CV30

Manufactured in Canada

Canadian Vickers

G-CYGV

Known Units: 3

Prototype Varuna. Being tested at Shirleys Bay, Ontario as early as 18 November 1925. Taken on strength by RCAF on 2 June 1926. Used by 3 (Operations) Squadron at Rockcliffe and Shirleys Bay, Ontario, until 1927. Successful photo survey work with this unit in 1926 led to order for further Varuna Mk II aircraft. Detached to La Tuque, Quebec for survey work summer of 1927. Still at Rockcliffe on 16 November 1932, when placed in storage and struck off strength.
last update: 2025-March-12
   1925-October-22 First Flight from St. Lawrence River, by S/L W. R. Kenny 2025-03-12
   1926-June-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1932-November-16 Struck off Strength and placed in storage 2025-03-12
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 197

Varuna II serial G-CYZP

s/n GCYZP

c/n CV49

Manufactured in Canada

Canadian Vickers

G-CYZP

Known Units:

Taken on strength on 8 August 1927. Category A crash at Shirley's Bay, Ontario, on 19 August 1927. Struck off strength on 19 September 1927.
last update: 2025-March-12
   1927-August-08 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1927-August-19 Accident Category A Shirley's Bay, ON CA GCYZP 2025-03-12
   1927-September-19 Struck off Strength 2025-03-12
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna II serial G-CYZQ

s/n GCYZQ

c/n CV48

Manufactured in Canada

Canadian Vickers

G-CYZQ

Known Units:

Ferried from Montreal to Rockcliffe on 30 June 1927 by Tuddy Tudhope. Taken on strength on 4 August 1927. Used at Cormorant Lake. Struck off strength on 12 December 1930.
last update: 2025-March-12
   1927-August-04 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1930-December-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna II serial G-CYZR

s/n GCYZR

c/n CV47

Manufactured in Canada

Canadian Vickers

G-CYZR

Known Units:

Taken on strength on 13 June 1927. Operated from Ladder Lake, Saskatchewan in 1929. Probably struck off by 1930, but no date known.
last update: 2025-March-12
   1927-June-13 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna II serial G-CYZS

s/n GCYZS

c/n CV46

Manufactured in Canada

Canadian Vickers

G-CYZS

Known Units:

Taken on Strength on 27 May 1927. Operated throughout Western Canada by 1 (Operations) Wing out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Also seen at Cormorant Lake. Struck off strength on 19 December 1930.
last update: 2025-March-12
   1927-May-27 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1930-December-19 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna II serial G-CYZT

s/n GCYZT

c/n CV38

Manufactured in Canada

Canadian Vickers

G-CYZT

Known Units:

Taken on strength on 11 May 1927. Operated throughout Western Canada by 1 (Operations) Wing out of Winnipeg, Man. At Cormorant Lake in 1927. Category B accident on 21 July 1930. Struck off strength on 9 October 1930.
last update: 2025-March-12
   1927-May-11 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1930-July-21 Accident Category B 2025-03-12
   1930-October-09 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna II serial G-CYZU

s/n GCYZU

c/n CV37

Manufactured in Canada

Canadian Vickers

G-CYZU

Known Units:

Taken on strength on 11 May 1927. Operated throughout Western Canada by 1 (Operations) Wing out of Winnipeg, Man. Sank in Cross Lake, Manitoba, while attempting down wind landing following loss of aileron control, 9 June 1927. Struck off strength on 18 October 1927.
last update: 2025-March-12
   1927-May-11 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1927-June-09 Accident Category A Cross Lake, MB CA Sank after hard landing. 2025-03-12
   1927-October-18 Struck off Strength 2025-03-12
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna II serial G-CYZV

s/n GCYZV

c/n CV39

Manufactured in Canada

Canadian Vickers

G-CYZV

Known Units: 4

Taken on strength on 12 March 1927. Stationed at Dartmouth Air Station, with 4 (Operations) Squadron from 27 March 1927. Only Varuna based on the East Coast. Shipped there by rail. Photo surveys over Nova Scotia from Dartmouth and Shelburne, NS. Was ferrying back to Ottawa for the winter at time of crash on 9 November 1927. Struck off strength on 14 March 1928.
last update: 2025-March-12
   1927-March-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1927-November-09 Accident Category A Fredericton, NB CA 2025-03-12
   1928-March-14 Struck off Strength 2025-03-12
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200