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Most Varunas spent their service in Manitoba operating in their intended role; all Varuna IIs were withdrawn in 1930 and the sole Varuna I was struck off in 1932.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

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Varuna GCYGV, I

s/n GCYGV

c/n CV 30

G-CYGV

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 No. 3 (Operations) Squadron at Rockcliffe and Shirleys Bay, Ont., till 1927. Successful photo survey work with this unit in 1926 led to order for further Varuna Mk. II aircaft. Detached to La Tuque, Quebec for survey work summer of 1927. Still at Rockcliffe on 16 November 1932, when placed in storage.
last update: 2025-February-06
   1925-October-22 First Flight First flight from St. Lawrence River, by S/L W. R. Kenny 2019-08-20
   1926-June-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1932-November-16 Struck off Strength struck off, placed in storage 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 197

Varuna GCYZP, II

s/n GCYZP

c/n CV 49

G-CYZP


last update: 2025-March-10
   1927-August-08 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1927-September-19 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Shirley's Bay, Ontario on 19 August 1927. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna GCYZQ, II

s/n GCYZQ

c/n CV 48

G-CYZQ

Ferried from Montreal to Rockcliffe on 30 June 1927 by Tuddy Tudhope. Used at Cormorant Lake.
last update: 2025-February-06
   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 GCYZR, II

s/n GCYZR

c/n CV 47

G-CYZR

Operated from Ladder Lake, Saskatchewan in 1929. Probably struck off by 1930, but no date known.
last update: 2025-February-06
   1927-June-13 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna GCYZS, II

s/n GCYZS

c/n CV 46

G-CYZS

Operated throughout Western Canada by No. 1 (Operations) Wing out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, seen at Cormorant Lake.
last update: 2025-February-06
   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 GCYZT, II

s/n GCYZT

c/n CV 38

G-CYZT

Operated throughout Western Canada by No. 1 (Operations) Wing out of Winnipeg, Man. At Cormorant Lake in 1927. Also reported as Category B on 21 July 1930.
last update: 2025-February-06
   1927-May-11 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1930-October-09 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
   1930-December-15 Accident Category B SOS after Category B accident 9 October 1930 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna GCYZU, II

s/n GCYZU

c/n CV 37

G-CYZU

Operated throughout Western Canada by No. 1 (Operations) Wing out of Winnipeg, Man. Sank in Cross Lake, Manitoba, while attempting down wind landing following loss of aileron control.
last update: 2025-February-06
   1927-May-11 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1927-October-18 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash on 9 June 1927, see comments. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200

Varuna GCYZV, II

s/n GCYZV

c/n CV 39

G-CYZV

Stationed at Dartmouth Air Station, with No. 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.
last update: 2025-February-06
   1927-March-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1928-March-14 Struck off Strength Struck off, after crashing at Fredericton, NB on 9 November 1927. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 200