Wapiti (Total: 265, Canadian: 26, Group 0)
Westland Wapiti
Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581156)
Westland Wapiti Mk. IIA, RCAF (Serial No. 513), Trenton, Ontario
Westland Wapiti Mk. IIA, RCAF (Serial No. 513), Trenton, Ontario
The Westland Wapiti was a two-seat general-purpose military single-engined biplane of the 1920s. It was designed and built by Westland Aircraft Works to replace the Airco DH.9A in RAF service. The Wapiti was first flown in 1927 and entered service with the RAF in 1928. It remained in production until 1932, with a total of 565 being built. It equipped twenty squadrons of the RAF, both overseas (particularly in India and Iraq) and in the UK, remaining in RAF service until 1940. It also served with the Royal Australian Air Force, the RCAF, the Royal South African Air Force and with the Indian Air Force. The Wapiti is named for the elk, one of the largest species of the deer family and one of the largest land mammals in North America and eastern Asia.
RCAF No. 3, No. 10 and No. 100 Squadrons flew the Westland Wapiti. The first Westland Wapiti Mk. II (Serial No. J9237), was taken on strength by the RCAF for winter trials on 17 March 1930. The RCAF acquired a further 24 Wapiti Mk. IIA (Serial Nos. 508-513) and (Serial Nos. 527 -544), on 5 March 1936. Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Wikipedia Westland Wapiti
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
RCAF Westland Wapiti Serials - Kestrel PublicationsWapiti Mk. IIA serial 508
s/n 508
Westland Aircraft
508
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1148. Shipped from Manchester, UK on 22 February 1936. Assembled, cleaned, and inspected by Canadian Vickers at Montreal. Delivered to RCAF with upper fuselage and wings painted yellow. With No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Stations Rockcliffe, Ont., Calgary, Alberta, and Halifax, NS, June 1937 to July 1938. Crashed at Sharbot Lake, Ontario on 14 July 1938, attempting forced landing after engine failure while flying from Rockcliffe to Borden. Struck a fence while landing in a farm field. Pilot slightly injured. Investigation revealed engine had swallowed a valve.last update: 2024-December-25
1939-June-28 Struck off Strength 2020-09-22
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 509
s/n 509
Westland Aircraft
509
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1152. Shipped from Manchester, UK on 22 February 1936. Assembled, cleaned, and insepcted by Canadian Vickers at Montreal. Delivered to RCAF with upper fuselage and wings painted yellow. With No. 3 Squadron from 1 June 1937. Took part in formation flight from Rockcliffe to Halifax and return, 21 to 24 June 1938. Flown from Rockcliffe to Calgary, Alberta, 18 to 24 October 1938. Flew from Calgary to Halifax 26 August to September 1939. Used by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, NS, 1939/40. Later became Instructional Airframe A 36.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-May-13 Classified Instructional A 36 2020-06-09
1940-October-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 510
s/n 510
m/d Westland Wapati
Westland Aircraft
510
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1318. Shipped from Manchester, UK on 22 February 1936. Assembled, cleaned, and insepcted by Canadian Vickers at Montreal. Delivered to RCAF with upper fuselage and wings painted yellow. With No. 3 (B) Squadron from 1 June 1937. Took part in formation flight from Rockcliffe to Halifax and return, 21 to 24 June 1938. Flown from Rockcliffe to Calgary, Alberta, 18 to 24 October 1938. Flew from Calgary to Halifax 26 August to September 1939. Later became Instructional Airframe A 63.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional CA A 49 Later A 63 2020-06-19
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional CA A 63 Previously A 49 2020-06-19
1942-June-01 Struck off Strength A 63 2020-06-19
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 511
s/n 511
Westland Aircraft
511
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1325. Shipped from Manchester, UK on 22 February 1936. Assembled, cleaned, and insepcted by Canadian Vickers at Montreal. Delivered to RCAF with upper fuselage and wings painted yellow. Became Instructional Airframe A 90. Sent to Fleet Aircraft in 1941 (overhaul, or disposal?).last update: 2024-December-25
1940-August-28 Classified Instructional A 90 2020-06-09
1941-March-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 512
s/n 512
Westland Aircraft
512
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1326. Shipped from Manchester, UK on 22 February 1936. Assembled, cleaned, and insepcted by Canadian Vickers at Montreal. Delivered to RCAF with upper fuselage and wings painted yellow. In service at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1937. Later became Instructional Airframe A 91.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-August-28 Classified Instructional A 91 2020-06-09
1941-March-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 513
s/n 513
Westland Aircraft
513
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1328. Shipped from Manchester, UK on 22 February 1936. Assembled, cleaned, and insepcted by Canadian Vickers at Montreal. Delivered to RCAF with upper fuselage and wings painted yellow. With No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Stations Trenton, Ontario, Rockcliffe, Ont., Calgary, Alberta, and Halifax, NS, 1 June 1937 to September 1939. Took part in formation flight from Rockcliffe to Halifax and return, 21 to 24 June 1938. Flown from Rockcliffe to Calgary, Alberta, 18 to 24 October 1938. Flew from Calgary to Halifax 26 August to September 1939. With No. 3/10 Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, September 1939. Used by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, NS, 1939/40. Later became Instructional Airframe A 37.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-May-13 Classified Instructional A 37 2020-06-09
1940-October-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 527
s/n 527
Westland Aircraft
527
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1139. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In use at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1938. Later became Instructional Airframe A 54.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-May-04 Classified Instructional A 54 2020-06-09
1961-December-19 Struck off Strength 2020-10-16
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 528
s/n 528
Westland Aircraft
528
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1143. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In use at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1938. Later becmae Instructional Airframe A 40.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-February-13 Classified Instructional A 40 2020-06-09
1941-May-01 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 529
s/n 529
Westland Aircraft
529
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1146. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. Category B damage at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 25 July 1939. Later became Instructional Airframe A 64.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 64 2020-06-09
1943-January-30 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 530
s/n 530
Westland Aircraft
530
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1149. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. With No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Stations Rockcliffe, Ontario, and Calgary, Alberta, 1937 to July 1939. Category A crash near Calgary on 4 July 1939. One of two Squadron aircraft on a road convoy escort exercise. Made repeated low passes over troops for benefit of Army photographer in back seat, struck a rifle of one soldier on third pass and crashed. Two soldiers injured, two occupants of the aircraft received only minor injuries. Several Army tents were destroyed in the crash. Pilot was scheduled for a court martial as a reuslt of this incident, this was cancelled when war broke out.last update: 2024-December-25
1939-December-05 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Calgary on 4 July 1939. 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 531
s/n 531
Westland Aircraft
531
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1322. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. Served at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1938. Later became Instructional Airframe A 55.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-April-29 Classified Instructional A 55 2020-06-09
1942-August-08 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 532
s/n 532
Westland Aircraft
532
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1324. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. To No. 3 Squadron in 1938. Flown from Rockcliffe to Calgary, Alberta, 18 to 24 October 1938. Flew from Calgary to Halifax 26 August to September 1939. With No. 3/10 Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, September 1939.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-April-03 Accident: 10 Squadron Loc: Halifax Nova Scotia Names: Delaney | Miller
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 65 2020-06-09
1943-January-26 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 533
s/n 533
Westland Aircraft
533
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1329. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In use at RCAF Station Trenton, probably with the Air Armament School, at time of crash. Student pilot attempted forced landing after an engine failure at night, hit trees at edge of intended landing area near Rednersville, Ontario. No injuries.last update: 2024-December-25
1939-August-22 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Trenton on 22 February 1939. 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 534
s/n 534
Westland Aircraft
534
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1330. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In service at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1937. Later became Instructional Airframe A 57.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-27 Classified Instructional A 57 2020-06-09
1942-June-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 535
s/n 535
Westland Aircraft
535
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1336. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. To No. 3 (B) Squadron in 1938. Flown from Rockcliffe to Calgary, Alberta, 18 to 24 October 1938. Flew from Calgary to Halifax 26 August to September 1939. Used by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, NS, 1939/40. Later became Instructional Airframe A 66.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 66 2020-06-09
1943-April-24 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 536
s/n 536
Westland Aircraft
536
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1378. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. To No. 10 (B) Squadron in 1939. Operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, 1941 to 1943.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 67 2020-06-09
1944-October-24 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 537
s/n 537
Westland Aircraft
537
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1366. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In use at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1939. Later became Instructional Airframe A 42.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-January-21 Classified Instructional A 42 2020-06-09
1942-June-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 538
s/n 538
Westland Aircraft
538
Known Units:
Ex RAF K1342. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In use at Ottawa in 1938. Used at RCAF Station Trenton pre-war. Joined No. 3 (B) Squadron at Rockcliffe on 30 August 1939, during the Squadron move to Halifax. With No. 3/10 Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, September 1939. Became Instructional Airframe A41, used at the Technical Training School at St. Thomas, Ontario.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-January-21 Classified Instructional A 41 2020-06-09
1942-June-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 539
s/n 539
Westland Aircraft
539
Known Units:
Ex RAF J9612. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. With No. 10 (BR) Squadron in 1939. Later became Instructional Airframe A 68.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 68 2020-06-09
1942-September-29 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 540
s/n 540
Westland Aircraft
540
Known Units:
Ex RAF J9617. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In service at Trenton in 1938. Became instructional airframe A43, used at RCAF Trenton.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-January-21 Classified Instructional A 43 2020-06-09
1942-June-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 541
s/n 541
Westland Aircraft
541
Known Units:
Ex RAF J9868. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. Used at RCAF Station Trenton pre-war. Joined No. 3 (B) Squadron at Rockcliffe on 30 August 1939, during the Squadron move to Halifax. With No. 3/10 Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, September 1939. Later became Instructional Airframe A 69.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 69 2020-06-09
1943-June-03 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 542
s/n 542
Westland Aircraft
542
Known Units:
Ex RAF J9869. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. Flown from Rockcliffe to Calgary, Alberta, 18 to 24 October 1938 with No. 3 (B) Squadron. Flew from Calgary to Halifax 26 August to September 1939. With No. 3/10 Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, September 1939. With 10 (BR) Sdn, Halifax, March 1940, with partially enclosed front cockpit.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 70 2020-06-09
1943-January-30 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 543
s/n 543
Westland Aircraft
543
Known Units:
Ex RAF J9870. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. With No. 3 (B) Squadron, RCAF Stations Rockcliffe, Ont., Calgary, Alberta, and Halifax, NS, 1938 to September 1939. Flown from Rockcliffe to Calgary, Alberta, 18 to 24 October 1938. Flew from Calgary to Halifax 26 August to September 1939. With No. 3/10 Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, September 1939. Later became Instructional Airframe A 71.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 71 2020-06-09
1943-June-03 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Wapiti Mk. IIA serial 544
s/n 544
Westland Aircraft
544
Known Units:
Ex RAF J9871. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. Used at RCAF Station Trenton pre-war. Joined No. 3 (B) Squadron at Rockcliffe on 30 August 1939, during the Squadron move to Halifax. Used by No. 10 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Halifax, NS, 1939/40. Later became Instructional Airframe A 72.last update: 2024-December-25
1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 72 2020-06-09
1942-September-29 Struck off Strength 2020-09-22
Wapiti Mk. II serial J9237
s/n J9237
Westland Aircraft
J 9237
Known Units:
Loaned to RCAF 17 March 1930, for cold weather trials. Used by Test Flight and/or Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. Later purchased by RCAF on 19 March 1937, but not known if RCAF serial number issued.last update: 2025-February-05
1930-March-17 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1932-May-25 to RAF Returned to RAF strength 2019-08-20
1932-May-25 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
Wapiti IIA serial K1318
s/n K1318
Westland Aircraft
K 1318
Known Units:
Sold to RCAF, new serial (if any) unknown.last update: 2025-February-05
1942-June-01 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07