The Fleet Finch was the final version of a whole family of light biplane trainers, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of Buffalo, NY and intended for civilian use. Few of these aircraft were marketed under the Consolidated name, as most were sold through Fleet Aircraft Canada, under a range of model numbers. Only the RCAF gave any of these models names, calling the Model 7 the Fawn and the Model 16 the Finch. These aircraft were built from 1930 to 1941, all at Fort Erie, Ontario.
The Finch was developed to meet an RCAF requirement for a fully aerobatic, primary trainer. The RCAF ordered the first batch of aircraft in July 1939 and powered by a Kinner R5-2, 160 hp engine, they were designated the Fleet Finch Mk. I. Most of these aircraft were delivered to the RCAF Central Flying School at Trenton, Ontario by early 1940.
The RCAF placed a further order for primary trainers with Fleet in January 1940. The Fleet Finch Mk. II, powered by a Kinner B-5R, 130 hp engine, first flew from Fort Erie in March 1940. During the following year, over 400 Fleet Finch Mk. IIs were delivered to BCATP Elementary Flying Schools right across Canada.
The Fleet Finch was well liked by the RCAF as it was a rugged aircraft, was relatively easy to fly and withstood the abuse of novice pilots. Some Fleet Finches remained in service with the RCAF until 1947, but most were retired by October 1944. Their role as a primary trainer was taken over by Fairchild PT-26 Cornell. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Known Squadron Assignments: ;CFS
With Central Flying School when it crashed 5 miles south of Belleville at 14:30 on 10 September 1940, from an inteverted spin. Flying Officer W.R. Swanson and Flying Officer F.L. Sims killed. Also reported (by Wilson) as classified as Instructional Airframe on 3 December 1942. Had 252:55 logged time when struck off. 2011-10-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;1
With No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Malton, Ontario. Category A damage on 5 December 1940, collided with Finch 4420 on approach to land. Was being flown by civilian instructor and student at time of collision. Had 287 hours airframe time when struck off. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;13
To No. 3 Training Command on 25 March 1941, for use by No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School at St. Eugene, Ontario. Category A damage at 15:30 on 26 May 1941 at Ste-Marthe, Quebec. Had 674:50 airframe time when it crashed. Scrapped at No. 12 (Equipment) Depot in Montreal. 2011-10-23Known Squadron Assignments: ;17
To Fleet Aircraft at Crumlin, Ontario for crash repairs, 18 May to 15 June 1942. To No. 3 Training Command when completed, for use by No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, NS. Crashed 10 miles north east of Stanley on 3 February 1943. Instructor Pilot Officer J.L.D. White and student LAC T.D. Colquhoun killed. To No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB on 5 March 1943 for scrapping. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;1
To RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 23 May 1940. Later with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario. Category C damage at 10:45 on 13 August 1941 near Thamesville, Ontario. To stored reserve with No. 3 Training Command on 3 September 1942. To No. 1 Training Command on 12 December 1942, still in storage. Sold to Dayton School of Aviation, at the South Dayton Airport, Dayton, Ohio. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;17
To RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 23 May 1940. Later with No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School at London, Ontario. Category C crashes at London at 16:25 on 9 June 1941, at 10:10 on 10 July 1941, and at 09:25 on 29 August 1941. To Fleet Aircraft for overhaul, with 1422:40 flight time, from 14 January to 3 March 1942. To No. 3 Training Command when completed, for use at No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Sydney, NS. Category C crash at 11:40 on 29 June 1942 at Stanley, when right wing tip dug ion on landing, causing a ground loop. Category A damage at 20:00 on 24 July 1942, near Sydney. Dove into ground and caught fire near Otterson Lake, Brentwood, NS. Instructor Warrant Officer L.L. Burks and student LAC W.E. Barker killed. To No. 4 Repair Depot on 25 August 1942 for scrapping. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;CFS
To RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario on 23 May 1940. Collided with Finch 1018 on 21 September 1940, near Cederdale, Ontario. Both Aircraft were with Central Flying School at the time. AC1 A.E. Porter, student in this aircraft, killed. Other aircraft recovered without further damage. Had 244:00 logged time when it was struck off. 2011-10-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;17
Category C damage on 8 June 1942 while with No. 22 Elementary Flying Training School at Ancienne Lorette, Quebec. Crashed at 10:40 on 23 November 1942, while with No. 17 EFTS at Stanley, NS. Pilot overshot field, stalled and spun in form 150 feet while turning to return to field. Lone occupant LAC T.J. Blundell, RAF killed. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;CFS
Category A damage at 11:00 on 16 June 1940 at Consecon, Ontario (near Trenton). Crashed from a spin, killing student LAC C.M. Wood of New York City. He is believed to be the first American citizen in the RCAF to die in a flying accident in the Second World War. Had 39:35 logged time when struck off. 2011-10-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;21
Category A damage on 28 May 1942 while with No. 21 Elementary Flying Training School at Chatham, NB. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;3
Category A damage on 25 November 1940 while with No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School at London, Ontario. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;7
Category A damage on 15 January 1941 while with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;7
Category A damage on 17 May 1942 while with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;11
Category C damage on 26 April 1941 while with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;3
Category A damage on 25 November 1940 while with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;13
Category A damage on 7 June 1942 while with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, NS. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;9
Category A damage in the afternoon of 23 November 1940 while with No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School at St. Catharines, Ontario. Took off from St. Catharines for a weather reconnaissance flight with two instructors, under low ceiling. Stalled from a low climbing turn west of the airfield. Caught fire on impact, Sgt. D. Whitaker and Sgt. F.E. Wellington died of injuries. Both had been classmates at Ridley College in Hamilton, part of McMaster University. These were 9 EFTS', and McMaster University's, first fatalities of the war. 2011-05-18Known Squadron Assignments: ;11
Category A damage on 12 March 1943 at Cap de Madeleine, Quebec. Probably with No. 11 EFTS at the time. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;9
Category A damage on 19 September 194I while with No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School at St. Catharines, Ontario. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;9
Category A damage on 17 November 1941 while with No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School at St. Catharines, Ontario. Came down 1/4 mile from St. Davids Ontario. LAC J. Aho killed. 2014-01-12Known Squadron Assignments: ;11
Category A damage on 20 October 1941 while with No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de Madeleine, Quebec. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;13
Category A damage on 20 January 1942 while with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, NS. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;11
Category A damage on 21 September 1941 while with No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de Madeleine, Quebec. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;11
Category A damage on 20 October 1941 while with No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de Madeleine, Quebec. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;13
Category A damage on 1 May 1941 while with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, NS. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;13
Category A damage on 7 June 1942 while with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, NS. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;11
Category C damage on 12 August 1941 while with No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de Madeleine, Quebec. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;12
Category A damage on 16 September 1941 while with No. 12 Elementary Flying Training School at Goderich, Ontario. Also with No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School at St. Eugene, Quebec, dates not known. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;13
Category C damage on 11 September 1941 while with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario. With No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School when it crashed on 8 November 1942, 3 miles south-west of St. Benoit, Quebec. Struck a cow while low flying, instructor Sgt. L.L. Taylor killed, student LAC J.M. Yost injured. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;17
Category C damage on 21 April 1941 while with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, NS. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;17
Category A damage on 8 March 1943 while with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, NS. Aircraft swerved on takeoff for night flight due to too rapid opening of throttle, instructor took controls but engine quit at 150 feet. Fuel shut off had apparently been hit accidently during takeoff. Aircraft crashed at 21:40, 100 yards west of Runway 1. Instructor slightly injured, student LAC J.J.W. Bennett, RAF, seriously injured and died several days after. 2016-02-13Known Squadron Assignments: ;13
Category C damage on 16 January 1942 while with No. 22 Elementary Flying Training School at Ancienne Lorette, Quebec. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;17
Category A damage on 6 February 1942 while with No. 17 Elementary Flying Training School at Stanley, NS. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: ;21
Category A damage on 23 January 1942 while with No. 21 Elementary Flying Training School at Chatham, NB. 0000-01-01Known Squadron Assignments: 3 EFTS
Category A damage on 1 March 1942 while with No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de Madeleine, Quebec. Reported registered as CF-BRG post war, but not confirmed.nson of Chandler, Arizona on 12 January 1990.as N39627.gasus, then Bergsteinn Jónsson. In 1954 to Aðalsteinn Björnsson. In 1957 to Árni Guðmundsson. In 1960 to Árni Guðmundsson ofl. In 1996 to Erling Jóhannesson. Still registered 1 June 2005.riously injured and died several days after.l in a steep turn at low altitude at Englehart. C/n reported as A2837 on civil register.ed on 22 August 1942. To Eastern Air Command for storage on that day. Sold on 1 December 1943 to John E. Golab of Dayton, Ohio, registered as NC39615. Later became N39615. Registered to B.R. and J.L. Michelsen of Clarkston, MI on 13 August 1999.g.. Pending disposal from 11 April 1944. Had 1817:20 total time, 805:30 since overhaul, when struck off. Sold to C. Babb & Co.5:30 on 3 April 1942, and Category B damage at 07:20 on 24 April 1942 at Ancienne Lorette. To Noorduyn Aviation for repairs, 1 May to 1 September 1942. Had 1093:20 airframe time when it arrived there. To storage with No. 3 Training Command when completed. To No. 1 Training Command on 12 December 1943, still in storage. Sold to J. Goleb of Dayton, Ohio. YE 1941-March-17 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20