The Supermarine Stranraer was a flying boat designed and built by the British Supermarine Aviation Works company. It was developed during the 1930s on behalf of its principal operator, the Royal Air Force (RAF). Derived from the Supermarine Scapa, the aircraft's design was heavily shaped by Specification R.24/31. While initially rejected by the Air Ministry, Supermarine persisted with development as a private venture under the designation Southampton V. During 1933, a contract was placed for a single prototype; it was around this time that the type received the name Stranraer. First flown on 24 July 1934, the Stranraer entered frontline service with the RAF during 1937; most examples of the type were in service by the outbreak of the Second World War.
The Stranraer's typically undertook anti-submarine and convoy escort patrols during the early years of the conflict. During March 1941, it was withdrawn from frontline service, but continued to be operated in a training capacity up until October 1942. In addition to the British-built aeroplanes, the Canadian Vickers company in Montreal, Quebec, also manufactured 40 Stranraers under licence for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). These Canadian Stranraers served in anti-submarine and coastal defence capacities on both Canada's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and were in regular service until 1946. Following their withdrawal from military service, many ex-RCAF Stranraers were sold off to fledgeling regional airlines, with whom they served in various commercial passenger and freighter operations into the 1950s.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Stranraers were exact equivalents of their RAF counterparts. In Canadian service, they were usually employed in coastal patrol against submarine threats in a similar role to the British Stranraers. The Canadian Vickers-built Stranraers served with the RCAF throughout the war, the last example being withdrawn on 20 January 1946. Wikipedia
Wikipedia Supermarine Stanraer
last update: 2022-09-26 14:30:04Known Squadron Assignments:
First Canadian built Stranraer, and first purpose built warplane built in Canada since 1918. First flight 21 October 1938, by H. Hollick-Kenyon. Taken on strength, and delivered to No. 7 (BR) Squadron on 9 November 1938, the first operational RCAF Stranraer. To RCAF Station Dartmouth on 3 December 1938. Temporary duty with 5 Squadron on Atlantic coast, to escort Royal Yacht from Newfoundland into Gulf of St. Lawrence 14 May 1939. Later with No. 13 (OT) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, 1941 to 1942. Operated by No. 117 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Sydney, NS, briefly in 1941. Operated by No. 6 (BR) Squadron, from RCAF Station Alliford Bay, BC, in 1942 to 1943. Carried out phot survey of Alliford Bay area on 2 February 1943. To civil register postwar as CF-BYI. Registered 3 December 1945 to W.C. Spile of Montreal. To Spilsbury & Hepburn Ltd. Of Vancouver, BC on 23 February 1946. Fitted with Pegasus X engines in December 1946. To Queen Charlotte Airlines on 9 September 1947. Forced landing after in flight fire on 25 January 1948, 5 miles NW of Rock Bay, BC. Not repaired?Known Squadron Assignments:
Served with Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, dates unknown. Delivered to No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, on 3 December 1938. Operated by No. 5 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1938 to 1942. Escorted Royal Yacht from Newfoundland into Gulf of St. Lawrence 14 May 1939. Flew this squadron's first war time mission, a patrol over the approaches to Halifax harbour, (and first RCAF Stranraer mission of war), on 10 September 1939. 5 vessels sighted, none hostile. May have also have been the first RCAF operation of WW2. Category B damage in a landing accident on 5 February 1942, still with No. 5 Sdn, by then at Bella Bella, BC. With No. 3 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC in 1942/1943.Known Squadron Assignments:
Temporary duty with 5 Squadron on Atlantic coast, to escort Royal Yacht from Newfoundland into Gulf of St. Lawrence 14 May 1939. Coded "QN*G" while with this unit. With No. 20 (BR) Squadron (later No. 120 Sdn.), c.1942, in British Columbia. Took part in search for crew of 951 in August 1942, despite bad weather and engine problems. Pilot Flying Officer T.M. Wavave of Brooklyn, NY received AFC for this effort. Transferred to RCAF Jericho Beach on 13 June 1943, probably for overhaul or repair. To civil register postwar as CF-BYL. Registration reserved on 27 March 1946 to W. C. Stiple of Montreal, but not taken up. To Spilsbury & Hepburn Ltd. Of Vancouver on 5 July 1946. Disappeared en route from Prince Rupert to Stewart, BC on 31 August 1948.Known Squadron Assignments:
Direct to No. 5 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, early 1939. Taken on strength at Dartmouth, on 30 May 1939. Served with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Dartmouth, NS, Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, BC, from 1939 to c.1941. Back to No. 5 Squadron in 1941, coded "QN*H". With this Squadron when it was damaged at Dartmouth on 6 May 1941. Ran ashore at low tide on a shoal off Indian Head, near McNab Island, holing the rear hull, while taxiing back to take off position during night circuit practice. RCAF boats towed the aircraft into shallower water and removed moveable gear. The aircraft settled to the bottom but was mostly remained above water until lifted by crane the next afternoon. No injuries to the 8 occupants. To civil register postwar as CF-BYE, registered on 17 July 1945 to W.C. Stiple of Montreal. Exported to Aero Transport Corporation of Tampa, Florida in September 1945, became NR43590. Later became VP-JAH.Known Squadron Assignments:
Delivered direct to No. 5 (GR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS. Taken on strength at Dartmouth on 8 June 1939. Served with Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, dates unknown.Known Squadron Assignments:
Tested from the Ottawa River at RCAF Station Rockcliffe in July 1939. With No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 16 July 1939. First Stranraer to this unit. In September 1939 the commander of Western Air Command reported that "912 is the only aircraft in the Command which is suitable for search and patrol duty." With No. 120 BR) Squadron at Coal Harbour, BC in 1942.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 5 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1938 to c.1941, coded "QN*B". With No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, in mid 1940. Operated by No. 120 (BR) Squadron from RCAF Station Coal Harbour, BC, 1941 to 1943. To civil register as CF-BYF, registered on 6 April 1945 to W.C. Stiple of Montreal. Exported to Aero Transport Corporation of Tampa, Florida in September 1945, became NR45327. Later became VP-JAK.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 5 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1938 to 1941. Coded "QN*O" in service with 5 Sdn. Operated by No. 117 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Sydney, NS, briefly in 1941. With No. 4 (BR) Squadron at Ucluelet, BC in 1942. To civil register as CF-BYH, registered to W.C. Stiple of Montreal on 17 July 1945. Exported to Aero Transport Corporation of Tampa Florida in September 1945, became NR45389, then VP-JAJ.Known Squadron Assignments:
Served with Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, arrived from Montreal on 27 September 1939. Served with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, BC, from 1939 to 1941, coded "FB*Y". Operated by No. 9 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Bella Bella, BC, 1941 to 1944. Operating from RCAF Coal Harbour in summer of 1943. Operated by No. 122 (K) Squadron on west coast, dates unknown. To civil register as CF-BYJ, registered to W.C. Stiple of Montreal on 20 November 1944, not taken up. To Morris Summit Gold Mines of Vancouver on 11 September 1946. To Quenn Charlotte Airlines on 17 September 1946. Converted to Super Stranraer April 1949, with Wright GR-1820-205A engines. Overturned on landing at Belize Inlet, BC, after flight from Sullivan Bay, on 24 December 1949. Not repaired. Wreckage reportedly recovered for eventual restoration at Shearwater Museum, arriving there via train in November 2008.Known Squadron Assignments: ;3
Served with Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, dates unknown. Operated by No. 5 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS, 1938 to 1941. Coded "QN*P". Category D damage while there. Operated by No. 6 (BR) Squadron, from RCAF Station Alliford Bay, BC, in 1942 to 1943. With No. 9 (BR) Squadron at Bella Bella, BC in summer of 1942, coded "KA*A". With No. 3 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC when it crashed at sea in the Stuart Channel, near Crofton, on 18 July 1943. Two fatalities.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 5 (BR) Squadron at Dartmouth, NS in spring of 1941. Later operated by No. 9 (BR) Squadron, Bella Bella, BC. Encountered low level turbulence while attemting to land at Bella Bella on 2 October 1942 after an operational patrol, resulting in a heavy landing that damaged the hull and the tip floats. No injuries. Repaired and returned to service. With No. 3 Operational Training Unit at Patricia Bay in 1943. Caught fire in flight during bombing practice over the Gorden Head bombing range on 11 February 1943, when a practice bomb detonated while being loaded onto the wind out bomb carrier. One trainee armourer injured..Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 5 (BR) Squadron at Dartmouth, NS in spring of 1941. Operated in utility role by No. 166 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Sea Island, 1943/1944. To civil register as CF-BYA, then to US, registration unknown. Note: this registration also reported as company number CV 209, which was actually RCAF 920.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 5 (BR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command. Operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, 1941. Operated by No. 9 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Bella Bella, BC, 1941 to 1944. Category B damage while being operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron at Prince Rupert, BC, on 16 September 1943. Aircraft porpoised on take off on operational patrol. No injuries.
To civil register as CF-BXO, to Labrador Mining and Exploration Company of Montreal on 24 May 1944. Registration reserved for E. Lando of Vancouver on 23 April 1947, not taken up. To Queen Charlotte Airlines on 28 May 1947. Converted to Super Stranraer March 1950, with GR-1820-G202A engines. Damaged at Sullivan Bay, BC on 23 February 1952, stored. To W.K. Slye on 15 December 958, then to Stranraer Aerial Enterprises of Vancouver on 28 June 1962.
Purcahsed by RAF Museum in early 1970s, transported from Abbotsford, BC to the UK inside an RAF Belfast. Now in RAF Museum, Hendon, UK, marked as RCAF 920, but still in Super Stranraer configuration.
Detailed History of Stranraer 920
last update: 2024-September-22Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 5 (BR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, in 1941. Still with this Squadron when it had moved to Bella Bella, BC in 1942. With No. 13 (OT) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, 1941 to 1942. To civil register as CF-BYD, registered to W.C. Stiple of Montreal on 13 February 1945. Exported to Aero Transport Corporation of Tampa Florida in June 1945, became NX45325.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 6 (BR) Squadron, from RCAF Station Alliford Bay, BC, in 1941, coded "QN*F". No serious damage on 26 December 1941, when fuel and oil accumulated in the starboard exhaust collector caught fire while taxiing out for an operational patrol. Source of ignition not found, but may have been a spark from a hammer left in the collector. Destroyed by fire 5 days later. Crew was working on aircraft in the dark, with lanterns on 31 December 1941. Draining fuel was ignited. Official investigation determined cause was "carelessness". Crash boat was away picking up leave party, aircraft burned out at mooring.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 5 (BR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, in 1941. Operated by No. 6 (BR) Squadron, from RCAF Station Alliford Bay, BC, in 1942 to 1943. To civil register as CF-BYG. Registered to W.C. Stiple of Montreal on 1 October 1945, no further records.Known Squadron Assignments: ;13
With No. 13 (Operational Training) Squadron when lost on 15 December 1941. Forced landed in Nanoose Bay, near Nanimo, BC in bad weather. Hit high waves and sank, all 8 on board killed. Wreckage recovered several days later by salvage vessel Skookum No. 2.Known Squadron Assignments: ;4
Category A accident on 30 December 1941, no details.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 117 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Sydney, NS, briefly in 1941. With No. 3 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC in 1942/1943.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 6 (BR) Squadron, from RCAF Station Alliford Bay, BC, in 1941 to 1943.Known Squadron Assignments:
Served with Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, dates unknown. To Western Air Command in 1941.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 13 (OT) Squadron at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC when it was severely damaged by fire on 2 November 1941. Port engine caught fire on take off run. Most crew abandoned aircraft from the water, but one crew remained behind because he couldn't find life vest. Pilot Flying Officer R.L. Rizon and crewmember Leading Aircraftman Hunt re-entered aircraft and fought blaze with buckets of sea water, eventually extinguishing it and saving last crew member. Both port wings destroyed, port engine damaged. Flying Officer Rizon received Air Force Cross and Leading Aircraftman Hunt received Air Force Medal for this. Rizon, an American, later transferred to the USAAF and retired in the 1950s as a Colonel.Known Squadron Assignments:
Served with Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, dates unknown. To Western Air Command in 1941. With No. 3 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC in 1942/1943. Still with this unit when it was seriously damaged on 4 August 1943, after port engine backfired and caught fire while starting. Aircraft was ferrying a crew to Canadian Pacific Airlines at New Westminster to pick up recently overhauled Stranraer 923. All fabric burnt off all 4 main planes. No injuries to any of the 12 occupants.Known Squadron Assignments:
Passed through Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba on ferry flight to west coast. To Western Air Command in 1941. Served with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, BC, from 1941 to 1943. With No. 3 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC in 1943.Known Squadron Assignments: ;6
With No. 13 (OT) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, 1941 to 1942. With No. 6 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Alliford Bay, BC when it was damaged on 20 June 1942. Starboard engine failed when cylinder came loose, aircraft made a forced landing near Nassett, BC without further damage. Still with No. 6 Squadron when it crashed in Skidgate Channel, between between Maude and Lina Islands in the Queen Charlottes, on training flight, 14 February 1943. Aircraft porpoised on landing, eventually submerged, and depth charges went off. 6 fatalaties.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 9 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Bella Bella, BC. Also with No. 13 (OT) Squadron in 1942, probably at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. To civil register as CF-BYK, registered to W.C. Stiple of Montreal on 1 October 1945. Exported to Aero Transport Corporation of Tampa, Florida in late 1945, registration unknown.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 117 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Sydney, Dartmouth, Bella Bella, BC, and Jericho Beach, BC August 1941 to March 1944, in camouflage. Damaged by debris from construction blasting while parked inside hangar No. 1 at Bell Bella, BC on 23 October 1942. The construction firm was billed $82.88 for damage to the hangar and the aircraft. With No. 9 (BR) Squadron when damaged on 24 November 1942, near north arm of Tasu Sound. Struck an un-mapped shoal while attempting take off. Aircraft had just transported a radio repair tech and equipment to Tasu Bay. Pilot was able to beach the aircraft before it sank. No injuries. Aircraft received temporary repairs on site at next low tide, and was flown back to Alliford Bay for further repairs.Known Squadron Assignments:
Seen at RCAF Rockcliffe, Ontario on 23 August 1941, apparently fresh from factory. Operated by No. 117 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Sydney, NS, briefly in 1941. To Western Air Command in 1941. At Alliford Bay when four dpeth charges came off the aircraft while it was moored atr Alliford Bay, BC, probably due to an electrical failure. Water was not deep enough to activate the depth charges, and there was no further damage. Operated in utility role by No. 166 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Sea Island, later in 1943. Still with this Squadron when it sank at moorings at No. 3 Repair Depot at Vancouver on 29 October 1943, after being damaged by a large wave in heavy weather. One float was torn off, aircraft overturned and sank. Investigation revealed the removed float had been struck by a large piece of driftwood. Aircraft had previously delivered mail to the Depot, its departure was held up by weather. Aircraft was recovered, but considered beyond economic repair.Known Squadron Assignments: ;WAC;5
Ferried from east coast to west coast by crew from No. 5 (BR) Squadron. Left Rockcliffe on 7 October 1941, ferried via Ontario and Manitoba, then Regina, Saskatchewan to Brooks, Alberta, then Penticton, BC. Tip float damaged by dock at Penticton, on 23 October 1941, repairs took 12 days. Went missing on 4 November 1941, en route from Penticton, BC to Vancouver Island. Crashed 10 miles south-east of Squamish, BC. Flew into high terrain in bad weather. All 5 crew killed. Wreckage not located until 6 October 1947.Known Squadron Assignments:
Reported Category A at Vancouver on 22 April 1942, while being operated by No. 4 (BR) Squadron at Alliford Bay. Heavy landing in high swells in English Bay damaged hull and tore off one tip float, while aircraft was flying to No. 3 Repair Depot to pick up crew that had ferried another Stranraer to the Depot. It may have hit a log during the landing attempt as well. Partially submerged, but was recovered and repaired. Also reported with No. 3 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC when it collided with Stranraer 955 of the same Squadron on 12 March 1943, while flying fomration near Salt Spring Island, to practcie gun-camera use. Wing tips touched when this aircraft overshot an approach to the other aircraft. Both aircraft landed without further damage, no injuries.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 6 (BR) Squadron, from RCAF Station Alliford Bay, BC, in 1941 to 1943. Category C damage at Patricia Bay on 28 April 1942. To civil register as CF-BYB, registered to W.C. Stiple of Montreal on 5 January 1945. Exported to Aero Transport Corporation of Tampa, Florida, became NR45326.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 9 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Bella Bella, BC, 1941 to 1944. Flew this squadron's first operational mission on 9 December 1941, patrol from Bella Bella. Category B damage while with this unit, on 29 July 1942. Last Stranraer on strength with RCAF. To civil register as CF-BYM, registered to Siple Aircraft Ltd. of Dorval, Quebec on 31 October 1946. To Queen Charlotte Airlines on 26 August 1949. Crashed after striking trees on takeoff from Sovereign Lake, BC on 1 October 1957.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 120 (BR) Squadron from RCAF Station Coal Harbour, BC, 1941 to 1943.Known Squadron Assignments: ;120
Serving with No. 120 (BR) Squadron, out of RCAF Station Coal Harbour, Vancouver Island, when it ditched. Reported by radio that it had engine problems. Crew later sighted by 952, then 950, but these aircraft diverted to reported submarine in area, weather closed in, and crew never sighted again. Memorial service for crew held in Victoria, BC on 23 August 2002. See also 909.Known Squadron Assignments:
Served with No. 120 (BR) Squadron, out of RCAF Station Coal Harbour, Vancouver Island. One crew member injured on 3 August 1942, when he fell out of his seat during extreme maneuvering during a maintenance test flight out of Coal Harbour. Inquiry conculkded that such test flights should only be performed by senior, highly experienced, pilots. Dispatched to Patricia Bay for training exercise with submarine in June 1943.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 6 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Alliford Bay, BC, when it crashed on 31 August 1942. Repaired and returned to service. Operated in utility role by No. 166 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Sea Island, 1943/1944. To civil register as CF-BYC, registered to W.C. Siple of Montreal on 6 April 1945. Exported to Aero Transport Corporation of Tampa, Florida, registration unknown.Known Squadron Assignments: ;166
Served with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, BC, from 1939 to 1941. Operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, 1941 to 1943. Operated in utility role by No. 166 (T) Squadron, RCAF Station Sea Island, 1943.Known Squadron Assignments:
With No. 13 (OT) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, 1941 to 1942. Category C accident in BC, on 20 July 1942. With No. 3 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC in 1942/1943. Collided with Stranraer 947 of the same Squadron on 12 March 1943, while flying fomration near Salt Spring Island, to practcie gun-camera use. Both aircraft landed without further damage, no injuries.Known Squadron Assignments:
Operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, 1941. Operated by No. 9 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Bella Bella, BC, 1941 to 1944. Category C damage at Patricia Bay, BC on 29 April 1942.Known Squadron Assignments:
To Western Air Command in 1942. With No. 3 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC in 1942/1943.