Canadian Vickers Vancouver
Canadian Vickers Vancouver, RCAF (Serial No. 903), No. 4 (Flying Boat) Squadron, 19 Aug 1936
The Canadian Vickers Vancouver was a Canadian transport/patrol flying boat of the 1930s built by Canadian Vickers. It was a twin-engine, equal-span biplane. The hull was of metal and the rest of the structure of fabric-covered wood.
The Vancouver was developed as a replacement for the Varuna in response to a Royal Canadian Air Force requirement for a flying boat to transport men and equipment to forest fires. The main difference from the Varuna was a duralumin hull and more powerful engines. The two flight crew were located in two tandem open cockpits, forward of the wing. The main cabin could accommodate a firefighting team of six men and all the required equipment. Five aircraft were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force, one was later converted into a coastal patrol aircraft.
In the mid-1930s, the Vancouvers were modified as coastal patrol aircraft by the installation of machine guns and bombs.
After the outbreak of the Second World War, Vancouvers served with 4 Squadron, RCAF at Jericho Beach Air Station until withdrawn from service in 1940. After a brief period of service in training duties, they were finally withdrawn and struck off in 1940. None of the aircraft saw service after 1940. Wikipedia
Wikipedia Canadian Vickers Vancouver
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Canadian Vickers Vancouver - Kestrel Publications
CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (6)Vancouver 902
Montreal
Mk. II, IIS/W
Initially civil registered as G-CYVQ. Used at Ladder Lake SK in 1930. As part of an air mail service to Ottawa, flew mail from incoming liners at Belle Isle, Labrador to Havre St. Pierre, QC, as well as the Havre St. Pierre to Rimouski leg, during Imperial Economic Conference, summer of 1932. Refitted with Armstrong Siddeley Serval engines. With No. 4 (FB) Squadron, later No. 4 (BR) Sdn., RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 1933 to 1939. Refitted with Wright J-6E 975W engines to become IIS/W variant. With No. 13 (OT) Squadron, RCAF Stations Sea Island or Patricia Bay, BC, 1940. Withdrawn from service after 765 total flying hours (136 hours since last overhaul). source: Kestrel Publications
2023-05-03
RCAF Aircraft Record Card1930-July-16 Taken on Strength 2020-08-17
1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVQ 2019-08-20
1940-November-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Vancouver 903
Montreal
Mk. II, IIS/W
Initially civil registered as G-CYVR. Used at Lac du Bonnet MB in 1930. Provided air mail service from incoming liners at Belle Isle, Labrador to Havre St. Pierre, QC during Imperial Economic Conference, summer of 1932. Later became RCAF #903. Refitted with Armstrong Siddeley Serval engines. Seen at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario, on 2 February 1938. With No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 1933 to 1939, coded “FY*D". Refitted with Wright J-6 975W engines to become IIS/W variant. With No. 13 (OT) Squadron, RCAF Stations Sea Island or Patricia Bay, BC, 1940. Withdrawn from service after 653 total flying hours (272 hours since last overhaul). source: Kestrel Publications
2023-05-03 RCAF Aircraft Record Card1930-July-24 Taken on Strength 2020-08-17
1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVR 2019-08-20
1940-November-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Vancouver 904
Montreal
Mk. II
Initially civil registered as G-CYVS. Fitted with geared Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx engines. Used on west coast. Became RCAF #904. With No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 1933 to 1939. Armed by October 1938. May have later served at seaplane school. Withdrawn from service after 529 total flying hours (328 hours since last overhaul). Ginger Cootes Airways attempted to buy airframe in October 1940, but the offer was refused. Engines were used for instructional purposes after aircraft was struck off. source: Kestrel Publications
2023-05-031930-August-28 Taken on Strength 2020-08-17
1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVS 2019-08-20
1940 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Vancouver 905
Montreal
Mk. II
Initially civil registered as G-CYVT. Fitted with geared Lynx engines. Used at Lac du Bonnet, MB. Became RCAF #905. With No. 4 (FB) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, from 1933. Damaged on 5 February 1936, when it dragged its anchor during a storm and beat itself to pieces against a dock belonging to the Vancouver Yacht Club before sinking in 20 feet of water. Engines were salvaged but the airframe was not repaired. Had 369:40 logged time when struck off. source: Kestrel Publications
2023-05-041930-August-15 Acceptance Test Flight 2020-08-17
1930-August-15 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVT. 2019-08-20
1936-May-05 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Vancouver 906
Montreal
Mk. I, IIS/W
Initially civil registered as G-CYVU. Fitted with geared Lynx engines. Became RCAF #906. Converted to armed Service Standard as Mk. IIS/W. Refitted with Armstrong Siddeley Serval engines. With No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, 1933 to 1939. Struck off by 1940. source: Kestrel Publications
2023-05-041930-September-02 Acceptance Test Flight 2023-05-04
1930-September-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1935-June-30 Serial Change Renumbered from G-CYVU. 2019-08-20
1940 Struck off Strength 2023-05-04
Vancouver G‑CYXS
Montreal
I/IA
source: Kestrel Publications 2023-05-03
RCAF Aircraft Record Card1929-April First Flight First flight 2019-08-20
1929-August-23 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1934-October-03 Struck off Strength reduced to spares and produce 2023-05-03
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