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Westland Wapiti (Canadian: 26 )

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

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

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Westland Wapiti

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications RCAF Westland Wapiti Serials - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (26)
last update: 2021-12-31 19:17:12

Wapiti 508

s/n
 508
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2016-03-29
   1936-March-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1939-June-28 Struck off Strength 2020-09-22
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210

Wapiti 509

s/n
 509
inst
 A 36
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1936-March-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-May-13 Classified Instructional A 36 2020-06-09
   1940-October-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210 | 1968 481

Wapiti 510

s/n
 510
inst
 A 49 & A 63
m/d
 Westland Wapati
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-06-16
   1937-June-08 Taken on Strength K 1318 2020-06-16
   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
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 511

s/n
 511
inst
 A 90
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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?). 2020-05-28
   1937-June-08 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-August-28 Classified Instructional A 90 2020-06-09
   1941-March-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 512

s/n
 512
inst
 A 91
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-May-08 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-August-28 Classified Instructional A 91 2020-06-09
   1941-March-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 513

s/n
 513
inst
 A 37
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1936-March-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-May-13 Classified Instructional A 37 2020-06-09
   1940-October-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 527

s/n
 527
inst
 A 54
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
Ex RAF K1139. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In use at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1938. Later became Instructional Airframe A 54. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-18 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-May-04 Classified Instructional A 54 2020-06-09
   1961-December-19 Struck off Strength 2020-10-16
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 528

s/n
 528
inst
 A 40
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
Ex RAF K1143. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In use at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1938. Later becmae Instructional Airframe A 40. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-18 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-February-13 Classified Instructional A 40 2020-06-09
   1941-May-01 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 529

s/n
 529
inst
 A 64
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-18 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 64 2020-06-09
   1943-January-30 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 530

s/n
 530
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2016-04-04
   1937-November-10 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1939-December-05 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Calgary on 4 July 1939. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Wapiti 531

s/n
 531
inst
 A 55
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
Ex RAF K1322. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. Served at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1938. Later became Instructional Airframe A 55. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-18 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-April-29 Classified Instructional A 55 2020-06-09
   1942-August-08 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 532

s/n
 532
inst
 A 65
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-18 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
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
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 533

s/n
 533
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2016-04-04
   1937-November-10 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1939-August-22 Struck off Strength Struck off, after Category A crash at Trenton on 22 February 1939. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Wapiti 534

s/n
 534
inst
 A 57
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
Ex RAF K1330. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In service at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1937. Later became Instructional Airframe A 57. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-18 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-27 Classified Instructional A 57 2020-06-09
   1942-June-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 535

s/n
 535
inst
 A 66
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-18 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 66 2020-06-09
   1943-April-24 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 536

s/n
 536
inst
 A 67
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 67 2020-06-09
   1944-October-24 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 537

s/n
 537
inst
 A 42
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
Ex RAF K1366. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In use at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario in 1939. Later became Instructional Airframe A 42. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-January-21 Classified Instructional A 42 2020-06-09
   1942-June-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 538

s/n
 538
inst
 A 41
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-January-21 Classified Instructional A 41 2020-06-09
   1942-June-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 539

s/n
 539
inst
 A 68
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
Ex RAF J9612. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. With No. 10 (BR) Squadron in 1939. Later became Instructional Airframe A 68. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 68 2020-06-09
   1942-September-29 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 540

s/n
 540
inst
 A 43
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
Ex RAF J9617. Delivered in overall aluminum finish. In service at Trenton in 1938. Became instructional airframe A43, used at RCAF Trenton. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-January-21 Classified Instructional A 43 2020-06-09
   1942-June-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 481

Wapiti 541

s/n
 541
inst
 A 69
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 69 2020-06-09
   1943-June-03 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 542

s/n
 542
inst
 A 70
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 70 2020-06-09
   1943-January-30 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 543

s/n
 543
inst
 A 71
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 71 2020-06-09
   1943-June-03 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti 544

s/n
 544
inst
 A 72
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. IIA
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. 2020-05-28
   1937-November-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-July-11 Classified Instructional A 72 2020-06-09
   1942-September-29 Struck off Strength 2020-09-22
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211 | 1968 482

Wapiti J9237

s/n
 J9237
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
Mk. II
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. 0000-01-01
   1930-March-17 Accept from other Air Force Received from RAF, for trials. 2019-08-20
   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
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 499

Wapiti K1318

s/n
 K1318
Westland Aircraft
Yeovil
IIA
Sold to RCAF, new serial (if any) unknown. 0000-01-01
   1937-June-08 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1942-June-01 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 481

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