Canadian Vickers Vancouver

The Canadian Vickers Vancouver was a Canadian transport/patrol flying boat of the 1930s built by Canadian Vickers.

Vancouver
Role Transport/patrol flying boat
Manufacturer Canadian Vickers
First flight 1929
Retired 1940
Status out of service
Primary user RCAF
Produced 6

It was a twin-engine, equal-span biplane. The hull was of metal and the rest of the structure of fabric-covered wood.

Development

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.[1]

Operational history

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After the outbreak of the Second World War, Vancouvers served with 4 Squadron, RCAF at Jericho Beach Air Station until withdrawn from service in 1940. After a brief period of service in training duties, they were finally withdrawn and struck off in 1940.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, one private offer to acquire was denied.[2]

Variants

Data from:Canadian aircraft since 1909[1]

Operator
 Canada
Royal Canadian Air Force

Specifications (Vancouver IIS/W)

Data from Canadian aircraft since 1909,[1] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 9 (2 crew in civil versions)
  • Capacity: (7 pax in civil versions)
  • Length: 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
  • Wingspan: 55 ft 0 in (16.76 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 7 in (4.75 m)
  • Wing area: 772 sq ft (71.7 m2)
  • Airfoil: Clark Y
  • Empty weight: 5,159 lb (2,340 kg)
  • Gross weight: 7,606 lb (3,450 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Wright J-6 Whirlwind 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 300 hp (220 kW) each
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Standard steel fixed-pitch propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 94 mph (151 km/h, 82 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 86 mph (138 km/h, 75 kn)
  • Alighting speed: 45 mph (39 kn; 72 km/h)
  • Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m) plus
  • Rate of climb: 565 ft/min (2.87 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns: 3 x 0.303 in (7.70 mm) Lewis Guns (military Vancouvers only)
  • Bombs: 1,000 lb (450 kg) of bombs (military Vancouvers only)

See also

Related lists

References
  1. Molson, K.M.; Taylor, H.A. (1982). Canadian aircraft since 1909 (1. publ. ed.). Stittsville, Ont.: Canada's Wings. pp. 198–202. ISBN 0-920002-11-0.
  2. Walker, R.W.R. (2005). "RCAF 901 to 950". www.rwrwalker.ca. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  3. Grey, C.G., ed. (1931). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. pp. 83c–84c.
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