Canadian Warplanes 1: Canadian Vickers Stranraer

Canadian Vickers Stranraer

(DND Photo, PL-1176, via Mike Kaehler)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 913), CV190, coded QN-B, No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, sometime between 1938 and 1941.  Note the lines under the QN-B code indicate this is an aircraft from a Canadian Home Defence Establishment Unit.  It is carrying bombs under the wings.  913 flew with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, British Columbia, in mid 1940.   It was later flown by No. 120 (BR) Squadron at RCAF Station Coal Harbour, British Columbia, from 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 registered in the Caribbean as VP-JAK.

The Canadian Vickers (Supermarine 304) Stranraer was a 1930s flying boat that entered operations in 1937.  Many were in service at the outbreak of the Second World War, carrying out anti-submarine and convoy escort patrols.  In addition to British-built aircraft, the Canadian Vickers company in Montreal, Quebec, built 40 Stranraers under licence for the RCAF.  The RCAF Stranraers served in anti-submarine and coastal defence capacities on both Canada's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and remained in service until 1946.  Following their withdrawal from military service, many Canadian Stranraers were sold off to fledgeling regional airlines and they served in commercial passenger and freighter operation well into the 1950s.

Canadian Vickers Stranraer (40), (Serial Nos. 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922, 923, 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956 and 957).

The Stranraer was flown by RCAF Operational Squadrons of the Home War Establishment (HWE) by the following units based in Canada.

Eastern Air Command

No. 5 Squadron RCAF(Nov 38 – Sep 41)

No. 117 Squadron RCAF (Sep 41 – Oct 41)

Western Air Command No. 4 Squadron RCAF (Jul 39 – Sep 43)

No. 6 Squadron RCAF (Nov 41 – May 43)

No. 7 Squadron RCAF (Feb 43 – Mar 44)

No. 9 Squadron RCAF (Dec 41 – Apr 43)

No. 13 Operational Training (OT) Squadron RCAF (Oct 41 – Nov 42)

No. 120 Squadron RCAF (Nov 41 – Oct 43)

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)

RCAF On Strength (40), Canadian Aircraft Losses (7). Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian casualties in the RAF during the Second World War may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The CASPIR website is researched, coded, maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 937), No. 9 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, coming into dock after a patrol flight at Bella Bella, a passage that runs up between Campbell Island and Denny Island on Canada's West Coast, ca Dec 1941-Apr 1943.  Note the two depth charges under the starboard wing, and the drogue/sea anchor hanging from the middle hatch just behind the depth charges.  937 also flew with No. 117 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF Station Sydney, and RCAF Station Dartmouth Nova Scotia before joining No. 9 (BR) Squadron at Bella Bella, British Columbia, and later Jericho Beach, British Columbia from August 1941 to March 1944.  It was struck off strength on 8 Mar 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, 3199160)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 948), No. 6 (BR) Squadron, at its base at Alliford Bay, British Columbia.   948 was flown by No. 6 (Bomber Reconnaissane) Squadron, from RCAF Station Alliford Bay from 1941 to 1943.  It suffered Category C damage at Patricia Bay, British Columbia on 28 April 1942.   Struck off strength on 29 Nov 1944, on 5 Jan 1945 it went to the civil register as CF-BYB, registered to W.C. Stiple of Montreal.  It was later exported to Aero Transport Corporation of Tampa, Florida, Reg. No. NR45326.

04 Mar 1936. No. 6 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron was authorized at Trenton, Ontario.  It was mobilized on 10 Sep 1939.  On 31 Oct 1939 it was redesignated No. 6 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron at Jericho Beach, British Columbia.  The squadron was disbanded at Coal Harbour, British Columbia on 7 Aug 1945.  The squadron flew the Canadian Vickers Vedette, Blackburn Shark Mk. II and II, Supermarine Stranraer, Consolidated Canso A, Consolidated Catalina Mk. IB and Mk. IIIA and Noorduyn Norseman.

(CFJIC, DND Photo PL-9596 via Don Smith)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 937), 9 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, incamoflage paint, shown here on a patrol flight, possibly over Bella Bella, a passage that runs up between Campbell Island and Denny Island on Canada's West Coast, ca Dec 1941-Apr 1943.  A gunner is manning the rear machine-gun position.  937 flew with No. 117 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF Stations Sydney and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and RCAF Stations Bella Bella and Jericho Beach, British Columbia from 14 August 1941 to 8 March 1944, when it was struck off strength.

(CFJIC, DND Photo PL-9595 via Don Smith)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 937), 9 (Bomber Rreconnaissance) Squadron, on a patrol flight, possibly over Bella Bella, a passage that runs up between Campbell Island and Denny Island on Canada's West Coast, ca Dec 1941-Apr 1943.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 937), 9 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, on a patrol flight, possibly over Bella Bella, a passage that runs up between Campbell Island and Denny Island on Canada's West Coast, ca Dec 1941-Apr 1943.  Gunners are manning both the nose and rear machine-gun positions.  The Stranraer is carrying depth charges under the wings, on a routine coastal patrol

(CFJIC, DND Photo PL 9594 via Don Smith)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 937), 9 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF Station Bella Bella, British Columbia, ca Dec 1941-Apr 1943.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 937),  9 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, British Columbia, ca Dec 1941-Apr 1943.

(CFJIC, DND Photo PL-9608 via Don Smith)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF aircrew cooking up lunch.

(CFJIC, DND Photo PL-9609 via Don Smith)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF aircrew having lunch.

(British Columbia Aviation Museum Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer (Serial No. 932), 1941.  932 was taken on strength on 10 July 1941.  It crashed on a training flight on 2 Nov 1941 and was destroyed by fire.  It was struck off strength on 7 Feb 1942.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF, being refueled at night.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 952), at the San Francisco Coast Guard Air Station, California, 23 Nov 1941.

No. 5 Squadron RCAF badge.

No. 5 Squadron RCAF was primarily used in an anti-submarine role with Eastern Air Command and was based at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Gander, Newfoundland, Torbay, Newfoundland, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Sydney, Nova Scotia. The squadron flew the Supermarine Stranraer, Consolidated Canso and Consolidated Catalina before disbanding on 15 July 1945.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 913), CV190, coded QN-B, No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, sometime between 1938 and 1941.  913 aircrews served with Eastern Air Command, flying on anti-submarine patrols while operating out of Dartmouth and  Sydney, Nova Scotia and Gaspé, Quebec.  Stranraer (Serial No. 913), coded QN-B, was taken on charge 8 Sep 1939, and flew on its first patrol on 17 Sep 1939.  No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron held seven Stranraers, (Serial Nos. 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 913, and 914).

The Stranraer carried a maximum load of 1000 lbs of bombs, and on paper had a range of 1,080 miles, empty.  In actual operations, the armament, equipment, and aircrew weight significantly reduced the Stranraer's performance to 540 miles, while the Canadian east coast weather conditions also greatly reduced the days this 1934 flying boat could get into the air.  As recorded on the anti-submarine patrol instructions, Stranraer flying boats accompanied all departing and arriving Halifax ship convoys, with a safe flying time of five and one-half hours, for each dawn to dusk patrol.  The maximum safe endurance of a Stranraer with 1,000 lbs of bombs was 6 hours, at a cruising speed of 90 mph.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 914), coded QN-O, No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, from RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, from 1938 to 1941.  914 then went to No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron at Ucluelet, British Columbia 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.

This Stranraer flying boat was flown from RCAF station Dartmouth by No. 5 (GR) Squadron (code letters QN) from Nov 1938 to Sep 1941.  During the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada from May to June 1939, No. 5 Squadron Stranraers from RCAF Station Dartmouth escorted the ocean liner Empress of Britain on its departure from Halifax harbour with the King and Queen on board.  The first operational mission of the Second World War was flown from Dartmouth on 10 Sep 1939, when Stranraer (Serial No. 908) was tasked to conduct an enemy shipping search off the Halifax approaches.  In the following months No. 5 Squadron Stranraers would typically take-off from Dartmouth at 0530 hours, provide anti-submarine protection to an outbound convoy from Halifax, then land on the water at Sable Island at noon to refuel.  By late afternoon the Stranraer would take-off from Sable Island, rejoin the convoy or conduct independent anti-submarine operations, finally landing back at RCAF Station Dartmouth around midnight.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 914), coded QN-O, No. 5 (Bomber reconnaissance) Squadron, Eastern Air Command,operating from RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

(CFJIC, DND Photo PL-105 via Don Smith)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 914), coded QN-O, No. 5 (GR) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584227)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF, coded BO-?, No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron based at Ucluelet, British Columbia. The photo was taken in 1942. The use of squadron codes by Home War Establishment squadrons within Eastern and Western Air Commands ceased immediately, effective the 16th of October, 1942 for security reasons. Prior to 1942, the squadron's code was 'FY' (1939-1942) (Chris Charland)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3203454)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 912), shown here on the Ottawa River on 13 July 1939.  It was later based at RCAF Station Jericho Beach, British Columbia, with No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, from 16 July 1939.  912 was the first Stranraer to this unit.  It later flew with No. 120 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadorn at Coal Harbour, British Columbia in 1942.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581392)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 912), on the water, 13 July 1939.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581393)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581394)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 912), close-up on the water, 13 July 1939.

(City of Vancouver Archives Photo, AM336-S3-2-: CVA 677-380)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 912), RCAF Station Jericho Beach, British Columbia.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581388)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 912), RCAF Station Jericho Beach, British Columbia, 13 July 1939.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584228)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 954), coded BD-H, in flight, 7 Apr 1949.  This aircraft was flown by No. 166 Squadron from Sep 1943 to Feb 1944.

(Comox Air Force Museum Photo via WO CD Cunningham)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 935), coded XE-C, No. 6 (Bomber Reconnaissance)  Squadron, at RCAF Station Alliford Bay, British Columbia, in 1941.  The unit code of XE-C is underlined indicating a home based squadron. Tragically on 14 Feb 1943, while on a training flight, this Stranraer crashed in Skidegate Channel between Maude and Lina Islands.  P/O DS MacLennan, P/O LG Thompson, P/O FW McConkey, Accounts Officer CT Fields, Sgt JO Gilmour and Cpl JP Spraling were all killed.  Squadron members sent out to investigate the crash site found a lot of debris and a large number dead fish floating all over the area.  From the evidence, investigators concluded that the aircraft's four depth charges had exploded on impact.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3553994)

Canadian Vickers Stranraers under construction, Canadian Vickers Plant.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3651067)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 907), No. 5 (GR) Squadron, Eastern Command.  Flight Lieutenant Leonard Birchall flying Stranraer (Serial No. 907) and his crew, were responsible for the capture of an Italian merchant ship, the Capo Nola, in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, hours after Canada declared war on Italy on 10 June 1940.  Flight Officer Birchall had been tasked with locating any Italian vessels still in Canadian waters as war became imminent.  On 10 June, he located the Capo Nola, which had recently departed from Quebec.  Birchall had been informed of the declaration of war by radio and so made a low pass over the freighter, as if making an attack. This panicked the captain into running his vessel aground against a sandbank. Birchall then touched down nearby and waited until Royal Canadian Navy vessels reached the scene. The Capo Nola's crew were the first Italian prisoners taken by the Allies during the war.

At 16:34 Hrs, 10 September 1939, No. 5 (GR) Squadron was officially at War, and three Stranraer flying boats (Serial Nos. 907, 908 and 909), were in the air on patrol.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3199069)

Groundcrew beaching Supermarine Stranraer flying boat RCAF (Serial No. 908) of No. 5 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF, 18 Dec 1938.

(RCAF Photo via Janel Heintz)

Supermarine Stranraer flying boat RCAF (Serial No. 908) likely with No. 5 (GR) Squadron, RCAF, c1938.

(CFJIC, DND Photo via Don Smith)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer formation, RCAF (Serial No.), coded FY-A, (Serial No. 903), coded FY-D and (Serial No. 915), coded FY-B, No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance), Squadron, Tofino, British Columbia.

(British Columbia Aviation Museum Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 921), No. 13 Operational Training (OT) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columba, ca 1942.   With No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, in 1941.  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.

(RCAF Photo via Joel Rushworth)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 910), No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, after a forced landing, Coal Harbour, British Columba, 1942.  910 was flown directly to No. 5 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, early in 1939.  It was taken on strength at Dartmouth, on 30 May 1939.  it later served with No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron at RCAF Stations Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, British Columbia, from 1939 to c.1942.  It returned to No. 5 (BR) Squadron in 1942.  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.

On 7 Feb 1943, a ferry trip in 910 was flightplanned out from Coal Harbour to Ucluelet to enable the aircraft to undergo a major inspection.  The pilot, Flying Officer Buchanan and his five other crew members, were to do a coast crawl from Coal Harbour to Ucluelet Gouges.  Stranraer 910 had to make a forced landing due to bad weather on 8 Feb 1943 and landed in Malksome Inlet at 09:10 hours. While taxxing in unfamiliar waters, the hull slightly scraped an uncharted rock causing Category C4 damage. The crew spent the night in the aircraft.  This photo may have been taken after 910 returned to RCAF Station Ucluelet the following day.. (Chris Charland)

(RCAF Photo, via Ed Das, CASM)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 910), No. 4 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer Air Gunner L.A.C. Jacques Louis of St. Marie de Beauce, Quebec, manning his Browning Machine Gun in the nose turret position, on Canada's West Coast, 18 July 1942.

RCAF patrol areas on Canada's West coast during the Second World War.

Stranraers were flown out of several air stations set up on the west coast of Vancouver Island and further up the coast of British Columbia and the Queen Charlotte Islands (now known as the Haida Gwaii Islands).  The Stranraers were flown on the west coast of Canada further into the Second World War than the squadrons east coast which switched over to the Catalinas and Cansos because of the higher threat from the German Navy than was being experienced on the west coast from Japan.  The map attached shows the more northern portion of their stations and patrol areas with the northern tip of Vancouver Island just visible at the bottom of the map.  (Victor Penner)

(Michael Gaylard Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 920), Reg. No. CF-BXO, survives in the collection of the RAF Museum, Hendon, London in the UK.  920 was built in 1940, one of the 40 built by Canadian Vickers.  It was initially flown by No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Eastern Air Command, on anti-submarine patrols, as a training aircraft and carrying passengers.  It was flown later by No. 7 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, British Columbia, 1941.  920 was later flown by No. 9 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF Station Bella Bella, British Columbia from 1941 to 1944.  920 suffered Category B damage while with this unit, on 16 September 1943.  To civil register as CF-BXO, to Labrador Mining and Exploration Company of Montreal on 24 May 1944.  To Queen Charlotte Airlines on 28 May 1947, flying from Vancouver along the Pacific coast of British Columbia.  920 was converted to Super Stranraer March 1950, with American Wright GR-1820-G202A engines.  Damaged at Sullivan Bay, British C on 23 February 1952, stored.  To W.K. Slye on 15 December 958, then to Stranraer Aerial Enterprises of Vancouver oolumbia on 28 June 1962.  Purchased by the RAF Museum in 1970, and 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.

(Clemens Vasters Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 920), RAF Museum, Hendon, London in the UK.

(Doug Gent Photo)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, Queen Charlotte Airlines, ca 1952-1955.

Parts of a second Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 915), Reg. NO. CF-BYJ, are owned by the Shearwater Aviation Museum, CFB Shearwater, near Halifax, Nova Scotia.  This aircraft also operated with Queen Charlotte Airlines until it crashed on Christmas Eve 1949 at Belize Inlet, British Columbia. Most of the aircraft was recovered in the 1980s, with the exception of the forward fuselage and cockpit.

Queen Charlotte Airlines owned five Stranraers

CF-BXO, known as “Alaska Queen”, Supermarine Stranraer (Serial No. 920).  Built by Canadian Vickers at its St. Hubert, Montreal, Quebec Plant, using British equipment, and fitted with 810 hp Bristol Pegasus X engines. Sold to PWA and now in the RAF museum, last known survivor of this plane.

CF-BYI, known as “Haida Queen”, Supermarine Stranraer (Serial No. 907).

CF-BYL, known as “Skeena Queen”, Supermarine Stranraer (Serial No. 909).

CF-BYJ, Supermarine Stranraer (Serial No. 915 1947.

CF-BYM, Supermarine Stranraer (Serial No. 949), last Stranraer in service with RCAF until 20 Jan 1946, sold to PWA.  Crashed 1 Oct 1957, into trees and burned taking off from Sovereign Lake, BC killing 4 occupants, plane written off.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3205823)

Canadian Vickers Stranraer, RCAF (Serial No. 909), flying boats of No. 5 (BR) Squadron, RCAF, escorting the SS Empress of Britain carrying HM King George VI and Queen Elizabeth back to England, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 15 June 1939.  No. 5 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron held seven Stranraers, (Serial Nos. 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 913, and 914).

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