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.
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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.
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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After the outbreak of the Second World War, Vancouvers served with 4 Squadron, RCAF at Jericho Beach Air Station until withdrawn from service in 1940. After a brief period of service in training duties, they were finally withdrawn and struck off in 1940.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.
Variants
- Vancouver I - prototype with Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV engines, one built.
- Vancouver II - production transport version with Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IVC engines, five built.
- Vancouver II/SW - armed coastal patrol reconnaissance aircraft with Wright Whirlwind J-6 engines, one conversion from Vancouver II.
Operator
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- No. 4 Squadron RCAF
Specifications (Vancouver IIS)
Data from RCAF.com
General characteristics
- Crew: two (nine in military Vancouvers)
- Capacity: 7 pax
- Length: 38 ft 3 in (11.66 m)
- Wingspan: 55 ft 0 in (16.76 m)
- Height: 15 ft 7 in (4.75 m)
- Wing area: 818.9 sq ft (76.08 m2)
- Empty weight: 5,966 lb (2,706 kg)
- Gross weight: 10,009 lb (4,540 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Armstrong-Siddeley Serval IV 10-cyl. double-row, air-cooled radial piston engine, 310 hp (230 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 82 kn; 94 mph (151 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 75 kn; 86 mph (138 km/h)
- Service ceiling: 4,800 ft (1,463 m)
Armament
- Guns: 3 x 0.303-in (7.7-mm) Lewis Guns (military Vancouvers only)
- Bombs: 1,000lb (450 kg) of bombs (military Vancouvers only)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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