Canadian Vickers Vedette
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Aircraft manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Vickers (British firm) |
| Founded | 1911 in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada |
| Headquarters | Longueuil , Canada |
Area served | Canada, Chile |
Key people | Wilfrid Thomas Reid (Chief Engineer) |
| Products | Aircraft, including Canadian Vickers Vedette |
| Owner | Vickers (British firm) |
| Parent | Vickers |
Template:Use Canadian English Template:Infobox aircraft The Canadian Vickers Vedette holds the distinction of being the first aircraft conceived and constructed within Canada specifically to satisfy requirements tailored to Canadian environments. This single-engine biplane flying boat was acquired to fulfill the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) need for a smaller, more agile alternative to the Vickers Viking, offering a significantly enhanced climb rate, making it ideal for forestry reconnaissance and wildfire surveillance. The aircraft subsequently enjoyed an extensive and notable service life in Canadian civil aviation. A large portion of Canada's current topographical maps are derived from aerial photographs captured by these planes.
Design and development
Originating from an initial "flying boat" concept drafted in early 1924 by R.K.Pierson of the British Vickers firm, the Canadian Vickers Vedette was designed as a three-seat, single-engine biplane with a pusher propeller arrangement. The design was transferred to the Canadian subsidiary, Canadian Vickers Limited, based in Longueuil, Quebec (established in 1911), where Chief Engineer Wilfrid Thomas Reid supervised the development of all detailed engineering drawings.[1]
The first prototype Vedette I took to the air on 4 November 1924, initially powered by a 200 hp (150 kW) Rolls-Royce Falcon III engine. During testing, it was later equipped with engines such as the 210 hp (160 kW) Wolseley Viper, 200 hp (150 kW) Wright J-4, and 215 hp (160 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Lynx. Multiple variants of the Vedette were developed, including two amphibious models and one featuring an enclosed cabin mounted on an all-metal hull. Aside from engine modifications, most alterations between versions were minor in nature. Distinguishing external features included variations in wingtip floats, fuel tank configurations, and additional external strakes on the aft fuselage. Different models accommodated various powerplants; for example, Mk.IIs were fitted with either the 215 hp (160 kW) Lynx IV, 200 hp (150 kW) Wright J-4, or 220 hp (160 kW) Wright J-5 engines, whereas the Mk.V utilized Lynx IV, Wright J-5, or the more powerful 300 hp (220 kW) Wright J-6.[1]
Operational history
The initial production model was delivered to Fairchild Aerial Surveys (c/n 31 G-CAFF) prior to their development of proprietary survey aircraft. Most units produced were acquired by the RCAF, where the aircraft gained a reputation for being both adaptable and popular, despite some challenges with hull leaks that necessitated frequent upkeep—a common issue among wooden-hulled flying boats. The Vedette effectively carried out photographic and forestry surveillance tasks and served as a fundamental component of RCAF aviation activities throughout the economically constrained interwar period. Beginning a comprehensive coast-to-coast photographic survey, the Vedette helped map vast regions of Canada that had yet to be charted. These operations continued until the onset of the Second World War and were completed post-war using more advanced aircraft. Vedettes deployed on both eastern and western seaboards also performed patrols targeting fishing activities and smuggling, working in collaboration with both the RCAF and Western Canada Airways.
The Vedette played a notable role in several humanitarian missions, while some aviators found it nearly perfect for aerial goose hunting—until an incident occurred where a pilot was struck by a bird. The first Canadian to enter the Caterpillar Club by parachuting from an aircraft did so from an RCAF Vedette "ZF" on 17 May 1929. Pilot C.S. (Jack) Caldwell was conducting test flights at the Canadian Vickers plant when engine failure led to an unrecoverable spin, prompting him to successfully bail out over the St. Lawrence River.
The RCAF procured the Wright J-4 powered Vedette I (G-CYFS) in 1925, followed by 18 Vedette IIs starting in 1926. All these models were retired before the beginning of the Second World War. Between 1929 and 1930, 13 Vedette V aircraft with increased gross weight were delivered, along with 11 equipped with Handley Page wing slots, designated as Vedette Va. The sole Vedette VI featured a metal hull and initially included an enclosed cockpit, which was later removed. One Vedette V was refurbished and converted into the unique Vam variant by the factory, receiving a new metal hull and serial number—the final one assigned to a Vedette—while retaining its original RCAF call sign "ZD." Plans for further Mk V conversions with metal hulls were abandoned. Seven Vedette Va flying boats and the Mk VI remained operational long enough to serve during wartime with No 4(BR) Squadron and the Seaplane and Bomber Reconnaissance Training School (later No 13 OT Sqn) at RCAF Station Jericho Beach, near Vancouver, BC, until May 1941.
Six Wright J-5 powered Vedette V amphibians were exported to Chile, where they operated from Puerto Montt, situated on a Pacific coast inlet, as part of Escuadrilla de Anfibios N° 1 (later renamed Grupo de Aviación N° 5). These aircraft established an early air route between Puerto Montt and the capital city Santiago, approximately 569 mi (916 km) along the coastline. At least one Vedette—and potentially all six—was lost due to hurricane-strength winds that also resulted in two fatalities when one aircraft capsized on water.
Former RCAF Vedettes were extensively utilized by the provincial governments of Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan for forest fire detection missions across their densely forested regions.
Operators
- Canada
- Royal Canadian Air Force (operated 45 units)
- Fairchild Aerial Surveys (operated 1 unit)
- Manitoba Government Air Service (operated 7 units)
- Ontario Provincial Air Service (operated 2 units)
- Government of Saskatchewan (operated 5 units)
- Western Canada Airways Ltd. (operated 1 unit)
- Canadian Airways (operated 1 unit)
- Chile
- Chilean Air Force
- Escuadrilla de Anfibios N° 1 (operated 6 units)
Variants
- Vedette I
- Initial prototype (c/n 9) evaluated with multiple engines including the Rolls-Royce Falcon III, Wolseley Viper, Wright J-4, and Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV.
- Vedette II
- Standard production model featuring Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV, Wright J-4, or Wright J-5 engines, along with a redesigned rudder and other subtle modifications from the prototype.
- Vedette III & IV
- Never constructed; these versions were potentially designed as enclosed cabin transports accommodating a pilot ahead of two passengers.
- Vedette V
- Enhanced amphibious model equipped with Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV, Wright J-5, or Wright J-6 engines, with most Canadian units lacking landing gear.
- Vedette Va
- A modification of the Mk.V incorporating leading edge slats developed by Handley-Page.
- Vedette Vam
- A single Mk.V airframe (c/n 123/170) refurbished to feature a metal hull.
- Vedette VI
- One-off variant (c/n 163) fitted with a metal hull, powered by Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV or Wright J-6 engines, and equipped with Handley-Page leading edge slats.
- Vassal I
- A proposed but unbuilt variant that would have utilized wings with the Clark Y airfoil profile.
Survivors
No original Vickers Vedette aircraft remain intact today; however, two replicas are exhibited within Canadian museums.
The first replica of the Vedette V (registration CF-MAG) is housed at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Unveiled on 24 May 2002, this reconstruction was based on templates derived from remnants of three separate Vedette wrecks. These fragments provided crucial data for blueprint creation by a volunteer from WCAM who had prior experience as a junior draftsman at Canadian Vickers. The project involved over 100 volunteers across 22 years and was built adhering to airworthiness standards from the 1920s. Although constructed to these specifications, it has not been certified for flight and there are no intentions to operate it airborne. While three wrecks contributed information, the majority of data originated from CF-MAG itself, which influenced the decision to retain its former registration number.
The original CF-MAG was manufactured in 1929 and remained in storage until it was acquired by the Manitoba Government in 1934 alongside five ex-RCAF Vedettes for $1 each to support forest fire surveillance missions. In 1937, CF-AMG suffered engine failure en route to Cormorant Lake, Manitoba. After making an emergency landing in a swampy area, the pilot walked out to seek rescue. A recovery attempt occurred a week later but the swamp's limited size prevented takeoff. Following salvaging of usable components, the aircraft was deliberately destroyed by fire.
Another wreckage recovered was G-CASW, which had crashed on a mountain on Porcher Island, British Columbia during a forest fire patrol mission. This wreck also contributed to WCAM’s design and blueprint efforts. Additionally, parts from a third Vedette were loaned to the museum by the National Aeronautical Museum in Ottawa.
The second replica is displayed at the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum. In 2003, this museum acquired part of an original hull preserved in its found condition as an exhibit artifact. Utilizing plans provided by the Western Canada Aviation Museum, volunteers from the Vintage Aircraft Restorers group undertook construction work culminating in completion by 2017. In recognition of their efforts, the VAR Vedette Project received a Ninety-Nines Canadian Award in Aviation in 2014.
Specifications (Mk II, Lynx IV engine)
See also
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References
Further reading
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External links
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- Video footage of the Vickers Vedette operating in British Columbia
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- Single-engined pusher aircraft
- Flying boats
- Single-engined piston aircraft
- Canadian Vickers aircraft
- 1920s Canadian civil aircraft
- Biplanes
- Aircraft first flown in 1924