Aeroplane Monthly 1986-12
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Personal album
Harvard 2585 was on RCAF charge from October 1940 to October 1960, when it was disposed of to the Crown Assets Disposals Corporation.
Fairey Battle RCAF 1792, previously R4048, was taken on RCAF charge in January 1941 and converted to a target tug in April 1942. It was struck off RCAF charge in June 1946.
Fairey Battles began arriving in Canada as part of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan in August 1939. A total of 739 Battles served with the RCAF as target tugs, dual control or gunnery trainers. Battle RCAF 1684 (previously L5181 with the RAF) was taken on charge in June 1940. A turret was installed in September 1943 and 1684 was struck off RCAF charge in March 1945.
Lysander II RCAF 460 was taken on charge in January 1941 and became the target tug prototype. It was struck off charge at Gander in September 1946. The first Canadian-built Lysander, RCAF 416, was first flown on August 16, 1939 and the first Lysander IIs were delivered later that year. A British order for 150 Lysander IIIAs was taken over by the RCAF and they were completed as target tugs. Canadian-built IIIAs can be identified by way of the extended exhaust tail pipe fitted with intensifier tube for cabin heating. The first Lysander IIIA TT, RCAF 2305, was first flown in December 1941.
Line-up of Lysander IIIA TTs of 1 Bombing & Gunnery School, based at Jarvis, Ontario. Aircraft RCAF 2312 was taken on charge in March 1942, as was the next Lysander in the line, RCAF 2314. Both remained in RCAF service until May 1946. After the war Canadian Lizzies were sold off for C$250 apiece.
Cessna Crane RCAF 7764 was taken on charge in June 1941 and served with 15 SFTS. It was struck off charge in March 1945.
D.H.90 Dragonfly 7623 was one of six in service with the RCAF during the war. Previously CF-BFF, this aircraft was taken on charge in July 1940. It received minor damage at Toronto in May 1942 and was struck off charge in January 1943.