The Canadian Aviation Moments were submitted by Dennis Casper from the Roland Groome (Regina) Chapter of the CAHS. Spoiler alert - if you read any further than each question, you will find the answer to the questions directly below. Good luck and have fun!
The Canadian Aviation Moments questions and answers for June are:
Question:
1) What fraction of the RAF Bomber Command squadrons were Allied or Dominion units by January 1943?
2) What percentage of the Bomber Command’s operational aircrew on strength by war’s end was Canadian?
3) How many of the RAF Bomber Command squadrons did the Canadian operational aircrew serve in?
Answer: “Canadian aircrew permeated Bomber Command as they did the RAF in general, for the entire duration of the war. Indeed, by January 1943 nearly one-third of all bomber Command squadrons were designated either Allied or Dominion units and Canadians comprised roughly twenty-five percent of the command’s operational aircrew on strength at war’s end. They served in virtually every RAF squadron, and did so with great distinction.”
Source: NO PROUDER PLACE – Page 47
Question: What was the significance of a Curtis JN-4 biplane landing at Camp Leaside, Ontario, on Tuesday 24 June 1918 about 4:50 pm?
Answer: “About 4:40 pm on Tuesday, 24 June 1918, the drone of an aircraft approaching Camp Leaside, Ontario, heralded the successful completion of an event that celebrates its 50th Anniversary on Monday, 24 June 1968. The aircraft was Number C203, a Curtiss JN-4 biplane, piloted by Captain Brian A. Peck, of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). Also aboard the aircraft was a passenger, Col. C.W. Mathers, who carefully supervised a case of “Old Mill” whiskey and a bag of mail. This mail, of approximately 124 envelopes, destined for Toronto from Montreal, was the first airmail flown in Canada.”
Source: 50 Years Ago, by R.K. Malott, The CAHS Journal, Spring, 1968 – Page14
Question: What planes were the main strength of the Eastern Air Command (10, 11 BR and 5 squadrons) until the latter part of 1940 when Canadian built-produced Bristol Bolingbroke twin-engine bombers became available?
Answer: “The Digbys equipped 10 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, and the Hudsons went to 11(BR) Squadron, both based at the newly completed airfield at RCAF Station Dartmouth. These, together with 5 Squadron’s Stranraers, were Eastern Air Command’s main strength until the latter part of 1940, when Canadian-produced Bristol Bolingbroke twin-engine bombers became available.”
Source: War in the St. Lawrence – Page 27