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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 August are:

Question: What does the Finnish Phrase (Pelti Heikki) mean in English and which British Bomber is it a nickname for?

Answer: “The FAF bomber force was a tactical airforce serving as ground support against gun emplacements and troop concentrations. It did make several attacks on Soviet bases in Estonia to boost civilian morale and to show the Soviets that it could be done. The Blenheim was known as the TIN HENRY's (Pelti Heikki) to their crews. According to Professor Aho, Finnish pilots had only a 1300 to 2200 US lb load capability depending on the bomb racks being used and true operational 240 mph speed at sea level increasing to 270 mph at 4000 meters. Couple that with light armament, armor and a nasty habit of bursting into flame it is no surprise that missions were flown primarily at dawn and dusk. Supplies of aircraft trickled into Finland but never enough to tip the scales.”

Source: www.virtualpilots.fi/hist/WW2History-KaukoAhoProfile.html#heikki

 



 

Question: Which bomber, classified as heavy in 1939, became known, along with a number of other names, as the Ferocious Frying Pan?

Answer: “The Handley-Page Hampden – also known as the “Hamp,” “Hambone,” “Ferocious Frying Pan” and the “Flying Suitcase” – was one of three British types considered in 1939 to be “heavy” bombers, the others being the Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley and the Vickers Wellington. The Hampden’s career as a bomber lasted until September 1942, as a torpedo-bomber to November 1943, and as a meteorological reconnaissance machine to the end of 1943. For much of its history it had links with Canada through limited production runs here as well as by Canadians serving in RAF and RCAF units that flew the type.”

Source: Canada and The ?, by Hugh A. Halliday, CAHS Journal, Spring 1998, Page 100

 


Question: What airliner was the Lockheed Aircraft’s two engine bomber (The Hudson) derived from?

Answer: “The American manufacturer had developed the type from its successful fourteen-passenger “Super Electra” airliner for the British Air Ministry, which in 1938 turned to U.S. firms to supplement Britain’s overburdened aircraft industry. The Hudson, with a 19.8-metre wingspan and loaded weight of 6500 kilograms,, was smaller than the Digby, but, with a cruising speed of 350 kilometres per hour was considerably faster. It could also patrol to a distance of about 650 kilometres, although, because of its higher speed it had less endurance, about six hours compared to ten hours or more for the Digby. All Hudson production was tied up by British and Australian orders, but the British agreed to release ten of their Hudsons to Canada.”

Source: War In The St. Lawrence – Page 27