Membership

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 February are:

Question: Which aircraft type was introduced to the RAF Bomber command in 1941 that proved to be a delightful, unexpected bonus? Hint: One of it’s nicknames was Freeman’s Folly.

Answer: “One aircraft type introduced to Bomber Command in 1941 that proved to be a delightful, unexpected bonus was the de Havilland Mosquito.” “Built largely of non-strategic materials such as plywood, and powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlins, the “Wooden Wonder” or “Freeman’s Folly” excelled in these roles” (speed bombing and fast photographic reconnaissance) “and also in night fighting and intruding.” ” Making its operational debut in early 1942, this marvelous aircraft could eventually carry a 4000-pound bomb over a range of 1750 miles, or a greater weapons weight for shorter hauls. It could also cruise at 315 mph at 30,000 feet and attain an astonishing top speed of 425 mph at that altitude.” “Over 1100 of the aircraft were built under license during the war by de Havilland Canada at the Downsview plant in Toronto.”

Source: NO PROUDER PLACE – Page 42

Question: What was a side benefit of the RFC Training Plan even though the Canadian Government was a reluctant participant in it?

Answer: “While the Canadian government was a reluctant participant in the training scheme, its passive participation resulted in so many Canadians mastering the art of flying that it was Canadians and not Americans who mapped and pioneered the North American arctic, thereby ensuring that this vast territory would fly the Maple Leaf rather than the Stars and Stripes.”

Source: Dancing in the Sky - Page 12

Question: How many RAF Bomber Command aircraft were lost on night operations between the commencement of hostilities in September and the start of the Norwegian campaign in April 1940, and not all of these were a result of enemy action?

Answer: “While the anti-aircraft artillery (flak) was occasionally categorized as heavy, it was not particularly effective. In fact, only fourteen Bomber Command aircraft were lost on night operations between the commencement of hostilities in September and the start of the Norwegian campaign in April 1940, and not all of these were a result of enemy action.”

Source: NO PROUDER PLACE – Page 27