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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Fleet 16B Finch II

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Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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Fleet 16B Finch II

Fleet 16B Finch II

Highlights:

  • A two-seater, training biplane designed by the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation of Buffalo, New York and produced from 1928 to 1941
  • Over 400 Finches were built by Fleet Aircraft Limited of Fort Erie, Ontario between 1939 and 1941
  • A derivative of the Fleet 10, the Finch was designed specifically as an RCAF trainer
  • Used in Elementary Flying Training Schools as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
  • Entered service with open cockpits; a sliding canopy was added to accommodate Canadian winters
  • From 1943, RCAF biplane trainers, like Finches, were gradually replaced by monoplane trainers
  • Postwar, surplus Finches were popular for instruction and private flying
  • First flight was in 1928 (Consolidated M.14)

Image Gallery:

CASM-15831

CASM-15831

CASM-14694

CASM-14694

History:

Fleet trainers were made in Canada from 1930 to 1941 in models 2, 7, 10, and 16 for the RCAF and civil operators, and were exported to nine countries. The models differed in their engines and in the minor changes made to the undercarriage and control surfaces. The model 16 was designed especially for primary pilot training in the RCAF. From 1943 on, the Finch was gradually replaced by the Fairchild Cornell. After the war, many were sold as war surplus for civilian use and a few are still flying in the 1990s.

The Finch served in 12 elementary flying training schools in Canada. Like the Tiger Moth, the Finch was equipped for Canadian winter operations with a sliding canopy over the two cockpits.

Current Location:

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Exhibition, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Transfer from the Royal Canadian Air Force

This Finch was manufactured by Fleet Aircraft Limited in Fort Erie, Ontario in July 1940. It was taken on strength by the RCAF and used at Elementary Flying Training Schools in London, Ontario and Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec. Put in long-term storage in St-Jean, Quebec in 1943, it was passed to the War Assets Commission in 1945, sold in 1947 to two private American owners, and given the civilian registration NC1327V in New York.

The Finch returned to Canada in 1964, when it was purchased by Dr. D.A. McLean of Toronto and restored in its original RCAF markings by No. 400 Reserve Squadron at Downsview Airport. In June 1966, after restoration, McLean donated the aircraft to the RCAF's historic aircraft collection. The Finch was flown to Ottawa in September and then transferred to the Museum. As part of the Museum's collection, it was flown on Air Force Day in 1967 and displayed at Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition in 1970.

This Finch was missing a cockpit enclosure until one was donated in 1976 by Clifford Glenister of Toronto.

Technical Information:

Wing Span 8.5 m (28 ft)
Length 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in)
Height 2.4 m (7 ft 9 in)
Weight, Empty 509 kg (1,122 lb)
Weight, Gross 907 kg (2,000 lb)
Cruising Speed 137 km/h (85 mph)
Max Speed 167 km/h (104 mph)
Rate of Climb 305 m (1,000 ft) / 2.3 min
Service Ceiling 3,200 m (10,500 ft)
Range 483 km (300 mi)
Power Plant one Kinner B-5, 125 hp, radial engine

Fleet 16B Finch II plan

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1967.0662
Manufacturer
Fleet Aircraft Ltd.
Manufacturer Location
Canada
Manufacture Date
1940
Acquisition Date
1966
Registration Number
4510 (RCAF)
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy