| FLEET FAWN and FLEET
FINCH - As a subsidiary of Consolidated Aircraft Corp set up in
1928, Fleet Aircraft Inc had factories at Buffalo, NY, and across
the border at Fort Erie in Ontario. The Canadian company produced
a series of single-engined two-seat training aircraft, based on US
designs but including some variants adapted specifically to RCAF needs.
The latter purchased 20 Fleet Model 7B (with 125 hp Kinner B-5 engine)
and 31 Model 7C (with 140 hp Armstrong Siddeley Civet I engine), known
respectively as Fawn I and Fawn II in service. Many remained as station
'hacks' into wartime. The improved Model 16 was designed to meet RCAF
requirements for an aerobatic trainer, and 27 were delivered in the
closing months of 1939, with 160 hp Kinner R-5 engines. Known as Finch
I, they were followed by 404 of the Finch II version, first flown
on March 12, 1940, and powered by the 125 hp Kinner B-5. Finches were
used to equip, wholly or partly, 12 Elementary Flying Training Schools
within the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan until 1942, and
many continued on miscellaneous duties until after war ended. Data
for Finch II: Max speed, 104 mph (167 kmlh). Gross weight, 2,000 Ib
(908 kg). Span, 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m). Length, 21 ft 8 in (6.6 m). |
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