Flying the Fleet Finch

[Fleet16b]

To start off this thread, here are a few short films of my 1940 Fleet Finch in action
Hope you'll enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XBx5mbl ... ture=share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgqrFNWVZsI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh50Pg9L ... re=related

[Jeff H]

Hey, I know that airplane and many of the others in the videos.

Looking forward to hearing more from you on this Cam.

Jeff

[Fleet16b]

Some background on the aircraft.

Type : Fleet Finch 16b
Year: 1940
S/N : 397
RCAF#: 4494
Built by: Fleet Aircraft Company , Ft Erie Ontario Canada
Engine: Kinner R-55 (160HP)
Role : Primary Trainer.

The Fleet Finch 16b( 125hp) and 16r (160 hp) aircraft were designed exclusively as a primary trainer for the RCAF
Sources state that 437 16b's and 20 16r's were built
At the beginning of WW2, the Finch was the main RCAF primary trainer but by 1944 most had been phased out as
the DH 82c Tigermoth became more available.
My particular Finch was built in 1940 and spent all its life at #4 Elemenatry Flying Training School located in Widsor Mills Quebec which was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan(BCATP)
By 1944 she and most of the Finches in RCAF inventory were sold to Charlie Babb and Company ( US aircraft broker at the time)
Many of the Finches ended up in Mexico as a basis for their Air Force and as crop dusters etc.
By the 1970's Fleet biplanes were becoming popular and mine was purchased and ended up in Texas.
It was then imported to Canada by Robert Ratcliffe who restored the aircraft to somewhat RCAF standards(1989).
Eventually the aircraft ended up in Harrisburgh Pen. , where I purchased her and re-imported her to Canada(2003).
Once home, I spent a large amount of time putting the aircraft back to RCAF configuration as accurately as possible. This I am still doing as original items are found. One thing that we did do was install the Kinner 160 hp engine. This unofficially makes her a 16r version. The bigger engine makes for a bit better flying aircraft than the 125 hp version. Much faster and better climb
This aircraft and one other in Canada are the two most original and accurate examples of the Fleet Finch in the world . Even more accurate than the example in Canadas National Aviation Museum.

My whole life has been spent dreaming about owning a Fleet Finch ( also a Spitfire but I am still saving $$ towards that)
Dad flew them as an instructor during WW2 so he is to blame for the aviation obsession.
They are a great aircaft , very enjoyable to fly and very forgiving.
Mine cruises around 90 mph and burns 9 gph. Not fast but a lot of fun.
Since owning her, I have spent many enjoyable hours attending airshows, Fly Ins and other aviation events where she always draws a crowd of admiring people.

More adventures to come

[frostyupnorth]

Hello Fleet16b, I read your post with great interest. I have a copy of the logbook of a Canadian Spitfire pilot from Sault Ste. Marie ON. His name is Web Harten and he was best friend of my wife's father. Web started flying at Windsor Mills on July 16 1941 with a Sgt Dyke. I see two entries where Web flew 4494 in Aug of 41. He had other instructors by the name of Dawe, Cockle,Forbell,Garner and F/L Ledoux.
Web went on to a tour with 421 Squadron in 42-43 and flew with Buck McNair and Johnnie Johnson as part of 127 wing. He was acting squadron leader when his tour ended. He had 3.5 109's to his credit. He returned to combat with 416 after D-day and got two 190's in succession in March 45. Tragically he was lost to flak while train straffing on April 19 just weeks before war's end. Via the internet I was able to learn the history of RR256 in which he perished and eventually spoke to another Canadian who was with him on the last flight. Sadly my father in law passed away before I learned the details of Web's death. I hope you enjoy flying in such an historic aircraft and perhaps we'll cross paths one day. Best Regards, Bill

[Fleet16b]

Bill
Thanks for the reply and your story about Web Harten.
Since I have owned the Fleet in 2003, I have met four different people that had fathers
or grandfathers that actually flew 4494 In fact one of them actually did their solo in her.
It amazes me every time this happens.
Some had the original logbook entries and we nice enough to scan me copies.
I will have to look at them but Sgt Dyke seems familiar.
My Finch is based at Guelph Ontario.
If you are ever down my way , look me up on WIX if you would like to meet her

Cam

[Jeff H]

Here are a few pics of Cam flying his Finch.

















Cheers,

Jeff

[Dave Hadfield]

A sweetheart of an airplane, for sure. Wonderful ground handling if on grass, and the most gentle, reliable stall of any airplane I've ever flown. Mind you I only have a fraction of Cam's time on it.

Last year Hebb Russell flew the VWoC Finch on the Yellow Wings tour of S. Ontario. It is one that his Dad flew as an Instructor during WWII. At various times his brothers and other family members would meet us, and go for a ride. It was wonderful to see that clan of aviators experience their Dad or Grandad's exact airplane, flown by a son.



Taxying out in Sarnia, viewed from a Fairchild.



Biggest gathering of Fleet-built aircraft in decades, last year at Welland, Ontario.

Dave

[Fleet16b]

Why we do what we do !

Yesterday I took 90yr old Albert John Chandler( Bert) for a flight in the Finch for his birthday. Bert joined the RAF in England and eventually trained as a Navigator here in Canada. Going back to England he flew missions on Wellington bombers for most of the war. This was his first flight in a wartime aircraft since WW2. His daughter tried to pay for the gas but I told her her Dad had already covered the cost. She said 'he did' looking at me kind of puzzled. I said "Yes , he paid me 70 yrs ago."

[DH82EH]

Awesome post Cam!
It really is a treat and an honur to be able to repay a veteran like that.
I was glad to see this thread pop back up to the front page, I'm sure the chance will arise next season to photograph your Finch with my Tiger Moth!

Andy Scott

[Fleet16b]

Now that winter is upon us up here in Canada , time to work on a few projects that will make the Fleet even more original.
Some of the aircraft used by the RCAF for training in the BCATP had a small plexiglass window on the port side of the fuselage near the cockpit(Fleet Finch , Tigermoth, Cornell). Behind this window was a mail slot where a daily "Aircraft Status report was filed signing out the aircraft as serviceable . If the aircraft was down for snags , maint , . etc there would be no report. The mailbox interior was painted red and the word UNSERVICEABLE was also painted there.
This piece of RCAF equipment is long gone on most of the surviving aircraft but fortunately I was able to borrow one and have created three examples. Also obtained an original snag sheet which I am now able to create copies of.
The photo attached show a picture of two pilots with a Fleet Finch and the small window can be see on the fuselage below them . The rest of the pics show an original and the my copies that I made from scratch.
The last pic shows the original (yellow ) with the new units.


Actors Jimmy Cagney and Dennis Morgan in a Fleet Finch - from the movie "Captains of the Clouds
The small window can be seen below them on the fuselage


Original Front view



Original rear view or cockpit side

[rcaf_100]

That's awesome Cam! Every little bit helps.

Even Yales were fitted with the serviceable/unserviceable window on the baggage door, as seen here with the same two actors
(you might even like the aircraft in the background too...)

[Fleet16b]

Shane
Thanks for posting the Yale shot from the movie
I have never seen that one before.
If you look at the Gosport tube system hanging around Dennis Morgans neck you can see the rubber mouth piece at the end . I have a rare original and have made a mould. My next project will be to re-install the Gosport system in the Finch
And yes, a very awesome background .. . LOL

[John330]

Hey,that might be one of my Yales!

[Fleet16b]

The next challenge was to try and locate an original RCAF Aircraft Sign Out Sheet
Considering they have not been used in over 70 yrs I was not to optimistic about finding one.
However , thru contacts , I was able to locate a faded photocopy of an original.
I took this to a local Print Shop and they were able to enhance it and recreate it perfectly

Recreated original RCAF Aircraft Sign Out Sheet


Document folded and placed in document window.


All thats left now is to install the document window and box o the aircraft but that will have to wait till warmer months ( no hanger heat)

[Fleet16b]

Well spring has arrived here in Canada and that means the long hibernation for the Finch is over
Have had 5 flights in the past two weeks
Last weekend well known Aviation Photographer Eric Dumigan and his Dad dropped by with their cameras
Hope you enjoy the pics
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 572&type=1