Warbird Information Exchange

The Fleet 21K is a rarity, and i believe the only example still existing from 11 built.
The following is taken from the CWH website.
Fleet Aircraft Company built eleven Consolidated Model 21 aeroplanes for its parent company, Consolidated, in 1936 and 1937. Ten of these were exported to Mexico as basic trainers for the Mexican Air Force. The eleventh was produced in 1937 as a demonstrator for Fleet, which tried to interest the RCAF in this large biplane. Unfortunately, the days of the biplane were already numbered, and monoplanes were emerging from the world's aircraft factories in greater quantities.

This aircraft was used by Fleet's chief test pilot, the famous Tommy Williams, to test the parachutes made by Irvin Industries Canada (Fort Erie, Ontario) for the RCAF. Williams simply threw dummies out of the aeroplane. When the 21K became surplus to Fleet's requirements, Williams bought it and continued to fly it as a private aircraft. He did not give up his pilot's license until he was the age of 82.

The Museum obtained the Fleet 21K from Falls Aviation Ltd., who had returned the aeroplane to its original two-seater configuration. It had originally been built as a Model 21M with a Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. engine, but has been converted to a Model K with the Jacobs L-6MB engine.

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Mike

Ah yes, There we were, left engine on fire, right engine feathered...ahh yes,...there we were, ..Screwed! No Kissing!

It appears that the CWH bird isn't the sole surviving Fleet 21 as the Reynolds Museum has an ex-Mexican Fleet 21 project in storage. They also have a Consolidated Model 21 project as well. But such a cool biplane...DLC looks better then ever after its recent makeover.

Jim

I believe Saturday's issue was a mag, and Sunday (after 2 or 3 flights) was a prop mechanical. That's what I was told. Great day Sunday until the Canso's brake problem and the Lanc went down with mechanicals. Took the Dakota flight, will post photos tonight.

Rich

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Rich Kolasa
www.crystalgraphix.com

A few pictures taken on Saturday.

First few of my pics are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/airjiml2/s ... 328656040/

Jim

Somebody'd better hide that Lysander before the label police find it...

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real airplanes have round engines

We had fun meeting up with everyone on Sunday. Weather was great but a shame some of the birds went U/S. It was great to see the CWH and HAG Daks flying together.

Our photos are here
http://www.airic.ca/html/2010cwhflyfest.html

Hey Rich, you are in this photo somewhere


Cheers,

Eric

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

Should have put up a WIX tent so everyone could have met. LOL
I was there all day Saturday and there until about 12:30 Sunday.
Flew in the B-25 Sunday morning.

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Mike

Ah yes, There we were, left engine on fire, right engine feathered...ahh yes,...there we were, ..Screwed! No Kissing!

Woo hoo! I look good, that's a flattering photo!
I'm in the third window forward of the door, Parr's in the second one from the door.

Here's some of my shots...


















Rich

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Rich Kolasa
www.crystalgraphix.com

Best shot I got of you all weekend

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

Thanks for all the photo's. What happen to the PBY on the roll out??

The guys with the flashing lights nearly caught up with them. Cats, eh? Just not fast enough.

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Brake problems is what we were told in the DC-3 while we waited for take-off.

Rich

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Rich Kolasa
www.crystalgraphix.com