Aviaeology from Canada has released an interesting selection of decals for RCAF aircraft of WWII over the last year or two.

They have now branched out into print publication.

Aviaeology's new title is "Candian Aircraft of WWII", the first in their Avia Dossier series. The author is Canadian researcher Carl Vincent, while aircraft colour profiles and maps are provided by Terry Higgins, who is also the Executive Editor.

The book is 80 pages, presented between soft covers in landscape format.

Not surprisingly, the focus of this title is Canadian aircraft of the Second World War. The book is presented as a series of independent essays, each with historical and/or operational information, wartime photos and attractive colour profiles.

 

 

I like the fact that there is such a wide selection of aircraft here, from the popular to the esoteric. We have home-grown Canadian products, plus examples of British and American aircraft in Canadian service. The range of colours and markings are as eclectic (and as thoroughly described) as the aircraft subjects themselves.

The essays have clearly been lovingly researched, with much of the history being published for the first time. The text is engaging and informative.

Terry Higgins' artwork is very attractive indeed. Many of the profile subjects are treated to two-side views. The wartime photos are relevant, high quality and feature detailed captions.

Specifically, following aircraft are covered:

DeHavilland DH.83 Fox Moth (with 2 profiles & 5 photos)

• Serial 4094 Newfoundland civil registration VO-ADE. Operated by the station flight at RCAF Station Gander from the spring of 1941 until at least early 1945.

Consolidated Catalina I (with 2 profiles & 5 photos)

• Serial Z2138 as ZD•D of 116 (BR) Sqn., Eastern Air Command, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, September 1941.
• Serial Z2138 as aircraft D of 116 (BR) Sqn., Eastern Air Command, Botwood, Newfoundland, April 1943.

North American Mustang I (with 3 profiles & 6 photos )

• Serial AL971 as SP•S of 400 Sqn., RCAF Overseas, during the Dieppe operation of 1942.
• Serial AL971 as S of 400 Sqn., RCAF Overseas, Dunsfold, May 1943.

Fleet Fort (with 2 profiles & 2 photos)

• Serial 3609, No.2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta, circa 1942 - 1943.

Short Sunderland III (with 2 profiles & 5 photos)

• Serial EK591 as 2•U of 422 Sqn., RCAF Overseas, Castle Archdale, circa early to mid 1944.

Hawker (Canadian Car & Foundry built) Hurricane XII (with 2 profiles & 2 photos)

• Serial 5495 as aircraft S of 125 (F) Sqn., Eastern Air Command, Torbay, Newfoundland, January to June 1943.

Bristol Bolingbroke IV (with 3 profiles & 5 photos

• Serial 9066 as DM•T of 119 (BR) Sqn., Eastern Air Command, Sydney, Nova Scotia, late 1941 - early 1942.
• Serial 9066 as SZ•K of 147 (BR) Sqn., Western Air Command, Sea Island, British Columbia, July 11, 1942.
• Serial 9066, Western Air Command, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, August 18, 1943.

Northrop Delta (with 4 profiles & 5 photos)

• Mk.III (as landplane), Serial 690, the former MX•J of 120 (BR) Sqn., Western Air Command, November 1941.
• Mk.II (as seaplane), Serial 675 as MX•B of 120 (BR) Sqn., Western Air Command, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, circa early 1941.
• Mk.III (as seaplane), Serial 689 as MX•H of 120 (BR) Sqn., Western Air Command, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, early 1941.
• Mk.III (as landplane), Serial 685 as AN•P of 13 (OT) Sqn., Western Air Command, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, mid to late 1941.

Douglas Boston III & IIIA (with 2 profiles & 3 photos)

• Mk.III (with early Intruder configuration), Serial W8268 as TH•O of 418 Sqn., RCAF, Debden, Ford and Bradwell Bay, March-May 1942.
• Mk.IIIA (with later Intruder configuration), Serial AL468 as TH•O of 418 Sqn., RCAF, Bradwell Bay, December 1942 - June 1943.

Consolidated Liberator GR.V(Can) (with 1 profile & 4 photos)

• Serial 595 as aircraft X of 10 (BR) Sqn., Eastern Air Command, Gander, Newfoundland, January 1944.

Supermarine Stranraer (with 1 profile & 2 photos)

• Serial 916 as KA•A of 9 (BR) Sqn, Western Air Command, Bella Bella, British Columbia, summer 1942.

Bristol Bolingbroke IVW (with 2 profiles & 3 photos)
• Serial 9023 as DM•E of 119 (BR) Sqn, Eastern Air Command, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, September-October 1941.

Blackburn Shark II & Shark IITT (with 2 profiles & 2 photos)

• Serial 504 as XE•C of 6 (BR) Sqn, Western Air Command, Sea Island, British Columbia, February-March, 1940.
• Serial 504 (converted to Target Tug version) as AG-D of 122 (K) Sqn, Western Air Command, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, through 1942.

Supermarine Spitfire FR.IX & Spitfire FR.XIV (with 1 profile ea. & 2 photos)

• FR.IX, Serial MJ351 as aircraft S of 414 Sqn., RCAF, 2nd Tactical Air Force airfield B.90 (Petit Brogel, Belgium) March, 1945.
• FR.XIVE, Serial FR.XIVE MV348 as aircraft S of 414 Sqn., RCAF, 2nd Tactical Air Force airfield B.154 (Soltau, Germany), 28 April - 6 May, 1945.

Bristol Beaufighter TF.X (with 5 profiles & 10 photos)

• Serial LZ451 as 2•M of 404 Sqn., RCAF, RAF Coastal Command, Davidstow Moor, circa late June 1944.
• Serial LZ451 as EE•M of 404 Sqn., RCAF, RAF Coastal Command, Strubby, July -September 1944.
• Serial LZ451 as EE•M of 404 Sqn., RCAF, RAF Coastal Command, Banff, Scotland, October 1944.
• Serial NE339 as EO•U of 404 Sqn., RCAF, RAF Coastal Command, Dallachy, circa January-March 1945.

Westland Lysander IIIA TT (with 2 profiles & 2 photos)

• Serial 1579 (constructed as V9521) as aircraft 15 of No.3 Bombing and Gunnery School, BCATP, MacDonald, Manitoba, circa 1943/44.

Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk.IV (with 2 profiles & 2 photos)

• Serial 877 as aircraft T of 132 (F) Sqn., Western Air Command, Tofino, British Columbia circa early 1944.
• Serial 877 as aircraft PV of 5 Operational Training Unit, Boundary Bay, British Columbia, late 1944.

Lockheed Hudson I (with 4 profiles & 5 photos)

• Serial N7347 (later reserialed 762), Rockcliffe, Ontario, September 1939.
• Serial 762 as OY•D of 11 (BR) Sqn., Eastern Air Command, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, spring 1940 (no turret).
• Serial 762 as OY•D of 11 (BR) Sqn., Eastern Air Command, Torbay, Newfoundland, 22 February 1942 (turret installed).
• Serial 762 as EA•D of 145 (BR) Sqn., Eastern Air Command, Torbay, Newfoundland, 1 October 1942.

Stocky Edwards’ Spitfire XVIE & Focke Wulf Fw190F-8 (with 1 profile ea. & 3 photos)

• Serial TD147 as JF•E of 127 (Fighter) Wing RCAF (commander’s aircraft), 2nd Tactical Air Force base B.154 (Schneverdingen - Soltau) Spring / Summer, 1945.
• Wk.Nr 933849, 127 Wing RCAF, Soltau, Germany, May/June 1945.

 

 

C o n c l u s i o n

 

Aviaeology has successfully sifted some fascinating subjects for the pictorial essays and narratives in their debut publication.

"Canadian Aircraft of WWII" is produced to a very high standard. It will be a source of information and inspiration to modellers and armchair historians alike, especially those with an interest in Canadian and Commonwealth aircraft.

Thanks to Aviaeology for the review sample.