WIX Archives
Re: Clarification Please...
Posted by Tony Broadhurst on Sat Aug 30, 2003 07:49:34 AM
In reply top Clarification Please... posted by Mike Henniger on Fri Aug 29, 2003 11:24:52 PM
: Thanks for the pictures Eric!
:
: This question is for Tony, Eric, or whoever...
:
: C-GCWC has "10835" marked on the fuselage. My own notes i
: ndicate; "10694 is marked with the name 'Spirit of Fleet I
: I' in memory of the 1000th PT-26 build by Fleet in Fort Er
: ie which at the time was named 'Spririt of Fleet'."
:
: Does that mean that 10694 is actually 10694 marked as 1083
: 5 the original 'Spirit of Fleet'? ...or... Is 10694 incor
: rect as an ID? Just trying to make sure I have my I's dot
: ted and T's crossed.
:
: Mike
Mike,
As I understand it, the Cornell we know of as C-GCWC was rebuilt using parts of RCAF 10694. C-GCWC has been painted to represent RCAF 10835, "Spirit of Fleet". Perhaps someone who reads this post may be in a position to add more details.
As always I cannot be sure how much of 10694 was used in the rebuild. Sometime, probably in the late 40's RCAF 10694 had been civil registered as CF-ESD, but I have no knowledge of it's civilian career or when it was withdrawn from use. I have seen a report that the wings of CF-ESD are in Norway, stored for another restoration project. If that is the case then presumably C-GCWC uses either new-built wings or a better set from another example. As a small number of RCAF Cornells were involved in fatal crashes due a failure on the wooden centre-section, the wings and centre section require a very thorough restoration. I am sure neither the CWH or Transport Canada would not have accepted anything less.
The thread of identities read: RCAF 10694, CF-ESD, C-GCWC/"10835".
The real RCAF 10835 (Fleet serial and RAF serial: FZ282) following service with No.3 FIS and No.10 EFTS, was transferred "Free Issue" to the Office of the Foreign Liquidation Commission at Bell Niagara Modification Center, No.7 in August 1946. This was part of the agreements relating to the return of the Lend-Lease funded aircraft. After that 10835 may have been sold on to a US citizen or sold as an export, but I have no evidence.
The CWH appear to have had quite a store of Cornell parts over the years. As an example, whilst on a visit to the RAF Archives at Hendon searching for Cornell records in 1991, a member of the staff asked if I was aware the RAF Museum had the mortal remains of one in store at Cardington. I was not, but arrangements were soon made for me to see it.
The staff at Cardington had the fuselage positioned so I could have a good look at it and pointed out the racks were the other parts were stored. There appeared to be most of what would be required to complete a good static exhibit, but the components were from at least three different aircraft. The fuselage carried the Fleet plate marked FV351 which should make it RCAF 15252; the port outer wing panel carried the RCAF serial 15195 and the starboard panel 14590. When I asked about the mix of components, the curator told me that on a recent visit to Canada he had been offered the pick of the Cornell parts in the Warplane Heritage store and those were the parts he selected. By the time of his visit C-GCWC had been completed, so the components remaining in the CWH collection were presumably regarded as surplus. This should not be taken to mean that the the CWH had all the other bits of these three aircraft. However if anyone has the opportunity for a close inspection of the unidentified "derelict airframe" reported by the Air-Britain visitor I would be most interested to hear.
By an apparent co-incidence; RCAF 14590, 15195 and 15252 had all served at No.24 EFTS Abbotsford.
In 1991 there were no immediate plans for an RAF Cornell restoration. Recently the Museum's stored collection was moved to Wyton but I have not heard of any real progress with FV351/15252.
The Fairchild Cornell first entered service with BCATP Elementary Flying Training Schools and Flying Instructor Schools in the second half of 1942 - replacing the Finch, supplementing and eventually replacing the Tiger Moth - remained in service with the final establishments that closed in September 1945. The type also saw service at RAF EFTS establishments in Southern Rhodesia and India between 1944 and 1946. Many RAF and FAA pilots were trained on type during this period and therefore a Cornell would make a worthy exhibit at Hendon, but as always funds are limited and the restoration of examples of operational types will always take precedence.
Hope this helps, Tony