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The Canadian Aviation Moments were submitted by Dennis Casper from the Roland Groome (Regina) Chapter of the CAHS. Spoiler alert - if you read any further than each question, you will find the answer to the questions directly below. Good luck and have fun!

The Canadian Aviation Moments questions and answers for August are:

Question: How was the Avro 626 used and how many were purchased?

Answer: “Another example of an RCAF aircraft acquired in small numbers was the Avro 626, powered by the Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah V (260 hp). The force purchased 12, deliveries commencing in December 1937, but half of these were stored in Ottawa and not formally brought on air force inventory until 1942, by which time they were fit only for static technical instruction. The three-seat Avro 626 was used as an advanced armament and tactical trainer by No. 111 (CAC) (Coastal Artillery Co-operation Squadron). It had a top speed of 112 (180 km/hour) and cruised at 95 mph (153 km/hour).”

Source: CAHS Journal – Winter 2009 – Page 117


Question: What was the number of the squadron (Bomber) (Auxilliary) authorized at Regina in 1935? When did it commence flying training? When was it renumbered and what was was it renumbered to?

Answer: “Authorized as No. 20 (Bomber) Squadron (Auxiliary) at Regina, Saskatchewan on 1 June 1935, the unit commenced flying training in April 1937 when it received four Moth aircraft. It was renumbered No. 120 Squadron on 15 November 1937. Called out on voluntary full-time duty in September 1939, and redesignated Bomber Reconnaissance on 31 October, the squadron flew Delta, Hudson, Stranraer, Canso A and Catalina on West Coast anti–submarine duty until disbanded at Coal Harbour, British Columbia on 1 May 1944.”

Source: www.rcaf.com - No.-120-Squadron-33


Question: What were Al Lily’s accomplishments, where was he born and what is his connection to the Hawk One F-86 Sabre?

Answer: “The name “Al Lily” is not so commonly spoken in the same worldly context as other legendary aviation greats of this past century such as J.A.D. MCCurdy, Amelia Earhart, the Wright Brothers, or Billy Bishop. Nevertheless, he was indeed one of this nation’s most distinguished test pilots and a remarkable one at that. Alexander “Al” Lilly was Canada’s first pilot to break the sound barrier. It happened at the RCAF Station in Dorval Quebec, in early August 1950 in a Canadair Sabre 1 prototype, the first off the manufacturer’s assembly line in Cartierville Quebec. Al Lilly was, at the time, the Canadair chief test pilot responsible for flight testing over 100 models of different aircraft during an era when Canada was a world leader in cutting–edge aviation technology.” “Al Lilly’s distinguished career in aviation began while serving with the RCMP flying bush planes; and later with the RCAF as chief flying instructor for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.” “Born Alexander John in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, he was a son to Harold Lilly, owner of an automotive and farm equipment dealership that specialized in Ford automobiles.” “This year,” (2010),” the year that Al Lilly would be 100, his name gained an honorable distinction that it deserves. On May 26th, in a special dedication ceremony at Ottawa’s Uplands Airport, Vintage Wings of Canada and the RCMP joined forces to pay special tribute to the late Al Lilly by dedicating his name to the Hawk One F-86 Sabre.”

Source: Airforce Magazine – Summer 2010 – Pages 22,23