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 September are:
Question: Which RCAF squadron sank 5 German submarines which was a record for a RCAF unit? What number of medals were awarded to this squadron?
Answer: “During the European invasion of June 1944, 162 squadron RCAF commanded by Cecil Chapman sank four German submarines and shared in the destruction of a fifth, a record for a RCAF unit. At this time the Canso crews of the outfit operated from Wick, Scotland, in an effort to attack the southern flank of the route used by the U-boats to reach the North Atlantic from Norway. By war’s end they could boast a VC, two DSO’s, seven DFCs, and three DFMs. Chapman himself accounted for one of the submarines and became one of the squadron’s two D SO recipients. ”
Source: True Canadian Heroes In the Air – Arthur Bishop – Page 125
Question: What was Canada’s first warplane, how much did it cost and what was the condition of the airplane?
Answer: “Prior to his meeting with the minister of militia, Janney had scouted for an aircraft in the United States where he met with executives of the Burgess-Dunne airplane factory at Marbehead, Massachusetts. Janney fixated on a used Burgess-Dunne float plane. The airplane needed a considereable amount of maintenance work on the engine, but the price was right. After his appointment as captain in the Cnadian Aviation Corps, Janney recommended to the minister of militia that he empower his provisional commander – himself – to purchase an airplane for the new Corps. Hughes hastily scribbled a note authorizing Janney to spend up to $5,000 for that purpose. With Hughes’s written authorization in his pocket, Captain Janney returned to Marbelhead and ordered the used float plane. The airplane was a two-seat, delta-wing, tailless machine manufactured at Marblehead, which had been extensively used as a demonstrator. This creaky, unreliable, and much-used float plane has the distinction of being Canada’s first warplane.”
Source: Dancing in the Sky – Page 20
Question: How did Nelles Timmerman from Kingston, Ontario, make Bomber Command history on May 1,2 1940 flying a Hampden?
Answer: “During the spring of 1940, Timmerman was flying Hampdens with 49 Squadron out of Scampton in Lincolnshire. On the night of 12 May, after returning from an abortinve mine-laying mission near Norderney in the Frisian Islands, he made Bomber Command history by engaging an enemy Arado 196 floatplane with his front gun and successfully driving it into the sea. Arthur Harris himself, then the 5 Group commander, was instrumental in recommending Timmerman for a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for this singular feat.”
Source: No Prouder Place – Page 23