AviaDossier 1 – Canadian Aircraft of WW2
Author Carl Vincent
Illustrated by Terry Higgins
Published by Aviaeology Canada
ISBN: 978-0-9780696-3-6
Softcover, 72 pages

Let me first say, if you are a Canadian aircraft fan, this is a must book. The book is broken down by individual aircraft that were used by the Royal Canadian Air Force(RCAF) during WW2. There are some obscure aircraft that were new to me, and there are the ones we all know.

I have read this book cover to cover, and must say it it is well written and well illustrated. This book does justice to describing the trials and perils of the RCAF during WW2 through the aircraft and crews. Author Carl Vincent and illustrator Terry Higgins do a great job of presenting this, sometimes “rag-tag” group of aircraft and how they contributed to Canada’s war effort.

Aircraft covered in this volume:

DeHavilland Fox Moth
Consolidated Catalina I
North American Mustang I
Fleet Fort
Short Sunderland III
Hawker Hurricane XII
Bristol Bolingbroke IV
Northop Delta
Douglas Boston III & IIIA
Consolidated Liberator GR.V(Can)
Bristol Bolingbroke IVW
Blackburn Shark II (Target Tug)
Supermarine Stranraer
Supermarine Spitfire FR.IX & FR.XIV
Beaufighter TF.X
Lysander IIIA TT
Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk. IV
Lockheed Hudson I
Stocky Edwards’ Spitfire and Fw190

The stories for each aircraft are well written, and informative. Stories include how Canada acquired the aircraft, what it role was, and usually a short description of an action the aircraft was involved in. With the text are some great black and white photos of the aircraft, as well as excellent colored side profile drawings.

One of the more interesting facts I found in this book, was the political games played to acquire some of the aircraft. As Canada was a Commonwealth nation, all requests had to go through British procurement. As initial manufacturing started up at the beginning of the war, there were shortages of some types of aircraft, and it was the usual case that the RAF would get priority to newer aircraft coming off the production line, even if they had been initially requisitioned first by the RCAF. This usually meant that the RCAF had to do with older, less capable aircraft to fill roles.

There is also a great story about Canadian fighter pilot Stocky Edwards and how he acquired an Fw190.

conclusion

Overall this is a great book to have in any collection. Definitely recommended.

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