Canadian Warplanes 2: Canadian Vickers Vigil

Canadian Vickers Vigil

(RCAF Photo)

The Canadian Vickers Vigil was a single-seat patrol aircraft designed to meet a Royal Canadian Air Force requirement for a forest fire patrol aircraft. In 1926, the RCAF issued specifications for an aircraft to replace the Airco DH.4 aircraft used at the time. Canadian Vickers designed the Vigil which had steel-structured wings with aluminum skin throughout, and was a strut-braced sesquiplane. The aircraft was overweight, which impacted the aircraft service ceiling and performance, which in turn made it unsuitable for its role. Only one was ever built.Unfit for its intended role, the aircraft was sent to Rockcliffe Air Station in Ottawa, Ontario. It was used by pilots stationed there for proficiency flying. The aircraft was used for airmail deliveries to Maritime Canada between January 1929 until February 1929. About a year later, the need for repair and overhaul became necessary and after assessment it was determined this was not cost effective, so the aircraft was scrapped. (Wikipedia)

Canadian Vickers Vigil (1), RCAF Reg. No. G-CYZW.

Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian-built aircraft may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The  CASPIR website is researched, coded, and maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here for the Vigil.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3552926)

Canadian Vickers Vigil, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYZW, on skis, ca 1931.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadian Vickers Vigil, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYZW, on skis.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3204720)

Canadian Vickers Vigil, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYZW, on a scow.

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