Supermarine Stranraer Biplane Flying Boat

This Supermarine Stranraer was built in Quebec and was delivered to RCAF Eastern Air Command in November 1940. It was to become the world’s last biplane flying boat and was the final development of the Southampton flying boat. The type was used as a patrol aircraft for both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, until they were retired at the start of 1945. From December 1940 this aircraft was deployed on anti-submarine patrols and was to take part in several search and rescue missions throughout the war. In September 1945 it suffered an engine failure, when one of the cylinders blew through the engine cowling, causing the crew to carry-out a forced landing in Labrador. Strong winds caused the aircraft to be blown into rocks, damaging the aircraft’s hull. In 1947 it was sold to Queen Charlotte Airlines and was used to carry up to 20 passengers along with 3 crew, plus 2,000 pounds of freight in the former gun positions. In 1962 the aircraft sank when taxying in shallow water, following a rock strike in the hull. In 1970 it was purchased by the RAF Museum and flown to the UK in two RAF Short Belfasts.

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