Grostenquin France

Johnny Vigneault

I did some research for this picture, and the more I dug in, the more I realized how important and fortunate that shot is. Here are three of the most interesting aircrafts with records of longevity and service credited to their sturdy construction and ease of flying. It is fortunate to have all three side by side in the same picture, but even more so, to find these three renowned planes at "Grostenquin" at the same time.

In the forefront is the North American Harvard billed as the most extensively used trainer of all times. The first ones to be flown by the RCAF had the US military designation BT-14. We renamed them Yale Mark 1. After the war, in 1946, the Canadian Car and Foundry company built 270 Harvard Mark 4 for the RCAF and 285 Mil designation T-6 for the USAF. This aircraft was first flown in 1935 and in my reference book there is indication that 97 of them flew in the Korean war in battlefield surveillance and FAC roles.

The plane in the middle is the "Beechcraft" Beech Model 18. The first one of these flew in 1937. Production lasted for 32 years. The US military designation was C-45 and when these were shipped to the RAF it was renamed "Expeditor". Throughout its long career the Beech Model 18 was fitted for: Transport; Reconnaissance; Navigation Training; Bombing and Gunnery Training, with machine guns and all; Photographic recce; Drone Directors; Ambulance.

The one in the background is the trusted Douglas DC-3, US Mil desig C-47. When this one saw British service it was renamed "Dakota". It is know as a "most significant aircraft" having seen continuous service fora record 55 years by 1991. Some flew well pass that. It saw service in three wars, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, and participated during the Berlin Airlift.

These three far outshoned the North Star, the Boxcar, and the Bristol under the Canadian emblem.