Vedette

The Canadian Vickers Vedette was the first aircraft designed and built in Canada specifically for the nation’s vast northern and coastal environments. First taking to the skies in 1924, the biplane was conceived to support the Dominion’s exploration, forestry patrols, and aerial mapping of remote territories. Powered by a reliable 200‑horsepower Wright J‑4 Whirlwind radial engine, the Vedette featured a sturdy wooden frame, fabric‑covered wings, and a float‑equipped lower wing that allowed water landings on lakes and rivers. Its open cockpit accommodated a pilot and an observer, while the generous payload capacity enabled the carriage of photographic equipment, radio gear, and modest cargo. Throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, the Vedette proved indispensable for government agencies, delivering critical geographic data, monitoring wildlife, and assisting in fire‑spotting missions across the Canadian wilderness. The aircraft’s adaptability and dependable performance also earned it a place in early commercial bush flying, influencing the development of northern aviation infrastructure. Though production numbers were modest—only 90 were built—the Vedette’s legacy endures as a pioneering tool that opened Canada’s remote frontiers to aerial observation and transport.

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