Inside Stories BOLINGBROKE ON FLOATS Robert S Grant reveals how an example of the Canadian-built Bristol Blenheim – the Bolingbroke – was temporarily converted for waterborne trials t’s strange how a British Type 142, constructed to his In November 1937, what was a Inewspaper proprietor could specifications, drew RAF interest leisurely peacetime workshop affect seaplane operations in and eventually led to the newly began steps that would turn the a faraway country such as Canada. designated Type 149 Blenheim company into one of the largest This is exactly what happened Mk.I’s maiden flight on June aircraft builders in Canada. Hubert when Daily Mail owner Harold 25, 1936, at Filton, near Bristol. M Pasmore, president of Fairchild Sidney Harmsworth, 1st Viscount The light twin-engined bomber Aircraft’s Canadian subsidiary in Rothermere, decided to acquire advanced to the Bolingbroke Longueuil near Montréal, Québec a personal transport in 1934. The variant, which also flew its initial knew the Royal Canadian Air Force Bristol Aeroplane Company’s trip at Filton. (RCAF) was seeking a 88 FlyPast May 2020 maritime patrol aircraft. An astute patrol saltwater coasts, leading to that better results will be obtained businessman and pioneer pilot, proposals to convert Bolingbrokes if the Edo Company or MacDonald !" $% & The RCAF’s Pasmore lobbied on both sides of to seaplane configuration. Brothers is given an opportunity to Flt Lt A O Adams the Atlantic for an agreement to Unfortunately, few knew the do this work,” said Fairchild’s general expressed his belief that the Bolingbroke’s licence-build an initial batch of 18 difference between metal- manager N F Vanderlipp, who added: wing centre Bolingbrokes. Thanks to influence crunching ocean swells and gentle “In our estimation, the Edo float section would need from Canadian Prime Minister rippling brooks. and gear is sturdier than the Short, strengthening, as well William Lyon Mackenzie King, Questions rose as to which and this contractor is in a position as an increased fi n the British-built example became manufacturer would build the to work with the Edo Company to area for directional control. His view a pattern for the first all-metal ‘seaplane alighting gear and produce the best results.” was later justifi ed stressed skin aircraft manufactured its associated supports’. Bristol by installation of a in the country. In return, Fairchild submitted recommendations Structural conundrum ventral fi n below the despatched technical personnel that its British-built aeroplane On September 16, 1938, RCAF horizontal stabiliser. to England to study the machine’s would be satisfactory in strength Flt Lt Al James pointed out that KEY COLLECTION intricacies. Within two years, the and performance, suggesting that no drawings existed for a twin- 01&&12 $% & Fairchild first Canadian unit took flight under structures should be designed before float installation. It could not be general manager N F the command of RCAF honorary stress studies were conducted. determined whether the seaplane Vanderlipp suggested group captain and test pilot James Ireland’s Short Brothers assembled chassis should be attached directly the Bolingbroke 717 Harold Lymburner. A total of 626 its offering, but RCAF engineers did to the underside of the fuselage or have extra buoyancy forward during Bolingbrokes had entered service by not approve the narrow float track beneath the engines. Designers also operations in rough the time production ceased in 1943. and consequent instability. needed to address crew visibility, ocean conditions. None served overseas, although 115 Fairchild became the next to water spray damage and bomb- The factory complied and 8 Squadrons were deployed to analyse structural strength and dropping clearance. Most float and the Edo 37- Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. torsional stiffness, followed by aircraft depended on spreader bars 15750s fl oats appear bulged in the front RCAF Defence Headquarters’ for rigidity but, in this case, such section. LIBRARY AND The right design decision to place orders with arrangements were impractical as ARCHIVES CANADA Somewhere within British and MacDonald Brothers Aircraft released ordnance could explode Canadian military hierarchies, in Winnipeg, via Fairchild. The on contact with the bars. Since the 0%$1: $% & Test pilot the ‘top brass’ remembered that colonial organisation produced Blenheim/Bolingbroke aircraft James Lymburner received his Canada possessed the world’s floats under licence from New commercial pilot’s longest coastline of 136,755 miles York’s Edo Corporation, including licence in (220,080km) with bays, sounds and some for the US Army’s Martin January 1931, sheltered areas. Further inland, YB-12 bomber. Units completed later joining two the country’s vast lakes and rivers to Fairchild’s specifications would Ellsworth Antarctic Expeditions and had already enjoyed the touch of be transported east by rail from enjoying years as seaplanes and skiplanes. It seemed Winnipeg to Longueuil. a bush pilot with natural for a wilderness nation “In view of the present industrial Canadian Airways. to call upon bushplane types to situation in England, it is believed He also test-fl ew the fi rst Canadian- built Handley Page Hampden. He died on August 5, 1990. CANADA AVIATION AND SPACE MUSEUM 01&&12 >%?&"% Photographed in 1941 at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Bolingbroke 717 awaits its fate in company with RCAF Stranraer fl ying boats. Reports stated how ocean landings stretched the metal covering and the RCAF was “A total of 626 displeased with the magnesium alloy fl ap Bolingbrokes had trailing edges. LIBRARY entered service by AND ARCHIVES CANADA the time production ceased” May 2020 FlyPast 89 Inside Stories BOLINGBROKE ON FLOATS !"#$ A November 6, were in active service, authorities required anti-corrosion protection. and 16 transverse sections of Alclad 1939, letter demanded would provide just enough Watertight compartments, with (metallurgically bonded layers of that it should “be information without divulging nose bumpers and towing bridles corrosion-resistant aluminium possible for a crewman to gain access to military secrets. for mooring, provided buoyancy sheet), fastened to a welded frame either fl oat from On water, explained Flt Lt E H and surface handling. The with dural rivets. Two footsteps the cockpit or cabin Higgins, drag from struts and specifications also stated that, when on each side of the inboard steps and make fast the supports could increase porpoising taxiing, “floats must not submerge provided entry to the cockpit. anchor lines while the and loss of control during take- in 40-knot winds”. The writer With orders confirmed, airscrews are turning.” Clearly, anyone off. Access to underside hatches naively underlined: “Calm water MacDonald Brothers submitted standing forward of created further danger to personnel must be assumed.” preliminary drawings. Critics the propellers would – the standard front entry could On January 20, 1939, Fairchild quickly highlighted that signed be in grave danger not be used with engines running estimated that one pair of Edo provisions for drain plugs had not from wind and wave since clearance between the 37-15750 floats would cost C$20,470. been incorporated and just 5in movement. LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA propeller and fuselage measured This grandiose figure included (12.7cm) handhole covers were just 12in (30.4cm). Higgins raised bilge pumps, crew steps and water intended instead of the stipulated the possibility of openings beside rudders constructed from weld- versions greater than 7in (7.7cm). props or behind bomb doors. wood (plywood) to save weight. Draughtsmen somehow overlooked “The objection of the first position Anchors and ropes did not come as anti-corrosion treatment and it was is again the danger of falling part of the package, but adequate noted that joining dissimilar metals forward into the airscrew disc,” mooring eyes did. Fairchild’s would hasten corrosion. Fairchild Higgins reported. “This danger, secretary-treasurer R B Irvine engineering staff went back into however, could be minimised quoted an October delivery subject their offices and the floor workers by means of a detachable ladder to orders within 30 days and cut more metal. Everyone looked running from the float to the aft contingent upon no embargoes, forward to the completion of the end of the walkway on the centre accidents, strikes or delays beyond floats as the European war had section wing. It is not very difficult the company’s control. erupted on September 1, 1939. to move from one wing to the other The RCAF questioned the price over the top of the fuselage, by wing and Fairchild re-tabled C$13,507.50 Finished fl oats or ladder from the float to the wing for an initial pair and C$11,483.08 On May 18, 1940, MacDonald on each side.” per set with an order for 23 pairs. Brothers advised that two pairs In January 1939, the RCAF Within days, Air Cdre Ernest of Edo 37-15750s were available Equipment, Development and Stedman approved a construction for acceptance and delivery to Staff Division handed over 52 contract. Each pair weighed 1,636lb Fairchild. Pasmore’s company specifications for what became the (742kg) upping the type's gross was in the process of producing solitary Mk.III version. Naturally, weight to 13,500lb (6,124kg). Track 15 wheels-only Bolingbrokes and specialised landing gear would be measured approximately 18ft intended to assign the 16th off the “built entirely within the Dominion (5.49m) and skin coverings of each line for seaplane experiments. of Canada” and all alloys and steel unit cmprised five longitudinal In the interim, Ottawa’s National 90 FlyPast May 2020 lying prone in his position in the vastitudes’ contained more than very nose of the airplane gets his 80,000 separate pieces and 900 sights on the target and presses bolts,” boasted Canadian Aviation the bomb triggers, spring-loaded in the December 1941 edition. doors open.” Curiously, the aircraft designed for war carried only one Eclipse Added strength generator and a single Pesco When 717 made its public debut hydraulic pump.