Canadian Warplanes 2: Canadian Vickers (Bellanca CH-300) Pacemaker 30 and 31

Canadian Vickers (Bellanca CH-300) Pacemaker 30 and 31

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3204717)

Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker, RCAF, Reg. No. G-CYWT.

The Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker was a six-seat utility aircraft, built primarily in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. It was a development of the Bellanca CH-200, fitted with a more powerful engine and, like the CH-200, soon became renowned for its long-distance endurance. (Wikipedia)

Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker (1) Reg. No. G-CYWT, Canadian Vickers Pacemaker 31 (CH-300), (6) Reg. No. C-CYUX (Serial No. 601), Reg. No. G-CYUY (Serial No. 602), Reg. No. G-CYUZ (Serial No. 603), Reg. No. G-CYVA (Serial No. 604), G-CYVB (Serial No. 605), Reg. No. G-CYVC (Serial No. 606), Canadian Vickers Pacemaker 30 (6) Reg. No. G-CYVF (Serial No. 607), Reg. No. G-CYVG (Serial No. 608), Reg No. G-CYFH (Serial No. 609), Reg. No. G-CYVI (Serial No. 610), Reg. No. G-CYVJ (Serial No. 611), Reg. No. G-CYVK (Serial No. 612), for a total of 13 aircraft.

Canadian-operated Bellancas were initially imported from the United States, but later, six Bellanca CH-300s were built by Canadian Vickers Ltd., in Montreal and delivered to the RCAF (added to the first order of 29 made in 1929), which used them mainly for aerial photography.  A distinguishing feature of all Bellancas was the airfoil shape of the wing struts , which contributed additional lift and stability.  The RCAF operated 13 Pacemakers for aerial photography.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580668)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 31, RCAF, Reg. No. G-CYVC (Serial No. 606).

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580826)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 31, 8 June 1933.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3521013)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 31 floatplane, RCAF (Serial No. G-CYVB), later (Serial No. 605), with aircrew securing a boat to the fuselage of the aircraft, 28 May 1931.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3206349)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 30 floatplane, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYVK (Serial No. 612), with a multi-camera installation.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3577531)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 30 floatplane, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYVK (Serial No. 612), with a multi-camera installation. Exterior showing port and lower cameras, 13 May 1935.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580924)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 30 floatplane, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYVK (Serial No. 612), with a multi-camera installation, 13 May 1935.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580234)

Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker floatplane, RCAF, 19 August 1929.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3388128)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 30, floatplane, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYVG, later (Serial No. 608), Rockcliffe, Ontario, 15 Sep 1930.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3391025)

Commercial and military aircraft Noranda, P.Q., 1936. [left to right]: Stinson SR-7B Reliant, Reg. No. CF-AYW of General Airways, Ltd.; Stinson SR-8DM Reliant, Reg. No. CF-BAG of General Airways Ltd.; Canadian Vickers (Bellanca CH-300) Pacemaker 31, RCAF (Serial No. 601).

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3388092)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 30, RCAF, G-CYVG, later (Serial No. 608), Fort Fitzgerald, Alberta, 1931.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3203433)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 31, RCAF (Serial No. G-CYUZ), later (Serial No. 603, 30 July 1931.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580667)

Canadian Vickers CH-300 Pacemaker 31, RCAF (Serial No. G-CYUZ), later (Serial No. 603, 4 September 1931.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3388530)

Engine tent fitted to Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker aircraft of the RCAF, Rockcliffe, Ontario, 19 December 1930.

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker (Serial No. 181), N196N, CF-ATN.  The Museum's aircraft is one of only two surviving Bellanca CH-300 Pacemakers in the world.  Built in 1929 by Bellanca Aircraft Corporation, it was sold to El Paso Air Service in Texas. Its Wright engine was replaced with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr. engine in 1945.  This CH-300 was operated commercially in Texas, Mexico and Alaska almost without interruption between 1929 and 1964.  It was still airworthy when the Museum purchased it in 1964, after twenty-eight years of bush flying in Alaska.  (CA&SM)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3388079)

Bellanca 66-70 'Air Cruiser' aircraft CF-AWR of Mackenzie Air Service Ltd., Eldorado, N.W.T., 26 July 1935.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3388080)

Bellanca 66-70 'Air Cruiser' aircraft CF-AWR of Mackenzie Air Service Ltd., Eldorado, N.W.T., 26 July 1935.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3388140)

Bellanca Skyrocket, Rewg. No. CF-DCH, c1947.