Canadian Warplanes 2: Canadian Vickers Vista

Canadian Vickers Vista

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3552927)

Canadian Vickers Vista, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYZZ, ca 1928.

The Vista was the first Canadian-designed monoplane. It had a duralumin sheet hull and the tail was made of framed metal tubing. The wings were made of wood and the wing and tail surfaces were fabric. The design proved to have some undesirable traits. Since the RCAF chose the de Havilland DH.60 Moth, only one Vista was ever built. Once the prototype was completed, the production order was cancelled. After testing the airframe, the aircraft was shipped to the (RCAF) Air Station at (Jericho Beach), Vancouver in September 1930, where it was used for taxiing practice. When not being used it was moored out to test the effects of salt water on its duralumin hull. By 1931 the corrosion on the hull was bad enough that it was recommended for scrapping and this was done in May of that year. (Wikipedia)

Canadian Vickers Vista (1) RCAF (Serial No. G-CYZZ).

Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian-built aircraft may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The  CASPIR website is researched, coded, and maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here for the Vista.

(RCAF Photo courtesy of the Shearwater Aviation Museum)

Canadian Vickers Vista, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYZZ, 31 Oct 1928.

(RCAF Photo courtesy of the Shearwater Aviation Museum)

Canadian Vickers Vista, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYZZ, 31 Oct 1928.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3552895)

Canadian Vickers Vista, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYZZ, 28 Nov 1927.