Canadian Warplanes 2: Curtiss-Reid Rambler biplane

Curtiss-Reid Rambler biplane

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3204718)

Curtiss-Reid Rambler Mk. I, CF-ABT, Cartierville, PQ, 1931.

The Curtiss-Reid Rambler was a biplane trainer/sport aircraft built in Canada in the early 1930s and used in small numbers as a trainer aircraft by the RCAF.  The Rambler was a largely conventional sesquiplane design with wings braced with Warren trusses and which could be folded backwards for transport or storage.  The fuselage was of fabric-covered steel tube construction and the pilot and a single passenger sat in tandem, open cockpits.

Curtiss-Reid Rambler Mk. I (7), (Serial Nos. 145-150), A62 (ex CF-BV), Mk. II (2) Reg. Nos. G-CYXC, G-CYXD, for a total of 9 aircraft.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390108)

Curtiss Reid Rambler Mk. II, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYXC.

The Reid Rambler, later known under the Curtiss-Reid brand after Reid was purchased by Curtiss, was a biplane trainer/sport aircraft built in Canada in the early 1930s and used in small numbers as a trainer aircraft by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Reid Rambler was primarily intended to be a training aircraft. The Rambler was a largely conventional sesquiplane design with wings braced with Warren trusses and which could be folded backwards for transport or storage. The fuselage was of fabric-covered steel tube construction and the pilot and a single passenger sat in tandem, open cockpits.

Although it was intended principally for civilian use, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) evaluated the aircraft as a basic training aircraft. Although the RCAF employed many other ab-initio aircraft including the ubiquitous de Havilland Moth, senior military staff elected to purchase a small number of the Ramblers. (Wikipedia)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580733)

Curtiss Reid Rambler Mk. II, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYXD with Hermes engine, 5 Dec 1931.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580732)

Curtiss Reid Rambler Mk. II, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYXD with Hermes engine, 5 Dec 1931.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3256155)

Curtiss Reid Rambler Mk. II, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYXC.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Aviation Preservation Association)

Curtiss Reid Rambler, RCAF, 1930s.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Aviation Preservation Association)

Curtiss Reid Rambler, RCAF, 1930s.