Canadian Warplanes 2: Fairchild FC-2, Fairchild FC-2L, Fairchild FC-2W, Fairchild KR-34C

Fairchild FC-2, FC-2L, FC-2W and KR-34C Trainers, Transports and Utility Aircraft

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3256154)

Fairchild FC-2L, RCAF, Reg. No. G-CYWU, floatplane.

The production model FC-2 was powered by the 220 hp Wright J-5 Whirlwind radial, an engine that would make history in a few months when Lindbergh's J-5-powered Spirit of St. Louis reached Paris. The new engine made possible an expansion of the passenger compartment; the FC-2 could carry four passengers in addition to the pilot, and there was more room for baggage. For passenger comfort, a cabin heater was installed and the cabin door size was also increased. Initially the three-longeron fuselage had a "razor-back" top line, as pictured above, a squarer four-longeron body appeared on later aircraft.

But the innovations of the FC-2 were not all in the passenger compartment. An oil-and-spring oleo shock absorber was incorporated into the landing gear to improve landing performance. It was to remain a standard landing gear system for twenty years. Foot-actuated wheel brakes were added. And a system for quick conversion to pontoons was available as an option.

By June 1927, the Fairchild plant at Farmingdale, New York was delivering production aircraft, the model FC-2. The six aircraft for the first major customer, Curtiss Flying Service, were fitted with 160 hp Curtiss C-6 engines and designated FC-2C. Another early customer for the FC-2 was the US Department of Commerce, then the approving authority for all aircraft and engines, as well as of civil aircraft regulations. The Commerce airplane was delivered just five weeks before Lindbergh's daring solo flight across the Atlantic. On Lindbergh's subsequent triumphal tour of the USA, the department's newly acquired FC-2 was chosen to transport staff people and personal baggage and equipment.

A few months later another FC-2 became the first to carry international air mail on a Pan American World Airways contract flight. Pinch-hitting for not-yet-delivered Fokker Tri-motors, an FC-2 carried 300 pounds of mail from Key West to Havana.

But the FC-2 attained its greatest and most enduring fame in Canada where its outstanding flying characteristics were instrumental in opening the northern bush country. The Canadian government was trying to administer the vast reaches of its dominion and had found aircraft to be the only answer. The seaplanes available could get into many areas only during the warm season, when lakes and rivers were not frozen. The FC-2, adaptable to wheels, skis and pontoons, eliminated these seasonal limitations. It was made-to-order for the job. The demand for the FC-2 became so great that a Canadian aircraft builder, Canadian Vickers Ltd., was licensed to produce it there. However, in the end only twelve were produced in Canada, of which two were sold as spares.

In all, about 160 civil FC-2s were built. With engine changes, Frise-type ailerons and other modifications, a number FC-2s later received the Model 51 designation under a different type certificate. (Ron Dupas Collection, remarks by Johan Visschedijk)

Fairchild FC-2 (15) Reg. Nos. G-CYXG, XK (later 620), G-CYXL, G-CYXM (later 613), G-CYXT, G-CYXU (later 614), G-CYXV (later 626), G-CYXW (later 624), G-CYXX, G-CYXY (later 211 623), G-CYYT (later 627), G-CYYV (later 625), 29 (later 621), 30 (later 622), 31 (later 628), FC-2L (6), (Reg. Nos. G-CYWU, G-CYXL, G-CYXM, G-CYXU, G-CYXX, G-CYXY), FC-2W (6) Registration/Reg. Nos. G-CYXN (later 615), G-CYXO (later 616), G-CYXP (later 617), G-CYXQ (later 618), G-CYXR, G-CYYU), for a total of 27 aircraft.

TheFairchild FC-1 and its derivatives were a family of light, single engine, highwing utility monoplane produced in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. Theaircraft was originally designed to provide a camera platform for ShermanFairchild’s aerial photography and survey business, Fairchild Aerial Surveys.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580363)

Fairchild FC-2L, RCAF, Reg. No. G-CYWU, floatplane.

(RCAF Photo)

Fairchild FC-2L floatplane, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYXQ.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390321)

Fairchild FC-2, Reg. No. G-CY--, RCAF, Ottawa, Ontario, 1928.

(RCAF Photo courtesy of the Canadian Aviation Preservation Association)

Fairchild FC-2W, RCAF (Serial No. 31).  

(DND Archives Photo, RE-18662)

Fairchild FC-2 (Serial No. 30 or 31), at Camp Borden, Ontario.  This is one of two aircraft that were delivered in January 1928.  The photo appears to have been taken in the summer of that year, going by the tropical uniforms worn by the military personnel at the right of the photo.

(RCAF Photo courtesy of the Canadian Aviation Preservation Association)

Fairchild FC-2W, RCAF (Reg. No. G-CAIQ).

(RCAF Photo courtesy of the Canadian Aviation Preservation Association)

Fairchild FC-2W, RCAF.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3203752)

Fairchild FC-2W, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYXN. In background is a Canadian Vickers Vedette flying boat, c1931.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390341)

Fairchild FC-2W, RCAF Reg. No. G-CYXP, Northern Alberta, July 1931.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3383398)

M. Romeo Vachon's Fairchild FC-2W aircraft of Canadian Transcontinental Airways Ltd. inaugurating airmail service between La Malbaie and Sept Iles, P.Q., 25 December 1927.

(Library & Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3383388)

Fairchild FC-2W2 aircraft G-CAVL of Canadian Colonial Airways Inc. inaugurating Canada-United States airmail service, St. Hubert, P.Q., 1 October 1928.

(Author Photo)

Fairchild FC-2W-2 (Serial No. 128), NC6621, G-CART.  Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.  This FC-2W2 was manufactured in 1928 by Fairchild Airplane Manufacturing Corporation in the United States.  It was purchased in the same year by Brock and Weymouth Incorporated, a U.S.-based company that was acquired by the Aero Service Corporation the following year.  The aircraft was used for aerial surveys until the early 1940s.  It was then purchased by an aircraft broker but, following an engine failure on take-off and damages from the ensuing forced landing, it remained with the Aero Service Corporation.  In 1962, the company's founder and president, Virgil Kauffman, donated the aircraft to the Museum.  It has been restored in the markings of a Canadian Transcontinental Airways FC-2W2.  (CA&SM)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580151)

On 19 Feb 1930, Fairchild FC-2W2, Reg. No. G-CAVN, c/n 522, was damaged in a precautionary landing due to weather and an in-flight emergency, when its battery shorted and the aircraft caught fire at Riverside, New Brunswick.

This 'Razorback' was owned by Canadian Airways Limited at the time of accident.  In flight, the pilot lost his orientation due to poor weather conditions and attempted to make an emergency landing.  On touch down, the aircraft slid few yards before coming to rest in flames.  While all occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed by fire caused by the explosion of a battery.  (Chris Charland)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580064)

Fairchild FC-2W, Reg. No. G-CYYU), RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, 27 Feb 1928.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3580063)

Fairchild FC-2W, RCAF (Serial No. G-CYYU), 27 Feb 1928.

(RCAF Photo courtesy of the Canadian Aviation Preservation Association)

Fairchild FC-2, RCAF (Serial No. 625), utility transport on skis, No. 12 (Communications) Squadron.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 339036)

Fairchild KR-34C, CF-AJZ, Oaks Airways Ltd, Jellicoe, Ontario, 1934.  

(RCAF Photo)

Fairchild KR-34 (1), Reg. No. CF-AMW, (later Reg. No. CF-CCE).

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