Canadian Vickers Varuna

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Varuna
Type Transport flying-boat
Manufacturer Canadian Vickers
Retired 1932
Status out of service
Primary user Royal Canadian Air Force
Number built 8

The Canadian Vickers Varuna was a Canadian flying-boat of the 1920s built by Canadian Vickers.

It was a twin-engined, unequal-span biplane. The hull was of wood and the rest of the structure was a frame of steel tube.

Contents

[edit] Development

The Varuna was developed in response to an Royal Canadian Air Force requirement for a flying-boat to transport men and equipment to forest fires. It was a large-scale twin-engined version of the Vedette.

[edit] Operational history

Most Varunas spent their service in Manitoba operating in their intended role.

All Varuna IIs were withdrawn in 1930. The only Varuna I was struck off in 1932

[edit] Variants

[edit] Aircraft markings

[edit] Specifications (Varuna II)

Data from RCAF.com[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (+1 photographer on photographic missions)
  • Capacity: 4 passengers
  • Length: 38 ft 3 in (11.66 m)
  • Wingspan: upper-plane 55 ft 3 in/lower-plane 47 ft 4.5 in (16.84 m/14.44 m)
  • Height: 13 ft 9.5 in (4.20 m)
  • Wing area: 715 ft² (66.42 m²)
  • Empty weight: 4,325 lb (1,963 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 6,315 lb (2,867 kg)
  • Useful load: lb (kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
  • Powerplant: 2-blade× Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV radial 2, 180 hp (134 kW) each

Performance

Armament

none

[edit] References

  1. ^ RCAF.com.

[edit] External links

[edit] Related content

Comparable aircraft

Designation sequence

Vedette - Varuna - Vancouver