The Supermarine Stranraer was the last of a long line of biplane flying boats designed by R. J. Mitchell of Spitfire fame. First built in 1935, it served with several RAF squadrons from 1936 until 1941 when they were taken out of service in favour of the Lerwick, the Sunderland and the Catalina.

The Stranraer was a large aircraft for its day with a wingspan of 85 feet 2 inches, a length of 54 feet 10 inches and a height of 21 feet 9 inches. Gross weight was 22,000 pounds. Maximum rated speed was165 miles per hour and its cruise speed was 105 miles per hour. Its operating range was 820 miles for an endurance of 8 hours. Armament was three Lewis machine guns – one each in the nose, amidships and the tail. It could also be armed with four 250-pound depth charges or two 500 pound bombs. The Stranraer was affectionately known as the “Whistling Bird Cage” because of the many brace wires. It was considered by some airmen that flew it to be the best biplane flying boat ever built.

The RCAF first ordered the Stranraer in 1936 with the aircraft to be built by Canadian Vickers in Montreal. It entered service in 1938 and until 1944 flew operations from many stations including Jericho Beach, Dartmouth, Prince Rupert, Sydney, Coal Harbour and Sea Island. A total of forty Stranraers served with the RCAF in the anti-submarine, coastal patrol, and search and rescue roles on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Indeed, a Stranraer flying out of Dartmouth on 10 September 1939 may well have carried out the first wartime mission of the RCAF. The Stranraer served on many RCAF Squadrons including No, 4,5,6,7,9,13,117 (Auxiliary), 120(Auxiliary), and 166 squadrons. All were Bomber Reconnaissance (BR) squadrons except No. 166, which was a communications squadron. The Stranaer was replaced in 1941 by the Catalina on the East Coast and fully retired from RCAF service in mid 1944.

This painting was contributed to the Greenwood Art Association by the artist, Lieutenant Colonel G. Gordon Hynes, and presented to the Greenwood Museum by Lieutenant General H.A. Carswell at the 60th Anniversary Celebrations held at 14 Wing Greenwood in July 2001.

The Stranraer painting is on display at the museum. Plan on visiting the museum during Remembrance Week to view this painting and the many other paintings depicting World War 2 events. We have many WW2 artifacts on display including components from the famous Lancaster bomber, which is on display in our aero park adjacent to the Museum.  The Museum is open 1000 to 1600 hrs Tuesday through Saturday.