Why did the Vancouver carry six firefighters?

Short answer

Because it was designed specifically for that purpose: the Royal Canadian Air Force wanted a flying boat able to carry men and equipment to forest fires, replacing the Varuna, and the main cabin was sized for a six-man firefighting crew with all the necessary equipment.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Why did the Vancouver carry six firefighters?

Supermarine StranraerMichael Gaylard from Horsham, UK (CC BY), vía commons

A flying boat designed for firefighting

The Vancouver was developed as a replacement for the Varuna in response to a Royal Canadian Air Force requirement: a flying boat that would carry men and equipment to forest fires. The main cabin could accommodate a six-man firefighting crew and all the equipment they needed.

Metal in the hull, wood and fabric elsewhere

It was a twin-engine biplane with wings of equal span. The hull was metal, and the rest of the structure was fabric-covered wood. The Vancouver I was the prototype, fitted with Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV engines, and only one was built. The Vancouver IIS/W were the conversion to "service standard" of two Vancouver II powered by Wright J-6 Whirlwind engines.

From firefighting to coastal patrol

Five aircraft were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force, and one was later converted into a coastal patrol aircraft. After the outbreak of World War II, the Vancouvers served with 4 Squadron of the RCAF, at Jericho Beach Air Station, until they were withdrawn from service in 1940.