First Love - This story is about an airplane

[srgalahad]

This story is about an airplane owned by Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1958 - an amphibious aircraft built in the 1940s in Vancouver, Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The aircraft was called a PBY by American fliers, a Canso by Canadians in the air force and a Catalina by the British. After the war, several Canadian-built Cansos were sold to civilian airlines and four were purchased by Canadian Pacific. Reconditioned and outfitted for up to 20 passengers, the new configuration was actually called the “Landseair” in tribute to its amphibious capabilities, but no one called them that. Of the four ex-RCAF Cansos purchased (CF-CRP, CF-CRQ, CF-CRR and CF-CRV), CF-CRR (RCAF serial 9767) had the most outstanding combat record – with 162 Squadron, RCAF. On April 17th, 1944, under the command of Flying Officer T. Cooke, the Canso attacked and sunk the German U-boat U-342 which was on weather reporting duties south of Iceland. All 51 German sailors were lost. It was their first patrol.

By Captain Dennis Baxendale

The rest of the story and many terrific pictures here:

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/348/language/en-CA/First-Love.aspx

[cheezyflier]

On April 17th, 1944, under the command of Flying Officer T. Cooke, the Canso attacked and sunk the German U-boat U-342 which was on weather reporting duties south of Iceland. All 51 German sailors were lost. It was their first patrol.



chances are, considering how late in the war it was, that sub was crewed by boys who had no choices.
i don't mean to take anything away from the brave men on the pby. it's just kinda sad is all.
great article, awesome pics! an all around good post :applause:

[Crusader]

Great story and pics ! Thanks for sharing . Love reading these .

Rich