The Canadian Vickers Vedette was the first aircraft designed and built in Canada to meet a specification for Canadian conditions.
It was a single-engine biplane flying boat purchased to meet a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) demand for a smaller aircraft than the Vickers Viking with a much greater rate of climb, to be suitable for forestry survey and fire protection work.
Based on a preliminary design in early 1924 for a “flying boat” by R.K Pierson of the British company Vickers, the Canadian Vickers Vedette was a two/three-seat single-engine pusher aircraft.
The design was passed over to the subsidiary Canadian Vickers Limited of Longueuil, Quebec (formed in 1911) where Wilfrid Thomas Reid served as Chief Engineer.
The prototype Vedette I was first flown on 4 November 1924, powered by a 200 hp (150 kW) Rolls-Royce Falcon III.
It was subsequently fitted with 210 hp (160 kW) Wolseley Viper, 200 hp (150 kW) Wright J-4 and 215 hp (160 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engines for testing.
Several versions of the Vedette were produced, including two amphibious versions and one with an enclosed cabin on an all-metal hull.
With the exception of these major changes, most of the remaining differences between versions were relatively minor and not externally visible.
Each version was produced with a range of optional engine types.
Variants
Vedette I
Prototype (c/n 9) tested variously with Rolls-Royce Falcon III, Wolseley Viper, Wright J-4 and Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engines.
Vedette II
Production version, modified rudder and other minor changes from prototype.
Vedette III & IV
Not built but may have included an enclosed cabin transport.
Vedette V
Improved amphibian version, but most not equipped with wheels.
Vedette Va
Mk.V fitted with Handley-Page leading edge slots.
Vedette Vam
One off Mk.V (c/n 123/170) refurbished with metal hull.
Vedette VI
One off (c/n 163) with metal hull and Handley-Page leading edge slots.
Vassal I
Proposed variant using Clark Y airfoil section wings, not built.
