BRYAN GIBBINS COLLECTION
No. 8167. Fleet 21K (CF-DLC c/n 11)
Photographed at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, source unknown

Fleet 21K

09/30/2008. Consolidated demonstrated their model 21C, designated XPT-933, to the Mexican AF, despite the crash of the aircraft on January 25, 1936, ten were ordered. These were built by Fleet Aircraft of Fort Erie, Canada as the model 21M, powered by the 400 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine. The ten aircraft were delivered by the summer of 1937.

A demonstrator was also built, still unregistered it was tested by the RCAF at Rockcliffe, Ontario between 9 and 21 September, 1937, no orders were forthcoming. In 1939 the aircraft was converted to single-seat configuration and flown by Fleet's test pilot Captain Thomas F. Williams it was used for drop-testing parachutes for Air Chute of Fort Erie throughout WW II. Although it carried RCAF roundels it still had no registration nor serial.

In 1946 it was registered CF-DLC and the following year Williams bought the aircraft and converted the aircraft to a model 21K by replacing the Wasp Junior by a 330 hp Jacobs L-6MB seven-cylinder air-cooled radial engine. In 1971 the aircraft was sold to Falls Aviation of Fort Erie, and converted back to a two-seater.

On December 9, 1986, it was acquired for preservation by the Canadian Warplane Heritage at Hamilton, where it is seen here in front of the P-51D Mustang N51PT "Petie 3rd", and Anson Mk.V, RCAF 12417. Still airworthy and part of the collection, the aircraft is no longer flown. The Canadian Civil Aircraft Register shows the registration as CF-DLC, although presently it is marked as C-FDLC.



Created September 30, 2008