SUMMARY
This Fleet Finch, number 4456 in RCAF service, may be the oldest Commemorative Air Force aircraft. It has been inactive since 2016 and, although intact, needed a new home. The Comanche Peak Sponsor Group was chartered in 2021 to care for this specific airplane long term.

HISTORY
The basic design for the Fleet Finch was laid down in 1930, making it a contemporary of the more famous Tiger Moth. This aircraft was manufactured by Fleet Aircraft in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada around 1940. It served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as an elementary trainer under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.  4456 began service at Trenton Central Flying School in June 1940 and was also assigned to #22 Elementary Flying Training School and #11 EFTS before being returned to the depot in September 1943.

PROGRESS
In 2022 we disassembled the airplane and transported it over-land to its new home in Granbury, Texas. We've got at least a basic work area set up in donated hangar space.  The magnetos have been overhauled, a set of spare engine gaskets acquired, and the prop reinstalled.  The engine should be ready to go as soon as it has a fuel tank.  All the wiring has been stripped for new antenna and radio installation.  The baggage compartment has been refurbished to provide solid and convenient mounts for the battery and ELT. 

The first step in re-rigging the wings is to straighten the top wing.  That process has begun with dope and fabric work to gain access to the drag and anti-drag wires inside the wing and evaluate the spar conditions.  And, we've built an Incidence Board to use to properly align the wings with the fuselage and tail. 

In the mean time, we have been reaching out to other Finch operators for experience, tribal knowledge, and technical data.  The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in particular has been very helpful.  ORA allowed our pilot to fly their Finch for a baseline performance and handling comparison.  When ours flys as well as theirs, we will be delighted!  Thanks ORA!

TASKS AHEAD

The group must determine whether the top wing can be corrected or must be rebuilt.  If we can straighten and use this wing, we can get the airplane back in the air this year.  If not, we'll be looking for people with experience building wood-spar, fabric-covered wings.

VISION
The Fleet Finch will be used to tell the story of the more than 8,800 American volunteers who trained and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Air Force before the U.S. entered the War. That number includes 244 who served in the famous Eagle Squadrons of the RAF.  When America entered the War, the Eagle Squadrons formed the nucleus of the 4th Fighter Group in the 8th Air Force. Nine of these volunteers became Aces.  The majority served as airmen in other RCAF and RAF units alongside citizens of the British Commonwealth in both fighters and bombers.

With the help of other CAF members and warbird enthusiasts, we can have this airplane flying for the public in 2023!