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Formed as a Flying Boat unit at Jericho Beach (Vancouver), British Columbia on 17 February 1933,1 the squadron was employed on civil government operations - preventive patrols against illegal immigration, fishery and forestry patrols, and some aerial photography. On 1 January 1938 it was redesignated General Reconnaissance and relieved of its civil work to begin service training. Mobilized on 10 September 1939, and redesignated Bomber Reconnaissance on 31 October, the squadron was engaged in West Coast anti-submarine duty until disbanded at Tofino, British Colmbia on 7 August 1945.
Representative Aircraft
- Vickers Vancouver
- Unit Code FY; Vancouver Mk II (Jan 1938 - July 1939) 902-906
- Fairchild 71
- Unit Code FY; Fairchild 71 (Jan 1938 - July 1939) 619, 633, 641
- Vickers Vedette
- Unit Code FY; Vedette (Oct 1939 - May 1940) 809, 812, 813, 816
- Supermarine Stranraer
- Unit Code '39-'43 FY; '42 BO Stranraer (July 1939 - Sept 43) 910, 915 FY-B, 934, 954
- Blackburn Shark
- Unit Code '39-'43 FY; '42 BO Shark Mk III (May 1940 - Jan 1942) 545 FY-C, 546 FY-D, 548 FY-F
- Consolidated Canso
- Unit Code BO; Canso A (Dec 1942 - Aug 1945) 9771, 9802, 11016, 11044
- Conslidated Catalina IB/IV
- Unit Code BO; Catalina Mk IV & IB (April 1944 - Aug 1944) JX211, FP291, FP294
Operational History
First Mission: Sept 12, 1939, Vancouver 906 from Jericho Beach - coastal patrol; returned early, trouble with port engine.
Last Mission: July 31, 1945, Canso A 11016 from Tofino - patrol; returned early, poor weather
Squadron Summary
- Sorties: 1762
- Operational/Non-Operational Flying Hours: 13,269/8408
- Victories: Nil.
- Casualties: Operational: Nil Non-operational: 2 aircraft; 11 aircrew killed
- Honours and Awards: 1 AFC
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