Supermarine Stranraer 920/CF-BXO

The Stranraer was the final development of the Southampton flying boat to be put into production and was one of the world’s last biplane flying boats. The Museum's example served in Canada during the Second World War.

A production contract was placed in August 1935 for seventeen aircraft. The first joined No.228 Squadron at Pembroke Dock in early 1937. Two units were equipped with Stranraers during the early part of the Second World War. Withdrawn from operational service in March 1941, they continued to serve in a training capacity until October 1942. Curiously, the Stranraer was built in greater numbers and had a longer service life outside the United Kingdom than with the Royal Air Force. Selected by the Royal Canadian Air Force, the type was put into production by Canadian Vickers who built forty. The Stranraer at the London site was built by Canadian Vickers at its St. Hubert, Montreal, Quebec Plant, using British equipment. These aircraft were used for patrol duties both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They were finally retired from service in February 1945. The Stranraer is the only aircraft at the RAF Museum site that has never moved, remaining in the same place since the museum first opened 50 years ago.