The Cessna Crane, known in U.S. service as the AT-17 Bobcat, was a twin-engine advanced trainer aircraft developed from the civilian Cessna T-50. First flown in March 1939, the Crane was designed to bridge the gap between single-engine trainers and larger multi-engine combat aircraft. Its lightweight construction, affordability, and ease of use made it an ideal choice for training bomber and transport pilots during the war.
Role in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)
At the outbreak of WWII, Canada faced a shortage of twin-engine trainers. While Britain had promised aircraft like the Airspeed Oxford and Avro Anson, wartime demands limited their availability. To fill the gap, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) turned to the U.S. and ordered 180 Cessna T-50s in 1940. This was Cessna’s first major military contract, and it ensured the company’s survival.
Eventually, 826 Cranes served with the RCAF, primarily at Service Flying Training Schools (SFTS) across Western Canada. Notable Alberta-based schools included No. 3 SFTS (Calgary), No. 15 SFTS (Claresholm), and No. 2 Flying Instructor School (Vulcan), and later atPearce which utilized about fifty.` Each operated dozens to over a hundred Cranes.
Museum’s Cessna Crane: History and Significance
The museum’s Cessna Crane, registration CF-LED, was acquired by Lloyd Drake of Lundbreck, Alberta, It was restored to flyable condition in 2002 by Lloyd’s son Loren who donated the aircraft to the museum in 2018. It was transported from High River to Nanton on a flatbed truck in October 2018. The journey, which took about 45 minutes, was a notable event for locals and aviation enthusiasts alike.
Museum Restoration and Display
- The museum plans to restore the aircraft to runnable condition, joining the Lancaster and other aircraft in live engine demonstrations.
- This Crane will be the fourth operational aircraft at the museum, used for engine starts and taxiing, though not for flight due to the lack of a runway.
Historical Context
- The aircraft is displayed in the markings of 3 SFTS Cessna Crane 8177, as flown by S/L Donald Patterson DFC, a Calgarian who instructed at 3 SFTS, flying 8177 seventy-five times prior to serving overseas as a flight commander with 426 Squadron. It is maintained in taxiable condition.
- The Crane’s presence in the museum helps highlight the training legacy of southern Alberta during WWII.
- It complements the museum’s mission to preserve and showcase aircraft that contributed to Bomber Command and the BCATP.
Design and Features
- Construction: Wood wings and tail, steel tube fuselage, fabric-covered surfaces.
- Engines: Two Jacobs R-755-9 radial engines, each producing 245 hp.
- Performance:
- Top speed: 195 mph (315 km/h)
- Range: 750 miles
- Service ceiling: 18,000 ft
- Crew: Typically a pilot and instructor, with seating for up to five.
The Crane featured electrically actuated retractable landing gear and trailing-edge flaps, which were advanced for its time. Its nickname, the “Bamboo Bomber,” reflected its wood-heavy construction. Despite limitations in single-engine performance and load capacity, it was stable, reliable, and well-suited for training.
Legacy
The Crane remained in RCAF service until 1947, after which many were sold for civilian use. It played a vital role in training thousands of bomber pilots and instructors under the BCATP, contributing significantly to the Allied air effort during WWII.
