Fleet 16B in Canadian service
Canada's indigenous basic trainer during WWII.
In 1928, Consolidated Aircraft in the US dropped their light aircraft business, and Fleet Aircrraft was setup in Canada to market the aircraft internationally. Progressive development from the Model 10 eventually led to the Model 16 in 1938. After evaluation the type entered service as a basic trainer with the RCAF immediately before WWII, sharing the role with Canadian built DH82C Tiger Moths. With the formation of the Empire Training Scheme the need for trainers increased dramatically, and eventually a total of 431 aircraft were built for the RCAF. Initial aircraft were delivered with open cockpits, but Canadian conditions soon ensured that aircraft were built with a heated, closed canopy.
After the war many aircraft were demobbed into civilian use, and the aircraft remain popular as private aircraft.