Curtiss JN-4 Canuck

Military flying is the pillar of Canadian aviation. The military gave thousands of young Canadian aviators their start and provided Canadian manufacturers invaluable experience in the design and production of modern aircraft. The Imperial Munitions Board took over the Curtiss Aircraft factory in Toronto early in 1917. Rechristened Canadian Aeroplanes, Limited, the operation began large-scale production of the JN-4, a British-American-designed trainer. By the end of the First World War, the company had turned out approximately 2900 "Jennies", including 680 for export to the United States as well as some for spare parts. Thousands of Canadian airmen trained in the JN-4. It carried Canada's first airmail on a flight from Montreal to Toronto. Canada's first registered commercial aircraft was a JN-4, owned by a Regina company. The first aircraft to fly across the mountains of Western Canada was a JN-4, piloted by Captain Ernest C. Hoy, D.F.C., of Vancouver. The stamp shows an aircraft of the 85th Squadron stationed at Camp Borden, Ontario, and is depicted in the colour scheme of R.A.F. First World War trainers. The military aircraft stamps were designed by Robert Bradford and Jacques Charette. Mr. Bradford prepared the paintings that appear in the typographic format designed by Mr. Charette.