- Country:Canada
- Collection:Silver Commemorative $20
- Metal:Silver
- Year:2016
- Denomination:$20
- Finish:Complete
- Weight (oz):1.023
- Purity:0.9999
- Mintage:7263
- Product type:Coin
Commemorates the plane flown by Billy Bishop and other Canadian Aces. Order today!
Aircraft technology was barely a decade old when the First World War began in 1914, but the needs of warfare quickly fuelled incredible advancements in aviation technology. As Canadian pilots and "aces" soared through the sky in aircraftsuch as the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a, they played an important role in a new era that shaped modern warfare and ultimately redefined industry and transportation.
Canada did not have its own air force during the First World War, but that did little to dampen Canadian enthusiasm for aviation. Thousands of Canadians enlisted to serve as aircrew personnel in either the United Kingdom's Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) or the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). In 1917, the RFC established a large-scale training effort in Canada to bolster its aerial efforts along the Western Front and by 1918, more than 23,000 Canadians proudly served as pilots, observers and mechanics. Canadian "Aces" such as W. G.Barker, Raymond Collishaw and A. A. McLeod were lauded for their flying exploits; but the most prolific of Canada's airborne heroes was Lt. Col. William Avery "Billy" Bishop, the recipient of the Victoria Cross, who shot down 36 ofhis credited 72 victories while flying a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a.
Celebrates the daring, pioneering spirit of Canadians who took to the sky and helped steer the course of aviation history! Order today!
Special features:
First issue in a thrilling new 3-coin series that shines the spotlight on aircraft flown by Canadian combatants during the First World War.
PAINSTAKINGLY ENGRAVED IN STUNNING DETAIL WITH SELECTIVE COLOUR: The reverse design beautifully and faithfully depicts the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a, which was one of the most successful Allied fighter planes of the war.
Your 1 oz. coin is 99.99% pure silver and has a mintage limited to 7,500 coins.
Sure to be treasured by collectors and aviation enthusiasts for its artistic merit and historical theme, this striking coin is also a deeply meaningful gift for those whose loved ones proudly served their country.
Your coin is GST/HST exempt!
Design:
Designed by Canadian artist David A. Oram, your coinfeatures a richly detailed, engraved depiction of an airfield where a squadron prepares for takeoff. ACrossley Light Tender 20/25 truck is parked behind five Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a aircraft, which have lined up in front of several Bessonneau hangars; the foremost plane is particularly striking thanks to the use of selective colour, which recreates the biplane fighter's dark green colour, as well as the blue, white and red roundel and tail cockade that identified the aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps. Seated in the open cockpit, a Canadian pilotwears the leather flying coat, helmet and goggles that offer him some protection from the wind and cold temperatures at higher altitudes. The reverse boasts an impressive amount of detail in its rendition of the wire-braced box girder, and close examination offers a glimpse of the fuselage-mounted .303 Vickers gun and the MK-II Lewis machine gun on the upper wing, which helped make this aircraft one of the most successful Allied fighter planes of the First World War.
Did you know?
One of the Royal Flying Corps' most successful fighter aircraft the single-seat, British-built RoyalAircraft Factory S.E.5a was first introduced in March 1917, then deployed to the Western Front the following month.
It also saw action in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine and along the Salonica Front, and playeda limited role in defending the British homefront.
The S.E.5a's reliable performance helped the Allies regain air superiority in 1917 and maintain it until the war's end in 1918.
The biplane was fast for its time, reaching a maximum speed of 222 kilometres per hour with the ability to remain in the air for over two hours.
It was also easy to fly-a real boon given the short training time available for new pilots.
The S.E.5a also boasted the first pilot-adjustable tail-plane and steerable tailskid.
The aircraft was fitted with a fuselage-mounted .303 Vickers gun and an MK-II Lewis machine gun mounted on the upper wing.
About 5,200 S.E.5as were manufactured for the war effort; although issues with its powerful engine caused initialshortages, the situation was remedied by early 1918when new squadrons were formed using the S.E.5a rather than other aircraft.
In 1919, Canada received 10 single-seater S.E.5a aircraft and two two-seat trainers as part of the Imperial Gift made to the dominions of the British Empire, which provided the core of what would become theRoyal Canadian Air Force.
