Canadian Car & Foundry GE-23

Canadian Car & Foundry · Canada · first flew 1938 · fighter

The Canadian Car & Foundry GE-23 (also known as the Gregor FDB-1) was a licence-developed Canadian biplane fighter of the late 1930s, based on the Fiat CR.32 configuration and intended for export to Republican Spain.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• Single-bay biplane with I-type interplane struts and single inline engine
• Upper wing set slightly ahead of lower, giving a staggered profile
• Fixed undercarriage with spats; open cockpit

A classic 1930s biplane fighter silhouette with single-bay wings, I-struts, spatted fixed undercarriage, and open cockpit; closely resembles the Fiat CR.32 in general layout.

Specifications

• The Canadian Car & Foundry GE-23 has a length of 6.9 m (23 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 9.7 m (32 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 368 km/h (229 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

CCF entered into an agreement to produce a developed version of the Fiat CR.32 biplane fighter under the designation GE-23, reportedly for export to Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War. Political and financial complications surrounding the export licence meant the aircraft never reached its intended operators. The sole prototype or very small batch was built at Fort William, Ontario. Michael Gregor, a former designer, gave his name to the FDB-1 designation used interchangeably.

Variants

Only the GE-23 / FDB-1 is documented; no production variants were completed.

Where you'll see it

Never entered operational service; the aircraft was assessed and then the export fell through due to neutrality legislation.

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