the finch was a mainstay of the rcaf prior to and during the early part of the second world war, flying at the elementary flying training schools (efts) in parallel with the better known de havilland tiger moth, also produced in canada. the earlier fleet model 7 (fleet fawn) was also in use for primary training. during 1940, initial production problems were solved and timely deliveries were made to the rcaf, allowing the first training programs to start up. in the following year, the portuguese navy purchased ten model 16ds (ordered as 10bs but changed to the higher powered variant) and later a further five 16ds were delivered in 1942.