Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation Issue #49 Spring 1996
NEW WING WING AT AT PITT MEADOWS
At the March 2 General Meeting, President George Proulx announced to the membership that the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation will be establishing a wing in the Lower Mainland Municipality of Pitt Meadows. The Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution approving in principle the establishment of a new display facility at the Pitt Meadows Airport. This announcement is a result of the positive response of Directors and members to a proposal from the Pitt Meadows Airport Association.
The last of Museum’s collection of aircraft, equipment and artifacts have just recently been cleared from the Crescent Road site in Surrey and moved to either the display hangar in Langley or to offsite storage. However, the reduced display space available in Langley, has rest ‘ted in a smaller number of the aircraft and the larger artifacts being presented to the public at one time.
Establishing a complementary Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation display facility at Pitt Meadows will enable the display of many of these currently stored artifacts. This will allow the Museum to better accomplish its Mission Statement which is “To present Canada’s aviation heritage to the public for their enjoyment and education”. The expansion will also increase the opportunities available to members to participate in Museum activities.
Member Ron Blakely, with the Pitt Meadows Airport Association, Museum President George Proulx, Site Manager Gogi Goguillot and member Ron Alexander outside Pitt Meadows Council Chambers just after talking with the Mayor about plans for the new wing.
Planning is now in progress for the proposed new facility which will provide display space as well as library facilities and restoration shops. It is intended that the Museum’s activities will involve a number of community organizations. Volunteers from the community, including seniors and youth groups will be involved in activities ranging from operation of the facility to restoration of historic aircraft. Look for the Museum to participate enthusiastically at the next Pitt Meadows Airshow.
Immediate steps are being taken to equip a members meeting room at the Pitt Meadows Airport by setting up a building that used to be on the Crescent Road site. The ex- Trans Canada Airlines Lockheed Lodestar Model 18 will be the first aircraft established on the new site. The space to accomplish these preliminary goals has been generously made available by Altair Aviation, a business active at the airport. This is a concrete indicator of the enthusiastic support being provided by the Pitt Meadows Airport Association
In addition to support from individual members of the surrounding community, letters of support for the Museum and Pitt Meadows Airport Association have come from Pitt Meadows Mayor Duncan, Mayor Durksen of Maple Ridge, Mayor Northey of Port Moody, the regions Member of Parliment Daphne Jennings the local MLA Bill Hartley and the Chamber of Commerce of Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. With such strong support the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation is assured that the new wing will grow quickly and prove beneficial to both the C.M.F.T. and the community of Pitt Meadows.
Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation
The CMFT Newsletter is published quarterly by the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation.
Contributions in the form of articles, news items, letters and photos are welcome, as are comments and criticism. No payment can be made for any manuscripts that are submitted for publication in the CMFT Newsletter. The editor reserves the right to make changes in manuscripts without altering the meaning
- Editor….. Brad Thomas
- Contributing Editor… Garry Candlish
All mail and correspondence can be sent to:
- Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation
c/o The Newsletter Editor
5333-216th Street Unit 200 Langley, B.C. V2Y 2N3 - Tel: (604) 532-0035
- Fax: (604) 532-0056
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS
The Annual General Meeting on April 26 is when the membership casts it votes for the people they would like to see as Directors of the C.M.F.T. This is an important aspect of the museum’s responsibilities as a registered society (#13035) and a time for the members to help set the direction for the next year.
The following list from the Nominating Committee, is a short introduction to members of the museum who have been nominated and have let their name stand for the election. Their amount of time they have been members is also included.
The membership will cast secret ballots to elect a slate of 15 of the societies 20 Directors. Five of the positions are filled by lifetime Directors. The Directors will then have a meeting where they will elect an Executive from amongst themselves.
A member shall not hold a seat on the board for more than 3 consecutive years. The Museum gives it’s thanks to outgoing Directors Doug Fraser and Tony Hudak who have both served on the Executive during their last three years on the Board of Directors.
If members cannot attend the meeting they may vote by proxy They should forward their signed Proxy to the Museum no later than one week prior to the meeting.
- Ron Blakely 2 yrs.
- Ron is a retired Professional Engineer who is now an A.M.E. He rebuilt and flew his own 1947 Luscombe and has worked on a variety of aircraft. Associations with Pitt Meadows Airport Association, Pacific AME Association, Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C., C.O.P.A. and the Luscombe Association
- Joe Chesney
- Joe is a retired broadcaster and used to own radio station CJJC. He is a fixed wing pilot and an avid HAM Radio Operator. This is an interest that stems from his time as an airforce radio operator. He is a member of the Langley Airport Association
- John DeVisser Incumbent 16 yrs.
- John is an Aircraft Painter with Canadian Airlines. He is a recreational pilot who likes to restore homebuilts. Terry Elgood 15 yrs. Terry is an engineering technician who has designed and built several homebuilt aircraft. He has also served previously as a Director of the Museum. Associations with the Professional Engineers and C.O.P.A
- Bill Emerslund 18 yrs
- Bill is a Vancouver City Police Officer and a fixed wing pilot. He has served before as a Museum Director and is also a director with the Vancouver Police Union Charitable Foundation. Associations with the Pitt Meadows Airport Association.
- Barry Kingston 8 yrs.
- Barry is a retired school vice principal who has built and flown homebuilt aircraft. Currently he is interested in arranging tours of school children to the museum.
- Ron Krywiak Incumbent 19 yrs.
- Ron is a ski resort supervisor who loves wreck recovery. He has done some airframe and engine rebuilds and owns some of his own Warbird salvage. He is currently working as Keeper of the Aircraft at the Museum.
- Ron McWilliams 6yrs
- Ron is a warehouseman with U.A.P. Napa Autoparts. He has served a previous term as a museum director and is currently the Museums Hangar Display Co-ordinator.
- Veryl Nouch
- Veryl is a Certified Manufacturing Accountant who flies his own aircraft. He is also a member of the 16 yrs. Pitt Meadows Airport Association.
- George Proulx Incumbent 4yrs.
- George is a retired railway man and an avid scale modeler. He is the Museums current President and has managed the giftshop, bingo and the magazine collection.
- Michael Read Incumbent 4 yrs.
- Michael is a Management Consultant and a sail plane pilot. He is currently volunteering his computer skills to the museum.
- John Reid Incumbent 10 yrs.
- John is a retired businessman During WWII he was a R.C.A.F. flying instructor. He puts in a lot of time at the museum handling the accessions and is a member of the Air Force Officers Association.
- Brian Rempel 6yrs.
- Brian is a financial assistant with the Coast Guard. He served on the Board of Directors several years age. Brian has plans to construct his own homebuilt.
- Keith Retallack Incumbent 3 yrs.
- Keith likes helicopters but is more interested in the administration of a group like the Museum. He is currently the Volunteer Co-ordinator. He is a member of the B.C Aviation Museum, the B.C. and Yukon Hotel Association and the B. C. Motel Camping and Resort Association.
- Jane Robinson 11 yrs.
- Jane is a library supervisor who has served in the past on the Museums Board of Directors. She worked on the aircraft displays at Expo 86 and has supervised some very successful Casino fundraisers for the C.M.F.T.
- Brad Thomas
- Brad is a mechanical engineer and a recently graduated A.M.E. He has served on the board, is the newsletter editor and volunteers at bingos. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers.
- Basil Watson Incumbent 5yrs.
- Basil is a retired cargomaster for the provinces aerial firefighters. He has worked many of the Museums special events and currently assists the Keeper of the Aircraft at the storage site.
Attend the next meeting, in Langley to place your vote.
AROUND THE SITE
With the ending of the recent cold spell, much progress has been made with the final layout of the outside aircraft
The CF-104 Starfighter is now in position next to the giftshop and the Hampden is being reassembled beside it. Fred Gardham has had help from a group of volunteers who managed to get the plane back up on its gear with only a modicum of cussing. The big bomber now dominates the skyline as visitors approach the Museum.
The CF-100 Canuck is in place and has had its wings and tail reinstalled. This required the use of a special A frame to lift the heavy wings. It is still going to take some work getting it cleaned up and repainting its faded markings. 5 yrs.
The Beech 18 Expeditor has been moved from outside the hangar door to its spot near the helicopters. It’s very light wings have been reattached and it is awaiting the installation of the display engines that were built up for it 2 years ago.
The DeHavilland Vampire has finally been moved inside, or at least the front half of it has. The balsa-wood belly needs to be rebuilt as well as repair to some of the other components. Panels have been removed and an attempt is being made to get some parts for the Vampire up from South America.
The Kinner engine of the Fleet Finch was examined and was found to have damage from the last several years of storage outdoors. Inky Klett and Doug Moan have removed the cylinders and are repairing it so it can be flown this summer. Valve springs and some other parts are needed.
The Waco INF and the Replica Plans SE-5 will also be readied for flight this year. They are currently being stored off the site and will have to be safely transported to the Museum.
Ron McWilliams and Sheila Chmilar have Fred and Inky reassemble the Hampden. made steady progress on the inside displays. A Canadian designed aircraft exhibit is taking shape.
New Membership Dues and Volunteer Projects
At the March general meeting the museum’s board of Directors announced the fee and dues schedule listed to the right. The new building at Langley and the rental of the storage building have caused a substantial increase in the monthly expenses of the museum.
Such expenses need to be covered so a motion to increase the Annual Membership Dues was passed by the board. Slight adjustments were also made to the Admission Fees
Volunteer Co-ordinator Keith Retallack also announced that membership is on the increase. It seems to be recovery of members lost due to museum closure during the move.
He also announced several projects underway at the museum that require time, money and materials from the membership. Estimated costs of three of the more visible projects are:
- Fleet Finch-new engine parts required to be airworthy in summer of 96 $2000
- Waco INF and SE-5- to be airworthy in fall 96 $2000
- DeHavilland Vampire – Phase 1- Reskinning of belly, installing missing instruments, new canopy, gun ports and paint. Some parts ordered from Venezuela $2200
Volunteers have started these projects so if you would like to join in please come to the site and talk to Gogi. The most active days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but we can use your help any day of the week.
- HOURS 10 A.M.-4 P.M. Daily
- ADMISSION FEES
- General (Age 16 thru 59) $4.00
- Senior (Age 60 up) $3.00
- Youth (Age 6 through 15) $3.00
- Family (2 Adult+4 youth) $10.00
- Children under 6 FREE
- Museum Members FREE
- ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES
- General $35.00
- Family $45.00
- Seniors $20.00
- Students w/I.D. $20.00
Please check the members expiry date on your newsletter mailing la bel. Renew by mail, telephone or visiting the museum. We accept cash, cheque, Visa or Mastercard.
Be Involved…contact a Committee Chairperson
The C.M.F.T. is a non profit society dedicated to the preservation of aviation and transportation heritage (Society #13,035). Membership can be obtained by paying the required dues. Charitable status allows for the issuance of tax deductible receipts for donations of artifacts, goods and money (Charity #0487595-50-27). The C.M.F.T is governed by a board of 20 Directors, 15 of which are ” elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting in April.
Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation ME Administrative Contacts Lifetime Directors Barry Jackson, N. Vancouver Ron Stunden, Richmond Executive Committee President George Proulx Bill Thompson, Pender Harbour Vice President Secretary Tony Hudak Ed Zalesky, White Rock Lon Cockerill Rose Zalesky, White Rock Board of Directors 932-2367 George Proulx, White Rock 277-3827 Tony Hudak, Suncy 883-2445 Lon Cockerill, Suney 535-1841 Doug Fraser, Delta 535-1841 John De Visser, Richmond Ron Krywiak, Bumaby Keith Retallack, New West Michael Read, White Rock John Reid, Richmond Basil Watson, Langley 538-3836 590-1855 538-3392 946-2293 277-5000 433-6240 526-4969 536-7402 271-1899 534-7926 The Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation is holding the next Annual General Meeting/Dinner at the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation 5333-216th Street, Langley on Friday April 26 1996 Committee Information Newsletter Editor, Brad Thomas 437-1817 Research, Jerry Vemon 420-6065 Exhibits Ron McWilliams 590-0226 Transportation, Tony Hudak 590-1855 Magazines, George Proulx 538-3836 Special Events, George Proulx 538-3836 Restoration, Sheila Chmilar 532-0035 Photo Archieve, Ingwald Wikene 543-9935 Computer Services, Michael Read 536-7402 Library, Margaret Giacomello 532-0035 Collections, Jeny Vemon 420-6065 Bingo, George Proulx 538-3836 Hampden Project, Fred Gardham 681-6886 For more info call the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Keith Retallack 526-4969 6:00 pm no-host bar, 7:00 pm dinner, 8:00 pm meeting Open to all members and their guests. This dinner is catered so please phone in your reservations at least 4 days prior to the meeting by calling 532-0035 Cost is $16.90 per person. Pre-pay by credit card or pay at the door.