ISSUE 79 Fall 2003 – Canadian Museum of Flight

MUSEUM FLIGHT The Canadian Museum of Flight Glidepath News Members of CAPA NC 605Y

IS IT WACO, WACKO, OR WAH-CO?

This story is re-printed from March 1983 CMFT Museum Newsletter By Jerry Vernon.

In 1921. Clayton J. Brucker and Elwoord J. Junkin founded the Weaver Aircraft company in Advance, Ohio and hence the brand name “WACO” was born, not in Waco, Texas, as many have thought. The company was so named in order to capitalize on the name and popularity of the well known barnstormer George “Buck” Weaver, who started out as a minority partner in the firm, along with aircraft designer Charlie Meyers.

As to the pronunciation of the make, is it “Wayco”, or “Whacko” or “Wah-co”??? In spite of this writer’s careless pronunciation. and to the disappointment of many air show and radio announcers, it is properly enunciated as “Wah-co”.

After building one aircraft (the Waco Model 4) in 1921 and three (Waco Model 5) in 1922, the partners reorganized their company in 1923 as the Advance Aircraft Company in nearby Troy, Ohio. Their first product was the Waco Model 7, of which five were built and sold in 1923. The model 8 was an 8-passenger cabin biplane, followed by the steel-fuselage Model 9, of which 164 were sold in 1926 at a price of $2,250. 1928 production soared to 635 aircraft, and was now centered on the popular Model 10, most frequently powered by the OX-5 engine. In 1929, the Model 10 was redesigned as the Model GXE- the first of their confusing 3 letter series-and the company was renamed the Waco Aircraft Company, to at least case a little of the confusion! 1929 also saw the introduction of the taperwing model, an out and out acrobatic aircraft (for that day and age). Apart from the Model 8. all the other early Waco’s were open-cockpit 3-seaters.

It would take an entire book to elaborate on the complicated Waco letter designation system. Suffice it to say, the first letter denoted the engine type, the second letter the wing design and the third the Waco series. Consequently, the museum’s Waco INF is part of a family of RNF, KNF, INF and MNF, set apart from each other by the engine installed at any given time.

WACO NOW A SHOW PIECE CMF CLASSIC A SURVIVOR OF NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS

The museum’s Waco INF at the age of 52 ½ (now 73 yrs old) ranks among the oldest half-dozen still flying in Canada. A visitor to Vancouver and Victoria when just two months old, it continues to please crowds with its vintage lines.

NC605Y s/n 3324, was produced in July 1930 as a Waco Model KNF carrying a 100 hp Kinner K-5 engine. Since that time it has spent over 50 years based in Washington State, California and BC. The initial owner was Lee O. Cox of Seattle and Chicago, vice-president of the Conlon Corporation, producers of electric washing and ironing machines for the home. The Waco was used as a corporate aircraft, flown by Lee Cox or hired pilots.

The first of many accidents to NC605Y, occurred on September 27th 1930, at Victoria, BC necessitating new landing gear, new wing, new struts, new spars, etc. from the factory. Further mishaps took place in Seattle on June 18, 1931 and Sunnyside, WA. on November, 18 1931, the latter requiring a further shipment of spars, ribs and other wing parts from Troy. Ohio. During March 1932, a low-flying accident at Enumclau. WA brought about some lower fuselage repairs and a 6-month suspension for pilot Tommie Taylor for low flying and flying with an expired licence. Total airframe hours had already mounted to 480 by February 1932, and 640 by August 1932.

An accident on March 12, 1933 at Seattle required the fabrication of a plywood motor plate. This was followed by a further Seattle crash on May 7, 1933 that required not only another motor plate but also complete new spars for the upper and lower right wings, center section, and considerable repair and straightening to the fuselage and motor mount. In 1933, a radio was installed in the aircraft. in February 1935, NC60SY was converted from a Model KNF to an INF by Northwest Air Services of Seattle, using a Waco factory kit-motor mount, oil tank and Kinner B-5 engine (125 hp). One result of this was an increased empty weight and reduced payload. A Hamilton steel propeller had been installed in 1933, and there was some argument at this time with the CAA over the extra weight involved, and the possibility that either some equipmem should be removed or the passenger capacity be reduced to one. This was not sorted out until 1940, when the Waco was “restored to original specifications” by installation of a wooden prop and removal of battery, landing lights, radio, etc.

In March 1938, the aircraft was sold to Lana Robert Kurtzer of Kurtzer Flying service, of Seattle, who had been flying the biplane for Cox since at least 1933. By this time, the total recorded hours 2305:40. Kurtzer kept the aircraft until August 1940 when he sold it to Albert Griffith, President of Southern California Flyers, San Diego CA to be based at Peiks Airfield, San Diego.

Over the following years, the aircraft changed hands many times within the state of California. Further damage was caused to the lower left wing in an accident on March 15, 1943. During this repair, the front cockpit was changed from 2-place to single place, using a seat from a Fleet 2. Between 1943 and 1970, there were 13 changes of ownership, several rebuilds and 5 re-coverings of the airframe. Unfortunately the owner’s records and logbooks were lost around 1953. The next recorded accident was in 1970, resulting in spar repair to the lower right wing and the fifth stripping and recovering job.

The last US owner, Don “Kinner” Brown found the Waco in a chicken coop and owned it from 1959 until he sold it to Canadian Specialties, (Russ Clancy) Langley, BC in September 1972. Clancy then sold CF-CJR to CMFT supporter Mike Meeker, of Mission, BC in June of 1975. Following a ground loop incident in 1976, and yet another wing rebuild, the Waco was donated by Mike Mecker to the museum in December 1979.

CF-CJR TODAY

Now that we have told you the previous history of the Waco INF, it’s time to bring you up to date on the current status. As reported in the last Glidepath News the “collector ring” had suffered many cracks and was in need of repair. Unfortunately the subsequent repair only lasted for 2 flights and the collector ring no longer has cracks but holes. The aircraft is once again unserviceable and will be until another collector ring is manufactured.

I am sure many of you over the years have tried to get a part for that favorite piece of machinery or appliance only to be told they no longer manufacture that part and you are forced to replace the complete unit. Well, this is also the case with favorite aircraft that are over 70 years old. The restoration volunteers have spent countless hours trying to source out where another collector ring could be manufactured, quickly discovering that there are very few options. Thanks to the help of Mark Capadouca of M.C. Welding who did all the legwork and connected CMF with SIEG’s Manufacturing who have agreed to spin another ring once funds become available, we could have this aircraft up and running in a few months.

In order to get the Waco INF back into flying condition we require $1,800. This will cover a new collector ring and replace the fabric on the fuselage, which has become very brittle due to age.

You will find enclosed a donation request form asking for your help. For a donation of $100.00 you will receive your name engraved on a special Waco INF plaque along with receiving a Tax Deductible Receipt. We have at the front desk in the Gift Shop a thermometer chart that will show our progress. Stop in or give us a call to see where we are.

ISSUE 79
Fall 2003
HANGAR #3 5333-216th STREET LANGLEY. B.C V2Y 2N3
TEL: 604-532-0035
FAX: 604-532-0056
museum-direct.ca

INSIDE

PAGE 1 The Waco Story
PAGE 2 Dinner Meeting
PAGE 3 Volunteer of the Quarter/ The Waco Story continued
PAGE 4 New Members/ The Waco Story continued
PAGE 5 Semiahmoo Mail/Letter from Museum visitor
PAGE 6 Volunteers
PAGE 7 What’s Happening in the Hangar Special News and Reminders
PAGE 8 Cassifieds

THE NEWSLETTER

The CMF Newsletter is published quarterly by the Canadian Museum of Flight. 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 CMF Newsletter. The Editor reserves the right to make changes in the manuscripts without altering the meaning.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Sandy Tinsley at the Museum by calling 604-532-0035.

Museum is open daily from 10:00 am – 4:00 p.m.

CMF BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

George Preston President
Jeff Jeffrey . Vice President
Terry Wadhams Treasurer
Ken Knutson Secretary
Bob Fowles Director
Gogi Goguillot Director
David McIntosh Director
Hardy Staub Director
Capt Bill Thompson Lifetime Director
Sandy Tinsley Executive Director
Teresa Rhodenizer Gift Shop/Bookkeeping/Collection

QUARTERLY DINNER MEETING Saturday, November 1, 2003

Doors Open: 6:00 pm Dinner: 7:00 pm Meeting: 8:00 pm

$20.00 Per Person RSVP by 4:00 pm Thursday October 30, 2003 We require 48 hours notice of cancellation or you will be charged for the dinner

Guest speaker Ben Stam-First Canadian Paraplegic Pilot

Ben’s flying career started at the Langley airport with Skyways Air Services. Listen to how he overcame the obstacles put in front of him, and how 30 years ago, one of our Museum members and volunteers gave him the “high” of his life.

VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER

When you think of someone being a Museum volunteer, you picture them at the Museum working on the aircraft or tour guiding or in the gift shop. We however have volunteers that only make it to the Museum once a month or so, but put in regular hours, at their homes or work place. John Tetrault is one of these dedicated volunteers who will come to the Museum, find out what the volunteers require then go home and work his magic. When the volunteer received a donated metal shear. who did they call to do the repairs on it? John. When the kids room required a wind tunnel, who did we call? John. John will spend the time finding out exactly what is required, then go home to Vancouver and return with a finished project. He always has a smile on his face and very kind words to say. Not only is John a joy to have around, he is an essential part of our Museum. Congratulations on being CMF’s Fall Volunteer of the Quarter!.

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

John Gibson Don Lefever Francis Steven Grant Barry Jeremy Mann Ricky Bowman Darla Jamieson Harry Fielding Rick Church Norm McMahon Lee Fenner Mike Holley Roy Hafeli Glenn Smith Paul Poulin Carson Family Vancouver, BC White Rock. BC Comox, BC Surrey, BC Surrey, BC Langley, BC New Westminster, BC Langley, BC Langley, BC Langley, BC Penticton, BC Langley, BC Mission, BC Surrey, BC Langley, BC Surrey, BC Jim Bruce W.A. McComb Ken Smith Jr. Lynne Hayward Ralph Weflen Alexi Angelaos Avtar Lairi Doug & Carol Bell Lynn Foslien Al French Elizabeth Buchner Oliver Burkle Ken Col Janette Kover Sylvia Anderson Surrey, BC Delta, BC Surrey, BC Aldergrove. BC Chilliwack, BC Surrey, BC Aldergrove. BC Surrey, BC Surrey, BC Langley, BC Vancouver, BC Langley, BC Langley, BC Langley, BC

Tour Guide Workshop

Saturday Oct 18 2003 11:00 a.m. in the Museum Hangar Aircraft Sheet Metal Orientation Workshop-hangar volunteers Tuesday November 18th 2003 7:00 p.m.-9:00 pm in the Museum Hangar

SEMIAHMOO MALL DISPLAY – NOVEMBER 2—11

Volunteers are required urgently for the Semiahmoo Mall display to be held from November 3rd-11th with set up being done on Sunday November 2d at 5:30 pm.

With the economy the way it is, the Museum Gift Shop has seen a sharp decrease in sales this past summer. Semiahmoo Mall is the last opportunity this year to increase our Gift Shop revenue and we are once again putting a call out to all volunteers who are available to work 4 hour shifts to give us a call and slot your name in. The schedule is at the Museum front desk and either Teresa or Sandy will be able to help you. The following shifts are available on a first come first served basis, once we have three people per shift we will fill the next one until all shifts are full to ensure every day is covered.

Monday	November 3	9:30 to 1:30	1:30 to 5:30
Tuesday	November 4	9:30 to 1:30	1:30 to 5:30
Wednesday	November 5	9:30 to 1:30	1:30 to 5:30
Thursday	November 6	9:30 to 1:30	1:30 to 5:30	5:30 to 9:00
Friday	November 7	9:30 to 1:30	1:30 to 5:30	5:30 to 9:00
Saturday	November 8	9:30 to 1:30	1:30 to 5:30
Sunday	November 9	12:00 to 5:00
Monday	November 10	9:30 to 5:30	1:30 to 5:30
Tuesday	November 11	12:00 to 5:00

A letter received from a recent Museum Visitor

AN AIRCRAFT TO REMEMBER

Last August, I was driving home from a visit in Vancouver, Canada when I spied a road sign near Langley, which announced the existence of an RCAF Museum. Having spent the better part of four years during WWII in that same Air Force, I quickly took the off ramp and found the Museum. There, in all its glory stood a Fleet Finch resplendent in the yellow and black paint scheme common to training aircraft in the 1940’s. Here was an extremely rare example of the very type in which I learned to fly back in 1943. And it was still in flying condition. Even the old number, 4725, was still emblazoned on the fuselage. Since I had not even seen a Fleet Finch since the end of the war, I spent some quality time checking it out from prop to tail. Even reminisced about that romantic time when I believed that I would be joining the battle in a few months. Not to happen! They made me a flying instructor!

But I digress. When I returned home from the trip, I looked in my old log books and to my delight, discovered that I had flown this very same aircraft when I was a student at RCAF Cap de la Madeleine station in Quebec-once on July 13th and a second time on July 14th 1943. What was memorable was that the second flight ended up in a small pasture behind a barn several miles from the base. A cylinder head had cracked!! Luckily I managed to get it down with out any further damage: but the field was small and populated with several cows all of which immediately showed an all-consuming interest in this invader. I spent the next several minutes protecting my airplane by shooing the cows away. But they were not to be deterred. Back they came, intent on augmenting their green diet with something yellow that apparently smelled pretty good. I had to let someone know about my predicament and there had to be a farmhouse behind that barn. So once again the cows were unceremoniously backed into the farthest corner of the field and I sprinted around the barn to the farmhouse. A very surprised lady answered my furious knocking and continued to stare as I tried to explain my dilemma-in English, but she only spoke French. So I dragged out my high school French and blurted “Mon avion–derriere le barn—les vaches mange mon avion from the vaches!

Fortunately for me, about this time I was spied by an instructor who waggled his wings at me and headed back to the base. Eventually a truck came to relieve me of my guard duties and I was returned to a very inquisitive CO. But he had to admit that I had done a good job. In fact, my instructor was heard to brag that he arranged actual forced landings for his students. A final note on Fleet 4725, they had to disassemble it to get it out of that very small and uneven field!

K. P. Mazurek
Former RCAF Flying Instructor (1942 through 1945)
St. George, UTAH

Dear Sandy,

Thank you for your letter this summer addressed to my son, Paul Newman, who has been a volunteer for the Canadian Museum of Flight. Upon his graduation from grade 12 in June this year, he was accepted at Royal Military College of Canada. During the month of July and August, 2003 he was in training at the official RMC Boot Camp in Quebec for 8 weeks. We just got word that he was one of the 250 students who “survived” and so now he is officially registered at the University in Kingston, Ontario. He will be studying Business Administration for the next four years there.

Your letter of recommendation for Paul was much appreciated. He was awarded a total of five scholarships, which will pay for his first year tuition ($6,000!!).

Paul’s volunteer time at the museum was very rewarding, and he appreciated the opportunities given to him.

Regards,
Viv Newman
(Paul’s Mom!) FROM ALL OF US AT CMF…..WAY TO GO PAUL!

Unfortunately when the picture was taken some volunteers had left for the evening, this shows only a portion of CMF’s volunteer force

CMF VOLUNTEER PARTY

The first annual CMF Volunteer Party in my opinion was a great night. It was a way to meet all different volunteers in the Museum. It also showed everyone what it takes to keep a non-profit organization working. People who care and want to save history in their own way so that people can see what it took to get where we are. Spouses and partners are also volunteers as they allow their other half to work at the Museum, which should be noted in some cases, volunteering themselves. Some volunteers are able to give more hours than others, but every hour given is so important not only does it mean that history is being saved, but it can also mean grants in the form of money for the Museum. These hours could help in getting funds for a larger space.

That’s enough of a sales pitch in getting volunteers, the pot luck dinner for the volunteers on Sept 27th was the best, it was the first one but hopefully there will be many more. They say that people put their best work into the food for these functions, and that evening proved they really do, there was so much food on the table to eat and it was GREAT. I for one would like to thank everyone who brought their dishes. Come and volunteer then join us next year. Sorry about that…getting another shot to volunteer in there.

A special thank you to Kristan Arens who took care of administrative stuff, Ken Smith who phoned people and got us a great mix of food and a thank you to George Preston for bringing the barbeques, also the com, thanks also to the young man from Preston Chev Olds who was helping with the barbeques. Thanks to the ones who help set up, clean up, pull the planes out, put the planes back, and oh ya, and our resident bartender-James Moan.

They had door prizes for all the volunteers, each volunteer was called up to choose a prize which was a good way to put a name to a face. Volunteers don’t need a parade or a street named after them, but a thank you is great and this was a super way to do it. A way of saving WELL DONE VOLUNTEERS!!!

Submitted by fellow volunteer- BJ MacMillan

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HANGAR

Work is progressing on the Fleet Canuck as follows: ⚫

Wing butt ribs on fuselage fitted ⚫
Skylight and windshield frame installed
Fuel tank prepped and installed ⚫
Trial fitted cowl, firewall and battery box •
Brake system installed and bled •
Preliminary evaluation of wings ⚫
Stern post and tail wheel mount re-aligned
Search in progress for prop and struts

The Vampire fuselage repaired and painted
S-55 Sheet metal work progressing
SE5a, Fleet Finch, Harvard, Tiger Moth, Waco Cabin flying-maintenance as required.
Waco INF exhaust collector ring re-build commencing as soon as funds come available.

SPECIAL NEWS AND REMINDERS

Congratulations to Dan Holiday, Werner Griesbeck, Vic McMann and Are Olson for their respective wins at the 2003 Arlington Fly In. ⚫
The Board of Directors meets every third Wednesday of the month in the Museum hangar lunchroom. This meeting is open to members should anyone wish to attend. Please call the Museum in advance to confirm the date.
Thank you to member Paul Brown of Legends Memorabilia for donating framed movie memorabilia from the MGM block buster “The Battle of Britain”. Many lucky winners from the volunteer party will be hanging their collector items in their homes. ⚫
The last official flying event for CMF aircraft this 2003 season will be on November 11, Remembrance Day. The aircraft will fly over White Rock and Langley Cenotaphs paying respect for all our fallen heroes and the men and women who have served in order so that we may be free. The Harvard will fly over the Qualicum cenotaph as it has for the past many years. •
All receipts for donations must be turned into the Museum prior to December 31st in order to receive a Tax Deductible Receipt to be used on your 2003 Income Tax Forms. ⚫
This years Members Day saw the best turn out in years. We flew over 60 members in 9 different aircraft including the Museums’ WACO Cabin, Fleet Finch, Waco INF, and Tiger Moth. Thank you to George Spence for flying his Chipmunk, Dave Beales with his Cessna 140, Rich Church with his Cessna 140, Steve Serviss with an RV-4, and Gil Fanslau with his Piper.

This photo of Joseph Bertalino was taken in 1929 at Lulu Island Airport and is now part of the Canadian Museum of Flight’s photo archives thanks to his son Jim Bertalino who donated this and many other photos and artefacts to the Museum.

Page 8 GLIDEPATH NEWS Samples $4 each WW1 AERO (1900-1919) SKYWAYS (1920-1940) historical research workshop notes The Museum welcomes donations of used AVIATION BOOKS for the Library and to sell in the Gift shop. Support the Museum by donating your previously read material. You will receive a Tax-Deductible Receipt. nformation on painaloolor aeroplanes, engines, parts your wants and disposa information on how news of museums and projects echnical drawings and data photographs scale modelling matena news of cute publications BUILD ONE! A REAL ONE! Sole autors for P3V, a computer program to generate a 3-w tom a pheograph Published by WORLD WAR 1 Geroplanes, INC. 15 Credge NY 12301, USA 849475-3679 It’s that time of year again to think about renewing your membership. Although it does not come due until Feb 28th of 2004 beat the rush. If you renew prior to December 31, 2003 you will receive 20% off all regular priced merchandise for your Christmas shopping from December 1-31, 2003. General $37.45 Family $48.15 Senior $26.75 Student $26.75

Never let it be said that engineers lack a sense of humour. Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints and problems as submitted by Qantas pilots and the solution recorded by maintenance engineers.

P=the problem logged by the pilot.
S-the solution and action taken by the engineers.
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.
P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious
P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

Members…….. $10.00 General………..$15.00 50 words or less Your ads will assist the Museum Programs and introduce your product to our membership. …$75.00

CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING RATES 1/4 page… $50.00 1/2 page…… Full page… $100.00