The Canadian Museum of Flight

Glidepath News Issue 65 Spring 2000

Hangar #3-5333 216th Street Langley, B.C., V2Y 2N3

Phone (604)-532-0035
Fax: (604) 532-0056
Email: museum@direct.ca

The Sliver Dart, powered by a V8, water cooled engine of 35 horsepower at 1000 R. P. M was flown by J.A.D. McCurdy. This photo shows McCurdy flying the Silver Dart on February 23, 1909 when he flew over half a mile above the frozen surface of Bras d’Or Lake, thus achieving the first heavier- than-air flight in Canada. Years later the exploit was given official recognition as having been the first controlled flight of an airplane, by a British subject, in any point in the British Commonwealth.

Editorial Gogi Goguillot

Those of us (two) who spend fulltime with matters of the Museum’s operation tend to develop “tunnel vision” when dealing with our day-to-day problems.

Gift Shop operations, tours, memberships, rentals to movie industry, special events and displays, and all the other regular activities are all, to a greater or lesser extent designed to raise money to finance our operations. We find ourselves sometimes asking, does this fall into the “will it help us financially” category or the “historically significant” category. So for a change a story of interest and historical significance.

Some months ago, the Museum received a letter from Judy Schweers and her son Guthrie asking if they could put in some time with us as volunteers. Judy said that she could” handle a mean dust rag” in our showcases, and Guthrie does a fantastic job. with balsa and tissue models. So what is so interesting?. Just this, the Schweer’s live in a lighthouse at Langara Point near Prince Rupert, travel by helicopter and communicate by radio. They spent a day here, and while Judy went to work on the displays, Guthrie started on the plans for building a replica “Silver Dart” for the Museum’s displays. When they left the Museum, they were going directly to a Garden Shop for Bamboo strips- which is what the full size version was built with. They will be returning for a day or two in April before heading back to the Lighthouse where Guthrie will complete the model and send it back to the Museum to be put at the beginning of our Chronological display.

This story is a great day brightener to all of us at the Museum, and goes to show that it’s not the amount of time that a person can give, it’s the desire to help in what ever way they can.

GLIDEPATH NEWS

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 either Gogi or Sandy at the Museum by calling (604) 532-0035. Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m 4:00 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Annual General Meeting

Saturday, April 15th, 2000

Memorial Flypast for Stan Vivian will be at 6:00 pm
Dinner: 7:00 pm
Meeting: 8:00 pm

$20.00 Per Person (GST Included)
RSVP by April 10th, by calling Sandy at 532-0035.

Our guest speaker will be Franz Stigler, who will tell the story of how 57 years ago as a German fighter pilot, he flew alongside a disabled American bomber piloted by Charles Brown. Franz saluted the captain of the wounded bomber, rather than shoot him down. Also joining Franz will be John Pinz. The stories that these two gentlemen will tell are history, and we have the wonderful opportunity of hearing it first hand rather than reading about it as many others do, in books.

2nd ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT

It’s time for the Easter Bunny to visit the Museum once again. On Saturday April 22nd we will be hosting the 2nd Annual Easter Egg hunt. This year, the event will be held at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm and to ensure that we are not over crowded like last year, we are selling tickets to each hunt. A special thank you to Pepper’s Marketplace for the donation of over 7,000 Easter Eggs, and to Patty and Glenn Rachel for their donation of three door prizes from Purdy’s Chocolates. If you are able to help by putting up flyers in your area, please contact Sandy.

FLY MARKET

Although Father’s Day is still a while away, we are busy preparing for our first Pancake Breakfast and Aviation Fly Market on Saturday June 17. Clean your shop, sell surplus inventory or display your aircraft at CMF’s Father’s Day Yard Sale. $25.00 per table or display space, call Sandy or Gogi to reserve your spot. Dad’s get into the Museum for FREE!-tell your friends.

MEMBERS DAY

This year, we are combining Members Day with our summer quarterly dinner meeting. This is our opportunity to thank you for supporting the Museum by providing an airplane ride to all members in good standing. There will also be a silent auction through out the day, and a BBQ dinner prior to the dinner meeting. Look for more information in your next newsletter, and mark JULY 22nd on your calendar.

Volunteer of the Quarter

Ingwald Wikene better known to all of us as Ingy, is definitely one of the Museum’s “Hidden Treasures”. Most of you are probably not aware that CMF has one of the largest photo library’s available. It is due to the dedication of Ingy that this photo collection is even possible. Over the years as donations of photos have come in to the Museum, Ingy has worked in his hidden office sorting and cataloguing each and every one of them. We are regularly receiving requests for photos needed for research purposes etc, and thanks to Ingy and his organization we are able to help 99% of the requests. If you have any photos that you would like to donate to the Museum, please come in and see Ingy on Tuesdays. Congratulations Ingy on being voted CMF’s Volunteer of the Quarter!

A special thank you to our members Wally and Sharon Martin, owners of the Traveller’s Hotel, for donating a Gift Certificate for a night at their Bed & Breakfast to our past Volunteer of the Quarter, Doug Moan. Doug and his wife Arline visited the Martins a couple of weeks ago, and said that they “had a wonderful stay in surpassed luxury. The warm hospitality of the hosts, Sharon and Wally Martin, the unique accommodation (especially the feather tick bed) and the fantastic breakfast, added up to a memorable event”. If you would like to see more of this Hotel, visit them on the web at: www.travellers-hotel.langley.bc.ca

Wally is in possession of some aerial photographs of the Murrayville area taken in 1929, and requires someone to assist him with some interpretation of these photos. If you are able to help him, please call him at 604-533-5569 or by email at: martina@direct.ca

Traveller’s Hotel Bed and Breakfast 21628 48th Ave., Langley, BC. V3A 3M8

How many of you keep newsletters? Due to the move from Crescent Road, there are some items that we have yet to find. Marge Carr is attempting to produce a full set of CMF Newsletters for archival records. We need Volumes 1-14 and all of 1986/87/and 88. Can you help?

Lew Twambley and Bob Jadis are creating new exhibits in the Hangar, which include this WWI showcase. Documents in the showcase cover the experiences of a newly licensed pilot from Kelowna joining the Royal Flying Corps, through to his discharge at the end of WWI.

Welcome to our newest members

• Marvin Bell Langley, BC
• Andrew Craig Vancouver, BC
• Paul Deary Abbotsford, BC
• Alvin Fast Abbotsford, BC
• Neil Filipek Richmond, BC
• Stan Hodgins Abbotsford, BC
• Pete Manherz Lynden, WA
• Gord Nowicky Winnipeg, MB
• Dennis Swanson Rosedale, BC
• Kevin Swanson Delta, BC
• Bruce Watson Port Alberni

CCW PROGRESS REPORT

There have been many many little jobs done by our volunteers too numerous to mention. Why not drop in and take a look! All the glass including the crank down side windows are either in the aircraft or fitted. The instrument panel is formed up, instruments, primary at least are out for functional testing through a shop located by Jack Lingham. The control cables have been replaced and cowlings are mostly done. “Thank you” to all our volunteers!.

HAMPDEN HAS PROPELLERS

As promised, our Handley-Page Hampden now has installed, a pair of “impossible to tell the difference” fiberglass Props-all we need now is some good weather and the Hampden will also have a new paint job.

CORNELL

Nothing much to report yet, except that we are supplying parts, in excess of our needs, to two Museum’s in Norway. Why are Norwegian Museum’s rebuilding Cornell’s? Look for the answer in our next newsletter.

Our members Milt Lake and Doug Moan flanking Hon. Raymond Chan, PC, MP., at Richmond Centre Mall during Heritage Week. The Honorable Mr. Chan, representing Richmond assures us of his support in any activities we may plan in his constituency.

FROM THE DESK OF THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Ken Knutson, CMF Volunteer Coordinator

I’m continuing with my calling all members to form a volunteer list and at this point have called about 50%. I want to talk to each member so I haven’t left any messages on answering machines.

On Feb 18 & 19 we had our first mall display for the year with Heritage Week at Richmond Centre. Thanks go to Doug Moan & Milt Lake for setting up and manning the table Friday and Derek Gretsinger, John Gilmore, Terry Elgood and Ron Krywiak for helping me cover Friday night and all day Saturday. The Elgood family helped cleaning up Saturday afternoon was much appreciated.

We have numerous displays and events coming up starting with our Easter Egg Hunt April 22, Father’s Day and on to the Canada Day Open House at the Langley Airport, so please consider volunteering. We always need volunteers around the Museum, especially with our week day school tours. This is a very good way to meet new friends.

GLIDEPATH NEWS

The following is a brief introduction of each of the candidates who have been nominated to run as Director, or has agreed to leave their name stand for election.

• Don Butterley Incumbent
  • Don, a retired marine engineer and an avid modeler, has been a member and an active volunteer of the Museum for the last three years. Don’s past contributions to the Museum include serving as a Director and Vice President as well as being involved in many Museum projects including the Tiger Moth restoration and painting the CF-104D. In the upcoming year, Don plans to start work on the Bolingbroke cockpit and says that if he’s re-elected as a Director he will work to see the Museum succeed.
• Mike Davenport – Incumbent
  • Mike is employed as the district OEM/Fleet Manager in BC & Alberta by Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc. Mike has served as Director for one year and holds the position of Treasurer. His association with aviation includes having been a Director of the Abbotsford Air Show Society, several terms as Vice President and Treasurer of EAA Chapter 85, and is a member of COPA. He also is involved as a Young Eagle flight leader. Mike owns a 1946 Stinson 108 that he keeps in his hangar at the Langley Airport. If re-elected as Director he will continue to oversee the operations of the museum with the intent to improve the overall financial condition by streamlining operations and continuing the current cost cutting program.
• Gil Fanslau- NEW
  • Gil was employed as a firefighter and a fire chief at Vancouver International Airport for a total service of 33 years. He is now retired and has a valid private pilots license. He is the owner of a 1947 Piper PA 12 that he totally restored with the help of Stan Vivian, one of our deceased members. He has been an active member for the past 4 years. He enjoys giving tours and helping where he can in restoration projects. He is now interested in becoming a Director to assist where he can to make this Museum move on to bigger and better times.
• Bob Fowles – NEW
  • Bob came to the Museum in 1997 through the Avro Arrow reconstruction project which he remained involved with until it was dismantled for its return to Alberta in the summer of 98. Bob also assisted with the restoration of the Tiger Moth rebuild and is presently working on the WACO AQC-6 restoration. He also helps out as a tour guide whenever required. Bob’s was employed by Swiftair Cargo, Conair and Quasar Helicopters and has training in Aircraft Mechanics and Gas Turbine Engines. Other volunteer work includes the last 9 Abbotsford Air Shows including set up and tear down and the 1989 and 1997 Air Show Canada Tradeshow.
• Werner Griesbeck – Incumbent
  • An active member of the Museum for 13 years, Werner has contributed many hours to the society servicing as a Director, Vice-President and sitting on the Restoration and Flying committees. Werner has recently retired (big grin!) as an air traffic controller after having worked 24 years at the Langley airport and 5 years at Abbotsford. Werner is also a licensed AME and enjoys rebuilding antique aircraft and doing fabric work and the quality of his work can be seen in his beautifully restored 1938 Fairchild and 1941 Porterfield. His goals are to have CMF’s WACO Cabin flying by the end of the year 2000 the Cornell by 2001. If elected a Director he intends on helping make the Museum progress and advance.
• Dan Holliday – Incumbent
  • Dan has been member of the Museum for 13 years and has actively served as both a volunteer and Director with the Museum. Dan, now retired after 30 years with Shell Canada, brings many years of experience in the aviation field to the Museum as a pilot since 1962 and through his involvement as the Past President of the Langley Aviation Council and a member of the Quarter Century in Aviation Club. Dan is one of the designated pilots for the Museum’s Fleet Finch, Waco INF and Tiger Moth. He can be found at the Museum working on the Waco AQC-6 restoration, or performing tours as a Museum Tour guide. Dan, who assisted on the Tiger Moth restoration, is currently working on a homebuilt sport biplane project. If elected as a Director for the upcoming term, he plans to work to see the Museum become more financially independent and to promote the Museum and work to enlist new members.
• Dick Kendall Incumbent
  • Dick has been a member of the Museum for four years and has been an active volunteer working in the Museum’s Gift Shop, at Museum Special Events and as a Director. Dick’s background includes enlisting in the RCAF in 1943 as an armourer and after receiving his training, he was then posted overseas and served with the 432 Squadron and was then discharged in 1945. After being discharged, Dick was employed by BC Electric Co. as a conductor and motorman on streetcars and buses. He later enlisted in 472AA Regiment RCA Reserve and later transferred to Reserve with the 442 Squadron finishing his service with 2442 as senior NCO IC operations in 1958. Dick was also a founding member of the Elphinstone Aero Club on the Sunshine Coast, serving both as the Secretary and Treasurer of both the club and the construction committee of Gibson-Sechelt municipalities. He also served as Secretary/ Treasurer of Gibsons and area Fire Dept and Granthams Landing Water Board. In 1966, Dick moved to Maple Ridge and was employed by Canada Post. Dick currently serves as a Trustee and Board member of the St. Andrews United Church in Maple Ridge.
• Ron Krywiack – Incumbent
  • Ron is a dedicated, long time member of the Museum who volunteers his time as a Director, Keeper of the aircraft and finds time to help sort, research and take care of many of the Museum’s other artifacts. Ron’s love for old aircraft has had him involved in many aspect of vintage aviation, which include rebuilding airframes, engines and collecting artifacts for his own enjoyment. If elected Director, Ron is committed to ensuring the preservation of the Museum’s current collection and will work to help build a world-class Museum. Ron currently works for the City of Vancouver and has been a member of the Museum for 22 years.
• Dan Millsap NEW
  • Dan has been involved with the CMF since its move to Langley and is a founding partner of Renaissance Web Creation Inc.; a Fort Langley based website Development Company specializing in large content website construction. Dan is the operations manager specializing in project management and planning. In mid 1998 Renaissance Web Creation Inc. volunteered their services to develop the Museum’s 560-page website, which in the 16 months since the site was launched, has received more than 23,000 visitors. Dan has been involved in the management and planning of a number of aviation related events over the past several years including the 1996 BC Aviation Fair. A member of the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen Since 1993, Dan served on the executive of the Fraser Valley chapter for three years as a Director and one term as Treasurer. In 1997 the International Board of Directors appointed him to the position of Website Administrator, a position that he still holds today. Currently he is an active member of the Langley Canada Celebrations committee as Co-Director of Sponsorship and Promotions. Understanding the importance and costs associated in preserving the legacies of aviation history, Dan believes that by utilizing current technologies, the CMF can acquire the necessary funding to ensure the future of the CMF collection and the spirit of Canadian aviation. If elected as a Director of the CMF, Dan envisions an aggressive team-driven Board of Directors who are working towards preserving the well being and protection of the CMF as a Canadian institution.
• Ron McWilliams – Incumbent
  • Employed with UAP/NAPA, Ron has been a member of the Museum for ten years and has served as a Director for seven of those ten years. Ron is involved with Museum working on the displays and helping out with a variety of other jobs around the Museum. Ron’s goals as a Director in the upcoming term will be to “work at retaining the artifacts the Museum currently holds and to help create a successful Museum”.
• Glen Rachel NEW
  • Glen has been a member of the Museum for 3 years and has assisted with the restoration of the Museum’s DH 82C Tiger Moth and is currently helping with the WACO Cabin project. Glen has worked as a Welder/Fabricator for 25 years (not yet retired!) and when he can fit it into his busy schedule, he works on his own J3 Cub that he is building from scratch! Glenn looks forward to contributing his skills to any and all future projects. He wants to help with the Museum’s growth and development and feels he can do this best by serving on the Board of Directors.
• Jane Robinson – NEW
  • Jane has been a long time member and a very active volunteer with the Museum. Her past contributions to the Museum include serving as a Director, co-ordinating the Museum’s Gaming application’s and volunteering at the Museum’s many public events and displays. Jane currently works as a Staff Supervisor Kwantlen College/University Library and if elected as a Director in the upcoming term she plans to continue to work on the positive direction that the Museum is taking.
• Doug Schwann – Incumbent
  • Doug has been involved with aviation since his early youth. He obtained his Private License in 1966 through the Air Cadets, and went on to obtain his Glider Pilot, Commercial and Instructor tickets. Doug has also sprayed crops, towed gliders, done pipeline patrol and a host of other commercial light aircraft flying. He continues to have an avid interest in vintage aircraft and the Museum of Flight in particular as a member and a current Director of the Museum. His primary interests as a Director include strategic planning and resource development. Doug has a varied business background including a business degree, which was completed in 1972 and followed by fifteen years of human resource (personnel management) experience. This led to his commencement in the financial services industry in 1986. Doug is currently with a National Securities firm as a financial advisor.
• Lew Twambley – NEW
  • Lew has been a member of the Museum for a year and a half and brings to the organization much experience through his aviation career and Museum management. Now retired after 37 years with the RCAF as a pilot, having flown some 25 different types of aircraft including transports, fighters and trainers, Lew rounded out his military career working in human resources. After the RCAF, he spent ten years with the Markham District Museum as a director and is experienced in all aspects of Museum operations. Lew, who also majored in History in University, says if elected to the board, he is committed to work to further the aims of the Museum by creating displays that will tell the story of both military and civil aviation.
• Terry Wadhams – Incumbent
  • Currently the President of the Canadian Museum of Flight, Terry is now retired from BC Tel Supply Headquarters, West Coast Transmission Supply and Pacific Airlines. Along with the many duties that go along with being the President, Terry finds the time to volunteer as a tour guide for the Museum and handyman. If re-elected as a Director of the Museum, Terry’s goals for the upcoming year are to create a viable Museum with a truly successful fundraising campaign that will make the organization financially secure.

WHAT IS YOUR SPECIALTY

The operation of the Canadian Museum of Flight is not simple! It’s much more than just restoring and displaying aircraft. Believe it or not, we often get into situations. where we need accounting expertise, tax information, real estate advice, and last but not least, help in the area of Legal expertise. We have people on the Board for some of these positions, but not all-if you are a specialist in any professional area, we may sometime need your help. Not only for our use, but many times our members are also looking for people in various areas, and so why not help our members. We have started a business card index for not only ours but also the members use, please consider adding your company or expertise to the list.