MINI NEWSLETTER # 40.2 MARCH 10, 1993
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT AND TRANSPORTATION 13527 Crescent Road, Surrey, BC, V4P 1J5 Phone (604) 535-1115, FAX (604) 535-3292
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
APRIL 16, 1993 YIC’S DINING LOUNGE,
NE CORNER 104TH AND KING GEORGE HIGHWAY, SURREY
No Host Bar 6:00 Buffet Dinner Meeting 7:00 8:00
PRICE $12 PREPAID OR AT DOOR. RESERVATION REQUIRED. LEAVE MESSAGE ON RECORDER 535-1115 TO RESERVE SEAT.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation is a Non-profit Society operated by volunteers, and governed by an annually elected board of 15 directors, who may serve up to 3 consecutive years.
Elections will be held during the Annual General Meeting April 16.
The current board is as follows:
Dines, Don, Year 2 Emerslund, Bill, Year 1 Gardham, Fred, Year 2 Heinemann, Steve, Year 1 Hudak, Tony, Year 2 McWilliams, Ron, Year 1 (Interim) : CORRECTION Morelli, Carol, Year 1 Morrison, lan, Year 1, (Interim) Robinson, Jane, Year 2 Thompson, Bill, Permanent Vernon, Jerry, Year 2 Zalesky, Ed, Permanent Jackson, Barry, Life Governor Stunden, Ron W, Life Governor
Members are encouraged to put their names forward as a candidate. Especially needed are people with fundraising and promotional skills, and those who could liaise with government.
MUSEUM AT SEVERAL MALL DISPLAYS AND EVENTS
ROGERS CABLE 4, SURREY, featured the Museum on “Community Connections” February 23. Fred Gardham, Margaret Rutledge and Rose Zalesky talked about the new book “Pioneering Aviation in the West”
SHAW CABLE 4, WHITE ROCK, recorded a short item for “Semiahmoo Magazine” on March 4, to be aired at a later date. George. Williamson came from Victoria to help promote the new book. Shaw Cable are planning to do a half-hour feature on the museum which would focus on volunteering, at a later date.
ROGERS CABLE 4 Delta will be doing a halfhour feature to help promote the new book on May 19th. We need 3 to 4 pioneers who are quoted in the book to be guests. We are also seeking a well known personality to act as host. Delta Cable produced a half-hour featurette on the Canadian Museum of Flight several years ago, and which regularly runs on the entire Rogers system. After each screening, there is always a very satisfying boost in attendance. The promotional and good will value of these shows is most welcome. An updated feature is planned, to be filmed during Wings & Wheels 93 on Sunday, July 11.
SEASON’S OPENING MAY 8
A great deal of work is required to get ready for the 1993 season opening May 8. The grounds need attention, buildings need renovation and upgrading and maintenance, and the airplanes on exhibit need wash jobs and some painting. A concerted effort during late March and all of April is needed, so if you can help, please call 535- 1115
PACIFIC AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS (PAMEA) SYMPOSIUM AND TRADE SHOW
The Museum has been invited to set up an information and sales booth at this years event which will be taking place on March 11, 12 and 13 at the Delta Hotel in Richmond. This event is well attended by aircraft maintenance engineers from throughout BC and further afield.
MALL DISPLAYS
Members manned a table at the Semiahmoo Mall in White Rock on February 24th through 27th to promote the new book “Pioneering Aviation in the West”. Thanks to volunteers Neil Simpson, Jerry Vernon, Bernie Bricklebank, Lori Cockerill, April Zalesky, Fred Gardham, Charlie Rennie and Carol Morelli, A similar display is scheduled for June 2nd through 5th at the Semiahmoo Mall. Volunteers are encouraged to offer their help.
AVIATION EXPO MAY 22 RICHMOND
The Museum will be setting up a table at this annual event to sell mainly airline oriented items. If you can help out, please call 535-1115. SPREAD THE WORD THAT THE MUSEUM IS NOT DEAD.
WINGS & WHEELS SUNDAY, JULY 11
This major special event has been cut back to one day. One of the attractions of the event were the flying air displays. These were all provided to the Museum at no charge, and we felt it was an imposition to ask the performers to provide the same show two days running. Exhibitors also found it difficult to man displays for two days running, and to fit the event into their schedule. Yet another reason is that too few people are willing to help with the preparatory work.
ON A SAD NOTE
Valued member and volunteer Bob Heakes passed away suddenly on February 12, 1993. In spite of failing health, Bob did what he could to help out. His was the friendly male voice that asked if you would be attending the dinners. Bob also helped Ingy Wikine with the historic photo collection, did some computer work and provided good advice – always with a smile.
We all miss him.
HOMESITE REPORT
There really is nothing more to report, except that the matter of the Museum remaining on its present site in lieu of moving to the Cloverdale acreage has come up at Municipal Council, which asked for another report from staff.
CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND TRAIN SPONSORS FOUND
Art and Lorraine Seller (Art founder of Skyway Air Services) have generously provided the funding to purchase materials for the wooden playground “train” which is nearing completion at Pender Harbour. Thanks to Art and Lorraine, to Bill Thompson for delivery and liaison, and of course to Gerry Chappell who is generously providing the many hours of labour to build it. It will have a plaque acknowledging their help.
NAME THE TRAIN CONTEST
The children’s play train needs a name. It is a hands-on climbing unit consisting of a locomotive a tender, and a car, all made from cedar. Please send in your entries as soon as possible..
VOLUNTEERS TO BE HONORED AT COMMUNITY EVENT
White Rock and South Surrey Community organizations which are dependent on volunteers have organized a special Volunteer Appreciation Reception to take place at White Rock, on April 17th.
The Museum will be able to provide free tickets for up to 10 volunteers, to be chosen at random from the current TOP 50 list.
CF-BNG de Havilland DH89A Rapide seaplane operated by Canadian Airways 1942-1946.
Two Boeing B1E’s similar to this one of Canadian Airways were operated by Hunter Wells out of the Air Land building on the middle arm of the Fraser River in Richmond, BC. The building is now a Keg Restaurant.
NOTE: All photos used in this newsletter are from the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation’s new book “PIONEERING AVIATION IN THE WEST’.
The 328 page book is profusely illustrated with over 150 black and white photos – all of much better quality than the photocopied reproductions here.
IT’S HERE AT LAST!
The Museum’s long awaited book “PIONEERING AVIATION IN THE WEST”, arrived from the publisher (Hancock House) in January.
More than 7 years has passed since Museum personnel recorded more than 75 interviews with local aviation pioneers in a move to preserve B.C. aviation history in the words of the men and women who were there. As an outgrowth of the interviews, author Lloyd Bungey prepared the first draft manuscript for the book.
With cessation of funding, the project lay dormant until member Arnold Feast put together a volunteer team to further edit the text and choose photos. A summer student manned the computer (desk top publishing) to finish the manuscript, and the book sent for final edit to Hancock House in 1991. Tough times in the publishing industry delayed many books – ours among them.
We are deeply indebted to those who worked so hard to get the book to press. Yes, there are a few errors, and a few typos, but it has turned out to be an enjoyable way to learn about our aviation history through the words of those who helped create that history.
If you are a history buff, you’ll appreciate the wealth of information presented in a most readable way. If you are interested in aviation, this book provides a fresh insight into the roots of one of BC’s major industries, or, if you are simply looking for a good read, this is for you.
The book basically covers the period beginning with BC’s first flight from Minoru Park, Richmond, on March 25, 1910 to the early 1950’s. A very complete index makes it easy to find references to companies, people and places.
Boeing C204 Thunderbird under construction at the Coal Harbour (Vancouver) Boeing Canada plant. The Thunderbird was similar in construction to the B1 flying boats used for fishery patrols.
CMFT Collection #316.2 Jeanne Ambrose collection
PIONEERING AVIATION IN THE WEST As told by the pioneers
B.C. Airways’ Ford Trimotor G-CATX, carried passengers and mail between Vancouver, Seattle, and Victoria in 1928.
CMFT Collection #687.5 Charles W. Wilson collection
The following excerpt from Chapter 5 “The Triangle Route the start of passenger services in British Columbia” illustrates how differently things were done in those days:
The Eve Brothers entry into scheduled service commenced later in 1928 when they acquired a Ford Timotor.
“This ambitious endeavour was the result of farsightedness on the part of Ernest and Cecil Eve, both of whom were aviation enthusiasts, but whose practical knowledge of aviation was nil,” reflected A. H. (Hal) Wilson, many years later.
“On the inaugural flight, the Vancouver civic dignitary in Vancouver rushed forward to greet the civic dignitary of Victoria, which resulted in Mayor Taylor receiving a crack over the head from one of the propellers.
This, it is felt, is of historical note, in as much as Mayor Taylor survived the ordeal.
“Prior to the purchase of this Ford Trimotor the company hired Mr. H. Walker from Seattle, who delivered the Ford Trimotor to Victoria and commenced the tri-service. During the first week’s operation he took me as his copilot and after a week’s operation I flew the Vancouver-Victoria, or Canadian Divison, while Walker flew the Victoria-Seattle Division.
“As this service got underway, through lack of experience, various problems presented themselves, the first of which was the selling of tickets Page 6 in excess of the number of seats available in the aircraft. The aircraft’s normal capacity was fourteen passengers and two pilots, while on occasion seventeen passengers would be carried. This was taken up by the pilots with business manager, Mr. Cecil Eve, whose knowledge, as stated above, was not excessive. At first his ruling was that if the aircraft was not full of gasoline, then extra human freight should be carried to make up the difference.
“I had an unfortunate experience, on one occasion. When taking off from Vancouver I found the elevator trim exceedingly difficult to move. The aircraft had been trimmed too tail heavy and in an endeaver to crank the trim I was prevented from doing so due to this additional human freight hanging on the trim rod which traversed down the length of the fuselage bout four inches from the top of the cab. This trim control undoubtedly offered a very secure grip to passengers for whom no sets were provided, but nevertheless, it presented a situation which needed a remedy. It was only after a united front which was put up by Mr Walker and myself that Mr. Eve conceded to our request and ruled that when all seats were occupied the aircraft would be regarded as full.
“Another problem to be overcome, of course, was the minimum weather conditions under which the aircraft operated. There was no radio – air to ground-ground to air-no meteorological reports or what have you, and since neither Mr.. Walker or myself knew how to use the bank and turn indicator, it was suggested that weather minimums be set at 1,000 feet ceiling and three miles visibility. Once again Mr. Eve overruled. As far as he was concerned, fifty feet off the water was OK. As a result of this decision, a few weeks later on September 12, 1928, the aircraft on its way to Seattle flew into the water under conditions of bad visibility, killing all seven persons aboard.
“During the short life of this aircraft, G-CATX, 1,287 paid passengers were carried between the three cities, Vancouver and Victoria supplying an estimated seventy-five percent of the traffic. Rates were $11 each way or $20 return. In addition, mail was carried, the company having its own five cent airmail stamp consisting of a mult- engine aircraft in flight.
DONORS APPRECIATED
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have made donations of money, artifacts, materials and supplies. Every donation, large or small, helps in the work preserving our aviation history.
Ernest Eve at right of Aeronca C3 during refuelling in Victoria, 1932.
CMFT Collection #259.30 Joan Jordan collection.
Lieutenant V. A. Bishop crashed the Hoffar H2 Flying Boat into a house in Vancouver, September, 1918.
CMFT Collection #248.1 Barbara Hicks collection
WELCOME TO NEW VOLUNTEERS
We are pleased to welcome several new volunteers, who are coming out weekly, and in come cases more often to help out.
Neil Simpson works two days each week assisting Lori Cockerill with donated items.
David Hiorth turns up most Saturdays to work with the collection and share his expertise with militaria
Jeremy Hodgin comes in after school and on the weekends to help out with computer tasks and inventory count.
Gladys Meldrum is the newest volunteer. Gladys will be helping run the gift shop. At this time, she is here on a daily basis doing inventory count for year end.
OUR SINCERE THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS
who can be counted on to turn out on a regular basis to help with the work at hand. These include Ingy Wikene (historic photos), Carol Morelli (volunteer coordination and just about everything else), John Nuttall (library cataloguing), Brad Thomas (computer graphics), Larry Niven (library), Fred Gardham, Bob Gordon (both Hampden project), John Clark (volunteer airplane rides, hauling and anything else that is needed), Jerry Vernon (research), and Ed Zalesky, Rose Zalesky (management). Inky and Norah Klett are amongst those who come when they can to help out with whatever needs doing. This group really is the heart of the museum.
THANKS ALSO
to all of you who donate your time and expertise for special events, mall displays and short term projects as and when you can.
WE ARE NOT CLOSED DOWN!
Confusion still exists because of the similarity of names between the BC Transportation Museum in Cloverdale, which closed its doors in June, 1992, in spite of valiant efforts made to keep it open, and the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation. Some of the holdings of the BC Transportation Museum have been transferred to towns around BC, while the bulk of the collection will be auctioned to the highest bidder on March 20. The Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation (us) is alive and operating at the original site on Crescent Road near Crescent Beach in South Surrey, and there are no plans to close.
MEMBERSHIP DUES DUE?
Please check your address label, which lists the expiry date of your membership at the top right corner. If you are overdue, or nearly so, please send your cheque. We need you!
Dues are $20 for general membership, $10 for Friend $30 for family, or $300 for Lifetime. Membership entitles you to free admission to exhibits during the open season, a subscription to our newsletter, and (except for Friend category) a 10% discount on almost everything purchased in the gift shop.