CMFT Newsletter
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT AND TRANSPORTATION CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT VANCOUVER, BC
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT AND TRANSPORTATION September 16, 1981 Richmond Arts Centre, Richmond, B.C.
- PRESENT: 26 members and one guest.
- MINUTES: June 12, 1981 meeting. Reading dispens ed with as all members receive copy in mail. Copy posted,
- TREASURER’S REPORT: July 31, 1981 year-end accounting not yet complete. Partial report posted. $16,- 095 on hand, of which $2837 is in Vancouver Island branch, out of which the various aircraft rebuild/ purchase projects are committed.
REPORTS
- PUBLIC RELATIONS: P.R. person st AD still desperately needed. Jerry Vernon wrote the press release for the Abbotsford Air Show. Abbotsford radio stations used some of the material in advertising the show.
- CFVR radio gave us some publicity attendant to Seven Oaks Shopping Centre display. CFVR interview with Jerry Vernon for one hour on Sept. 7 went well. Several press releases picked up by CAPA (Canadian Aeronautical Preservation Association) and distributed in vain attempt to save the Boundary Bay hangar.
- CTV Channel 8, 6 p.m. news Sept. 9, 1981 interview re demolishing of No. 1 hangar at Boundary Bay. Delta Optimist story Sept. 9 re same subject. Richmond Review story and picture re same subject.
- PVI Open House Sept 13th, Waco taken for display there, but very little value received as nobody told Rose in time to arrange for a placard to be made for the airplane, and for someone to stand by and talk to people about CMFT.
- CTV Toronto did a segment of “Thrill of a Lifetime” on Sat., Sept. 6, for viewing sometime after the middle of October. Frank Stevens reported on the day-long effort where he flew the Waco, and Bruce flew his Tri-Pacer as the camera plane. An $1150 donation to come out of this will, unfortunately, be diluted by very high insurance costs. Ross Gregory got pictures of the proceedings.
- Gordon Peters’ very good picture of a Tiger Moth got a full-page in the Abbotsford Air Show program, and CMFT got one little line.
- B.C. Mining Review carried an excellent article by Ken Swartz on CMFT. Cable 10 Burnaby and Cable 10 Coquitlam both want to do feature stories.
AIR SHOWS AND DISPLAYS
Seven Oaks Shopping Centre display. Abbotsford, B.C., July 27 thru Aug. 8. Display helped to acquaint us with people in the valley, who passed on more leads to chase down. Paul Symons spent a two-week vacation working every day, and April Zalesky spent ten days on the job. We especially want to thank these two for the effort. Thanks also to Helena Ashdown, Carol, Brian and Heather Weeks, Donna Sambrooke, John Moutray, Bruce Duncan, Jerry Vernon, Frank and Shirley Hubbard, and Ed and Rose Zalesky.
Alberta Air Show-August 1 and 2 at Medicine Hat, Alberta. Long, hard days put in by Wayne Manning, April Zalesky, Lenora Warner and Rose. Wayne drove his car at his own expense there and b00ack, and hauled some of the goods displayed. Rose borrowed a van to haul the rest of the stuff. Only cost to CMFT was for gas for the van and a pizza supper for the crew, and the $200 booth rental. Thanks also to Calgary members Bob and lim Penhale who picked up and delivered the T- and helped out buhay shirts both days.
Abbotsford Air Show Aug. 7, 8 and 9. Blistering hot and sales down from last year. See newsletter for full report.
Richmond/Delta M.P. Tom Siddon as always doing a very good job of working for CMFT in Ottawa.
B.C. Government, as usual, doing nothing except now applying pressure to interfere with out participation in TRANSPO 86.
OLD BUSINESS
Help Wanted-Ted Harris and Al Jurek spent a Sunday making a wing rack as one step in the effort to clear floor space for more storage room. All projects, other than this, as listed in newsletter no. 12, are still going begging. Still need bookkeeping, office and library help on a regular basis. Ross Gregory offered fo fold and sort a box of 200 T-shirts that just arrived.
Newsletter-Ron Krywiak and Waybe Manning offered to help put the newsletter together. The AB Dick press is now overhauled, so with good plates look for better things to come.
Office Supplies, Paper-Ross Maxwell offered some paper. Bert Prothero has arranged with a friend in the office equipment business to pass on any useful and unneeded items to CMFT. Ron Krywiak has arranged for some plastic storage boxes for library use.
Military Museums Meeting, Victoria, Sept. 11 and 12. Bruce Duncan reported on seminar sponsored by the Provincial Government. Met people from other groups, discussed problems. Offer CMFT as co-host for next seminar. Joint newsletter suggested for all groups. Report on CMFT to go to headquarters for inclusion in the next B.C. Museums newsletter. Greg Evans, Cultural Services, Prov. B.C. will visit in October to advise.
P.A.M. (Pacific Aviation Museum) final amalgamation still not complete, but a step closer in that we now have an inventory list.
Tofino/Ucluelet/Port Alberni reconnaissance trip made at the same time that the truck delivered for much needed repairs. Thanks go to Jerry Van Humbeck and his friends who did the work at no charge to CMFT.
Strathallan Collection Auction July 14, 1981-Ed Zalesky attended at no cost to CMFT. Good buys were British types not really appropriate to our collection, and which went at the beginning of the auction. Had he had the ability to foresee the high prices paid for prime items, Ed would have bid on at least one airplane. All airplanes stayed in Britain with the exception of the Mosquito which went to a collector in Florida.
CF-100, etc.-Applications still in, as always, but chances of success are pretty slim.
Vertol Helicopter H21 in Ontario-now officially ours, but problem to transport still with us. Help, help, help!
NEW BUSINESS
PB4Y2 Privateer-Verbal deal in the works where it will be going to a museum in Michigan in exchange for dollars and a 1981 GMC 1-ton crew cab with duals, and just about every extra it is possible to put on a truck, including air conditioning and power door locks. Help us find a buyer for this low-mileage vehicle as CMFT does not need such a fancy unit.
Boundary Bay hangar-Now in the process of demolition, with the last of it going down today. A neat way for Transport Canada to rid itself of the thorny CMFt problem.
Simulator offered to PVI on loan until a permanent site located. They can get value from it and we get free heated storage.
Storage Building contract let. Work to start in 10 days on roof and pole sides.
Shop Building Contract let for a bare shell to start immediately. Work Bee/Open House/Barbecue slated for Sunday, Oct 14, starting at 9:30 A.M. Work portion includes the building of storage shelves, racks, moving of stands, work benches and existing machinery into the building; insulating, wiring and interior finishing of workshop. Work accomplished will depend on progress of the building and the number of people who turn up with tools to help. Open House means you can bring your family for conducted tours which will be arranged if enough people turn up to act as guides. Barbecue means hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages will be provided at no charge for those who work, and at a nominal charge for visitors provided we get some volunteer help to light the fire and prepare and serve food.
New Acquisition Vote-It was unanimously agreed that CMFT purchase a Schweizer TG series (1?) Glider for the collection.
Pearl Harbour Survivors’ Re-Union Dec. 7 at Honolulu, Hawaii-Ross Gregory will be attending at his own expense, and has proposed that CMFT donate a memorial plaque, which is expected to cost about $60. Please pass on your comments to Ross at 874-6763, or Rose at 278-9804.
Directors’ Meetings-Will be held every other month on the third Thursday. Time and place may be changed on notice. Directors are expected to attend, and missing two consecutive meetings means you are out. Schedule is Oct. 15, Dec. 27, Feb. 18, April 15 and June 17.
General Meetings-Every other month on the third Thay at the Richmond Art Gallery, 7:30 as usual. Schedule is Nov. 18 Jan. 20 Mar. 18 and May 20-discussion that these schedules conflicted with Quarter- Century Club meetings. Rose to check this out. (Note: Rose did check and the only other meeting night that is open is the first, second or fourth Monday evening. As this is the night that Rose attends the SFU course on museums operation, it is out, so will live with the Wednesday schedule for the 1981-82 term. We will try to arrange some of these meetings to take place at another location if enough people call or write in to complain).
Coffee Break-A CPAir flight bag and two posters were drawn as door prizes.
Film-A National Film Board sound film “Aviators of Hudson Straits” was run showing the mapping work done in the 1930s north of Hudsons Bay using Fokker Universals.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:12 p.m.
Sept. 5, 1981 filming of “Thrill of a Lifetime” segment by CTV for showing after mid-October. Frank Stevens is on the wing of CMFT Waco INF. Camera crew looks on while Bruce Duncan, who flew his Tri-Pacer as a camera platform for aerial shots, gazes elsewhere. Ross Gregory photo.
VAN ISLE MEET Vancouver Island Chapter, CMFT, will hold their next meeting Wed., Oct. 14, at Metro Toyota, 625 Frances St., Victoria. There will be a talk and slide show by Spencer Davis and Val Hinch on their recent trip to Europe.
A Step Ahead For CMFT
Starting with this issue, our newsletter will be typeset, thanks to one of our members. We will now be able to print pictures, so any and all snapshots will be appreciated. Send them in to Rose Zalesky. Those of you who are aspiring journalists and would like your works published, fire them off also. Fresh points of view are always welcome. Thanks to Wayne Manning who scurried around making pictures to use in the catalogue section.
ADVERTISING IN THE NEWSLETTER
We are inviting businesses to advertise in this publication. Classified ads from members will be run free of charge, provided content is appropriate. Advertisers’ support will enable us to continue to improve quality, and may allow us to mail complimentary copies to selected groups to acquaint them with our organization. Introductory rates: full page, $60; ½ page, $30; % page, $15. Members are asked to please canvass local businesses who might offer support by placing an ad. All advertisements must be camera ready copy.
WORK BEE/OPEN HOUSE
Scheduled for Oct 4. As the building will probably not be completed as hoped, much of the work necessary cannot be done. However, there will be plenty to do for those who turn up. A second work bee is scheduled for Oct. 25, starting at 9:30. We will not be phoning to remind you. Please set that date aside and call us at 278- 9804 (531-2465) so we will know how much food to lay on. Bring your tools. The jobs planned include insulation and interior work, benches, cupboards, etc. Do we have any drywall people? We have one and maybe two volunteers, but it will go a lot faster with more. At least one photographer will be needed to record the event, as well as to start on a schedule of taking “before and after” pictures.
SLIDE SHOW
Gordon Peters has just returned from a museum-visiting trip to Europe and will show slides at the next meeting.
RECENT DONATIONS
Boeing Vertal H21 “Flying Banana” helicopter, complete and undamaged, donated by Geddes Contracting Ltd., Kamloops, B.C. The aircraft is located in Ontario and must be moved to Vancouver soon. It requires several trucks and trailers, and crews to man them to do the job. Let us know if you can supply any of these items, including gas, oil, travel expenses, tarps, ropes,
condition arranged at a very low price by Gordon Dann. Please watch for items of furniture, office equipment for use in an eventual display, waiting room and office decor. We have an old neon lighted clock with damaged neon. Do any of our members have experience with this work? Also given the museum were more books, magazines and photographs, miscellaneous office supplies and paper.
Roy Briscoe donated use of his trailer to move airplanes in and out of Abbotsford Air Show. Tiger Moth wings donated by PVI Airport Campus.
SALESMAN NEEDED
Mrs. Dot Valerie, who donated a great deal of material accumulated by Ben Valerie to CMFT would like help in selling some new items she has left with us on consignment. Included are tubes of Grip-it Metallic Friction Compound, some new Perfection Schwenk infra-red heaters, a couple of movie projectors, some inter-com sets and other goodies. All material is new. Would those of you who meet a lot of people in your work help out by taking a look at the material and passing the word.
VERTOL H21 HELICOPTER AT FORT ST. JOHN
This is the one “inherited” from PAM. Ken Schwartz, who is in Israel for a year, and Brent Newberry, who worked for Okanagan Helicopters at Fort St. John, have taken on the huge job of disassembling it and preparing it for truck transport to Vancouver. Brent reports that with the help of Don Robson of Okanagan Helicopters, and John Sutherland of Highland Helicopters, they now have the rotor blades, transmissions and heads out and the machine ready for splitting in two. MOT is moving is to another location at the airport.
VANCOUVER ISLAND BRANCH
Work on the Auster rebuild project has been stalled since June, but scheduled to start again this week with Mel Orphan, Wally Jeune and Tom Palmer on the job. We’ve missed Clarke Warwick’s help, but expect him back soon now that he is recovering from open heart. surgery. A recovery exercise is scheduled for the Oct. 3rd and 4th weekend, headed by David Jones, to bring out some Lib parts for use on the PB4Y2. Clarke arranged for making a video tape of the original) Mosquito film produced by Dehavilland. This tape will be made available to interested groups. The original old and brittle print got a much-needed revitalizing treatment at the same time. Island residents who are interested in becoming involved are asked to contact Tom Palmer at 466-5706,evenings in Victoria, or Clarke Warwick, 592-4031, Victoria. There are about 50 members who meet regularly
HELP WANTED
The free ride CMFT has enjoyed in the form of about 6 hours daily work from Airplane Supply’s Girl Friday has ended. Surely there is a CMFT member who can spare 4-5 hours one day a week to look after memberships? You even get a title “membership secretary”. Öld offers to help with the bookkeeping have not worked out due to other commitments. Someone to come out one day a week to help with records keeping is urgently needed. Anyone who wants to take on the entire job is welcome to it, but records and books must remain in the office as they are in use every day.
BOUNDARY BAY AIRPORT SITE
The Feds have solved the knotty problem of helping CMFT obtain a home by demolishing no. 1 hangar at Boundary Bay Airport. We have letters from Transport Canada and from Crown Assets assuring us that we would be notified if the building was to be demolished (to enable us to arrange for moving it or something). Notice was never received, although we found out in time to present fervent protests by ourselves and by CAPA on our behalf to save the building. A long telegram was received after the building was reduced to kindling attempting to justify the decision to demolish. Our file of rejections to requests for accommodation at that site is growing.
ALTERNATE SITE FOR CMFT HOME
Boundary Bay has been consistently and emphatically denied us. We are only fooling ourselves into hoping that any form of free or low-cost rental will ever be made available to CMFT by MOT. When Boundary Bay Airport does reopen, it is unlikely that we will be able to pay the costs of locating there. Tenants at MOT airports all know about the cost squeeze.
The only alternate is to purchase land on which to site not only the museum, but to set up another “Delta airpark”-like facility to cater to the people who will be dispossessed from that location when Boundary Bay opens.
The provincial government will not help us unless we turn over title to the collection and this is against the policy of CMFT at present, particularly since the major aircraft in the collection were accepted as donations on the express understanding that the CMFT and not the government operate the museum. Ground rules for outright grants change, and while earlier enquiries led us to believe that if we come up with a sizable equity, a grant might be considered for erection of buildings. Since they expected that title would be turned over to them, the collection was not considered to be equity. More recently, the criteria is that not only do we have to have equity, but we have to show at least a one-third participation by the municipality in which we are to locate.
Because we are not open to the public (we have no home) we are not eligible for the various smaller grants that are available to assist with cataloguing, promotion, etc. A clear case of “Catch 22”.
We are looking for 40 to 100 acres in the Fraser Valley. Surrey would be ideal, but we have not received a great deal of cooperation from council in the past. Matsqui is getting too far from metro Vancouver, and too close to Abbotsford Airport. So that leaves Langley, and for our purposes the most attractive area is Fort Langley, due to proximity of three other museums there. Anywhere would do.
Financing for purchase can be worked out. One method might be to purchase on a co-op basis, where each participant receives a share equivalent to investment, or by CMFT purchasing and issuing long-term home site leases to participants of value equal to investment. This would require municipal and provincial cooperation in terms of zoning.
Whatever plan is adopted, CMFT must be assured of rent-free land on which to build, in perpetuity. The parcel must be kept intact and new tenants approved to ensure compatibility. CMFT must receive the revenue from operation of the airpark (tiedowns, hangar rentals, shop space rental, coffee shop and gift shop operation), in order to repay the people who invested in the effort to save our heritage. Phone or call in if you want to live on an airpark. Pass on the idea to your friends who own airplanes, also. Let us have your comments, please.
Lacking a fairy god-mother or god-father to donate needed land, we ask that all members pass on knowledge of any land available for sale, preferably but not necessarily cleared. Existing farm activities can continue to take place, as runways and buildings do not take up much space. Does anyone know of a farmer with no heirs who would otherwise have to leave his land to the state?
“BUILD A HOME FUND”
The project is a huge undertaking, but it has to start somewhere and a small start is better than none at all. CMFT could begin a “Build a Home” fund. Donations or loans can be made to the fund now, in any denomination. Loans must be interest free and contingent that they be repaid as funds permit. A wall plaque listing names will be installed as soon as we have a wall to install it on. We’d like to hear your ideas on this, or any other building fund idea.
Your Support is Urgently Needed! Attend the Next Meeting- Nov. 18
Hendon Museum near London. Fokker D VII, one of the newer additions to the RAF collection housed at Hendon. These airplanes participate in flying displays during good weather.
This Mosquito, which sold for 100,000 pounds, was purchased by a collector from Florida, and is the only aircraft of the Strathallan Collection to leave Britain.
Mosquito Museum, Hatfield, England, July, 1981. It can be done. The brick wall surrounding the partially completed new hangar did not exist the morning of the day this photo was taken. It was built up by a volunteer using bricks purchased at 50 pence each by the visitors, who each autographed their contribution to the building. Second picture shows youngster supervising the placement of her brick.
Shuttleworth Trust Collection, England. These modest buildings house priceless airplanes kept in flying condition. Regular flying displays draw so many people that gates have to be closed early because of traffic jams.
This is the Hawker Hurricane that attracted bidd from all over the world at the Strathallan Collection auction in Scotland. It was sold back to the Strathall Trust for 250,000 pounds.
This group of photos was taken around July 14, 1981, by Ed Zalesky, who visited a few of the aircraft museums in Britain. Operators enjoy rapport with the people, and with all levels of government.
Mosquito being restored for CMFT near Abbotsford, B.C.
Still in original location at Kapuskasing, Ont., left, and right, loaded and ready for the trip to the West Coast.
Mosquito restoration on view next month
As has been previously reported in this publication, Mike Meeker of Anglo American Cedar Products, is underwriting the cost of completing the restoration of a Mosquito for the museum. It is now about 85% complete, with work going on full-time near Abbotsford. Please do not visit the operation on your own, as it inte- Jeres with the work. We have arranged for another showing of the airplane and work in progress for Sat., Nov. 14, from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m. Phone for directions if you want to go. The numbers are 278-9804 and 531- 2465. Car pooling is suggested due to tight parking. If you can donate time to work on the project, you will have an opportunity to offer your services to Bill Merrikan and Ron Bestwood at the showing.
We keep getting queries as to whatever happened to the “Mexico City Mosquito”. Here she is, at the Holiday Inn, Mexico City site just prior to disassembly for the trip home. The second photo shows it loaded and ready for the long and frustrating journey back to Mission, B.C. Original plans to rebuild her have been set aside in favor of the Kapuskasing airplane. Photos by Ron Bestwood, 1980.
Boeing Totem a One-Off
Hal Wilson’s “Summary of Early Activities in the Province of British Columbia” continues. This is the final instalment.
Jerry Vernon’s supplement, which includes pictures relevant to this story is included with this newsletter. It was inadvertently omitted from the last issue.
In 1931 they produced five 40H4s being the Pratt and Whitney-powered mail plane extensively used in the USA. These aircraft were used on Western Canada’s first air mail on the prairies and were later sold, I believe, to Australia. Mr. Elderton designed a flying boat known as a Boeing Totem, a four-place monoplane with a pusher engine overhead. This was an all-metal type and proved to be a very successful aircraft, although it was the only one of its kind ever constructed. It later became the private plane of Lt. Col. Victor Spencer.
In the summer of 1939, the company known as Commercial Airways started operation. This company employed George Silke as their chief pilot, and operated a Stinson Junior, a Fleet Fawn and a Golden Eagle. It operated for a few years, presumably at a loss, and then sold the Stinson and the Golden Eagle. The former cracked up with its owner, Mr. Dick Corlis, north of Prince George, B.C., and the latter cracked up through a badly executed loop at the Langley Airport. The fleet Fawn seaplane was turned over to the Aero Club of B.C. for operation. After a successful couple of years, this aircraft was sold for the ridiculous sum of $1500. The actual price of this aircraft on floats was about $6800. 1 was the purchaser in partnership with two Vancou citizens. After four years of successful operation of aircraft, we sold it around 1938 to Mr. Len Foggin $2200. Early in the Second World War, one of Mr. F gin’s students returned on leave from the air force a endeavouring to show Mr. Foggin some aerobatics had learned to do in a Harvard Trainer, got into an verted spin and crashed into the deck at Boundary B killing himself and his old instructor.
During 1930, Ginger Coote arrived in Vancouver fr Chilliwack and received his refresher course (since had been flying in the First War) with the Aero Club B.C. He had purchased an Eagle Rock CF-AMN a upon completion of his course, he went barnstorm, in the interior. He had the misfortune to crash this craft on Green Lake, but this did not daunt him and later formed a company which became well known the Ginger Coote Airways, operating commercial ch ter work within the Province of B.C. He was more less a freelance pilot and details of his operations little known to the undersigned. He served in the RO during the war, following which he resigned from a tion and took up pig farming, a rather sad ending fo pilot whose career was somewhat of a colorful natu The aircraft he was flying before he joined the serv was cracked up near Alberni by one of his pilots and aboard were killed.
On April 21, 1931, all activity on the Lulu Isla temporary airport transferred to the new site on Sea land which is today the Vancouver International a port. The depression was upon us and those in flying business were receiving little support. On June 3, Chilliwack opened its new airport. This field remained in operation until after the Second World War when it was replaced by the present municipal field within a mile of the city.
It was in the summer of 1931 that the Trans-Canada Air Show arrived in Vancouver when the famous Siskin Flyers put on their never-to-be-forgotten display across the country. By September of the same year, another airport was opened at Vernon. This was built on the side of a hill and was later abandoned. In fact, during the war it became an army camp.
In the Spring of 1931, the Royal Airlines, under the leadership of Mr. Tudhope, went into competition with the Alaska-Washington Airways on the Victoria-Vancouver run, using a Bellanca. However, the public, due to the depression or being discouraged by previous accidents, failed to give either company much support with the result that they both folded.
After the Trans-Canada Tour had departed, they left behind them the first Aeronca to be seen on the Pacific Coast-CF-AQK-and this was placed in charge of Harold Davenport and Gordon Ballentyne, who operated a repair depot on the new airport. This aircraft was ultimately sold to Frank Gilbert who operated a flying school until the outbreak of the war, after which it was sold in Chilliwack where if had been retired as a souvenir. In the meantime, the Air Land Manufacturing Co. had come to grief. Paddy Burke had become lost in the Laird River which started off the greatest air search of its day. Pat Renahan, along with a load of searchers left Vancouver in a Lockheed Vega seaplane and presumably perished in the vicinity of Prince Rupert and was never found. After many weeks of search Mr. Everett Wasson of the Yukon located the airraft only to discover that Paddy Burke had perished. The newspapers were full of this incident, and undoubtedly more accurate details can be obtained fr, having out- stayed his welcome. In the meantime, the Junker Junior on floats operated by the company had been crashed in the Bay at Hornby Island by Len Fraser, and conse quently the operation of this venturesome organization perished.
In 1932 times were still tough and the local boys organized a B.C. Air Tour which started on July 1st and lasted for approximately three weeks. A dozen local aircraft, joined by the amiable Pat Reid and the very popular Shell Oil pilot flew a Lockheed Vega of American registry, Bill Fletcher, visited Victoria, Penticton, Vernon, Kamloops and Chilliwack, in addition to putting on an air show in Vancouver. The revenue derived by the pilots on these trips helped somewhat to keep the wolf from the door. The hospitality shown en route also gladdened the hearts of the visitors and prevented their throats from becoming parched.
An aircraft (Vickers Viking) made its sudden appearance at Jericho Beach, G-CAEB, and this became the proud possession of Capt. F.L. Clarke of Vancouver. It was equipped witha Napier Lion engine, but its installation left much to be desired. Its life was short and it caught fire in the air, while its pilot, Mr. Jenkine who had been let out of the Air Force due to the Bennett axe alling, along with twenty other officers, piloted that aircraft on to the Fraser River in safety. Fortunately: a fish boat was handy to take all its crew aboard before the engine fell out of its nacelle into a large tank of gasoline located in the hull, which converted it into a mass of flames covering an area of about the size of a large city lot. When the flames had burned themselves out, there was nothing visible left of the aircraft.
It was about this time that Mr. Hunter Wells, who was associated with Mr. Tommy Jones, started in business near the Marpole Bridge in a building originally constructed by the Air Land Manufacturing Co. This location became known as the Wells Air Harbour and the company operated many aircraft which either had been purchased from companies going out of business or purchased in a crashed condition and repaired locally.
The old fairchild 71 which had been purchased from the Alaska-Washington Airways and surplus Boeing B1E boats from the Boeing factory, in addition to one of the Dominion Airways crashed Moths CF-ADY, were all made serviceable and put into operation. Among the pilots engaged in this operation were Gordon McKenzie, who Ist his licence following the Seton Lake crash, Cyril Arthur who later went to India, and W.S. Lawson, now DCAS in Winnipeg.
The charter phase of this operation apparently did not prove too successful, since one of the boats was crashed on the West Coast in an endeavour by Gordon McKenzie to taxi the aircraft on to Long Beach in a heavy swell. The Fairchild 71 also was crashed by the same party on Seton Lake killing several passengers.
One phase of this operation was a twice weekly service from Vancouver into the Bridge River country. The aircraft could always be assured of at least two passengers Northbound prior to the week-end and the same passengers returned the following Monday or Tuesday. Although these people were unknown to the pilots on this run, i turned out that they were ladies of easy virtue being transported by a syndicate into the mining area. A second flying boat was crashed at Alta Lake by Mr. McCluskey, which took the lives of Mr. Brock and other passengers, as well as that of the pilot.
The flying school operation was a success. They had for their instructor Jack right who is today one of the Senior TCA captains. It was not until after Wright had left their employ that the company went out of business.
In 1933 Len Foggin started up a flying school in competition to the Wells Flying School and Aero Club of B.C. and operated a three place Bird powered with a Kinner engine. He also had a Gipsy Moth, which had been purchased from Wells Flying School following Wright’s resignation. This aircraft was wrecked by one of his students, which resulted in him purchasing the Fleet seaplane from me. However, Foggin operated a very successful school which offered the opportunity to many of the free lance flying instructors and pilots to obtain work through these fruitless years.
Throughout these years the Victoria-Vancouver scheduled service had been religiously carried on either as a part-time operation during the summer or as a full-time operation by Canada Airways Ltd. under D.R. McLaren.
Aircraft used for this purpose were Boeing B1Es, Looning, Fairchild 71, and Sikorsky. Pilots ranged from Bill Upham, Billy Wells, Maurice McGregor, with the undersigned relieving on occasion, in addition to many others. Full details of this operation can be supplied by D.R. McLaren more accurately than I am in a position to do.
No mention has been made as yet of the foreign operations, and it is felt that something should be said of the excellent service that has been in operation by United Airlines since 1933. Commencing a VFR service using a Boeing 247, Captains Frank Wittenberg and Dwight Hansen operated for Seattle-Vancouver several years until radio aids were installed prior to the commencement of Trans-Canada Airlines. After these were installed the company continued on IFR operations and are still doing so as of this date. No mishaps of any kind have occurred to this service. Dwight Hansen is now Senior Pilot for the Standard Oil Co. of California.
Earlier in the report it was mentioned that graduates from the Aero Club of B.C. consisted of Len Foggin, Captains George Lothian and J. Wright. Throughout the years others who have remained in the aviation business are Stan Rothwell, now in the RCMP, Ben Valerie, Manager of the Aero Club of B.C., Harold Chinn, who following a successful career with the Chinese National Airways is believed to have made quite a name for himself with the Chinese National Air Force during the war. In all events, the Toronto Star had quite an account of him in one of its issues around 1943. Wally Townley, who organized a paper airline, the Capilano Airways, which was taken over by CPAir and now constitutes their Vancouver-Calgary service, graduated from the Aero Club of B.C., along with S. Foley, Ray Watson, D.J. Lawson, Ray McGregor, R. Angus and R. Smeed..
Among those who graduated and went with the Air Forces were G. Diamond, now Commanding Officer at Trenton, J.H. Roberts, Moose Fulton, A. Walmsley, and D. Manders, now manager of Civil Aviation Electronics, Vancouver Branch, and many others with whom I have lost touch.
Insofar as elementary training is concerned, the refinanced Aero Club operated for a period of 10 years and had its one and only student fatal accident during this period on October 1st, 1936, at which time R.W. Edwards, while flying solo doing circuits and bumps, climbed into the clouds over the water, became confused and dived into the water.
In January 1936 the undersigned was fortunate in being chosen, along with Ken Main, now Assistant Controller of Civil Aviation, to be given an instrument flying course with the R.C.A.F. at Camp Borden. Our instructor was Al McGuinness who later was killed while formation flying in a Siskin aircraft with the R.C.A.F. The idea was that following this course we would report back to our respective clubs, Toronto and Vancouver, and instructors for the various flying clubs across the country would be sent to us to be given a similar course. This instrument flying gave a tremendous impetous to the activity of both the Toronto Flying Club and the Aero Club of B.C., and both Ken Main and myself benefitted considerably from this increased business. Insofar as the Aero Club of B.C. is concerned, the following pilots who are well known to the aviation business, completed instrument flying courses or received conversion seaplane training or refresher courses.
Gordon Haslett F. Hames R.W. Ryan J. Crosby
N. Humphreys Captain Sandgathe Maurice Burbridge George Lothian W. Holland W. Smith M. Lee Clare Dobbin McClusky Len Foggin H. Batty Porky Weiben T. Laurie Chas. Elliott N. Norquist R.B. Grant Frank Hawkridge R. Angus Sheldon Luck W. Boyes J. Mellicke S. Foley Roy Berryman Ray McGregor H.A. MacDonald Jack Jones F. Gilbert Russ Baker Ralph Oakes Bob Goldie J. Rice Don Lawson L. Vines R.W. Bannock
The report so far covers B.C. based aircraft and has made no mention of singular outstanding flights such as:-
- (a) Tex Rankins Vancouver-Caliante non-stop flight in the Great Lakes.
- (b) Roscoe Turner’s record breaking flight from Vancouver to some point in the States, about which I have forgotten.
- (c) Lt. Cmdr. Frank Hawks non-stop flight from Vancouver to Quebec.
Insofar as (c) above is concerned, I have in my possession an envelope which has been returned to me from England bearing the cancelled postage and the Quebec stamp 11 P.M. August 26, 1933, P.Q. In the top left-hand corner is written “First New Ship.” “This message brought by Lt.-Com. Hawks on his Texaco mono-plane from Vancouver to-Quebec in 17 hours 10 minutes August 25, 26 1933”. This aircraft was a low wing Northrop job and is the only flight referred to above about which I can supply authentic information. Details re (a) and (b) above might be available from F.V. Magar, Assistant Manager of the Vancouver Airport, and at the same time he might be able to provide information pertaining to other flights about which I have no record.
Lowell Dunsmuir (TCA) who had some sort of operation in the vicinity of Windemere, B.C. during the early thirties, and Mr. Templeton, ex-Vancouver Airport Manager, who conducted some flying around 1910 should also be consulted for information relative to their own respective operations.
It is felt that this report of the earlier days of aviation on the Pacific Coast, described as I have seen it, should suffice since most personnel now engaged in commercial flying are fairly well acquainted with aviation activities subsequent to the inauguration of Trans-Canada Air Lines.
A.H. Wilson
November 1954 Vancouver, B.C.
Abbotsford Air Show A Great Success
The show was a success in that we met many people who passed on knowledge of material that we might be able to use, and a few new members joined CMFT. Hat proceeds were down over 50% from last year, partly due to competition from other booths, and partly be cause of hot weather forcing people home rather than staying longer as in other years. We added more items to our line of merchandise in our continuing effort to raise money. The posters were the top dollar earner. We were not allowed inside the building, so we had to tack up and take down each day. It was an open air affair, which was good for poster display, but a very hot place in which to work. Our thanks go out to the two Thompsons from Pender Harbor who spent all three days in the hat booth, and another two carting airplanes and boths around and helping to set up and tear down the display. Thanks also to Helena Ashdown, Jerry Vernon, Bruce Duncan, Ross Gregory, Frank Stevens, Ron Krywiak, Leora Warner, Paul Symons, John Moutray, Doug Pomeroy, Marjorie Nicol, Frank and Shirley Hubbard, Mark, April, Ed and Rose Zalesky.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Alberta Air Show $1901 Seven Oaks Display $989 Abbotsford Air Show $3415 Total $6305
George Neale, of Dehavilland, is trying to locate C.J. “Fergie” Ferguson, shown above. He was with No. 10, AOS, Chatham, N.B., in 1944, and last known to be in Seattle with a major aircraft company. Boeing have gone through all their old records and have no trace of him. Can anyone help find him?
NEW MEMBERS- 1981
Doug Brett, Chilliwack, B.C. Buck Ratcliffe, Calgary, Alta. Frank Hubbard, Richmond, B.C. Shirley Hubbard, Richmond, B.C. Don Blake, Burnaby, B.C. Kim Blake, Burnaby, B,C.) R. E. McLean, Surrey, B.C. Murray Bremner, Burnaby, B.C. Tom Sheldon, Gibsons, B.C. Colin Walker, Surrey, B.C. Gordon Walker, Surrey, B.C. Gordon McCrady, Pt. Coquitlam, BC. L. D. Mostad, Delta, B.C. D. G. MacMillan, Vancouver, B.C. Bob MacDonald, Delta, B.C K. V. Irlam, N. Vancouver, B.C. Charles Ford, Richmond, B.C. Harry Clark, Burnaby, B.C.. Peter Kwan, Mt. Lehman, B.C. Sam Fraser, Vancouver, B.C. Ms. Jacqueline Dearman, Surrey Ken Turner, N. Vancouver, B.C. Ross Maxwell, Coquitiam, B.C. Roy Willis, Richmond, B.C. Lloyd Dronen, Edmonton, Alta. George E. Major, Yarrow, B.C. Joseph Bertalino, Vancouver, B.C. A. W. Fricker, White Rock, B.C. Owls Head Transport Museum. Owls Head, Maine John King, Victoria, B.C. Alfred R.Harris, Victoria, B.C. Louis Salvador, Saanich, B.C. James Field, victoria, B.C. 1. Allen Clarke, Victoria, B.C. Vivienne Clarke, Victoria, B.C. Stan Klubi, Victoria, B.C. Allan Morrison, Victoria, B.C. Tom Hertel, Port Alberni, B.C. D. H. Ruemke, Victoria, B.C. Stan Trubac, Victoria, B.C. Brent Wallace, West Vancouver, B.C. Phil Hurren, Vancouver, B.C. Mike Davenport, Langley, B.C. Robert Slater, Surrey, B.C. Michael Latimer, Port Coquitlam, B.C Terry Pero, Gillies Bay, B.C. John Moutray, Richmond, B.C. John Caine, West Vancouver, B.C. James Kaduhr, Burnaby, B.C Peter Thompson, N. Vancouver, B.C. Dave Bennett, Surrey, B.C. Mike Weeks, Surrey, B.C. Eric Carlisle, W. Vancouver, B.C. Betty Wadsworth, Victoria, B.C. William H. Irvine, Vancouver, B.C. Bo Hermanson, Victoria, B.C. Donna Sambrooke, Abbotsford, B.C. Rory Henry, Burnaby, B.C. Fred Niedner, St. Charles, Mo. Peter Power, W. Vancouver, B.C. . June McEachern, Coquitlam, B.C. Milo DeAngelis, Vancouver, B.C. John DeVisser, Vancouver, B.C. Ron Schwenger, N. Vancouver, B.C Paul Hardisty, W. Vancouver, B.C. Tony Sandhurst, White Rock, B.C. D. M. Duncalfe, Sardis, B.C. David Awram, Chilliwack, B.C. David Vine, Chilliwack, B.C. R. J. Thompson, Richmond, B.C.. George Fowlie, Chilliwack, B.C. Philip W. Beldam, Sardis, B.C. Lin Moore, Richmond, B.C. Bruce Peterson, Vancouver, B.C. Arnold Baker, Strathclair, Man. Don Duguid, W. Vancouver, B.C. Harold Kenney, Prince George, B.C. W. A. MacDonald, Squamish, B.C Graham Turner, N. Vancouver, B.C. Jim Theberge, V. Mercier, P.Q Andrew Lum, Fort Langley, B.C. , B.C John Kyte, Richmond, B.C. Lorne Ford, Langley, B.C. Michael Neyedli, Vancouver, B.C.. Tony Neyedli, Vancouver, B.C. Paul Squires, Yellowknife, NWT P. M. Knowles, Victoria, B.C. Lock Madil, Vancouver, B.C. Edwin Bussey, Burnaby, B.C.. W. Bond, St. Albert, Alta. J. O. Camden, St. Pauls, Ont. David Finnie, Vancouver, B.C. Jim Clarke, Vancouver, B.C K. R. MacDonald, Abbotsford, B.C. Randy Morelli, Langley, B.C. John Wilson, Lethbridge, Alta. Jon Spinks, Lethbridge, Alta. lo Owens, Pt. Coquitlam, B.C. Kevin Brown, Kamloops, B.C.. Jerry Olsen, Vancouver, B.C. Wayne Cromie, Richmond, B.C. Arch Baillie, Vancouver, B.C. Rob Kennedy, Richmond, B.C. Colin Laker, W. Vancouver, B.C.. Ray Brown, Vancouver, B.C. Robert Bullough, Victoria, B.C. Patricia Morrison, Victoria, B.C. Glen Waddy, Richmond, B.C. David Crone, Calgary, Alta. M. Derrick Rogers, Chilliwack, B.C. Marcus Rogers, Chilliwack, B.C. Quentin Rogers, Chilliwack, B.C. lan Morrison, N. Vancouver, B.C. Tony Edmundson, Medicine Hat, Alta. A. Moshansky, Burnaby, B.C. Richard M. Bell, Calgary, Alta. K. Neville-Smith, Langley, B.C. Harry Richmond, Langley, B.C. Larry Bennett, Surrey, B.C. Greg Buckham, N. Vancouver, B.C. Jim Boon, Millbay, 8.C. Dan McCowan, Vancouver, B.C.
Photos of Fairchild Husky CF-SAQ, c/n 8. Aircraft donated to the museum several months ago by Jim Pattison International (Air B. C.)
TOP PHOTO: CF-SAQ in 1948, while operated by Saskatchewan Air Ambulance Service.
BOTTOM PHOTO: CF-SAQ while operated by West Coast Air Services. 1969-70(??) Both photos via G. Hambley, Ray Crone and Jerry Vernon
Alexander Combination Wing Eaglerock G-CAIS, c/n 354, “The Silver Eagle” Left to Right: Harold Walker, Ernest Eve, Mr. Valipy, Cecil Eve, A. Hal Wilson
The above photo of G-CAIS came from the estate of the late Lancelot de M. Duke, a World War One pilot who lived until recently in Victoria, B. C. The photo was sent to Jerry Vernon by Punch Dickins, several months ago.
This is the aircraft, and some of the people, referred to in the first part of Hal Wilson’s story in the museum newsletter.
Jerry Vernon spoke with Hal Wilson, after receiving the photo. Hal Wilson is now in advanced years, and his memory is, unfortunately, not too good. He cannot recall the event when this photo would have been taken, but feels it would probably be in 1928, and the location would probably be at Lansdowne, on Lulu Island. He recalls the people involved, and thinks that Mr. Valipy was from Seattle.
Short history of G-CAIS:
- 13 Dec 27: B. C. Airways Ltd., Victoria.
- 19 Jul 28: Accident. Re-built.
- 12 Feb 30: Aero Club of B. C., Vancouver.
- 09 Mar 30: Damaged beyond repair. Collided with Moth G-CAKH on the ground at Lulu Island. Pilot of G-CAIS was F. M. McGregor (uninjured).
JE VERNON PENG V5A 3E2 3489 LAKE DALE AVE BURNABY BC
Consolidated PB4Y-2G Privateer N6813D
Serial 59876, Wright R-2600-35 engines, has been stored at Port Hardy Airport since its purchase in April, 1976. She is expected to have a new home in an Eastern U.S. museum soon. Details in the minutes.