Newsletter No.17 June, 1982 – Canadian Museum of Flight

Museum Newsletter

No.17 CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT AND TRANSPORTATION June, 1982

President’s Annual Report

1981-82 has been a very busy and productive year. Among the major accomplishments, we now have a third storage building and a bright and well-lit insulated shop in which to work. Workbenches and equipment are slowly going in place and it will soon be ready for restoration projects to begin.

The storage yard has mostly been cleaned up and while it still needs more, it is a whole lot better than it was.

Our newsletter speaks for itself and is doing an excellent job of letting people know what is going on. The Mosquito project is proceeding on schedule. Information on another Open House will be found elsewhere in the newsletter.

A number of donations have come in this past year, including the Bolingbroke, the Seabee, Sikorsky S51, remains of a Fairchild. 82, Edsel and Honda cars, a half-ton pickup (for hauling), Vertol H21 helicopter and many other items.

The Vancouver Island Branch has built a workshop entirely through members’ efforts and donations from the community. The Auster project is now inside.

Surrey has finally given its blessing for the use of the Zalesky property as a storage and restoration site.

Last year’s Alberta and Abbotsford air- shows were successes as were the various shopping centre displays. These are very important in terms of public relations, so please continue to make them possible by helping out. We have had good newspaper and trade magazine coverage as well as a spot on the “Thrill of a Lifetime” show.

By far the most important event is the committment to purchase the Fort Langley Airstrip /Seaplane Base. The site is perfect for a permanent home and its 49 acres will accommodate displays of the other transportation-related collections that are also homeless at present. The purchase price of the airport, as a going concern, and the cost of initial improvements, such as coffeeshop, clubhouse and some out-buildings will come to about a million dollars. Raising this money is not going to be easy, but we will have a viable, operating airport that will become self-supporting, and we will have insured tenure. This is probably the most important consideration.

The coming July 11 open house at the Crescent Road storage site is our “big event” of the year. It is our first invitation to the public to come and see what we are doing. Let’s all help to make it a success.

1982-1983 is going to be the most decisive and exciting period in our history. We are transitioning from a struggling little group to an important organization with stature. The “Fort Langley Project” is a very large undertaking but vitally necessary for continued growth.

We have come this far only because each of you, as members, have demonstrated your support by joining CMFT and keeping your membership in good standing. Our sincere thanks to all of you. The real backbone of the organization and those truly responsible for its success are the members who have unstintingly given many hours of their time, effort and money to accomplish the many tasks, large and small.

We have come a long way in the 10 years since the idea was born, and we have a long way to go yet. We are building for the future and our children.

Get involved in the action.

COVER PHOTO:

Vancouver Airport, prior to March, 1929. Aircraft on the left is a 1929 Curtis Reid Rambler II with Cirrus engine. It was bought new by Century Motors, Ontario, in 1928. Other two planes appear to be Hermes Powered Moths. Any further information on these aircraft would be appreciated. Picture donated to CMFT by Earl Gerow March 28, 1982.

SET ASIDE JULY 11, 1982 FOR THE ALL-DAY OPEN HOUSE SWAPMEET, YARD SALE, BARBECUE

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

09:00 a.m. VOLUNTEER STAFF ARRIVE to set up booths, arrange parking, start food preparation, tour guide orientation, ticket sales, etc., etc., etc.
11:00a.m. GATES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Food hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, soft drinks, hot drinks, popcorn, etc. SWAPMEET, YARD SALE, BAKE SALE. Goes til sold out (probably 2:30.
12:30 p.m. MAGAZINE EXCHANGE goes until 12:00 at which time remaining magazines go on sale to general public. GUIDED TOURS start, every half hour, all day.
05:00 p.m. BAR OPENS-BAR OPENS-BAR OPENS
07:30 p.m. BARBECUE steak (or hamburger) dinner, salad bar, baked potato, dessert.
08:30 p.m. MUSIC STARTS for the dancers. Dinner/Dance to take place in the work shop. 50¢ admittance gets your name in for the door prizes.

This is the “BIG EVENT” of the year!

WE NEED LOTS OF HELP TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS. PHONE OR WRITE ROSE AND OFFER YOUR HELP.

COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR MUSEUM BY HELPING OUT (NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY)

LOTS OF JOBS FOR ALL. LET’S SHARE THE WORK SO WE CAN ALL ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES AS WELL. WE NEED PEOPLE TO SET UP DISPLAYS, CLEAN UP YARD, MAKE TEMPORARY BOOTHS, FOOD PREPARATION AND SALE, EQUIPMENT, PARKING, TICKET SELLING. CAN’T HELP? OK! COME OUT ANYWAY, MEET PEOPLE AND ENJOY YOURSELVES. CAN’T HELP CAN’T COME? STILL OK! COLLECT ITEMS FOR YARD SALE. EVERYTHING WELCOME INCLUDING BOOKS, MAGAZINES (ANY SUBJECT), PLANTS, TOOLS, TOYS, KITCHEN ITEMS, BAKED ITEMS, OF ANY KIND. IF YOU CAN’T DELIVER THE STUFF PHONE ROSE WHO WILL ARRANGE PICKUP. WE NEED ALL THE STUFF THERE TWO DAYS AHEAD TO ALLOW TIME TO SORT & PRICE.

COME AND HAVE A GOOD TIME

MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING

April 22, 1982 Minoru Pavillion, Richmond, B.C.

The meeting was called to order at 7:48 p.m. with 34 members and guests present. Minutes of March 17, 1982 meeting posted.

Treasurers’ Report-Posted. Total assets $239,522.41. Current liabilities include $215.12 accounts payable, $7,155.55 payable to Airplane Supply Centre and $6,427.10 in restoration accounts.

Old Business-Open house/swap meet/ barbecue report- Gordon Dann. Itinerary read, discussed. July 11, 1982 chosen as date, with rain date July 18, 1982. Dinner meeting: John Moutray. May 15th chosen as best date Unanimously decided to have Chinese food brought in. Volun teers to set up, clean up required. . : Ron Krywiak re- Restoration and recovery planning meeting ported on recovery trips planned. Decision to restore the Radioplane Target Drone and Primary Glider first, to be used in shopping centre displays. Airshows: Wayne Manning offered to go to Salmon Arm June 26, 27. Werner Griesbeck and Barry Jackson are on committee for Langley airshow June 19 and 20th. Require help. John Moutray, Mr. McLean and Wayne Manning offered. No offers to help at Chilliwack Days May 15 and 16. May 25-29: Mayfair Mall in Victoria. Organized by Vancouver Island Branch. June 7-12, Chilliwack, Cottonwood Corners Mall. Herb Hough offered and needs lots more help.

Public Relations-Short item in Chapter 490 newsletter, Courtenay, B.C. Ed Zalesky gave speeches at the Delta Businessmen’s Association, April 1, at the North Delta Businessmen’s Association April 7, and at the Fort Langley Community Improvement Association on April 19. Long article in Heritage West magazine Spring edition. Flypast, British Aviation magazine mention of Mosquito.

Jackets-Some in stock.

Old Films Collection-No takers on job of tracking down. Barry Jackson offered use of his VHS equipment. Can also make copies.

Darkroom/Photo Lab-To try in Fall for grant to buy and equip a small trailer with copy equipment, to double as home base for airshow and shopping centre displays. Home site Report-Barry Jackson and Ed Zalesky reported on progress so far on acquisition of Fort Langley Airport.

Shop Building Progress-Ed Zalesky reported that building nearly done and shop equipment now being cleaned up and installed.

Boeing Tour-Not enough people indicated they wanted to go. Shelved til Fall.

NEW BUSINESS

Special Memberships for Students (Aeronautical)-Move by Ron Krywiak, seconded by Brian Weeks and carried that students be given a one-year free membership, not to include voting rights.

Sunday Tour Directors-No takers. Still need.

Vancouver Island Auster ready for cover. Building nearly done, but stalled for funds. Mayfair Mall Display will be a well- organized affair.

NEW BUSINESS-

Oktoberfest Tentative plans for large affair approved. Committee to be struck.

Elections-Nominations Committee Barry Jackson reported, and recommended 10 directors additional to the five permanent directors. It was moved by Barry Jackson and seconded by Ron Studden that the list of directors be appointed as recommended. Motion carried. The directors for the 1982-1983 year are as follows: William Allan Thompson, Box 48, Garden Bay, B.C. Edward Victor Zalesky, 13527 Crescent Road, Surrey, B.C. 4 CMFT/June, 1982 Rose Zalesky, 13527 Crescent Road, Surrey, B.C. Ronald A. Stunden, 10280 Shell Road, Richmond, B.C. Graeme Barry Jackson, Crest Construction, 650 Westview Shopping Centre, North Vancouver, B.C. Robert Kennedy, 8520 Osgoode Place, Richmond, B.C., V7A 4M5 Wayne Cromie, 8580 Osgoode Place, Richmond, B.C., V7A 4M5 Gordon Peters, 5478 Candlewyck, Delta, B.C., V4M 3T6 Jerrold E. Vernon, 3489 Lakedale Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5M 382 Wayne Manning, 5005 6th Ave., Delta, B.C., V4M 1L3 David Jones 545 View Royal Ave., Victoria, B.C., V9B 188 Charles Forrest, 650 LaFortune Rd., Mill Bay, B.C., VOR 2PO Robert Bullough, 3012 Volmer Rd., Victoria, B.C., V98 2H4 John P. Lyne, 302-7840 Lochside Dr., R.R. 1, Saanichton, B.C., VOS 1M0 Val Hinch, 1574 Brodick Crescent, Victoria, B.C., V8N 1N4

ADJOURNMENT-

Coffee Break/Movies/Draw Drawing for 1 bottle Mirror Glaze Cleaner, 1 bottle Mirror Glaze polish, and LPS donated by Standard Aero Engines Ltd., a fire extinguisher and a Piper hat from Melridge Aviation, 1 set ash trays from Melridge, and a Tee shirt and poster from Sport Aviation Corp.

Next Meeting-June 24, 1982, 7:30 p.m. at the Minoru Sports Pavillion, No. 1 Committee Room, Richmond, B.C. (General Meeting). No date set for Director’s meeting.

Vancouver Island Branch 12 May 1982

MINUTES: The meeting was called to order at 7:11 P.M. with seventeen members in attendance.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Moved that the minutes be adopted as circulated. J. Lyne/H. DeGraff — Carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Moved that the authority for control of the bank account of CMFT, Vancouver Island Branch be vested in the executive of the branch and that the three authorized signatories be: Chairman – David Jones; Vice-Chairman -Charles Forrest; Secretary/Treasurer-Robert Bullough; any two of whom may sign on behalf of the branch. J. Lyne/C. War. wick-Carried. Moved that the authorized spending limit for the executive of the branch without approval of the membership be set at $100.00 for any individual expenditure and shall not exceed more than $300.00 in total between regular meetings. R. Stone/ T. Palmer-Carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Chairman’s Report-all matters will be dealt with under individual headings.

Building Report the Chairman gave the report in G. Moonie’s absence. Receipts for donations to the Building Fund are now available from Vancouver Head Office. The membership requests an accounting of the Building Fund at the next meeting. G. Moonie.

P.R.”Grizzly” Lyne gave a report on P.R. activities since the last meeting. All papers have been given a press release on the branch elections. All radio stations will have a public service announcement on the Mall Display. A “Swap Meet” is scheduled at Vancouver Head Office on 11 June 1982 and donations are requested to guarantee a financial success. Membership.

Special Events-Ron Stone advised that Flying Firemen have donated an engine and that another engine is coming via Clark Warwick. New signs for the display were shown and other members described their contributions. A large screen TV is available courtesy of Woodward’s for Video displays.

E.A.A. Chapter 85 have donated a Pou de Ciel “Flying Flea” to CMFT. CF-DFH was built by John Sayle and flew (briefly) in 1973, and later given to E.A.A. Henri Mignet flew the first “Pou” in 1920 and more than 300 variants have been built around the world. We’re looking for the remains of the original engine, engine mount and cowling nose which have gone astray. We also need a cylinder for a 72 h.p. McCulloch engine and other McCulloch parts.

Restoration Tom Palmer showed photos of the Auster enroute to Gary Moonie’s. No deterioration has been found in the wing spars and it is being sent to the place where it will be recovered. A work party is requested for Wednesday, 19 May to polish the perspex top for the Mall Display. The tail wheel work is nearing completion.

Recovery No planned operations until after the Mall Display.

OLD BUSINESS: TV Show Airborne and ground shots were made on Sunday last at the Canso crash site at Tofino. Final studio footage is to be shot tomorrow evening.

Mosquito Trip-Howie DeGraff described the trip to Abbotsford and the progress being made on this project.

Annual Dinner The membership stated that a letter should be sent to Head Office stating that many members from Vancouver Island would like to attend but because of the Mall Display it is impossible and that it is requested that in future this dinner be held earlier in the year before the “display” season. Chairman.

The membership decided that the V.I. Branch should hold a “no-host’ dinner on 4 June 1982 at the Chinese Restaurant- Cocktails 7 P.M., dinner 7:30 P.M. Howie DeGraff volunteered to co-ordinate this event. Vancouver Head Office is to be invited to attend. Membership.

Historical File Pete Knowles described his trip to CFB Comox and the co-operation he received there.

NEW BUSINESS: Victoria Museums Association Visit Howie DeGraff told of his visit to this meeting. There were eight people in attendance and plans for a full-sized mock-up of the Space Shuttle were discussed. Howie said he was not impressed by the Association.

Cable 10 TV Show-next Wednesday evening Bob Bullough is to appear on Daphne Goode’s talk show to talk about CMFT and the Mall Display.

Phone Committee–the committee members volunteered to continue for this year.

OTHER BUSINESS: Cassidy Airshow moved that the Branch send a letter to Head Office requesting that the Fleet Finch be made available for display and flying at this show on Sunday, 8 August 1982. R. Stone/H.DeGraff Carried, Chairman.

An invitation to put a display in Rutherford Village Mall, Nanaimo the week before the airshow has been received by the Chairman. The material on display at Mayfair will be viewed to see if it is possible to put in a display there.

B.C. Museums Association-the Chairman stated that he had been in contact with Greg Evans of the Prov. Secretary’s Ministry. This ministry requested that any concern any members had about Tim Lomas and his group should be passed to Anne Thompson of BCMA as she was receptive to this and that all concerned held CMFT in high regard. Anne Thompson can be contacted at 603 Superior Street and 387-3315. Membership.

Moved that the meeting be adjourned. J. Lyne/C. Forrest- Carried.

The next meeting will be held on 23 June 1982 at 7 P.M. at Metro Toyota.

The meeting was followed by a movie on helicoptering in various parts of the Island.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS

June 24, 7:30 p.m. Minoru Pavilion. General meeting.
Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. Minoru Pavilion. General meeting.

Fathers’ Day Gifts

Ordering Instructions: There is no tax on books, but please allow $1 per book for postage. We will refund any excess. The following books are on hand.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Craftsmen wanted

The following items are needed by CMFT. We will provide materials, although we will most certainly not refuse the donation of them. Can someone offer to build the following items:

Display board blanks-A signwriter has offered to make up descriptive signboards describing each of our flying airplanes, and rebuild projects, but wants us to supply the ready-to-use boards. We need lots of them made of hardboard, with edges neatly sanded, measuring 24″ by 16″, and some 30″ by 20″. These are to be primed and painted in white satin or gloss enamel. About 20 of each size.

Display stands-Light aluminum (conduit) tripods to hold above signs. Should be collapsible for easy storage and transport.

TWO NEW MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

Corporate Membership-$100 annual fee Student Membership-Free This category is designed for the keen aviation enthusiast who wants to become involved. Must be currently in Jr. High School or enrolled in an aviation course in trade school.

A commitment to help out at displays, yard clean-ups, airplane washing, poster rolling or whatever needs doing is a must. You are especilly needed for the July 11 Open House. Write or phone for membership application.

FORT LANGLEY AIRSTRIP/SEAPLANE BASE

The “Get Fort Langley for CMFT” Committee is exploring ways and means of arranging for funding of the site for CMFT’s permanent home.

We need to raise $1,000,000 in the next ten years to make the move a reality.

We will be running a BIG lottery to get some of the initial funding, and are trying to interest Expo ’86 (Transpo) in up-grading the airfield as a site for displays. The B.C. Lotteries will be getting yet another application from CMFT for assistance, but the majority of the money is expected to come from corporate & private donations. Got a big tax bill? Let us share your loss. You can make a donation to CMFT and pay less out to the tax man. A donation to CMFT is used in its entirety towards project intended. There is no administration expense (we are an all-volunteer group) and no bureaucracy to siphon off your money.

The first project will be the building of a clubhouse for airport tenants and associated clubs, and a coffee shop. Tie downs will be available and more hangars.

Epic of Flight: This series of books is nearly at an end, and sponsors have enabled CMFT to purchase all issues to date. We need a few more sponsors to pay for the last few issues. Cost is $11.79 per issue, and the donor’s name is listed on the flyleaf.

NEW MEMBERS

Sinclair Healy, Vancouver Ed Foster, Australia Charlie O’Shea, Montrose, B.C. Peter Sikora, Delta Bill Lamberton, Mercer Isl. Wash. Ray Booth, Surrey M. Taylor, Surrey Rev. Harry Meadows, Edmonton Leigh McCrachen, Surrey, B.C. Murray Marley, Surrey James W. McKee, Langley Don Campbell, Kapuskasing, Ontario Rob Meyering, Delta Cal Hough, Langley Colin Day, Kelowna Peter de Visser, Richmond Sundi Haslam, Sechelt Ingevald Wikene, Surrey Gerald Oliver, Springfield, Ill. Ann Kuhn, Victoria Jackie Burley, Surrey St.Chrysostome, P.Q. Frontier Antique & Military Museum, C. R. Goguillot, Surrey Allan Dann, Surrey Jean Prior, Burnaby Tom Apps, Vancouver Werner Nick, Surrey Peter Healy, Richmond David Empey, Vancouver Howard Degraaf, Victoria Tina Henderson, Victoria Fern Delourme, Victoria John Coles, Victoria Ward Strocher, Victoria Joseph Foster, Victoria Leslie Gore, Richmond D. Gretsinger, Delta David Smith, Victoria Ernie Clark, Delta T. I. Dodsworth, North Vancouver W. R. Sturrock, Brentwood Bay Wally Tuttle, Minnedosa, Manitoba John Melnick, Fort McMurray, Alberta J. A. Connell, Trail James Riddell, Saanichton H. J. Fordham, Burnaby Stanley Horner, Victoria Mike Merriman, Victoria Mrs. Pearle Rayner, Squamish Ewan Rountree, Victoria

“Mossie” Memories

The following article and layout of the Mosquito assembly line in Downsview, Ont., were taken from a 1944 issue of the de Havilland employees newsletter.

ENGLAND to India in 14 hours, 37 minutes’ flying time and an overall time, with two stops for refuelling, of 16 hours, 46 minutes!

This flight, the fastest yet between these two countries, was recently made by a Mosquito of R.A.F. Transport Command and flown by a pilot of that Command, F/Lt. James Linton, of Thornbury Cottage, Cookham Dean, Berks. The navigator was W/O Edwin Joseph Goudi, of Walthamstow, London.

The total mileage speed was 315 miles per hour. Warrant Officer Goudi said that the aircraft “behaved like a lady” throughout. The take-off was from an airfield in the Midlands at 0825 hours G.M.T. The weather was moderate. Course was set for the African coast and at 1414 hours G.M.T. the aircraft landed at El Adem, near Tobruk, refuelled and forty-nine minutes later was off again. The next stop was Shaibah, on the Persian Gulf, where the Mosquito landed at 1950 hours G.M.T. The crew rested an hour and ten minutes, and at 2110 hours G.M.T. the aircraft left on the last leg of the journey. Four hours one minute later it landed at Karachi, at 0111 hours G.M.T., the next morning. Coming out of the moonlight, the Mosquito came to rest as dawn broke over the airfield.

The crew was welcomed by the station commander, Group Captain H. N. G. Ramsbottom Isherwood, D.F.C. A.F.C. remembered for his command of the first British Fighter Wing in Russia. He was handed a parcel emphasizing the significance of the flight a selection of London and Provincial morning newspapers of the day before.

Describing the journey, F/Lt. Linton said, “We came along very comfortably. That was the idea. We wanted to show we could do the trip in the ordinary way, getting out this end feeling quiet fresh.”

W/O Goudi, who was making his first long flight with F/Lt. Linton said it was estimated the journey would take seventeen hours overall and fifteen hours flying time. “So, without forcing the pace, we have done better than expected”. He added, “The Mosquito’s cruising speed is fairly high and we kept it up”

Mosquito’s-eye view of the mechanized, Link-Belt conveyorized, final assembly line for Mosquito planes, in the Downsview, Ont., plant of deHavilland Aircraft of Canada, Ltd. Two looped or “U” circuits provide a final assembly line approximately 2,400 feet long. The line conies 39 carriages in active moving positions, Assembly and installation work, functional tests and inspections are divided into stations providing necessary man-hour distribution along the line. Carriages are equipped with multiple electric and compressed air outlets, compartments for larger components and parts kits, and fixed platforms giving full access to all working areas.

-NEWS BRIEFS CMFT

Annual Dinner Dance Judged a Great Success

Sixty-seven people shared superb Chinese food and a good time at the 2nd annual dinner dance held at St. Joseph’s hall in Richmond. Lots of door prizes given out. An original John Moutray oil painting sold for $75 at the auction. Next time we won’t let modest Mr. Moutray be auctioneer, as Shirley surely got a bargain (John’s paintings sell at $500 in galleries). The Awards Committee never was formed so awards were not presented at this time, but will be at the July 11 Open House Cookout.

“The Top Ten” who get awards are:

John DeVisser
Gordon Dann
Wayne Cromie
Mark Zalesky
Rob Kennedy
Eileen Weeks
Dave Vollandorf
Gary Magnussen
Jerry Van Humbeck
Gordon Weismiller

Some of these people have put in many, many hours of work and/or donated use of equipment and expense money. All have contributed much more than their share this past year, and our sincere thanks go out to them, as well as to the many “runners-up” who included Brian & Mike Weeks, Colin Walker, Bruce Petersen, Lock Madill, Leona Warner, Bill McGarrigle and April Zalesky. (Direc tors are not eligible for awards).

The choosing of people for awards is an incredibly difficult job. It ends up almost a drawing of straws. There is always the chance that someone who has contributed a great deal gets left out. If this has happened please phone in.

Slate of Officers-1982-1983

President-Ed Zalesky
Vice President-Bruce Duncan
Secretary Treasurer-Rose Zalesky
Government Corporate Liason – position vacant
Aircraft Recovery-Ron Krywiak
Public Relations-position vacant
Memberships-Eileen Weeks
Gift Shop-Wilma Thompson
Air Show Committee – Wayne Manning & Frank Stevens
Newsletter-Rob Kennedy
Awards Committee-position vacant

MAYFAIR MALL DISPLAY

The Vancouver Island Branch of CMFT put in many hours of work and came up with an entire mall full of displays, and created a lot of interest in CMFT. A draw for 16 rides ranging from Cessna 150 to B25 Mitchell will take place June 26. A scramble to set up, man the display, then take down the exhibit and get the bulk of it back to Vancouver for the Richmond display meant long, hard hours for the members who organized and worked to make it a success. Special thanks to Dave Jones, Grizzly Lyne, Bob Bullock, Tom Palmer, Ward Strocher, Paul Symons, Bruce Tout, Clarke Warwick, Howard de Graaf, Dave Ruemke, Wally Jeune, John Gilmour, Fern Delorme, John King, Val Hinch, Spencer Davies, Brent Palmer, Peter Knowles, Charles Knowles, Basil Harford, Ron Stone. Mel Price loaned a Hall, Scott engine for the display and Alf Springer of Vancouver Island Helicopters made a helicopter available. Thanks to all of you for your efforts and cooperation.

MOSQUITO SHOWING

If you haven’t already had the opportunity to view restoration progress, or even if you have and just want to “check up” on the work, come out to the “Mosquito Shop” in Matsqui. (Phone to confirm date.)

Special arrangements have been made with the sponsor and the restorer to view on this date only. Please do not go out on your own at any other time.

OUR FUTURE HOME? CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT AND TRANSPORTATION

Has been searching for a home for 5 years.

An option has now been offered on Fort Langley Airport. This is an excellent location for the following reasons.

1. Already an existing airport
2. Waterfront facilities on the Fraser River for float planes
3. Trackage for railway and steam buffs.
4.50 acres. Room to relocate and amalgamate all transportation museums….
5. Hanger storage and tie downs for those who wish to rent or lease.
6. Coffee shop (planned)

$1,000,000 IS NEEDED!

A benefactor or group of benefactors who could come up with the sum of $1,000,000 plus. Time is of the essence. Monies to be paid in over a period of 5 to 10 years.

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW!

Please help out your This is a chance of a lifetime! museum by letting as many people endeavors. as you can know about our

All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE and receipts will be issued.

Rare Fairchild 82A Joins Museum Collection

By John Lyne

CF-MAI, a Fairchild 82A was found after being buried in snow and ice for 23 years. From what has been discovered, the Fairchild was lost while delivering supplies. An inexperienced cargomaster was instructed to push the load out of the aircraft, but due to some misunderstanding, he did not do this correctly. The pilot turned to give further instructions and unfortunately the aircraft turned with him and the wing dipped and caught on the glacier ice. In they went, with a total loss of the airplane. Thankfully, the pilot and cargomaster lived to tell thier story.

I was spending the summer of 1979 in Stewart, B.C., working on a helicopter contract for Esso Minerals. It was a particularly long, hot summer and there was a good snow and ice melt on the neighboring glaciers. One fine day on my way back to base, I spotted some wreckage at the 4,000 level of the Salmon Glacier. Upon closer inspection I found that it was the Fairchild 82A wreck. It was still more or less intact with part of the plane still frozen in the ice. I left it for another two weeks to allow more of the ice to melt.

With the help of Bill Clifford, my helicopter engineer, we loaded tools, slings and cargo nets into the chopper and flew to the wreck site- about 15 minutes flying time from Stewart. We dismantled as much as we could and loaded the wreckage into the cargo nets. After arrival in Stewart, the remains were packaged and shipped to Vancouver by barge, and then trucked to Bill Clifford’s father’s home in Victoria. Bill wanted to rebuild the old Fairchild himself, but we decided the best place for it would be with the museum. It was finally retrieved in March, 1982, and moved to the new CMFT Victoria Branch shop at the home of Gary Mooney.

Our thanks go out to John Lyne, Bill Clifford and Vancouver island Helicopters for their time and use of the equipment in the retrieval of this historic airplane.

Flights of Fancy

In his earliest dreams, man envisioned a time when he would soar through the air with the freedom of the birds. Leonardo da Vinci was among the first to design a flying machine that would free man from his earthly bounds. However, it would take several hundred more years for humankind to experience powered flight. Heavier-than-air flight coincided with the beginnings of the first practical motorcars, and it was natural that men of vision and adventure would become involved in both forms of transportation.

The earliest automobile mascots to depict the flying craze were simple examples of the radial engine. They were made in all sizes but not always with the right number of cylinders. Other early flying mascots depicted flying machines such as the Bleriot monoplane.

World War I brought about the refined development of the airplane, and stories of the air aces’ daring flying exploits stirred the imaginations of the Waldo Peppers around the world. Military aircraft mascots would be produced in America, England, and France during and after the war and would be revived again for the 1939- 45 war.

Civilian and military aircraft between the wars were not forgotten, and when England won the Schneider Trophy in 1929, British manufacturers were quick to produce mascots of the winning Supermarine Seaplane. The 1927 flight of Charles Lindbergh from New York to Paris provided the mascot makers with a new aircraft to model-Lindbergh’s “The Spirit of St. Louis”, and just about everyone in the business made them..

Although airplane mascots are scarce, those produced for specific automobiles are even rarer. As far as is known, only four automobile manufacturers provided airplane mascots for their cars. Hudson, Essex and Chevrolet used Lindbergh’s Ryan monoplane for their 1927-28 cars. Rickenbacker cars from the beginning sported a mascot of a little monoplane emerging from a cloud bank, in honor of their president, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, America’s leading ace of World War I.

Today with man on the moon, and on his way to the stars, has seen the disappearance of these aviation-inspired mascots. The hoods of modern cars are mostly unadorned and it is only at antique automobile shows that one can again enter the age of the chrome flights of fancy.

THE “BOLY” NOSE and target drone are loaded onto the truck for the Richmond Square Mall display with the help of (1. to r.) Rob Kennedy, Carol Cromie, Wayne Cromie and “Grizzly” Lyne.

ROSE ZALESKY takes a well-earned break after setting up the Richmond Square Mall display.

“Boly” Draws Large Crowd At Richmond Square Mall Display

The Bolingbroke nose section and Radioplane target drone, (Cromie-Kennedy projects) were set up in Richmond Square Centre Mall along with the “Pou de Ciel (Flying Flea),” and the veteran of displays-the half-scale Newport 17.

A 1912 Smalley 4 cyl. gasoline engine, an Allison turbine engine, loaned by the Pacific Vocational Institute and a Mosquito carb made up the very impressive display.

The usual posters, tee shirts, post cards, books and other goodies all helped to attact swarms of people to the display. A great success, thanks to Rob Kennedy, Wayne Cromie, Dave Jones, Tom Barker, “Grizzly” Lyne and Wendy, who struggled with the hauling and set-up, and Malcolm Wodd, Bert Prothero, Eleanor Spence, Bob Cutting, Ross Gregory, Stella & John Moutray, Wayne Cromie, Bruce Duncan, Ohan Korlikian and others who sold goods and talked to passersby. The whole works goes to Cottonwood Corners, Chilliwack, for the week of June 5-12, then comes “Langley Daze” June 19-20.

We continue to get small and large items in the press which helps us to become better known.

April ’82 “Aeroplane Monthly” from Great Britain carried a short article as did the March 22 issue of Canadian Aviation News. Many of the Lower Mainland papers carried an article on CMFT in connection with Museums Day, May 18. The Fort Langley Airstrip/Seaplane base as a permanent homesite was the subject of a number of articles in the Fraser Valley papers.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Please check your address label, the date on the upper right hand corner is the date your membership expires. Send in your $15 annual renewal today. CMFT needs your support. Thanks to all of you who have already renewed your memberships.

UNIFORMS DONATED

Bill McGarrigle has donated several complete uniforms, great coats and all to CMFT, which will be great when we eventually start to stage displays. Robert Slater and Jim Guttormson report that they have had the airforce uniform they bought on behalf of the museum repaired, cleaned and tidied up. Thanks, fellows

Did You Know?

The Anson Mk. III was familiarly known as the “Flying Greenhouse” .Many of these had seen active service before being modified and overhauled for twin-engine training during WWII. A total 150 were modified by de Havilland.

At the outbreak of WWII the Fairey Battle was considered a first-line fighter. Rapidly becoming outmoded, they were shipped to de Havilland to be reassembled and put to work as advanced trainers.

CLASSIFIED ADS

The Classified Ads will be a new feature of our newsletter. If you have anything to trade or sell and are a member of CMFT, just drop us a note c/ The CMFT Classified, 11000 Camble Road, Richmond, B.C., VEX 112.

CMFT needs those old plastic models kits that you may have sitting around the house gathering dust. We would like to be able to construct some displays for use at mall shows. Contact Rose at 278-9804.

CMFT is the owner of a light trailer. This trailer is perfect for use at airshows as a mobile sales and display stand. Before this can be done, we need someone to reconstruct the trailer for this use. Please contact Rose Zalesky if you are able to take on the project.

We need a photo lab. Could any of the photographers in our group take on the project? We need expert advice on how to design a photo lab for copying those old snaps that have been coming into the collection. Contact Rose at the CMFT office

WANTED 2-5 gallon fuel tank for use on portable diesel generator. 531- 2465, 271-9804.

WANTED-Both doors for ’57 Thunderbird. Also interested in other sheet metal. Call Rob at (604)277-9902 anytime after 1 p.m.

Cover Photo Contest

Send in your historic photos. We’ll make copies (if you do not wish to donate them) and return to you. The best will be chosen for covers for the newsletter and a small prize awarded. Submit your old photos depicting some segment of British Columbia’s (or Canada’s) history, along with a short descriptive paragraph or a full story (if you can) that we can use as a feature. We’ll print the best photos on the covers of the Newsletters. If you want your photo returned, please so indicate when submitting. We’ll copy and return immediately.

Anyone can support the printing of this newsletter in the following novel and inexpensive way: CMFT will print your business card for $10 per issue. As you are aware, our members are a very supportive group, and will, we are sure, pass on any business to you, regardless of what your line is. If you don’t have a card, send us the $10 and we’ll print your name and the fact that you helped sponsor the newsletter in a box the size of a card.

PARTS, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS WE BUY & SELL SALVAGE PARTS PROCUREMENT SERVICE AIRPLANES AIRPLANE SUPPLY CENTRE Owned and Operated by: ED’S WESTERN AVIATION SALES LTD. 1104 CAMBIE ROAD RICHMOND, B.C. CANADA V6X 1L2 Phone: (604) 278-9804 E.V. “ED” ZALESKY

BETA INDUSTRIES LTD. “Abrasive Specialists” 32 WEST 5TH AVENUE VANCOUVER, B.C. VSY 1H5 073-4594 TELEX: 04-507871 A. B. (BRUCE) DUNCAN Goods can be purchased from Airplane Supply Ltd., 11040 Cambie Road, Richmond, B.C., (604)278-9804

A restorable $51 has been donated to CMFT by Les Abbey of Surrey, along with some parts to repair. Other parts have been donated by Roy Willis. Anybody want to work on the project? We’ll schedule it in as soon as enough help is lined up.

URGENT WORK BEE APPEAL

THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS ARE URGENT…SOME MORE URGENT THAN NOTHERS….SOME WITH A DEADLINE TO MEET, SUCH AS THE JULY 11TH OPEN HOUSE AND THE ABBOTSFORD AIR SHOW IN AUGUST.

SHOP PROJECT Finish cleanup of shop, make up and install more benches, equipment and a heater, THEN start on restorations. Shop will be used for efening dinner and for exhibits during day of the July 11th Open House, so will have to set up seating, etc.

YARD PROJECT More cleanup to do. Deadline for July 11. Build picnic tables, fold-up tables, benches, easles, move freezer

OPEN HOUSE into place, tack up counters for food, and much more. , fridges

LIBRARY PROJECT Now underway, but need occasional help with identification of aircraft.

AIRSHOW PREPARATION Require a poster booth, travelling trailer display booth, rolling up posters, sticking on patches onto hats, pricing, tagging, counting.

WORK BEE DATE SAT. SUN. SHOP SUMMER SCHEDULE YARD OPEN HOUSE AIR SHOW JUNE 19 JUNE 26 JUNE 27 JUNE 20 JULY 11 JULY 10 JULY 17 JULY 24 JULY 25 X JULY 31 હાલ અને X AUG. 1 AUG. 7 AUG. 8 X X LIBRARY AIR SHOW TIME. PHONE IN OFFERS TO HELP HAUL, SET UP, AND MAN BOOTH, OR TEAR DOWN AND CLEAN UP.

DAYS ENCIRCLED ARE THOSE WHERE A GOOD TURNOUT IS NEEDED AS LOTS OF WORK TO GET READY AUG 13-15 FOR EVENTS.

HOURS ARE FROM 10 A.M. TO 2. P.M., ALTHOUGH ANYONE CAN STAY LONGER OR COME OFTENER.

PHONE BEFORE COMING SO WE CAN PLAN LUNCH, AND TO MAKE SURE BEE IS “ON” FOR THAT DAY. PLEASE BRING HAND TOOLS. WE FEED YOU.

THE FORT ST. JOHN HELICOPTER MUST BE MOVED IMMEDIATELY. WHO CAN GO? WHEN? WHO CAN SUPPLY TRUCK? TRAILER? GAS? EQUIPMENT?

A “BRING EM BACK TRIP MUST BE SCHEDULED FOR ALBERTA, SASK, MAN. AND QUEBEC. WE NEED PROPLE WITH HAULING EXPERIENCE AND/OR ALL THE SAME HINGS AS THE FORT ST. JOHN TRIPS THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE EARLIER PLANNING MEETING, AND THOSE WHO WANT TO GET INVOLVED PLEASE COME TO THE JUNE 26TH WORK BEE FOR A SHORT MEETING, SAT 9:30 A.M.

WORK BEES AND JUNE 26TH MEETING ALL TAKE PLACE AT

13527 CRESCENT ROAD, SURREY. (THE STORAGE SITE). PHONE 278-9804 or 531-2465 Take the Crescent Beach exit off 99 or the King George, and turn West at Crescent Road (first traffic light). Proceed for 1 miles towards Crescent Beach. Its the third driveway past the phone booth at Ward’s Marina.