| The Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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November 2021 e–Newsletter |
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From the Desk of the Executive |
It is that time of the year again As you may be aware, 30 November is Giving Tuesday - a day set aside to focus on generosity toward others after a weekend of gathering over turkey meals (American Thanksgiving), Black Friday deal hunting, and more shopping on Cyber Monday. Here are some ideas to consider this coming Giving Tuesday. As we get closer to bringing 2021 to a close, there are still many people around the world suffering from the effects of the pandemic. Please consider donating to a local food bank, homeless shelter, or mental health support initiative to help someone make it through another day. We are seeing communities on both coasts of Canada suffer from flooding and infrastructure destruction due to severe storms. It was just announced that the Canadian Government will match donations made to help with recovery efforts in British Columbia (until 17 December 2021) - so you can double the impact of your donation. Canada's aviation museum community is dependent on donations in order to keep their doors open, maintain their displays, pay for employees, and undertake aircraft restoration efforts; please consider donating to one or more museums. And our own Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) is also dependent on donations to help maintain our operations (including the CAHS Journal and the website) to preserve and celebrate Canadian aviation history. The CAHS provides tax receipts for any donation received through our website (https://www.cahs.com/donations.html) or through snail mail (https://www.cahs.com/uploads/1/2/4/8/124898761/cahs_national_-_donation_request_e.pdf). Canada Helps also collects donations on behalf of charities, and this year, Canada Helps will add an additional $2 to each $20 donation made toward charities signed up with them. You can donate to the CAHS through Canada Helps at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-canadian-aviation-historical-society/. Thank you for your continued interest in, and support of, the CAHS. We hope you are staying safe, healthy, and happy and we look forward to seeing you again - hopefully next year! |
Dr. Rachel Lea Heide, National Treasurer, Membership Administration, and Special Projects Coordinator Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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Click the button above, then click on the little magnifying glass to begin your search. |
| Click the button above or, if you have a smartphone, simply point its camera app at the on-screen QR code to donate via mobile. |
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From the Desk of the Journal Editor |
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Journal 57-3 is now at the printers and will go to the mailing house within the coming week. Once we've completed the mailing of the print edition to Traditional Members, the digitial edition will be made available to all current members on the Members Only area of the website. Journal 57-4 will go to final layout proofreading – the final stage before print production – shortly. Follow this link for a preview of feature articles in these, and for ongoing updates on other work-in-progress Journal editions. Each digital edition is posted to the website as a high-resolution PDF (published with colour throughout since Journal 57-1) so that all current CAHS National Members will have immediate online access. |
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Terry Higgins, Creative Director, Website Administrator, CAHS Journal Managing Editor and Graphics Director, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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From the Desk of the Treasurer |
The CAHS is pleased to provide an even larger selection of books this month to help you with Christmas shopping for any aviation enthusiasts on your shopping list. In addition to our annual eye-catching full colour aviation art calendar, we are featuring two new books by Sheila Serup and Chris Weicht, and we have brought back three books by Shirlee Matheson. We hope that you find these very interesting - for your own wish list and for anyone you might decide to give a book to as a gift. Happy shopping and happy reading! (Shipping note: if you purchase multiple different books, these will likely be shipped separately since they come from different suppliers; sometimes we will be mailing to our customers after we make our one bulk order from the publishers, and sometimes authors or publishers are able to ship orders directly to customers). |
Cordially, Dr. Rachel Lea Heide, National Treasurer, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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| Our beautiful full-colour annual celebration of aviation artwork is now available for sale. A broad range of styles and subjects represented. Featuring 13 individual pieces of aviation art. They sell out every year, so come get 'em while you can!. This special offer – $15.00 (GST included) plus shipping worldwide. Please order by 6 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| Author Chris Weicht brings to life a mystery in Canada's North. Why did an uninhabited island along the mid-coast of British Columbia play a mysterious part in a long range 1937 flight by Russian aviators? Was it a non-stop flight, or did they land and secretly refuel on Goose Island? What happened to the famous Russian flyer, Levanesky, once touted as the Russian Lindbergh? Why did the American and Canadian governments seem to go along with the deceit? Get yours for just $37.50 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. (The publisher's retail price is $40 plus shipping and GST) Please order by 10 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| The biography of a long-time northern British Columbia builder and bush pilot Svend Serup. Svend immigrated to Canada after WWII, after experiencing the brutal occupation of the Nazis in his homeland of Denmark, and settled in the Prince George/Upper Fraser area of B.C. Our special offer is $17.50 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. (The publisher's retail price is $19.95 plus shipping and GST.) Please order by 10 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| A new book published by the Alberta Aviation Museum celebrates 30 years since the museum was established in a 1941 wartime hangar built in Edmonton for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The stories of the people and planes are presented in a highly readable format that is full of both historic photos and new colour images. Get yours for just $25.00 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. (The publisher's retail price is $29.95 plus shipping and GST) Please order by 6 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| The story of a young Canadian and his life's journey as a bush pilot, and then as a bureaucrat, and how he found his way back to his aviation roots. Our special offer is $31.99 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. (The publisher's retail price is $34.99 plus shipping and GST.) Please order by 6 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| Recalling some of the most memorable escapades ever conducted in the Canadian Arctic with bush planes, Flying to Extremes takes place in the late 1960s and early 1970s from a base at Yellowknife, in the heart of the Northwest Territories. Illustrated throughout with colour photographs. Click the "Buy Now" link below to learn more. Get yours for just $21.00 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. (The publisher's retail price is $24.95 plus shipping and GST) The CAHS stock is almost sold out - only 3 copies left, so don't delay to secure your copy. |
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| CAHS member and author Carl Vincent's book Canadian Aircraft of WWII (Aviaeology Publishing's bestseller), illustrated throughout with CAHS Journal editor Terry Higgins' profile artwork. Get yours for just $25.00 (GST included) plus $5.00 shipping per copy in Canada. (The publisher's retail price is $29.99 plus shipping and GST) With less than 12 copies left, we're offering this great book, probably for the last time, as part of our Christmas drive. Please order by 6 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| The latest edition in this great series, Flight, Vol. 3 includes 33 short stories plus an introduction – 6 stories and introduction written by Deana J. Driver and 27 stories written by 14 other Canadian writers: Bill Cameron, Will Chabun, Richard Dowson, Peter Enzlberger, Mary Harelkin Bishop, Dave McElroy, Vincent Murphy-Dodds, Curtis Penner, Don Riekman, Ralph Tweten, Walter D. Williams, Ken Wilson, Mason Adam Wray, and Bill Wunsch Get yours for just $17.00 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. (The publisher's retail price is $19.95 plus shipping and GST) Please order by 6 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
Don't have Volumes 1 & 2 Yet? Get all three for just $48.00 ($16 each, GST included) plus $18.00 shipping for the bundle in Canada. |
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| Fifteen aviation stories with a common theme: they are all Canadian, and they truly are “amazing”. We are offering this book for $17.00 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. The publisher's retail price is $19.95 plus GST (plus shipping if purchased online). Please order by 6 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| This compelling collection of stories chronicles aviation anomalies from the shores of Labrador to the British Columbia coast, and beyond our aerial borders to describe Canadian participation in bringing resolution to far-reaching aviation mysteries and disasters. We are offering this book for $19.00 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. The publisher's retail price is $21.95 plus GST (plus shipping if purchased online). Please order by 6 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| From the perils of First World War aerial dogfights to the daring antics of his post-war barnstorming stunts, the adventures of Captain Freddie McCall, flying ace and maverick Calgarian, come to life in Shirlee Smith Matheson’s book. We are offering this book for $8.00 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. The publisher's retail price is $9.95 plus GST (plus shipping if purchased online) Please order by 6 December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. |
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| | CT-134 Musketeer Gateway Project "takes flight" |
A Beech CT-134 Musketeer is now mounted as an aviation gateway to the village of Mount Hope thanks to a partnership with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum(CWHM) and the City of Hamilton. By Gord McNulty |
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| | North Atlantic Crossroads |
Our occasional reviewer and former Newfoundland resident takes a look at CAHS Member Darrell Hillier's well researched book highlighting Gander aviation activities in wartime. By Fred Hutcheson |
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| | Little Known Aspects of the Air Arm of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police |
From Norseman to Pilatus PC-12, and Dragonflys to Twin Otters, retired RCMP Officer John Henderson shares lesser-known facts from the history of the RCMP's Air Division in this lavishly illustrated presentation given to the CAHS Regina Chapter on 16 September 2021. via Kyle Huth |
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A Tradition of Excellence 2nd Edition! |
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Former Snowbird Lieutenant Colonel Dan Dempsey has released his second edition of A Tradition of Excellence - Canada's Airshow Team Heritage. A 768 page book with approximately 1,800 photographs, the book covers all of Canada's military teams dating back to 1919 - from the flying exhibition held at the CNE in Toronto that year through the aerobatic teams such as the Siskins, Blue Devils, Grey Ghosts, Red Knight, Golden Hawks, Golden Centennaires and of course the formative years of the Snowbirds and our CF-18 demo teams. All of Canada's many teams are covered, including all of the fighter teams flown by the RCN, RCAF and Canadian Forces from 1946 through the 1990's. There is also a section on the most famous Canadian civilian airshow teams and performers. It truly is an amazing history. At present, the book may be purchased online via PayPal or cheque on Dan's website www.canadasairshowheritage.com. for a sale price of $104.95 (original price $125.00) plus shipping and tax which comes to $129.29. However, for anyone prepared to order direct via email to afteams@gmail.com (along with an e-transfer payment to that address), Dan can offer a further discount on the book to $99.00 plus shipping and tax totaling $123.00. Please send the name and shipping address, along with any dedication information toafteams@gmail.com. The book is charged a flat rate for shipping across Canada and there are no handling charges or associated fees. Dan Dempsey via Katherine Simunkovic |
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Canadian Aviation Moments |
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Question One: During the five months the IRFC (Imperial Royal Flying Corps training plan in Canada during the First World War) was training in Texas, how many flying hours were racked up, how many pilots were trained, and how many officers and ground crew were trained? Source: Dancing in The Sky, pg. 204 (Hunt) |
| Question Two: For what was the Canadian Vickers Vedette seaplane used, and how long was it in service with the RCAF? Source: Jericho Beach and the West Coast Flying Boat Stations, pg. 228-229 (Weicht) |
| Question Three: What kind of radar antiaircraft fire-avoidance tactics were used from 1943 on by RAF Bomber Command Pathfinders and, later, by elements of the main force? Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 193 (Bashow) |
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The answers will appear in the December Newsletter Here are the answers to October's Canadian Aviation Moments: |
QUESTION 1: During the First World War, what did the Royal Flying Corps training plan in Canada find the cost of training a pilot to be compared to similar training in Britain? |
ANSWER: “Hoare was quick to understand the United States’ military situation. He also knew how seriously England had been financially drained by the war. In addition, the Canadian operation was proving more costly than anticipated. As a consequence of the great distances, higher wages, and the initial lack of an air force infrastructure in Canada, the cost of training a pilot in Canada was nearly double the cost of similar training in Great Britain.” From Dancing In The Sky, Page 177 |
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QUESTION 2: What was the replacement in late 1922 for the Curtis HS-2L? |
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ANSWER: “In late 1922, the Canadian Air Force was looking for a replacement for the Curtiss HS-2L Flying Boats. Canadian Vickers offered their Viking IV design, and on February 23, 1923, they were awarded a contract for the construction of eight aircraft. Two aircraft fuselages were shipped from the parent company in England, and the remaining six were made by the Montreal company. These Canadian-built single-engine amphibians were powered by a 360 hp Rolls-Royce Eagle engine. The Viking IV was used as a general transport aircraft and in survey work, but after the introduction of the Canadian Vickers Vedette and the Fairchild FC-2 in the mid-1920s, the Viking was assigned to transport use only. Pilots reported that the aircraft had poor water-handling characteristics and took an excessively long time to become airborne. They also found the Viking very difficult to control in any kind of rough water. In August 1924, Group Captain Scott notified Canadian Vickers that it was impossible to stop the aircraft from proposing on landing, and when taxiing for take-off – in even a moderate sea the cockpit filled up with water.” From Jericho Beach and the West Coast Flying Stations, Page 226 |
QUESTION 3: What is an example of how some aircraft during the Second World War appeared to be unlucky when associated with the assignment of the three-letter squadron and individual identification codes? |
ANSWER: “In contrast, some aircraft proved to be unlucky when associated with the assignment of the three-letter squadron and individual identification codes. Perhaps the most notorious of these was 425 Squadron’s KW-G, “G-George.” However, “G” for Ginx”, as this cursed series of aircraft became known far and wide throughout 6 Group, applied only to Wellingtons and Halifaxes. The European war ended before this coding could be applied to any of the unit’s Lancasters which came into service late in the war. Eight bombers, two Wellingtons and six Halifaxes, had carried squadron code KW-G during the Alouette’s 30-plus months in action. Two were lost on their first mission. Five prior to the seventh. Six had been destroyed in fatal crashes. All had been subject to what, in retrospect, can only be considered a bizarre gremlin. But the toll in aircrew, all young and eager to help the cause of peace, had been even greater. In May 1945, when the squadron started receiving its new Lancaster bombers for use with Tiger Force, likely no-one thought about the one carrying KW-G. Fortunately for some aircrew, however, the war in the Far East ended before the jinx was tested again there.” From No Prouder Place, Page 188 |
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Select a chapter to discover what they have been up to since the last newsletter. Many of our Chapters remain very active on Zoom with presentations every bit as good as they would be if we did not have pandemic restrictions to deal with! |
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Special Thanks To Our Supporters |
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In addition to its members, contributors, and newsletter subscribers, the CAHS is thankful for the ongoing support of its Corporate Members, Museum Members, and Partner Organizations, as well as the many individuals and organizations whose financial donations are so generously given. If you would like to become a Corporate Member or Museum Member - or if you know an organization that might like to join - we are always happy to receive new applications. Please use the hyperlinks above to learn more about our corporate members and partner organizations. Corporate Members: |
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If you have changed your mailing or e-mail address, please get in touch to keep us up to date. Contact the Membership Administrator here. To enquire about membership payment records, contact the Treasurer here. Click here to renew immediately online, or to join as a new member. If you would like to register or renew by mail, printable forms are also available in the bottom area of this page on our site. If you have any aviation history-related news or events to share, please contact our newsletter editor here. Please feel free to forward to friends and family members, or encourage them to sign up on our website to receive the newsletter directly for FREE. We hope that you enjoy receiving this monthly newsletter and find the contents informative and enjoyable. If you no longer wish to receive it for any reason, please use the unsubscribe option below to have your email address removed immediately from the mailing list. |
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The Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) P.O. Box 2700 • Station D • Ottawa • Ontario • K1P 5W7 visit us at www.cahs.com The CAHS is incorporated as a Canadian Registered Charity under a Federal Charter with the business registration number 118829589 RR001 |
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