| The Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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December 2023 e–Newsletter |
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From the Desk of the Executive |
I wish everyone all the best of the season! As we close 2023 and look forward to the new year, there is much we can celebrate this past year. Our convention in Kingston was a great success, and chapters have been able to hold in-person meetings and presentations over the year. Membership has held steady. Please remember to send in your membership renewal for 2024. Donations are always appreciated, and your support is critical to our success. There are still many books for sale on our website, so please check it out as they make for great reading as well as fine gifts. Volume 58, number 2 of the Journal has been mailed out, and it should be arriving in your mailboxes and email inboxes as we speak. We continue to work on reducing the delays in our schedule. This year has had its challenges. I express my deepest thanks to our newsletter editor, Katherine Simunkovic, our Journal editor and website administrator, Terry Higgins, and our webmaster and data administrator, Andrea Wiseman, who work to keep all of us informed and our print and on-line presence current and alive. On behalf of your National Executive and Board of Directors, thank you for your continued interest and support. Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year. Blue skies. |
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Gary Williams, President, 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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Both print and digital editions of Volume 58 Number 2, illustrated above, have been delivered to the membership.
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This latest CAHS Journal in print is also now available to non-members in our website e-shop. Get the print edition here and the digital edition here, or have a peek inside on the updated Journal page here. Meanwhile, work continues on the layout of the final two regular numbers of Volume 58, and on the RCAF Centennial Special Edition, as well as the contents of much of Volume 59. All the best to everyone throughout the upcoming Christmas holidays and into the New Year. |
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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 would like to thank everyone for their support over the past year, from the authors and artists to our customers. Although it might be too late to purchase Christmas gifts, check out the CAHS shop when you are looking for birthday, graduation, Father's Day, and Mother's Day gifts. We have dozens of discounted aviation books available in our CAHS Shop and through Login Canada. Check out art for sale from our calendar artists, as well as the CAHS 2024 Calendar. Keep checking our shop page next year for new discounted aviation themed additions. In the meantime, we hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday break with family and friends. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. |
Cordially, Dr. Rachel Lea Heide, National Treasurer, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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CAHS 2024 Aviation Art Calendar |
| The annual aviation art calendar is available ($15 a copy plus $5 shipping in Canada). This bilingual calendar includes 13 full-colour images featuring a collection of civilian and military aviation aircraft |
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Freddie the Flyer by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
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| Aviation historian, and former President of the CAHS, Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, has published a gorgeous picture book that pays homage to aviator Freddie Carmichael — the first Indigenous commercial pilot in the Arctic — with each month of the year highlighting moments from his life, the beauty of the North and the power of dreams. The CAHS discount rate is $19 (plus $6 shipping in Canada). Danielle also has a number of upcoming events to promote and discuss her books, including Freddie The Flyer. For information on where you can see her or how to schedule an event with her, please visit her website. |
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Alis the Aviator now in Paperback
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| by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail Come along on an aviation journey with Alis! This spunky female guide will take you through an ABC of planes featuring gorgeous cut-paper art. An A to Z of planes past and present, this book has stunning cut-paper art and a cute-as-a-button guide named Alis. Named for Dr. Alis Kennedy, likely one of the first Indigenous women to obtain a commercial pilot licence in Canada, Alis will take you on an aviation tour from the Avro Arrow to the Zeppelin and everything in between. Meticulously researched and uniquely crafted, this is a one-of-a-kind book that will delight aviation fans big and little. Get your PAPERBACK copy for just $10.00 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada. |
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The Story of Lilian Bland: An Amazing Aviatrix |
| The CAHS is pleased to feature this new book about the amazing life story of Lilian Bland, the first woman ever to design, build, and fly her own airplane, beautifully illustrated to inspire young readers. This delightful picture book celebrates the life of Lilian Bland, remembered both in England and in her adopted home of Quatsino Sound, on Vancouver Island, for her many achievements - especially her ground-breaking achievements in aviation. Retailing for $19.95 + tax, the CAHS is selling the book as a fund-raiser at a discount rate of $15 (plus $6 shipping in Canada). |
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Christopher Weicht Flat Rate Box Set: The Defenders & Red Star Over Canada
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Author Chris Weicht is offering a special where buyers can get one copy of The Defenders and one copy of Red Star Over Canada in a Canada Post FLAT RATE BOX for $85.00 ($65 for the books and $20 for shipping).
See the description for The Defenders in the next book offering below.
Get yours for just $65.00 (GST included) plus $20.00 shipping per copy in Canada.
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Red Star Over Canada: 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? |
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The Defenders by Christopher Weicht
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| On 2 June 1942, Japan launched an attack on the US Navy facilities at Dutch Harbour, Alaska. The United States officially appealed for Canada’s help in the defence of the besieged Alaska and its Aleutian Islands, that were under attack and partially occupied by Japanese Air and Naval Forces. Canada immediately sent 15 Squadrons of battle hardened RCAF Fighter and Bomber Reconnaissance aircraft, which fought valiantly with the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero and Rufe and Aichi Jake Seaplane fighters, as well as with the atrocious Aleutian weather which together cost many lives. Get yours for just $45.00 (GST included) plus $20.00 shipping per copy in Canada.
The book is 9" x11" requiring a flat rate box at $20 shipping. |
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CAHS Sticker for Car Window
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| We have created a sticker that you can affix to a car window to advertise your support for the CAHS. The adhesive is on the back, and the sticker background is clear. Size is approximately 4" x 4". $7 each with shipping and handling included. |
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The long, winding search – and Saskatchewan discovery – of an historic airplane. |
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| CAHF 2024 Induction Ceremony Press Release
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| The First Winter Flight into the Canadian Subarctic
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On February 5, 1922, Captain William Roy Maxell and Hervé St. Martin flew to Moose Factory, Ontario in an open cockpit Avro 504K, G-CAAE. This little-covered flight happened in the dead of winter at the request of prospector John Mack and was the first such flight in the winter in the Canadian Arctic. Robert Galway provides several previously undisclosed details and images about this unique event, which is now celebrating its centenary, and tells the story of the individuals involved. Originally presented to the CAHS Ottawa Chapter on May 26, 2022. Via Kyle Huth
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| With a heavy heart, the CAHS shares the passing of Donald Franklin Baird, a long-term CAHS Member and supporter. |
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Donald Connolly • 1931 – 2023 |
Aviation artist, CAHS Member, and Canadian Aerospace Artists Association founding member Don Connolly with his “Flight: Dream, Myth and Realization” at The Grace Centre, Sydenham, ON, in late 2015. |
Don Connolly has passed away at the age of 92. Journal editor Terry Higgins remembers his pleasant interactions with Don and provides a few links to broader stories of the man's life and legacy. Read more… |
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Canadian Aviation Moments |
Here are the questions and answers to this month's Canadian Aviation Moments: |
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| Question 1: How long did it take William Barker in the First World War before he could fly solo?
Source: Canada’s Fighting Airmen, pg. 120 (Drew) |
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| Question 2: When and why did the Canadian politicians come to the conclusion that the RCAF did matter after all and what was the result of this increased awareness? Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 54-55 (Dunmore) |
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| Question 3: What was the “Black Hole” of the Atlantic during the Second World War? Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 311-312 (Bashow) |
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Spoiler alert - the answers to this month's questions follow. Skip the rest of this section and come back later if you wish to guess/research the answers first. Good luck and have fun! |
ANSWER 1: “The “Blood Bath” of the Somme ended with these actions and on November 16 Barker proceeded to Narborough in Norfolk to train as a pilot. His period of training was amazingly brief. The experience of nearly a year as an observer had given him most of the technical knowledge necessary, and a thorough familiarity with the handling of a machine, although he had never operated the controls. As a result he had only two flights in a dual control machine with an instructor before attempting his first solo. The first flight lasted fifty minutes, the second a few days later, five minutes, after which his instructor allowed him to go up alone.”
Source: Canada’s Fighting Airmen, pg. 120 (Drew) |
ANSWER 2: “The rise of fascism changed all that. Uneasy about developments in Europe, the politicians came to the conclusion that perhaps the RCAF did matter after all. Slowly, the wheels of expansions began to grind. In 1935 thirty-eight candidates were enrolled in the air force, twenty-four of them winning their pilot’s wings the following year. The RCAF ordered some two hundred modern aircraft and, reflecting the new awareness of the need for home defence units, planned to build airfields on the east and west coasts. As international tensions worsened, Canadians became increasingly worried by the possibility of air attacks.” Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 54-55 (Dunmore) |
ANSWER 3: “On the North Atlantic, Very Long Range (VLR) Liberators, used in conjunction with other surface and airborne technological innovations, had effectively closed the “Black Hole,” the air patrol coverage gap in the middle of the Atlantic. Now, Grossadmiral Karl Donitz’s “grey wolves” of the Kriegsmarine’s U-boat arm had reversed roles, from being the hunters to being the hunted. This happier state of affairs for the Allies was now engendering a massive build-up of men and materiel at a frenzied pace within the United Kingdom in preparation for the upcoming cross-Channel onslaught in Normandy.” Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 311-312 (Bashow) |
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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