| The Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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February 2024 e–Newsletter |
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From the Desk of the Executive |
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CAHS Convention 2024 The Canadian Aviation Historical Society is pleased to invite you to our annual convention in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Wednesday 19 June to Saturday 22 June 2024, held in partnership with the RCAF History and Heritage in recognition of the RCAF's 100th anniversary. Convention registration is now open. Full convention registration is only $225 for members and will include the Wednesday reception, lunch for three days, our annual banquet, two days of speaker sessions, and the tours. Registration for online attendance will include access to all convention sessions via Zoom, but not the tours or evening events. Recordings will be made for sessions where the presenter grants permission, and these recordings will be available to all attendees after the convention, subject to technical limitations. Most convention activities will take place at the Saskatoon Aviation Museum.
The convention hotel is the Sandman Hotel Saskatoon, 310 Circle Drive West, Saskatoon, S7L 2Y5, conveniently located close to Saskatoon International Airport and just off one of Saskatoon's main roads. Situated 2.7 km from Saskatoon International Airport, the hotel features free parking, a lounge and restaurant, a business centre, an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a fitness centre. The rooms feature free Wi-Fi, TVs, coffeemakers, and sitting areas. Some rooms add pull-out sofas and/or kitchenettes. You can reserve your hotel room now at the special convention rate of only $105.00 plus taxes by calling 1-306-477-4844 and asking for reservation code "Aviation".
Known as the "City of Bridges" due to its numerous river crossings, Saskatoon boasts stunning panoramic views and picturesque landscapes. Visitors can explore the vibrant Meewasin Valley, home to lush parks, walking trails, and the Meewasin Valley Authority. The city's cultural scene is thriving with a diverse range of art galleries, theatres, and music festivals. History enthusiasts can delve into the past at the Western Development Museum or the Ukrainian Museum of Canada. Baseball fans can watch the Saskatoon Berries in their inaugural season in the Western Canadian Baseball League. Flights are available in the Saskatoon Aviation Museum's de Havilland Tiger Moth.
The convention is a great opportunity for you to renew friendships and make new ones with people who share your passion for aviation. Updates will be provided in the newsletter and on our website, cahs.com. We hope to see you there. Call for presentations 2024 National Convention of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society Background The Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) is holding its Convention and Annual General Meeting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 19 - 22 June 2024. The conference will include wide ranging coverage of Canadian aviation history, including sessions exploring civilian, industrial, and military topics. Since 2024 is the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Royal Canadian Air Force, additional consideration will be given to air force subjects. Focus The convention is open to all: university students, aerospace industry professionals, academics, professionals in aviation or heritage associations, and aviation enthusiasts of every kind. Our focus will be on history, but we welcome proposals addressing current aviation or aerospace issues. Call for Presentations The CAHS invites proposals for papers to be presented at the convention. Individuals or groups should provide the following digital submission: • Topic (title) and subject • Short précis outlining the proposal, maximum 200 words • Presenter biography, maximum 200 words Submit your proposal using this form: Call for Presentations If you aren’t ready to submit your proposal, please complete this Expression of Interest form so that we will know to expect your submission. If you have any problems or questions, please contact the convention chairperson. Information to note • Presentations can utilize multi-disciplinary approaches, and may be formal academic papers or informal talks. All presentations should be in Powerpoint or Google Slides format. Presentations should be a maximum of 45 minutes in length but longer proposals can be considered. • Note that the CAHS is a volunteer, non-profit corporation. Presenters will be expected to register for at least one day of the convention, and no re-imbursement can be offered for travel or other expenses. • Submissions must be received by 15 March 2024. • You will be notified by 31 March whether your submission has been accepted for presentation. • Convention updates can be found at www.cahs.com. Contact Please feel free to forward and post this message widely. For more information, please contact us at the address or phone below. We hope to see you in Saskatoon. Jim Bell 2024 Convention Chairperson Email 204-293-5402 |
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Jim Bell, 2024 Convention Chairperson, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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From the Desk of the Journal Editor
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Journals 58-2 and 57-4 have been subject to recent corrections on single pages.
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Pictured above are the covers of two editions of our Journal that have been subject to slight revisions to correct factual errors. If you are a CAHS National member, or a nonmember who has purchased a print or digital copy of either of these, follow the links below to access the corrections: Corrigenda 1 This corrects a transposition of aircraft construction numbers 6122 and 6123 that occurred in the table on page 80 of Thomas Singfield's "Sidney Cotton: An Adventure in Newfoundland, Part 2." The revised page can be downloaded immediately from our shop's webpage for either the digital or hardcopy versions of Journal 58-2 at these links: https://www.cahs.com/store/p726/CAHS-58-2D.html https://www.cahs.com/store/p725/CAHS-58-2P.html Alternatively, members may download the complete digital (PDF) publication by logging in on our website's Members Only area, accessing the 2020 Publication Year page, and clicking "View Full PDF" under the Vol 58 No 2 cover image. Corrigenda 2 This corrects a retyping error committed during the layout process by yours truly, introducing the mistake of calling a Jaguar engine a Jupiter engine in the caption of the photograph in the upper righthand corner on page 146 of Carl Vincent's "The British Air Ministry Winter Trials in Canada: The Armstrong Whitworth Siskin." Again, the revised page can be downloaded immediately from our shop's webpage for either the digital or hardcopy versions of Journal 57-4 at these links: https://www.cahs.com/store/p714/CAHS-57-4D.html https://www.cahs.com/store/p713/CAHS-57-4P.html Alternately, members may download the complete digital (PDF) publication by logging in on our website's Members Only area, accessing the 2019 Publication Year page, and clicking "View Full PDF" under the Vol 57 No 4 cover image. I encourage all readers to contact me with the details if similar opportunities to correct Journal content are found. This can be a relatively straightforward exercise for all Journal volumes originated digitally at SkyGrid Studio (from 2010 onwards), now that we have a process in place. Onward to the current works in progress, for which we'll have more details in next month's newsletter. Until next time… |
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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 |
I would like to encourage everyone to make sure that your membership has been renewed and is up-to-date. If you are unsure of your last payment or expiry date, please contact me using this contact form. Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away. Whether you are looking to get a gift for a special someone or for a friend, think about purchasing a book, calendar, or piece of art from the CAHS shop. Also consider giving a CAHS membership as a gift to a youth (a child or grandchild, a student, an air cadet) as a way of inspiring the next generation to fall in love with Canada's aviation history and perhaps even an aviation career. Check out the CAHS main page where we've made our offerings and products more visible and accessible. |
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). Check out Danielle's blog for an update on her fall 2023 book tour for Freddie. And congratulations to Danielle for Freddie the Flyer being featured in the CBC's list of "The Best Canadian books for Kids & Teens in 2023" and being included in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. |
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Northern Lights Aero Foundation Nominations Open |
The Northern Lights Aero Foundation is now accepting nominations for its 15th annual awards program. Each year, the national not-for-profit foundation honours outstanding Canadian women who have made a significant contribution to aviation or aerospace, and who continue to lay the groundwork for other women to enter or excel in these industries. Categories include: Business Education Engineering Flight Operations Government Rising Star Trailblazer To nominate an outstanding woman or for more information about the Northern Lights Aero Foundation and sponsorship opportunities, visit their website. Deadline for nominations is March 31, 2024. |
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| A Life of Flying and Aerial Photography |
Pilot and aerial photographer Patrick Groop shares stories of his career in the air. This was a presentation given to CAHS Regina Chapter in November 2022. Via Kyle Huth
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The best-known Black Canadian in the RCAF, Allan Bundy, pictured among his peers next to the right engine of one of the Beaufighter strike aircraft he flew on operations in No. 404 Squadron in March 1945.(Photo composite by Terry Higgins.) |
Acknowledging February as Black History Month, we recognize and appreciate the noteworthy contributions of Black individuals to the aviation landscape. Their achievements have left a lasting impact on the history of flight, shaping the narrative for generations to come. |
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RCAF 100th Anniversary Coin |
Over the course of 2024, you will hear a lot of references to the RCAF's 100th Anniversary, including special events and celebrations as they are organized and launched. The Royal Canadian Mint has created some coins, at various price points, to mark the RCAF's Centennial. Please check out the images below for links to see if you need to add one or more of these coins to your collection! |
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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 did William Barker, a Canadian pilot in the First World War have the pilots of 66 Squadron practice shooting?
Source: Canada’s Fighting Airmen, pg. 164-165 (Drew) |
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| Question 2: What was the estimated number of personnel that would be required to run the BCATP? Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 56 (Dunmore) |
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| Question 3: Why was there a dramatic impact on the RAF Bomber Command Canadian 6 Group’s loss rate after April 1944? Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 313 (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 reports of this period record a surprising number of Austrian machines breaking up in the air. The answer is to be found to a great extent in the constant shooting practice which Barker established in his squadron. In addition to the usual Petit Bosche as the ordinary ground target was called, Barker had started a practice of shooting at a gasoline can from the air. This can, with a little gasoline it, would ignite if the tracers passed through and thus give indisputable evidence of having been hit. It was a small target for the fast scouts and gave good shooting practice as well as excellent training in handling the machines, for there was little room left to flatten out from their dive if they came low enough to hit the target. Barker, like Bishop, by his skill in shooting was proving the value of patient practice at ground targets.”
Source: Canada’s Fighting Airmen, pg. 164-165 (Drew) |
ANSWER 2: “The rapidly expanding air force had a number of key responsibilities, including the manning and operation of the home defence squadrons and the various overseas squadrons as they came into being. But by far the biggest job it faced was the running of the BCATP, although so far the huge plan existed only on paper. The experts said that some forty thousand men and women, servicemen and civilians, would be required – instructors, maintenance staff, administrators, cooks, clerks, riggers, parachute packers, and heaven knows who else. Forty thousand. No matter how you calculated it, it was ten times the air force’s current strength. The job would have been awesome enough if it had just been a matter of recruiting and outfitting forty thousand individuals. But this was a highly technical project, requiring experts to instruct, to service, and to administer. On top of that, the training plan involved the construction of about a hundred airfields and depots from one coast to another. Only a handful of these fields already existed – Camp Borden, Trenton, Jericho Beach, Dartmouth, High River, Rockcliffe. Plus a few others and a score of flying-club fields and Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA) bases that could be put to use. The majority of the airfields for the nascent BCATP still had to be carved out of the earth, the buildings erected, the services installed.” Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 56 (Dunmore) |
ANSWER 3: “Specifically for 6 Group: This shift to much closer objectives, combined with the intensive training imposed on even operational units by its new commander, Air Vice-Marshall McEwan, made a particularly dramatic impact on 6 Group’s loss rates. By April, the rate for Halifaxes was down to two percent, never again to rise above 2.5 percent; and for Lancasters it was down to under one percent and would only fractionally exceed three percent in July. Indeed, during the last year of the European war, 6 Group’s loss rates would be the lowest in all of Bomber Command.” Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 313 (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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