| The Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
The Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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January 2026 e–Newsletter |
January 2026 e–Newsletter |
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From the Desk of the Executive |
From the Desk of the Executive |
Don't forget to save the date for the CAHS National Convention, which will take place in Kelowna, British Columbia, from Wednesday 17 June to Saturday 20 June. The convention is held in partnership with the KF Centre for Excellence and Aviation Cultures. Past CAHS conventions have included online attendance; the partnership with Aviation Cultures allows a greater online component and worldwide participation. Our combined convention is open to all: CAHS members, Aviation Cultures participants, university students, aerospace and aviation industry professionals, academics, professionals in aviation or heritage associations, and aviation enthusiasts of every kind. The convention hotel - where the banquet will take place and where a special room rate has been arranged - is the Four Points Sheraton, located at 5505 Airport Way, Kelowna. The hotel is a short drive from the Centre for Excellence and the Kelowna Airport terminal. Room rates start at $215 per night, and may be extended before and after the convention for those who want to spend extra time enjoying the Okanagan Valley. Parking is $10 per night. The convention rate expires on Friday 15 May 2026. There is still time to submit a presentation proposal. The deadline for submission is 15 January 2026, and speakers will be notified by the end of January. Please submit your proposal at this link. We encourage proposals on every aspect of Canadian aviation history, including general aviation, the aviation industry, space exploration, and of course, military and commercial topics. Drawing on the Aviation Cultures theme of ‘Spanning the Globe’, we also encourage proposals which are not directly related to Canadian history, but which will be of interest to Canadians. The focus will be on history, but we will consider proposals addressing current aviation or aerospace issues. All presentations will be available to both the in-person audience and online. Presentations can be made in person at the event, or live, online. Registration for the convention will open in early March. Watch the 2026 Convention webpage and future newsletters for the latest updates. Questions may be addressed to CAHS Convention Chairperson Jim Bell, or Aviation Cultures Co-Organizer Edward Soye. |
Don't forget to save the date for the CAHS National Convention, which will take place in Kelowna, British Columbia, from Wednesday 17 June to Saturday 20 June. The convention is held in partnership with the KF Centre for Excellence and Aviation Cultures. Past CAHS conventions have included online attendance; the partnership with Aviation Cultures allows a greater online component and worldwide participation. Our combined convention is open to all: CAHS members, Aviation Cultures participants, university students, aerospace and aviation industry professionals, academics, professionals in aviation or heritage associations, and aviation enthusiasts of every kind. The convention hotel - where the banquet will take place and where a special room rate has been arranged - is the Four Points Sheraton, located at 5505 Airport Way, Kelowna. The hotel is a short drive from the Centre for Excellence and the Kelowna Airport terminal. Room rates start at $215 per night, and may be extended before and after the convention for those who want to spend extra time enjoying the Okanagan Valley. Parking is $10 per night. The convention rate expires on Friday 15 May 2026. There is still time to submit a presentation proposal. The deadline for submission is 15 January 2026, and speakers will be notified by the end of January. Please submit your proposal at this link. We encourage proposals on every aspect of Canadian aviation history, including general aviation, the aviation industry, space exploration, and of course, military and commercial topics. Drawing on the Aviation Cultures theme of ‘Spanning the Globe’, we also encourage proposals which are not directly related to Canadian history, but which will be of interest to Canadians. The focus will be on history, but we will consider proposals addressing current aviation or aerospace issues. All presentations will be available to both the in-person audience and online. Presentations can be made in person at the event, or live, online. Registration for the convention will open in early March. Watch the 2026 Convention webpage and future newsletters for the latest updates. Questions may be addressed to CAHS Convention Chairperson Jim Bell, or Aviation Cultures Co-Organizer Edward Soye. |
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Jim Bell, National Secretary, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
Jim Bell, National Secretary, 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, 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. |
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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59-1 Cover with updated content bylines |
59-1 Cover with updated content bylines |
| 59-2 Cover with provisional artwork
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59-2 Cover with provisional artwork
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From the Desk of the Journal Editor |
From the Desk of the Journal Editor |
Current Production CAHS Journal 59-1 is now at the printers and scheduled for mailing house processing around mid-January 2026. Its digital edition will be posted to the members-only area of our website before that date. Current members will receive the requisite email notice soon. Layout work continues for 59-2 while the main feature articles for 59-3 and 59-4 have had their initial editorial work completed by associate editors. Should we have additional updates before the next newsletter goes out, they will be published on the Journal page of our website.
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Current Production CAHS Journal 59-1 is now at the printers and scheduled for mailing house processing around mid-January 2026. Its digital edition will be posted to the members-only area of our website before that date. Current members will receive the requisite email notice soon. Layout work continues for 59-2 while the main feature articles for 59-3 and 59-4 have had their initial editorial work completed by associate editors. Should we have additional updates before the next newsletter goes out, they will be published on the Journal page of our website.
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New/Old Production The initial pages of the previously mentioned CAHS Journal Legacy Editions Digitization Project are now live on the members-only area of the site. Access details for members (perpetual free PDF access) and non-members (downloadable PDF purchase) are posted on the Journal page of the website. |
New/Old Production The initial pages of the previously mentioned CAHS Journal Legacy Editions Digitization Project are now live on the members-only area of the site. Access details for members (perpetual free PDF access) and non-members (downloadable PDF purchase) are posted on the Journal page of the website. |
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Journal Volume 47, Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 – the first of our legacy editions is now available in digital form on both the members-only area of our site and in the web shop.
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Journal Volume 47, Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 – the first of our legacy editions is now available in digital form on both the members-only area of our site and in the web shop.
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Terry Higgins, Creative Director, Website Administrator, CAHS Journal Managing Editor and Graphics Director, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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 |
From the Desk of the Treasurer |
As you open our newsletter this month, perhaps you are still on holidays, recharging for another year and enjoying time with friends and family. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year celebration. Did you set any resolutions? How about about bringing someone new to a CAHS Chapter meeting or encouraging someone to join the CAHS National as a new member? Have you ever thought about commissioning some original aviation art for yourself or as a gift? Consider contacting one of our calendar aviation artists to discuss details. If contact information is not in the calendar, contact me, and I can help you correspond with the artist. Did Santa forget to bring you that aviation book you wanted? You can still spoil yourself by shopping in the CAHS store. We also have a few 2026 aviation art calendars available. Wishing you a wonderful start to 2026, and here's to making many great aviation memories this year, whether through books, movies, art, museums, air shows, or taking a flight somewhere yourself! |
As you open our newsletter this month, perhaps you are still on holidays, recharging for another year and enjoying time with friends and family. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year celebration. Did you set any resolutions? How about about bringing someone new to a CAHS Chapter meeting or encouraging someone to join the CAHS National as a new member? Have you ever thought about commissioning some original aviation art for yourself or as a gift? Consider contacting one of our calendar aviation artists to discuss details. If contact information is not in the calendar, contact me, and I can help you correspond with the artist. Did Santa forget to bring you that aviation book you wanted? You can still spoil yourself by shopping in the CAHS store. We also have a few 2026 aviation art calendars available. Wishing you a wonderful start to 2026, and here's to making many great aviation memories this year, whether through books, movies, art, museums, air shows, or taking a flight somewhere yourself! |
Cordially, Dr. Rachel Lea Heide, National Treasurer, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
Cordially, Dr. Rachel Lea Heide, National Treasurer, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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CAHS 2026 Aviation Art Calendar |
CAHS 2026 Aviation Art Calendar |
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| The annual aviation art calendar is available ($15 a copy plus $7 shipping in Canada). This bilingual calendar includes 13 full-colour images featuring a collection of civilian and military aviation aircraft. |
The annual aviation art calendar is available ($15 a copy plus $7 shipping in Canada). This bilingual calendar includes 13 full-colour images featuring a collection of civilian and military aviation aircraft. |
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Flying a Gooney Bird in Canada’s North: A Bush Pilot’s Adventures |
Flying a Gooney Bird in Canada’s North: A Bush Pilot’s Adventures |
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Season's Greetings from KF Centre for Excellence |
Season's Greetings from KF Centre for Excellence |
As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for being a valued association to our team. Your support, collaboration, and shared commitment to aviation, education, and community have meant so much to us this past year! We are looking forward to seeing you all in Kelowna or online in June for the 2026 Canadian Aviation Historical Society / Aviation Culture Mk VIII Conference! Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright New Year. With gratitude,
All of us at the KF Centre for Excellence |
As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for being a valued association to our team. Your support, collaboration, and shared commitment to aviation, education, and community have meant so much to us this past year! We are looking forward to seeing you all in Kelowna or online in June for the 2026 Canadian Aviation Historical Society / Aviation Culture Mk VIII Conference! Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright New Year. With gratitude,
All of us at the KF Centre for Excellence |
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) to Sell its 1939 DC-3 |
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) to Sell its 1939 DC-3 |
A Douglas DC-3 that has been a distinctive aircraft in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) since 1981 is now on the market. The DC-3, registered C-GDAK, has a long and colourful history. However, its future became uncertain after the CWHM acquired a Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota Mk. III in 2014, registered C-GRSB. Report and photos by Gord McNulty |
A Douglas DC-3 that has been a distinctive aircraft in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) since 1981 is now on the market. The DC-3, registered C-GDAK, has a long and colourful history. However, its future became uncertain after the CWHM acquired a Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota Mk. III in 2014, registered C-GRSB. Report and photos by Gord McNulty |
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Research Request A Comper Swift and its RCAF-pilot owner
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Research Request A Comper Swift and its RCAF-pilot owner
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Do you have or know of any images of Comper Swift G-ABTC? From correspondent, Stuart MacConnacher (edited for clarity): "I am trying to track down photos of Comper Swift G-ABTC when it was owned by Joe Reed, a Canadian posted to the United Kingdom (UK) on a Dakota Squadron during the Second World War. He purchased it and transported it in a Dakota, from Gatwick to Down Ampney where he was based. I corresponded with him before his death as he often wrote articles in the Recreational Aircraft Association magazine. Are there any links in Canadian aviation historical circles that might have researched this aircraft and military activities in the UK."
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Do you have or know of any images of Comper Swift G-ABTC? From correspondent, Stuart MacConnacher (edited for clarity): "I am trying to track down photos of Comper Swift G-ABTC when it was owned by Joe Reed, a Canadian posted to the United Kingdom (UK) on a Dakota Squadron during the Second World War. He purchased it and transported it in a Dakota, from Gatwick to Down Ampney where he was based. I corresponded with him before his death as he often wrote articles in the Recreational Aircraft Association magazine. Are there any links in Canadian aviation historical circles that might have researched this aircraft and military activities in the UK."
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The missing U.S. Air Force Skymaster 2469. The plane disappeared without a trace somewhere in the Yukon on January 26, 1950. (© Andrew Gregg/Military.com) |
The missing U.S. Air Force Skymaster 2469. The plane disappeared without a trace somewhere in the Yukon on January 26, 1950. (© Andrew Gregg/Military.com) |
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Multiple Canadian Aviation Events |
Multiple Canadian Aviation Events |
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Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada |
Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada |
Storytime with a Pilot January 8 @ 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Storytime with a Pilot January 8 @ 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
| Youth Volunteer Applications Due January 9 |
Youth Volunteer Applications Due January 9 |
History Hunters: Lunar New Year Edition (PD Day Camp) January 28 |
History Hunters: Lunar New Year Edition (PD Day Camp) January 28 |
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| British Columbia Aviation Museum |
British Columbia Aviation Museum |
Speaker Night: Dr Zimmerman January 21 @ 7 - 9 p.m. |
Speaker Night: Dr Zimmerman January 21 @ 7 - 9 p.m. |
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Canadian Bushplane Aviation Museum |
Canadian Bushplane Aviation Museum |
Indoor Winter Wonderland (PD Fun Day) January 30 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
Indoor Winter Wonderland (PD Fun Day) January 30 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
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Medicine Hat: 8 January 2026 |
Medicine Hat: 8 January 2026 |
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Montreal: 15 January 2026 |
Montreal: 15 January 2026 |
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Canadian Aviation Moments |
Canadian Aviation Moments |
Here are the questions and answers to this month's Canadian Aviation Moments: |
Here are the questions and answers to this month's Canadian Aviation Moments: |
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| Question 1: What advanced tooling, fabrication, and assembly techniques were designed and developed in the Avro Arrow program? Source: Arrow Countdown, pg. 49 (Zuuring) |
Question 1: What advanced tooling, fabrication, and assembly techniques were designed and developed in the Avro Arrow program? Source: Arrow Countdown, pg. 49 (Zuuring) |
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| Question 2: What was the estimated number of pilots to be trained in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) in the 1940 to 1941 period and what was the actual number trained? Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 157-158 (Dunmore) |
Question 2: What was the estimated number of pilots to be trained in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) in the 1940 to 1941 period and what was the actual number trained? Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 157-158 (Dunmore) |
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| Question 3: What was Operation Exodus that was carried out before and after the end of the Second World War?
Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 436 (Bashow) |
Question 3: What was Operation Exodus that was carried out before and after the end of the Second World War?
Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 436 (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! |
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 design and development of advanced tooling, fabrication and assembly techniques parallels the design of the engine itself. Sheet metal fabricating techniques in general and in particular as applied to metal blades will be of interest to many. Considerable effort went into brazing techniques. The manufacture and quality control of reinforced plastic blades was new. The fabricating techniques and processes of hollow turbine blades will be of interest. In general, quality control of system manufacturing and assembly were developed and optimized." Source: Arrow Countdown, pg. 49 (Zuuring) |
ANSWER 1: “The design and development of advanced tooling, fabrication and assembly techniques parallels the design of the engine itself. Sheet metal fabricating techniques in general and in particular as applied to metal blades will be of interest to many. Considerable effort went into brazing techniques. The manufacture and quality control of reinforced plastic blades was new. The fabricating techniques and processes of hollow turbine blades will be of interest. In general, quality control of system manufacturing and assembly were developed and optimized." Source: Arrow Countdown, pg. 49 (Zuuring) |
ANSWER 2: “It all added up to a gratifying increase in the numbers of pilots being produced by the BCATP. Originally estimated at 3,196 for the 1940-41 period, pilot output actually amounted to 7,756. The numbers were pleasing and made good reading in official reports, but there is little doubt that the quality of training had suffered. Students, particularly those going overseas, had to cope with long periods of inactivity between SFTSs and OTUs, and their newly acquired skills deteriorated proportionately.” Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 157-158 (Dunmore) |
ANSWER 2: “It all added up to a gratifying increase in the numbers of pilots being produced by the BCATP. Originally estimated at 3,196 for the 1940-41 period, pilot output actually amounted to 7,756. The numbers were pleasing and made good reading in official reports, but there is little doubt that the quality of training had suffered. Students, particularly those going overseas, had to cope with long periods of inactivity between SFTSs and OTUs, and their newly acquired skills deteriorated proportionately.” Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 157-158 (Dunmore) |
ANSWER 3: “Meanwhile, Bomber Command Lancasters had now started flying to Brussels and other continental airfields to collect and return to Britain prisoners of war recently released from the camps by the advancing Allied armies. Code-named Operation Exodus, 469 sorties were made by aircraft from 1,5,6 and 8 Groups before the war ended, augmented by many more flights after the cessation of hostilities. Allied authorities were determined to repatriate the POWs as expeditiously as possible and not repeat the mistakes of the Great War, when some ex-prisoners were still not home for Christmas 1918, although the Armistice had been signed on 11 November. Nearly 75,000 prisoners were quickly brought home in this manner, and this time, the bombers were ably augmented by the Dakota transport squadrons.” Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 436 (Bashow) |
ANSWER 3: “Meanwhile, Bomber Command Lancasters had now started flying to Brussels and other continental airfields to collect and return to Britain prisoners of war recently released from the camps by the advancing Allied armies. Code-named Operation Exodus, 469 sorties were made by aircraft from 1,5,6 and 8 Groups before the war ended, augmented by many more flights after the cessation of hostilities. Allied authorities were determined to repatriate the POWs as expeditiously as possible and not repeat the mistakes of the Great War, when some ex-prisoners were still not home for Christmas 1918, although the Armistice had been signed on 11 November. Nearly 75,000 prisoners were quickly brought home in this manner, and this time, the bombers were ably augmented by the Dakota transport squadrons.” Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 436 (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! |
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 |
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: |
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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Follow us on Facebook and Twitter |
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter |
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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. |
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 |
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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