Events
American war posters from the Second World War
Sea King Retirement
Photo: Caporal Anthony Chand, Services d’imagerie de la formation HS2016-A038-035
After 50+ years of service the Sea King will be retired December 2018 at 443MH Victoria. Advance planning is underway. Visit www.skr18.ca for updates.
History in the News
Check these recent newspaper stories for more fascinating stories about history past and present:
Halifax bomber aluminum for RCAF badges
Avro Arrow models sought in Lake Ontario
Sky was the limit: How Saskatchewan spearheaded Canadian aviation industry
Dunkirk veteran Ken Sturdy was moved by the realism of Christopher Nolan's new film Dunkirk
I know this death notice isn't for one of our CAHS members but Mr. Hopton was definitely one of the brotherhood of aviation historians and I thought that our readers would appreciate reading about how our passion for aviation is not limited to our borders. We all share in our love for aviation and aviation history while also acknowledging the loss of those that share our passion.
Gary Williams
Hopton, John
On Friday 30 June 2017 an era came to a close with the death at age 77, of Aviation Historian extraordinaire John Hopton. John was a foundation member of AHSA and its offshoot the Moorabbin Air Museum being a life member of both. His collection of data and images pertaining to Australian Aviation History was accumulated over a lifetime of photography and diligent archival research making him an expert second to none. He developed his own method of storing and retrieving this data well before computers whose value he recognised and embraced as soon as they were sufficiently developed. John maintained a vast network of fellow historians globally, exchanging information and images, first by mail then via computer. A prolific contributor to our Journal his name can be found in hundreds of aviation books and magazines as a valued author and contributor. John was always available to assist and mentor those persons showing a genuine desire for help in any aviation research or writing. He had a photographic memory for things Aviation and Books, a wicked sense of humour and a more than passing acquaintance with music, the arts and wood work. Those of us privileged to have him as a friend and work with him closely found him to be scathing of less than perfect work but always ready to teach and help us overcome our deficiencies. John, by Government default was the one stop, "Australian Aviation Archive". Sadly we have lost a great historian, tutor and friend but, he will live on in the legacy of his work.
Written by fellow AHSA member, Roland Jahne
The Canadian Aviation Moments were submitted by Dennis Casper from the Roland Groome (Regina) Chapter of the CAHS. The questions and the answers are now being published together in the same e-newsletter, rather than questions one month and the answers the next. We are hoping this instant gratification might encourage more interest and research by our readers. Spoiler alert - if you read any further than each question, you will find the answer to July's questions directly below. Good luck and have fun!
The Canadian Aviation Moments questions and answers for July are:
Question: What year did the Snowbirds begin flying air shows in the United States and begin wearing their distinctive red flying suits that became a Snowbird’s trademark?
Answer: “1973, Team Lead: George Miller. Show expands to include aerobatic formation maneuvers; formation changes are prohibited. Flies first air shows in the United States. Pilots begin wearing distinctive red flying suits that become a Snowbirds’ trademark .”
Source: Snowbirds – Behind The Scenes With Canada’s Air Demonstration Team – Mike Sroka – Page 25
Question: What aircraft did the Avro Company modify to come up with the Model 626 Aircraft? What other functions besides initial flying training could the Model 626 perform?
Answer: “To satisfy the needs of air forces with limited financial resources, the Avro Company re-designed the Model 621 Tutor to make it suitable not only for initial flying training but also for bombing, photography, gunnery, wireless, night flying, navigation or instrument training as well. Although the machine remained a two-seater, a third cockpit or gunner’s cockpit could be provided aft of the second cockpit. The RCAF placed a follow-on order for the 626 after experience with the 621 model. These aircraft could be equipped with twin metal skis, enclosed cockpits and “Arctic” cowlings with controllable shutters.”
Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft – A Military Compendium – T.F.J. Leversedge - Page 61
Question: How many personnel did the RAF establishment have on strength in Canada when the armistice was signed on 11 November, 1918?
Answer: “By the time the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, the RAF establishment in Canada had a total strength of 11,928 all ranks. It was staffed by 993 officers and 6,158 other ranks, with 4,333 cadet pilots and 444 other officers under training.”
Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft – A Military Compendium – T.F.J. leversedge - Page 23
Successful Air Force Day at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The inaugural “Air Force Day – Past, Present and Future” event at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum was held under sunny skies on July 8. Approximately 3,000 people enjoyed an opportunity to see RCAF aircraft up close on the ground and learn about the many roles performed by the air force today.
A massive CC-177 Globemaster III from 429 (Bison) Transport Squadron, based at 8 Wing Trenton, ON, was the highlight. A striking tail art design, featuring a bison honoring the 75th anniversary of the squadron, made a strong impression. The design, created and painted by “Bisons” squadron members, holds the distinction of being the first-ever tail art painting on a Globemaster anywhere in the world.
424 Transport and Rescue Squadron aircraft, CC-130H Hercules, 130337, and CH-146 Griffon 146432, at CWHM Air Force Day, July 8, 2017.
CF-18A and CF-18 Hornets with a Cargojet Boeing 767 in the background at Air Force Day, CWHM, July 8, 2017.
A state-of-the-art Lockheed Martin CC-130J Hercules and two CF-18 Hornets were also sent by the RCAF. A CC-130H Hercules and a CH-146 Griffon arrived later from 424 (Tiger) Transport and Rescue Squadron in Trenton in time to show the flag.
Two seven-eighths scale Nieuport II replicas from the Vimy Flight were displayed in the hangar. The Waterloo Warbirds sent their CT-133 Silver Star “Mako Shark” and de Havilland Vampire Mk 55 trainers.
CWHM President and CEO Dave Rohrer described the event as an outstanding success and paid tribute to the volunteers who helped to make it happen. It was a good day, all around!
Members of the Vimy Flight crew at CWHM Air Force Day, July 8, 2017.
Waterloo Warbirds' eye-catching CT-133 Silver Star, C-FRGA, in Mako Shark colours, arrives at CWHM Air Force Day, July 8, 2017.
DH115 Vampire Mk 55 C-FJRH of Waterloo Warbirds arrives at CWHM, July 8, 2017 for Air Force Day.
--- Gord McNulty
B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Sentimental Journey’ makes a return visit to the CWHM
‘Sentimental Journey,’ the well-known B-17G Flying Fortress flown by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing, proved to be a popular attraction on a return visit to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. The iconic bomber visited the CWHM June 26-July 2 after arriving from Sarnia. It then flew to North Bay, Kingston and Peterborough as part of the Flying Legends of Victory Tour.
Commemorative Air Force B-17G Flying Fortress 'Sentimental Journey' arrives at CWHM June 26, 2017.
The Commemorative Air Force crew of B-17G Sentimental Journey exchanges greetings at the CWHM on June 26, 2017.
B-17G Flying Fortress, Sentimental Journey, of the Commemorative Air Force fires up at CWHM June 26, 2017.
Ryan Navion CF-EZI, resplendent in U.S. Air Force colours, was a surprise at the CWHM on June 26, 2017 (Gord McNulty).
Trethewey Airfield Plaque Dedication
LCol Jillian Bishop, Commanding Officer of 400 Squadron, admires the Trethewey Plaque. On the left is Squadron Honorary Colonel Patrick Curtis.
Aviation enthusiasts and dignitaries celebrated the much-anticipated unveiling of a commemorative plaque recognizing the Trethewey Airfield, the historic location of Toronto’s first airfield, on July 15.
The Heritage Toronto dedication ceremony, on a sunny day, took place at what is now Harding Park in Toronto’s northwest end, culminating several years of work. Toronto Chapter member Dr. Robert Galway, author of The Early Airfields of Toronto, spearheaded a successful fundraising initiative and was instrumental in organizing the event.
Author, historian and CAHS Toronto member Dr. Robert Galway introduces members of the audience during the Trethewey Airfield Plaque Dedication.
The importance of the Trethewey Airfield is well described in the words of the plaque:
“In 1910, from July 8 to 16, the Ontario Motor League sponsored the first aviation show in the Toronto area, held in a grass field here on mining entrepreneur W.G. Trethewey’s model farm. On July 13, thousands watched French pilot Jacques de Lesseps in his Bleriot XI Le Scarabee become the first to fly an airplane over the city of Toronto. Afterward, this site remained popular with aviators and became a licensed airfield, often called the de Lesseps Aerodrome. Landing lights were installed for night flying, and mail service to Montreal and Detroit was established.
In 1928 the de Havilland Aircraft Company of England opened its first Canadian assembly plant here. In the 1930s, the airfield was the base for the Royal Canadian Air Force No. 10 Squadron, later the No. 110 (City of Toronto) Squadron, now the 400 Squadron. The airfield was closed in the mid-1940s and homes were built for Second World War veterans and their families.”
Members of the Pipe Band and officers of 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron enter the Trethewey Airfield Plaque Dedication Ceremony, July 15, 2017.
The participation of the 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Pipe Band added to the special occasion. Brig-Gen (Ret’d) Paul Hayes, Toronto Chapter Treasurer and a former Honorary Colonel of 400 Squadron, was master of ceremonies. He called numerous speakers from Heritage Toronto; Toronto City Council; Toronto Chapter President Sheldon Benner; and Col (Ret’d) Gerry Gilroy, on behalf of the 400 Squadron Historical Society.
Madeleine McDowell, a historian and founding member of the Heritage Toronto Board, read a letter from Sherry Trethewey Stewart of Maple Ridge, BC. She would have liked to attend but was in Peru. The letter expressed best wishes and thanks from the Trethewey family for the ceremony and plaque and their appreciation of Robert Galway’s recent visit to Maple Ridge. Robert introduced Mr. and Mrs. David Trethewey of Muskoka who were in attendance.
Russ Bannock, DSO, DFC, recalls de Havilland Canada memories while Brigadier-General Paul Hayes OMM, CD (Ret'd) looks on.
The next speaker was Russ Bannock, DSO, DFC, outstanding Second World War pilot who went on to become president of de Havilland Canada. Russ, who spent 25 years at DHC, noted it was the first time he had seen the original location of the company before it moved to Downsview.
LCol Jillian Bishop, Commanding Officer of 400 Squadron, was the final speaker. She noted that F/L Frank Trethewey, one of the first squadron officers to come on strength, negotiated a lease of the property that became the original airfield of this distinguished squadron. Celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, 400 Squadron is the oldest and longest-serving squadron in the RCAF.
The ceremony continued with the squadron Padre reading High Flight, a Prayer for the Fallen, and the Piper’s Lament. The plaque was then officially unveiled as the dignitaries went to work with three ceremonial shovels on the base of the monument. Everyone enjoyed a casual reception in the atrium of nearby 12 Division Police Station to conclude a remarkable day.
For extensive photo coverage, click here to check out John Bertram’s images.
By Gord McNulty
