Events

CAHS Convention Merchandise

Do you want something special to wear at the convention this year? Do you want to advertise the CAHS while you attend other aviation events or just go about your daily errands? Then how about buying a CAHS polo or t-shirt with either the CAHS convention logo or the CAHS conventional logo? The CAHS is offering a variety of merchandise for purchase. The CAHS is offering for sale polo shirts, t-shirts, baseball caps, mugs, mouse pads, and canvas tote bags, all featuring the distinctive CAHS 2019 convention logo. Merchandise details are presented below and on page 2 of the order form. Orders picked up at the CAHS Convention in Ste Anne de Bellevue, west of Montreal, on May 22 - 25 will be free of shipping charges. For those unable to attend the Convention, shipments will commence after the Convention. Payments can be made by cheque, credit card, or Paypal. The deadline to order and pay is 13 May 2019.

Additionally, the CAHS has partnered again with our amazing Canadian aviation artists to produce a stunning full colour bilingual 2020 calendar. These will make beautiful Father's Day, birthday, and even Christmas gifts, so stock up now! To learn more about the gifted artists involved, click here. The deadline to order and pay for the calendar is 20 May 2019.

To download the 2019 CAHS Convention merchandise order form, CLICK HERE.

Please email the completed order form to treasurer@cahs.ca, or return by mail to:

Canadian Aviation Historical Society,
P.O. Box 2700, Station D,
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada K1P 5W7

Carl Mills
November 25, 1938 –
March 18, 2019

Canada’s aviation community lost a dedicated and prolific contributor with the death of Carl Mills, CAHS # 2483, at North York General Hospital in March. Carl, who had served with 400 (City of Toronto) Air Reserve Squadron, was well known for numerous presentations to CAHS national conventions and the Toronto Chapter. He had considerable expertise on topics such as the role of the RCAF in the Korean War and the history of 400 Squadron.

A key volunteer in the 400 Squadron Historical Society, he recently co-ordinated a collection of art featuring 25 pieces of art depicting the squadron’s 18 different types of aircraft since 1932. The art, celebrating the squadron’s 100th anniversary, is on display at the CFB Borden Military Museum.

Carl seldom hesitated to tackle such labour-intensive projects. He devoted five years of research to produce his book, Banshees in the Royal Canadian Navy, published in 1991. His interest in compiling the history of the last fighter in the RCN was inspired by the restoration of Banshee “464” at Downsview by 400 Squadron, with assistance from 411 Squadron. The Banshee is now at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Most of the 550 stories in the book evolved from interviews and correspondence with nearly 300 ‘Bansheeites.’ The photos were borrowed from many personal collections, as most of the RCN negatives and files had unfortunately been systematically destroyed.

In 2009, with support from the Toronto Chapter, Carl created a power point program that outlined the role of the Silver Dart in Canadian aviation over the previous 100 years. He went on the road with the presentation, stopping at Baddeck, NS, and several CAHS Chapters. His multi-faceted aviation activities ranged from being an expert modeler to creating museum quality dioramas, including the Korean War work on display at the National Air Force Museum of Canada at CFB Trenton.

Carl, born and raised in London, Ontario, became interested in aviation through the Air Cadets, joining 27 (City of London) Squadron. He then served with RCAF Auxiliary 420 (F) and 2420 AC &W Squadron in London. After graduating from the University of Waterloo in 1965 as an Electrical Engineer, he rejoined the Auxiliary in 400 Squadron as an engineering officer, involved in recruiting and training of ground crews for aircraft maintenance. He also flew the Cessna 172 regularly from the Toronto Island Airport.

Carl left the reserves in 1983 as Lieutenant Colonel. He enjoyed sharing his vast knowledge of Canadian military history through lectures, art initiatives and memorial projects to honour the past and to inspire future generations of military historians.

It was typical of Carl that, despite failing health, he was among the eulogists at the funeral of Ron Wylie, a fellow stalwart in 400 Squadron, in Burlington on November 30. Carl had been in hospital since Christmas Eve but he maintained good spirits and battled until the end.

We extend deepest condolences to his wife, Sophia, and son, Milosh (Megan). The funeral and visitation in March were very well attended. Col. (Ret’d) Gerry Gilroy, President of the 400 Squadron Historical Society, was among the speakers who paid tribute. Carl will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

CWHM C-47 Dakota restored to Second World War RCAF colours

Dakota FZ692 C-GRSB at CWHM as it appeared in April.

The Douglas C-47 Dakota Mk. III of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is now looking just as it did when it flew with 437 RCAF Squadron during the Second World War. Dakota FZ692/C-GRSB, a true D-Day veteran, underwent extensive maintenance at the museum during the past year, including overhaul of the engines.

The ‘Dak’ is making a strong impression with a fresh coat of paint, applied with the help of KF Aerospace. A formal dedication will be held on July 6, Air Force Day at the museum. A month before that, the aircraft will take flight to mark the 75^th anniversary of D-Day. On August 28, it will be among the highlights of the Community Charity Airshow at Brantford.

This aircraft has undoubtedly earned the accolades in light of an impressive history. It was originally built in 1943 for the USAAF. Delivered to the RAF as FZ692 in February 1944, it served in 233 Squadron and was one of 30 aircraft from the squadron that flew in D-Day operations. CAHS member Bill Cumming, Volunteer Editor of CWHM Flightlines, noted it was piloted that night by Canadian Warrant Officer J.S.R. McCrae of Agassiz, BC.

In September 1944, FZ692 joined No. 437 Squadron RCAF. Bill noted it flew numerous wartime operations in and around Europe. FZ692 participated in Operation Varsity, the major airborne operation of the crossing of the Rhine River. It operated in Europe until May 1946, when the squadron returned to Canada.

The transport was officially taken on strength with the RCAF in August, 1946. It then served in a variety of training roles, including supply and live-para drops, as well as towing Waco gliders, and later search and rescue. In 1970, after the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces, FZ692 was renumbered as 12945. It served with No. 424 Squadron at CFB Trenton and among other things performed a JATO ignition at the 1970 Canadian National Exhibition Air Show. It was struck off strength in 1973.

The final chapter in a storied history, as traced by Bill, saw the Dakota operated briefly as a cargo aircraft by Gilley Airways Corporation, registered N91GA. Then it returned to Canada, to the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources in Ottawa as C-GRSB. Between the late 1970s and into the early 1990s, numerous modifications, mainly for test equipment in the cabin and also including a modified nose, were completed by Innotech Aviation in Toronto. C-GRSB finished its career in environmental and energy surveys and development of survey equipment.
The government ultimately donated the Dakota to the CWHM and it was flown to Hamilton on May 22, 2014. “One of the things in our favour is we had committed to repatriate her to the 1944 livery ad keep the aircraft flying,” said museum CEO Dave Rohrer.

The C-47 is the only real combat veteran in the museum’s fleet. It shares the famous heritage of Douglas twin-engined aircraft with the museum’s DC-3, registered C-GDAK, which became part of the collection in 1981. The DC-3 proudly wears the ‘Canucks Unlimited’ colours of the RCAF’s No. 435 and 436 Squadrons that operated in Burma in 1944-45.

Report and photos by Gord McNulty, CAHS Vice President

CWHM Dakota FZ692 C-GRSB was refinished this winter into
437 Squadron markings.

C-47 Dakota C-GRSB after its May 22, 2014 arrival at the
CWHM in Hamilton.

The 2019 CAHS Convention and AGM is less than two weeks away. Full registration is only $170, and the spouse' / friend's package is only $90. The convention will take place 22 - 25 May, at the John Abbott College in the village of Ste Anne de Bellevue, west of Montreal, Quebec. Full convention registration includes a tour of the Montreal Aviation Museum and St Hubert Airport facilities, a banquet, and the opportunity to meet others who share your passion for aviation.

We have arranged a terrific slate of speakers for everyone's interest:

Ted Barris, author of Dam Busters - Canadian Airmen and the Secret Raid Against Nazi Germany;

Jerry Vernon, CAHS Vancouver Chapter President, The Supermarine Stranraer in RCAF and Commercial Service;

John Orr, PERSEVERANCE: Some reflections on 55 years of the Canadian Sea King;

Dick Pickering, former CAHS Montreal Chapter President, The Romance of Flying: The flying career of Doug Pickering;

David Waechter, author, The R100 Airship and the Contributions of Barnes Neville Wallis and Nevil Shute Norway;

Pierre Thiffault, The story of the first known aviator in Canada... a boy of only 14!

Jim Mason, CAHS Montreal Chapter President, Canadian Boardrooms in the Sky;

and more. The convention schedule is available here.

We are very pleased to announce that our banquet speaker will be John Maris, a 2018 inductee into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. John is an engaging speaker whose presentation will be interesting to all.

Our Saturday visit to St Hubert Airport will include the Bombardier C Series CS100 prototype at the L’École Nationale d’Aérotechnique (ENA), the Douglas Dakota currently being restored to flight for the 75^th anniversary of D-Day ("Plane Savers"), the restoration of CF-100 Canuck 100760, and a No 438 Squadron CH-146 Griffon helicopter.

The link to register at the convention hotel is here:
Courtyard Marriott West Island / Baie d'Urfe
The rate is $142 per night, plus taxes, for double occupancy, $152 per night plus taxes for three, and $162 per night plus taxes for four people.

Budget accommodations are available at the dormitory. Please indicate on the registration form that you would like us to make a reservation for you. Dorm accommodations must be paid in advance to the CAHS. If you are bringing a car to the convention site, you will also need a weekday parking pass ($6 per weekday), available on the registration form.

We look forward to seeing you at our convention!

To view and/or order CAHS 2019 Convention merchandise and calendars, CLICK HERE.

Sponsors

Thank you to the following sponsors:

The RCAF Heritage Fund