Membership
Something New for Old Beavers
By John Chalmers
CAHS Membership Secretary
The venerable Canadian-built de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, first flown in 1947, is about to begin a new life with a new engine. Regarded as one of the world’s best bush planes, over 1,600 Beavers were built by the time production ended in 1967.
Originally powered by a Wasp Jr radial engine, some Beavers over the years have been converted to turboprop power. And now, Harbour Air, the world’s largest all-seaplane airline, is going to do something totally new – power a Beaver with an electric engine!
Founded by Greg McDougall in 1982, Harbour Air operates regular scheduled service between Vancouver and Victoria, as well as service to Seattle and both scheduled and charter flights on the British Columbia coast. An experienced pilot himself with 12,000 hours in the cockpit, McDougall will be inducted as a Member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame at ceremonies in Montréal on May 16.
Having started with two Beaver aircraft at the formation of his company, Greg now heads an operation with nearly 50 aircraft and employs 80 pilots among Harbour Air’s 450 employees. His latest innovation is to power a Beaver with an electric engine, with the intention of building the world’s first all-electric airline. First test flights of the Beaver e-plane are expected in late 2019. For more information, click here.
A pilot, entrepreneur, innovator and airline builder, Greg McDougall is seen here with seaplane aircraft of his company, Harbour Air.
The Canadian Aviation Moments were submitted by Dennis Casper from the Roland Groome (Regina) Chapter of the CAHS. Spoiler alert - if you read any further than each question, you will find the answer to the questions directly below. Good luck and have fun!
The Canadian Aviation Moments questions and answers for April are:
Question: What was the difference in climbing and stalling speed when the Halifax II was taking off with a full bomb and petrol load and all-up weight of 67,500 pounds? What was the difference in climbing and stalling speed when the aircraft had obtained sufficient speed?
Answer: “Nevertheless, we were still flying a Halifax II, a very obsolete aircraft. With a full bomb and petrol load and for an all up weight of 67,500 pounds, the difference of stalling and climbing speed was only 4 mph (miles per hour). This is why we were told to fly low until airspeed builds up, before going into climbing mode. The difference in climb and stall was up to 20 mph.”
Source: CAHS JOURNAL – SPRING 2010-PAGE 24
Question: Alfred Atkey was a WW I pilot, who heralded from Nunebar SK, was described in Arthur Bishop’s True Canadian Heroes in the Air. What did he accomplish that caused Arthur Bishop to put him in his book? How many planes did he shoot down?
Answer: “Alfred Atkey was credited with being the only Canadian two-seater pilot to have shot down a pair of German planes in a single combat. Born in Nunebar, Sask., Atkey joined the RFC, trained as a pilot and served with 18 and 22 Squadrons, flying both Bristol and DH 4 two-seater fighters. On February 14, 1918, he and his observer were returning from a photographing and bombing mission when ten German fighters attacked them. In the ensuing battle Atkey managed to destroy two of the enemy machines, forcing the remainder of their assailants to break off the engagement. Despite heavy damage to the DH 4 Atkey managed to fly back to base and land safely. By war’s end he had been given credit for 17 aircraft destroyed and, jointly with his observer, for shooting down another two.”
Source: TRUE CANADIAN HEROES IN THE AIR - Arthur Bishop – Page 5
Questions: 1) What RCAF Bomber Squadron became one of the most decorated units during WWII? 2) What were the members of this unit proud to call themselves? 3) How many operational sorties did this squadron fly? 4) How many, over a span of 3 ½ years, operational missions did this squadron fly and how many aircraft did they lose flying these operational missions? HINT: This was the only Canadian squadron to be named after a person.
Answer: “No. 419 Squadron was the only Canadian Squadron to be named after a person and all members were proud to call themselves, “Moosemen”. In addition, the squadron had an excellent record flying a total of 4,325 operational sorties inflicting heavy damage on the enemy. Over a span of roughly 3 ½ years, the squadron logged up 400 operational missions losing 129 aircraft. As a result of its wartime record, 419 Squadron became one of the most decorated units during World War II.”
Source: CAHS JOURNAL – Spring-2010 – Page 28
Apollo 11
There is an excellent film currently playing at a few selected local theatres.
"Apollo 11" consists of 90 minutes of amazing original film footage that was shot during the first Moon Landing in 1969. There is a little bit of grainy black and white film, but most of it very high quality wide screen stuff. I find it amazing that they got such good footage, considering the equipment and state of the art away back in the Summer of 1969.
Lots of footage shot inside the space craft and also during the descent to the surface of the Moon and the takeoff and rendezvous.
No real plot or story, just Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.
To view the trailer, click here. To view the film review, click here.
I went to see this nearly two weeks ago and there were only 9 people in the Silver City theatre at Coquitlam at the 7:45 showing, so I am surprised it is still running this week. I don't expect it to run much longer, so see it now if you want to see it at all.
Jerry Vernon
Here is Buzz Aldrin when I met him on a book tour at Metrotown many years ago........
Book Launch – Air-Crazy, Too
More fascinating stories of Canadian women in the air
Join author Liz Muir for the book launch of Air-Crazy, Too, on Wednesday May 1, 2019 from 7-9 at Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave, Toronto. Liz will also be launching A Women's History of the Christian Church.
Air-Crazy, Too contains stories of Canadian women who were glider, blimp and airplane pilots, balloonists, and sky-divers, many of them international champions and gold medalists. The book is a sequel to Air-Crazy, stories of the first female airplane passengers and pioneer pilots, both books designed for anyone over 8 years, but enjoyed by all because of their short stories, colourful pictures, interesting information and time-lines.
The title of the books looks back to the time when planes were first invented. Many women were desperate to fly, but aviation was a man’s world, and those women were called “air-crazy.”
Visit www.lizmuir.ca for more information.
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame
46th Annual Dinner and Induction Ceremony
Click on the poster above to enlarge and see details.
RCAF Marks 95 Years
On April 1, 2019, the Royal Canadian Air Force celebrated its 95th birthday. Upon establishment of the RCAF on April 1, 1924, the air force had 62 officers and 262 non-commissioned members under the command of William Barker VC, a combat pilot of the First World War.
To see the message from Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, Commander of the RCAF, upon the RCAF’s 95th anniversary, click here.
Wing Commander William Barker with a Sopwith Camel aircraft of the First World War.
New Aviation Stamps
On March 27, 2019, Canada Post issued five new stamps honouring contributions to aviation in Canada.
For information about the stamps and details about what they commemorate, click here.
Greetings Fellow CAHS Members and Friends,
Over the past few months, the CAHS Convention Committee has been giving everyone a sneak peak of the Montreal Convention arrangements through the e-newsletter and the convention page of the CAHS website.
An email has gone out officially inviting members to the 2019 CAHS Convention and AGM, being held 22-25 May at John Abbott College, 21275 Lakeshore Dr, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec.
The email will include the following documents as attachments:
a) Letter from the National President;
b) Letter from the Montreal Chapter President;
c) AGM Notice;
d) AGM Proxy;
e) Convention Program;
f) Convention Registration
Please send your registration and payment (or AGM proxy form if you are a member and cannot attend) to the CAHS Convention committee as soon as possible. There are three ways to submit your registration:
a) Send hard copy registration to CAHS, PO Box 2700, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5W7 or
b) Send a scan of your registration form to treasurer@cahs.ca AND jbell320@gmail.com or
c) Register online at goo.gl/forms/FrSJhxqkDJdUJzca2.
There are numerous ways to submit your payment:
a) Mail us a cheque;
b) Provide us with your credit card information
c) Submit a payment through PayPal (send to paypal@cahs.ca); or
d) Send an e-transfer through your bank (use treasurer@cahs.ca).
We look forward to seeing you in Montreal!
CAHS Convention Committee and CAHS Executive
Registration is open for the 2019 CAHS Convention and AGM. 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 other local aviation attractions, a banquet, and the opportunity to meet others who share your passion for aviation.
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.
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.
Sponsors
Thank you to the following sponsors:
 The RCAF Heritage Fund |
 |
 |
 |
