Hello Visitor,

Welcome to the July edition of the CAHS National Newsletter.

 CAHS National News

2015 CAHS Convention Announcement

Mark your calendar! The Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) will be holding its 52nd National Convention and Annual General Meeting in Hamilton, Ontario, on 17-21 June 2015 at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.

The theme of the convention is "Celebrating Canada's Aviation Industry" and sessions will explore the rich history of Canada's civilian and military aerospace industry. Our team is preparing the convention program which will be open to everyone – university students, professionals in aviation or heritage industries, historians and aviation enthusiasts of every kind. A formal open Call for Papers/Presentations will be sent out in a few weeks' time.

A trip to Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for its annual Father's Day weekend flying event is planned in addition to the presentations and other aviation-related events and activities.

Preliminary arrangements are still in the works but keep an eye on www.cahs.ca and the e-Newsletter for upcoming details, Call for Papers/Presentations, contact information, schedule, and registration information.

We look forward to seeing you in Hamilton in June!

Sincerely,
Richard Goette and Jim Bell
CAHS 2015 Convention Co-Chairs

CAHS Journal Volume 52-1 Preview

Coming to mailboxes soon!

FEATURES

"The Canadians at Felixstowe in the First World War" (pg 6)
A large number of Canadian aviators gave noteworthy service in the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service, and the new Royal Air Force during the First World War. This article covers some of the more obscure (relative to the "fighter boys") names involved in the then-new discipline of maritime patrol aviation. By Guy Warner.

"Air Staff Memorandum No. 50 and the Preparation of the RAF for War" (pg 16)
In this paper, Dr. Robin Higham contextualizes a long, drawn out process of opinion-shaping and decision-making that developed within the two interwar decades as British higher authority wrestled with interpretations of First World War precedents, and with budget-conscious projections of near future needs, in the shaping of air force doctrine and policy.

"Canadair's Tutor-Emeritus. Part 1: Design and Development" (pg 26)
Canadair retiree Bill Upton draws on up-close personal experience and subsequent research in presenting this uniquely Canadian aeronautical engineering, production, and procurement success story. Part 1 is dedicated to design and development.

REGULARS

• From the Editor (pg 4)
• Reviews (pg 5)
  • Observers and Navigators: And Other Non-Pilot Aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF
  • By Wing Commander C.G. Jefford MBE, BA, RAF Retd – reviewed by Terry Higgins.
• On the Covers (pg 39)
  • Front: "Flying Boats Machine-Gunning a Crippled German Submarine", a painting by Major C.R. Fleming-Williams (painted circa 1918).
  • Back: A photograph of a Canadair CL-41 engineering mock-up painted in a promotional civilian trainer scheme from the Bill Upton collection, and a First World War period Air Technical Diagram of "an F2A [sic] battle formation engaging the enemy" from the Terry Higgins collection.

Rewards of Membership – and an Air Observer School Connection

By John Chalmers, CAHS National Membership Secretary

Members of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society are aware of the obvious benefits of membership – four copies of the CAHS Journal each year, access to our online newsletter, attendance at the annual convention, contact with fellow members throughout the year, and so on. However, sometimes it is sometimes intangible and unexpected rewards that mean a great deal. Recently I experienced such rewards that resulted from both internet contact and CAHS membership.

During the Second World War, my father F/L John West (Jack) Chalmers CD, trained with the Royal Canadian Air Force and earned his navigator's N wing at No. 2 Air Observer School in Edmonton. This spring I was contacted through e-mail by Ken Horne of Edmonton, who is researching the service of his uncle, WO2 James Chandler Horne, who like my father received basic training at No. 3 Manning Depot and No. 4 Initial Training School, both in Edmonton, before moving on to No. 2 AOS. Our fathers were there at the same time, so Ken and I arranged to meet and compare notes.

Earlier, in January 2011, e-mail began arriving from Peter Kennedy, who lives near Canberra, Australia. He was planning a trip to Canada to visit the locations of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan where his father had been posted. His father, S/L Donald Hartley Kennedy DFC, enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and attended No. 2 Initial Training School in Sydney, Australia, and came to Canada to train at No. 2 Air Observer School in Edmonton.

Avro Ansons of No. 2 Air Observer School in Edmonton during the Second World War, used for training navigators and providing multi-engine experience for the pilots. (RCAF photo)

Thus Ken, Peter and I all have a strong connection through the service of our fathers and an uncle. As Peter would be travelling in western Canada in May and June this year and gave me his dates, he wondered if we might have an opportunity to meet. The June 2014 convention of the CAHS provided just that! Travelling with friends and staying in Moose Jaw at the time, Peter made the drive to Regina for the "meet and greet" social evening of the convention on June 4, when we finally met in person.

Then Peter's travels took him to Edmonton and upon my return home to Edmonton from the convention, we met with Ken Horne at the Alberta Aviation Museum, housed in a BCATP hangar, the last double-wide, double-long hangar of its type in Canada, and wartime home to No. 2 AOS. There we were joined by Dr. Lech Lebiedowski, the curator of the museum. We toured the museum together, the result of initial contact through e-mail and connections of mutual interest in aviation history.

Left to right: Peter Kennedy, John Chalmers, Lech Lebiedowski and Ken Horne at the Alberta Aviation Museum with the museum's Avro Anson, the type flown as navigator trainees by Peter's and John's fathers and Ken's uncle. (Photo by Mariam Gordon, traveling from Australia with Peter)

What became of our relatives during and after the war? My father, Jack Chalmers, enlisted at age 32 in 1942, likely too old to be posted overseas. Already an experienced teacher and school administrator, he became a navigation instructor at No. 2 AOS and other BCATP stations until the war was over. Then he returned to a long career in education and continued his air force service through association with Air Cadets until the 1960s.

The writer's father, Jack Chalmers, centre, as a Flying Officer navigation instructor at No. 2 AOS in Edmonton in 1944, with a class of RAAF students and one of the school's Anson aircraft.

Ken's uncle, James Horne, was posted to 619 Squadron of the RAF, based in Lincolnshire, England, flying as a navigator aboard the squadron's Lancaster bombers, but didn't come home. WO2 Horne was killed in action at 20 years of age on April 27, 1944 on his 20th bombing operation with 619 Squadron on April 27, 1944. He is buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery in southern Germany.

Durnbach War Cemetery in southern Germany, with nearly 3,000 Allied war graves, approximately 45 km south of Munich. (Internet photo via Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

After training at No. 2 AOS, Peter's father, Donald Kennedy, trained at No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mossbank, Saskatchewan, then at No. 1 Air Navigation School at Rivers, Manitoba, and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. Following more training at Royal Air Force's No. 31 Operational Training Unit in Debert, Nova Scotia, Kennedy was posted overseas. There he served with RAAF No. 10 and No. 461 Squadrons as a navigator and Training Officer. He flew Short Sunderland flying boat patrol bombers, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and after two tours of duty left the air force as a Squadron Leader and returned to Australia.

Meeting new friends Ken Horne and Peter Kennedy with shared interests in aviation history and our relatives' wartime service in the RCAF and the RAAF provided special moments this summer. One of those moments left me with a concrete reward when Peter kindly gave me a copy of The Anzac Squadron, a book about his father's squadron, written by retired RAAF Air Commodore Norman Ashworth.

A Sunderland flying boat, the type flown by navigator S/L Donald Kennedy. Armed with .303 machine guns and carrying bombs or depth charges, the aircraft was used for transport, reconnaissance U-boat patrol and search and rescue operations. (Internet photo via Wikipedia)

When you become involved with aviation history, unexpected contacts lead to intangible rewards that help make communications and research all worthwhile, and uncover stories you would never expect to find. The internet and e-mail open doors to fellow enthusiasts everywhere. Your membership in the Canadian Aviation Historical Society has many benefits, some of which will no doubt come as surprising, and make your annual renewal in the CAHS worthwhile. Good reasons to keep your membership current!

 CAHS Chapter News

The CAHS Regina chapter's September event will be a walking tour of the former site of the wartime 33 Elementary Flying Training School, which is now "covered" by Briercrest College (which has worked some of the EFTS's buildings and structures into its site). This event starts at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13. For more information, check the Regina CAHS chapter website or email us at: cahsregina@hotmail.com.

 In the News

Painting Dedicated to Young Airman

By Elinor Florence

After seventy-two years, the family of a Saskatchewan airman killed in a 1942 training accident dedicated a permanent memorial to him on June 17th.

Alan Scott Light, 1942

On June 5, 1942, Alan Scott Light was only a week away from getting his wings at No. 4 Service Flying Training School, RCAF (now the site of the Saskatoon International Airport), when his low-flying aircraft struck the ferry cable at Hague. His Cessna Crane broke up and plunged into the river.

When the cable snapped, the ferry broke loose and began to drift downstream. The two men who were aboard rowed ashore and notified the local RCMP. Although the RCMP dragged the river, the airman's body was never found.

More than fifty years later, Saskatoon artist Marvin Swartz traveled around the province, painting a series of Saskatchewan ferry crossings. In Hague, he spoke with residents who recalled the aircraft crash. Swartz was so struck with the tragedy that he created a painting of the bright yellow training aircraft.

Last summer, journalist and author Elinor Florence, who grew up on a former British Commonwealth Air Training Plan airfield, now a farm near the Battlefords, learned of the painting and tracked it down.

Painting by Marvin Swartz, Saskatoon

"I visited the artist in Saskatoon and immediately realized that this painting, although unconventional, was just what we needed to create a permanent memorial for my uncle," Elinor said.

Because Alan's body was never found, his parents did not have a funeral for him. Instead, they held a memorial service at St. George's Anglican Church in Battleford, not only for Alan, but for every family member in the town who had lost a loved one.

"The church overflowed and people had to stand outside in the yard," recalls Alan's only surviving sibling, June Light Florence of Invermere, B.C., who is Elinor's mother.

June was just seventeen years old, and about to write her final Grade 12 provincial exams when her brother died. "I couldn't study because we were all crying so much, but Mother said I should try to write my exams so I wouldn't lose the whole year. So I took my exams and passed them."

Alan, who had just turned twenty years old, was the eldest child. The Lights also had an older daughter, Peggy, and two younger sons, Jim and Colin.

"My father was especially broken up because he said if Alan had gone overseas, his death might have counted for something."

Alan's tragedy was not unusual. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was in full swing, with airports opening across the prairies to train newly-arrived recruits. Altogether, the plan trained approximately 130,000 men, and hundreds of them died in training accidents. Estimates vary, but the RCAF alone reported 867 deaths due to training accidents from 1941 to 1945.

Without Alan's body, there could be no grave in the Town of Battleford cemetery, where most Light family members are buried. Aside from his name in the Book of Remembrance on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, along with 44,000 other Canadians who died in World War Two, there is no memorial for him.

When Elinor discovered the six-foot-long oil painting, she decided it would be a fitting way to honour her uncle's memory, by purchasing it and donating it to the Fred Light Museum in Battleford.

Fred Light was the uncle of both Alan and June, and he was a lifelong collector of historical artifacts. After his death, they were either sold or donated to the Town of Battleford, which acquired a former school and turned it into a public museum.

"My great-grandfather Frederick Walter Light was a Northwest Mounted Police Staff Sergeant at Fort Battleford, and my grandfather and his siblings grew up at the fort. When my great-grandfather retired from the police, he became Battleford's postmaster, followed by my grandfather Charles Light.

"So naturally everyone in our family sees the Fred Light Museum as an appropriate repository of family history. Many of the items inside came from the Light family, including my grandfather's World War One uniform. He served in Lord Strathcona's Horse in France."

Light family members donated funds to purchase the painting. It was presented to the Fred Light Museum at a special dedication ceremony on June 17th, which was also June Light Florence's ninetieth birthday.

"I think my grandparents, Charles and Vera Light, would be happy to know that their eldest son hasn't been forgotten," Elinor said. "The painting will be on public display as a permanent reminder of a bright young soul whose life ended far too soon."

Elinor Florence's first wartime novel titled Bird's Eye View, is about a young woman from Saskatchewan who joins the air force and goes overseas and becomes an interpreter of aerial photos. She also writes a weekly blog called Wartime Wednesdays. Click here to visit Elinor's website.

 2014 Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame

There are now 200 photos and an 80-minute video posted at Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame web site about our 41st Annual 2014 Induction Ceremony.

CAHS Membership Secretary John Chalmers also serves as Historian for Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame and is a former member of the board for the Alberta Aviation Museum. He finds that an association with aviation and its history often results in surprising, unexpected and delightful encounters with fellow aviation enthusiasts, historians and air force veterans. John says that is one of the many good reasons to maintain membership in Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame.

Stocky Edwards becomes Knight of France’s Legion of Honour

By John Chalmers

Accolades and recognition of James F. "Stocky" Edwards continue to occur. Recently he was recognized by France with the award of the Legion of Honour. Follow this link for more information.

Also, Invermere BC writer and aviation historian, Elinor Florence, has posted a story about Stocky at her web site. I had the pleasure of meeting Elinor at the May 29 induction dinner for Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, after enjoying e-mail correspondence with her for some time. She has a personal family connection with the Edwards family and her story includes a number of great photos. The photo shown above is one I took of Elinor with Stocky and Toni Edwards at the dinner. See her story and the photos, many of which you will not have seen before. To read the article, click here.

Astronaut Chris Hadfield Inspires Air Cadets

RCAF News Article / July 18, 2014
By Alexandra Baillie-David

If anyone were equipped to inspire the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) airmen and airwomen, it would be Colonel (retired) Chris Hadfield, the former Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut and CF-18 fighter pilot who retired from the RCAF in 2003.

Just over a year after successfully commanding the International Space Station (ISS), Colonel Hadfield headlined the "Hadfield Youth Summit", at the Vintage Wings of Canada hangar in Gatineau, Quebec, on June 30, 2014.

The summit was a youth leadership and development event for young people from the Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAC) and the Boys and Girls Club of the National Capital Region.

"To have the chance to be here with the Boys and Girls Club and the air cadets is a great opportunity to pass along some of the things that people taught me, and what I've learned," Colonel Hadfield said.

To read the full article, follow this link.

Request for Information

Dear CAHS Members

I am the Chief editor of the French aviation magazine Le Fana de l'Aviation. We are presently writing a feature article on the Dassault Mirage G. We are searching for some information on the flight tests by the Canadians in 1972. If you could be of help, please contact Alexis Rocher at: aviation.rocher@gmail.com.

Researcher - to - Researcher

I am currently engaged in a research project pertaining to the history of aircraft technicians within the Canadian Air Force. Since the inception of Canadian military air-power, there appears to be minimal material available concerning the evolution and the accomplishments of these aircraft technicians. Stemming from this challenge, I am seeking input that may aid me in my quest.

Specifically, I am trying to capture when Canadian military aircraft maintenance began, compare the length and type of training, various working environments, morale and esprit des corps, evolution of aircraft trades, general policies and airworthiness standards, challenges relevant to Canadian military aircraft technicians and how these pieces compare to today's Royal Canadian Air Force. Moreover, despite the recorded rich history and heritage of Canadian military aircrew accomplishments, I have encountered very little documented Canadian military aircraft technician accounts and achievements, especially in times of conflict.

I am requesting assistance from your community in the retrieval of information in this area, commencing from the beginning of Canadian military air-power activity until present day. Furthermore, any stories related to noteworthy Canadian military aircraft technician accomplishments would certainly be appreciated.

Kind regards,

Jamie Allison
Ottawa, Ontario
Jamieallison10@msn.com

Group Captain Bill Boak, DFC, passed away on 1 June 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario. His widow Audrey would like to find a good home for his uniforms and flying suit. If anyone knows of a collector or museum that would be interested in these historical items, please contact his widow at boak@rogers.com or his friend Mr. Racicot at 613-915-1548.

G/C Boak served with the RCAF's 406 Squadron during the Second World War. More information about G/C Boak can be found in his obituary by clicking here. 

GlobalAir.com Displays "Oshkosh Specials" To Flyers Heading To EAA AirVenture

June 18, 2014 – Globalair.com announced today it has launched its annual "Oshkosh Specials" page, accessible here. Since 2010, Globalair.com has produced this seasonal webpage, giving flyers heading to EAA's AirVenture the ability to review discounts and special deals offered from FBOs nationwide just for them.

Jeff Carrithers, President and CEO of Globalair.com explains, "FBOs across the nation know Oshkosh is right around the corner and they also know there are thousands of aircraft flying from all over the nation heading to the event. They offer great specials for pilots, from large fuel discounts to free parking to free camping access. Some FBOs make it a little fun by offering food of some type. I always enjoy the free doughnuts myself, but some FBOs even offer hamburgers and barbeques."

This is the fourth year Globalair.com has presented this information online to both aviators heading to Oskhosh and FBOs offering discounts. It is also the only aviation website that offers several EAA AirVenture specials in one place, with dozens of deals and discounts posted from across the nation. It is a good idea to check back often throughout the month of July as it is being up dated frequently. For those flying to Oshkosh, this is a must, as it will give pilots and operators plenty of time to review the listings, contact the FBOs and plan a cross country flight to the show. The page will also be available for the trip back home.

 Skyward

Vi Milstead (Warren) in 1946 prior to flying Miss Canada to Washington. Photo Courtesy - CASM

CAHS Member # 2490

VI MILSTEAD WARREN, C.M.
October 17, 1919 - June 27, 2014

Vi passed gently on June 27 surrounded by caregivers and her good friend Marilyn Dickson. In the background Vera Lynn was singing White Cliffs of Dover while goldfinches looked in from their feeder just outside her window.

Born in Toronto October 17, 1919 to Edith and Harold Milstead, Vi had one brother Fred. All have predeceased her.

As a young teenager Vi wanted to be a surgeon, but when her mother opened a wool shop, Vi was taken out of school, thus ending that dream. In the meantime Vi set her sights on aviation. Vi helped out in her mother's shop, saving all of her earnings to pay for flying lessons. When she began flying lessons, her instructor had a film made, Let's Learn To Fly, starring Vi. No doubt he chose Vi to demonstrate that "even girls can learn to fly". Soon after she completed her Private Pilot License, her mother sold the wool shop and Vi lost her income source. So she started her own business to earn money to pay for her commercial lessons.

Within the next 10 years, besides owning and operating a business in north Toronto, Vi taught others to fly at Barker Field. When civilian flying ceased during WW II, Vi joined the Air Transport Auxiliary in England, delivering airplanes from factories to the military bases. With the ATA Vi logged over 600 hours on 47 different types of aircraft, 74 if we count different marks. As a First Officer, she was qualified on all but the four engine planes. After the war, Vi instructed again at Barker Field. One of the highlights of this time was flying 1946 Miss Canada to Washington to invite the President of the United States to Toronto for Canada's first international air show. While at Barker Field Vi met Arnold, the man she later married. They moved to Sudbury, instructing and flying as bush pilots. They also worked stints at the Windsor Flying Club, and then on the Sagamo on Muskoka Lakes before moving to Indonesia where Arnold taught flying. Though officials gave Vi a piece of paper allowing her to fly in Indonesia, they would not hire a woman as an instructor.

Once Arnold completed the terms of his contract, they returned to Canada where they found more lucrative employment, Arnold at a community college and Vi as a librarian at Orenda and then the Ontario Water Commission. They continued to fly recreationally after retirement, between the Magdalen Islands and Colborne.

Vi was active in several Colborne organizations such as Inner Wheel (Rotary), Second Helpings, Meals on Wheels and volunteering in the elementary school. Some of the Rotary exchange students continued to keep in touch with Vi. Vi was a gracious hostess, warmly welcoming guests and wanting them to be comfortable. Vi deeply missed Arnold after his death in June, 2000, but she welcomed new friends in her life, particularly Marian Carter. They enjoyed wonderful times together until Marian's passing.

Vi has received many awards for her flying career and her community work, including an Amelia Earhart Medal, a Paul Harris Medal, the Rusty Blakey Memorial award, an Order of Canada, a Diamond Jubilee Medal, and induction into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame.

Vi knew how she wanted to live her life and could be feisty if she sensed other people's plans interfered with hers.

Her wish to stay at home with her dog, in her beautiful log house was possible because of the loving care of a wonderful team of caregivers, as well as the St. Elizabeth personal support workers, nurses and others who attended to Vi's personal needs. Neighbours, relatives and friends visited, often bringing some of Vi's favourite food, a book, article or photos. Visits usually included stimulating conversation over a glass of sherry.

Vi will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by several nieces and nephews and their families, Arnold's three daughters and their families, as well as neighbours and friends. This tiny woman will leave a huge hole in our lives!

There was be a celebration of Vi's life on Saturday, July 5 at 1:30 p.m. with visitation starting at 12:30 at MacCoubrey's Funeral Home, Colborne. Following the service all were invited to a reception at the Colborne United Church. Memorial donations are welcome for the Vi Milstead and Arnold Warren Flight Training Scholarship Fund, the David Suzuki Foundation or a charity of your choice.

The CAHS Ottawa Chapter has lost another of its "history making" members. The Ottawa Citizen has reported the passing of Major General Claude LaFrance. To view the full obituary, please click here.

Claude spoke to the Chapter on several occasions concerning his actions in Korea, most recently as an adjunct to BGen Terry Leversedge's presentation, "Canadian Eagles in Crimson Skies," in October 2013, helping to mark the Year of the Korean War Veteran.

Submitted by Timothy Dubé

The  obituary shown below was published in The Ottawa Citizen on July 12, 2014.

TAYLOR, Melville (Mel), CAHS National and Ottawa Chapter Member

After a happy 97 years of life, Mel passed away on Monday, July 7, 2014. He left this life as he lived it; strong, courageous and honourably. Mel was born on April 25, 1917 to Robert Taylor and Mary Jane Hayden in Toronto, ON. He was the second youngest of 11 children. He married his wife Rita Lavallée from Cornwall on May 27, 1944. They recently celebrated 70 years of being happily married. They have 2 children, Richard and his wife Wendy Draper and Willow and her husband Graham Vokey. Mel was the proud grandfather of Lauren, Sarah, Brett, Matthew, Victoria and Amy and great- grandson Michael. Mel's love and pride for his children and grandchildren knew no bounds. During the war, Mel was a Staff Pilot for the British Commonwealth Air Training Program in Edmonton and then transferred to Quebec City until the war ended. In keeping with Mel's wishes, his body has been donated to the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. A service to celebrate Mel's life will be held at a later date for family and close friends. Click here to read the notice.

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