CAHS National December Newsletter

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Hello Visitor,

 
   
 

Welcome to the December edition of the CAHS National Newsletter.

merry christmas

 
 

 

On behalf of your National Executive and the Board of Directors, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and soaring prosperity for 2017.

This has been an exciting year for the CAHS with several outstanding events and achievements throughout the year. 2017 will be another fine year for our Society with many exciting celebrations in the works. I am looking forward to our national convention in London, Ontario, this coming June. My goal is to see the Journal back on schedule and our website updated and fully functional before the year is over. I want to thank every member of the national Board of Directors, all the Chapter executive members, our Journal editor and our webmasters for all the incredible effort they have put in to make the CAHS the success it continues to be.

To everyone in our Canadian aviation history community, all the best this Christmas Season and let's keep making history throughout 2017.

Blue skies,

g w sig

Gary Williams
National President
Canadian Aviation Historical Society

 
 

 CAHS National News

 
   
 

CAHS Convention 2017

2017 convention

The call for presentations will be posted soon. For sponsorship opportunities and more information, please check our webpage at www.cahs.ca.


Time to renew your membership!

This is the time of year to renew your CAHS membership, or buy a membership as a gift for a friend or family member. We welcome all renewing members and new individual members who comprise our CAHS family. Welcome also are new and renewing Museum Members who support our organization. Keep in mind our June 2017 convention in London, Ontario, especially if you have never attended one before. It is always informative, stimulating and a chance to meet with fellow members from across Canada. Mark your calendars now! We hope 2017 will see new members and museums join our ranks.

Our CAHS Journal, included with your membership, remains Canada's premier publication of Canadian aviation history. Our online newsletter provides a means of sharing information from your CAHS chapters and museums. Your contributions of news, articles and photographs are always welcome. Let’s keep in touch!


The CAHS Needs Your Financial Support:

donate cahsThe CAHS is working hard to end the year with a balanced budget and would appreciate your help financially. Donations are greatly appreciated and can be made online through Paypal or can be mailed in by downloading and mailing this form.

Did you know that Canada Revenue Agency is offering a first time donors' super credit? If you or your spouse have not claimed a charitable tax credit after the year 2007, CRA is offering an incentive to give to charities by supplementing the value of the charitable donation tax credit by 25% for first time donors. If you have never made a charitable donation before to any charity, why not take advantage of the extra tax credit offer this year by donating to the CAHS' great cause? For more details, see CRA's website.

Do you have past or current business contacts from within aviation/aerospace industries? Have you ever thought of approaching these contacts about becoming a corporate sponsor of the CAHS? Managers of corporations are more likely to be interested if people they already know professionally make the suggestion and explain how sponsorship helps both the company (by providing exposure and a donation tax receipt) and the mandate of the CAHS (by covering costs of publishing aviation history in the Journal and on the website). Please download the Corporate Membership form and talk to your contacts about helping the CAHS preserve and disseminate Canada's aviation history.


 

 

  Christmas Gift Ideas

     
 

Calendar Sale!

2017 calendarFire Sale! Deep Discount! The CAHS has about a dozen 2017 Aviation Artist Calendars left in stock. Unfortunately, these were damaged slightly (bent corners) in shipping. The art work is still in wonderful condition, and the bent corner doesn't show through all the months. Instead of having the beautiful art work go to waste, we want them to be in people's hands to enjoy. Hence, we are offering them for sale at $5 each (a 66% saving), plus $5 postage each.

 

order now

For more information, or to place an order, please click here.


Book Offers

This is a fundraiser for the CAHS, and part of the proceeds from the sales are being generously donated to the CAHS by the publisher.

For our customers outside of North America, please contact the CAHS at treasurer@cahs.ca with your address for international shipping quotes.

Camp Borden: A Century of Service

Camp Borden cover 575

The CAHS is proud to present a special book offer, Camp Borden: A Century of Service at a discounted rate of $24.99 CAD (plus shipping) from the publisher's suggested retail price of $29.99.

Camp Borden: A Century of Service is an overview of the history of this iconic institution. For over ten decades, Borden has been a temporary posting, as either instructor or trainee, for countless thousands of military men and women who have served Canada in peace and war. For generations, it has been a home to military families. And for a century, it has been a part of the local community fabric of Ontario. This book, in a small way, pays tribute to Camp Borden as a unique part of Canada’s history and heritage. It is not the complete story of Camp Borden, but hopefully it will inspire the reader to dig deeper into the layered history of a Canadian military treasure. The book is profusely illustrated with colour and B&W photos, many never before published.

order nowFor more information, or to place an order, please click here.

 

 

Early Canadian Military Aircraft Vol.1

early canadian military aircraft 400The CAHS is proud to present a special book offer, Early Canadian Military Aircraft Vol.1 at a discounted rate of $24.99 CAD (plus shipping) from the  publisher's suggested retail price of $59.00.

In the two decades between the World Wars, Canada developed greatly, building upon the sense of solidarity gained in the first of these conflicts. Much of this was facilitated by the development of technology, of which aviation was a major part. Oddly enough, for such a laissez-faire society it was the Canadian government that played a leading role in this, and the RCAF and its predecessors were its instruments. Not only did the bush pilots in uniform pioneer myriad aspects of aviation in all parts of Canada, but despite a minuscule budget and a suspicious Parliament and populace they maintained the nucleus of a military air arm which slowly developed into the framework of the wartime RCAF. But, whatever honour is due to the men (and it is great), it is the aircraft that provide the visual impact and the structure of the narrative. An incredible number of types, suitable and unsuitable, were flown and maintained under all manner of conditions and a knowledge of them is essential for the appreciation of both the impact and the substance of the subject. When this knowledge is presented in such a totality of detail and sequentiality as here, no more is required. The same can be said for the massive coverage of paint schemes and markings. This merits more than the usual patronizing reference to its value for the modeling fraternity as well as to artists and illustrators. Its development and evolution is part and parcel of the story and a visual description of the conflicting forces of official standards and small groups of men and machines in which the former must interpret those standards as best they might. Numerous useful appendices. Fully indexed. 

order nowFor more information, or to place an order, please click here.

 

 

Canadian Aircraft of WWII

canadian aircraft ww1 400The CAHS is proud to present a special book offer, Canadian Aircraft of WWII at a discounted rate of $22.00 CAD (plus shipping) from the publisher's suggested retail price of $29.99.

Drawing on an immense range of archival records, memoirs, and photographs collected over decades of diligent research, author Carl Vincent provides a unique insight into some of the men and machines covered under the broad title Canadian Aircraft of WWII. Each entry's narrative is loaded with history, much of it previously unpublished and is illustrated by rare and relevant photos plus deeply researched large-format color profiles, all complemented by highly informative captions. Discover how the oddball little Fleet Fort came into its new role, why the Bolingbroke was much more than "just a Canadian Blenheim", when chewing gum could prove vital for a Sunderland crew, who was one of the Allies' premier train-busters, and much more. 2 useful appendices. Fully indexed.

order nowFor more information, or to place an order, please click here.

 

 

Dragons on Bird Wings, Volume 1

dragons on bird wings 386The CAHS is proud to present a special book offer, Dragons on Bird Wings, Volume 1 at a discounted rate of $15.00 CAD (plus shipping) from the publisher's suggested retail price of $19.00.

Follow the 3rd Fighter Aviation Corps along its Combat Path during the Liberation of the Motherland through the experiences of one of its units - the 812th Fighter Aviation Regiment. Drawing on a comprehensive range of archives, memoirs, and photographs, the authors describe this unit's daily combat activities in detail from its formative Rzhev - Vyazma days on the doorstep of Moscow, into the pivotal Stalingrad battles, and on through the hard-won victories along the shores of the Sea of Azov - Kuban, Myskhako, Molochnaya - and beyond. In this volume, part one of the 812th regiment's combat history reaches its climax with the ejection of the Luftwaffe from its remaining bases near the besieged fortress city of Sevastopol, while the Red Army liberates the Crimea from the grip of the Wehrmacht. We leave the 812th - General Savitskiy's "Dragons on Bird Wings" - as it regroups and prepares for the great drive through Europe where it will end the war in Berlin itself. This is the one of the first primary source derived, and by some accounts foremost, English-language histories of an operational regiment-sized VVS (Soviet Air Force) unit during the Great Patriotic War. Foreward by Von Hardesty. Expert translation from an original Russian manuscript by James Gebhardt in consultation with Dr. Ilya Grinberg. Useful appendices and comprehensively indexed.

order nowFor more information, or to place an order, please click here.


 
     
 

 CAHS Chapter News

   
 

Centennial College Ashtonbee Campus Donor Wall Unveiling

Donor Wall at Centennial College Photo Credit Sheldon Benner 575

Donor Wall at Centennial College - Photo Credit: Sheldon Benner

On August 29, 2016, Centennial College held a Donor Wall Unveiling at Ashtonbee Campus in Scarborough. The names of donors who are publicly recognized include “the MacRitchie Family and the CAHS,” in appreciation of donations to a deserving student in Centennial’s Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program. Of special interest to the CAHS and other aviation organizations, Centennial is developing a state-of-the-art Aerospace Campus at Downsview Park that will facilitate the relocation of aircraft maintenance programs, aircraft and equipment from the Ashtonbee Campus. We look forward to hearing more about this project. On hand for the unveiling were Sheldon Benner, CAHS Toronto Chapter President, and Gord McNulty, CAHS Vice President.


 

 
 
 
 

Chapter Meetings

Chapter

Date

Location


Calgary

17 Oct.

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology


Manitoba

26 Sept.

17 Wing Chapel


Montreal

17 Oct.

Pointe Claire Legion Hall


New Brunswick

19 Oct.

Fredericton


Ottawa

27 Sept.

Canada Aviation and Space Museum


Regina

17 Oct.

Eagles Club


Toronto

5 October

Canadian Forces College


Vancouver

30 Sept.

Richmond Cultural Centre


Medicine Hat  14 Oct.
Patterson Armoury, Medicine Hat

 

 
     
 

 In the News

 

First Female Captain Honoured Again

Story and photos by John Chalmers
CAHS Membership Secretary

01 Rosella 575

On November 5 at the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton, Rosella Bjornson was honoured as the first female airline captain in Canada. A large crowd at the event heard tributes from three levels of government and members of the aviation community. The City of Edmonton proclaimed the day as Rosella Bjornson Day. She was inducted as Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1997, and afterwards carried out work as a volunteer for the Hall for many years.

Wearing her captain's uniform, when Rosella was given the opportunity to respond to the tributes, she had her audience in her hands when she began with a perfect beginning to her enjoyable talk: "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking!"

Rosella still flies, in the Cessna 170 once owned by her father. She and her husband, Bill Pratt, also a retired airline captain, have five aircraft at their acreage near Edmonton, from where they can taxi to a landing strip. Of the five, in various conditions, only the 170 is operational. Their latest acquisition is a 1960 4-place Cessna 210. Rosella says, "The engine is rebuilt and we are restoring it from the propeller to the tailfeathers, to put in flying condition."

A month earlier, on October 1 at ceremonies held at Vaughan, Ontario, Rosella was honoured by receiving the Pioneer Award of the Elsie MacGill Northern Lights Awards. For information on all award recipients, click here

 

02 Rosella 575

At the podium, city councillor Bev Esslinger reads a proclamation declaring the day as Rosella Bjornson Day. Rosella is seated at left, with Kendra Kincade, centre, an organizer of the event who served as M.C.

03 Rosella 575

Responding to her tributes, Rosella recounted her career as a pilot, the only job she ever wanted. To see a story about Rosella by Neil Taylor, as well as other stories about accomplishments in aviation published for In Formation, from the Alberta Aviation Museum, click here.


Former Tuskegee pilot Harold Brown, 92, enthralls aviation fans at CWHM

By Gord McNulty

Tuskegee Airmen veteran Lt Col retired Harold Brown 92 told his remarkable story at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum 575

Tuskegee Airmen veteran Lt Col (retired) Harold Brown, 92, told his remarkable story at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

A presentation by one of the few remaining Tuskegee Airmen, the first black military pilots and crewmen to serve the United States during the Second World War, drew a standing ovation at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in August, 2016. Retired Lt. Col. Harold Brown, still sharp and displaying excellent recall and lively wit, came to the museum as one of the highlights during the five-day display of the Commemorative Air Force travelling exhibit, “Triumph over Adversity --- Rise Above,” (www.redtail.org). The exhibit is designed to inspire youth to overcome obstacles in achieving their goals, as the Tuskegee Airmen did in rising above overt racism and prejudice, and to educate audiences across North America about the Tuskegee history and legacy.

Col. Brown, who now lives in Port Clinton, Ohio, is a native of Minneapolis, Minn. He “fell in love with airplanes” as a youngster and knew from Grade 6 that he wanted to be a pilot, even though at the time black men were regarded as incapable of flying for the military. His opportunity came in 1941 with the advent of the flight-training program at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He recalled the aspiring aviators faced many obstacles, exemplified by instructors who described the students as “dummies.” The military brass played the numbers game to disadvantage black pilots and Col. Brown described flight training as a very sad experience for qualified black aviators whose ambitions and hopes were discouraged.

Col. Brown persevered to graduate in 1944, at 19 years of age, earning a place in the famed 332nd Fighter Group with the 99th Squadron. The 99th initially flew the P-40 Warhawk in Italy. Col. Brown flew combat operations, strafing targets on the ground and escorting bombers home. The Tuskegee Airmen later flew the P-51 Mustang and became known as the Red Tails with paint schemes that included all-red tail surfaces and red propeller spinners. Col. Brown described the strafing missions as the most dangerous. On his 12th mission, his fighter was hit by heavy ground fire while he and his wingman chased a Messerschmitt 262. Col. Brown managed to find an abandoned air strip. He walked away from his heavily damaged aircraft and made it back to base in six days.

Col. Brown was shot down in a P-51 on a strafing mission over Germany. He found himself in a harrowing situation, fearing for his life at the hands of enraged civilians seeking revenge. But a constable intervened and took him to a PoW camp south of Nuremberg. There, Col. Brown met a fellow airman, Lincoln Hudson, who had been beaten almost beyond recognition by a crowd and pretended he was dead before he was brought to the PoW camp. During his two months of imprisonment, Col. Brown was not tortured or beaten. In a YouTube video where he also tells his story, Col. Brown says the PoW camp was the first place where he didn’t experience segregation from white people.

A fiery start as flame momentarily erupts from the Merlin engine of the Commemorative Air Force P 51D Mustang Red Nose at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum August 2016 Gord McNulty

A fiery start as flame momentarily erupts from the Merlin engine of the Commemorative Air Force P-51D Mustang 'Red Nose' at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, August 2016 (Gord McNulty)

American troops were advancing and the Germans evacuated the 10,000 prisoners to another camp at Moosburg, about 30 kilometres north of Munich. The trip took about 10-12 days and they were bunched into groups of 200. On April 29, 1945, General George Patton arrived at the camp, a couple of hours after the Germans pulled out.

Col. Brown said that he always felt very comfortable as a fighter pilot. However, one thing that made him uneasy was the possibility of engine failure on takeoff with a full load of fuel and ammunition. He said that although the Merlin was a wonderful engine, even the best would eventually malfunction. “The only thing we really sweated out,” Col. Brown recalled, was the initial 60 seconds of safely getting airborne and comfortably into flight.

Col. Brown remained in the U.S. Air Force until 1965, completing a distinguished career in which he volunteered to fly aircraft that had been returned to the U.S. for repairs before they went back to the Korean War. He flew 22 different aircraft, including the B-47 Stratojet. “The B-47 was difficult to fly, but they put redundancy in every system,” he recalled.

Col. Brown, who has displayed a passion for education and community service, also went on to earn a Ph.D, retiring from Columbus State Community College as Vice President of Academic Affairs. These remarkable experiences are the subject of a forthcoming book, co-authored with Dr. Marsha Bordner, Col. Brown’s wife. She is also an education professional, who retired as president of Terra State Community College in Fremont, Ohio.

During the exhibit, the CWHM also hosted a visit by Commemorative Air Force Squadron Leader Bill Shepard, of Woodstock, ON, flying the impressive CAF P-51D Mustang “Red Nose,” NL10601/USAF 473843. “Red Nose”, based at the CAF Dixie Wing in Peachtree City, Georgia, has a long and colourful history dating back to the closing days of the war. In fact, in 1951, the fighter entered service with the RCAF after it was dropped from the USAF inventory. After initial service with No. 416 “Lynx” Squadron (Regular) in Uplands, ON, it was assigned to No. 420 “Snowy Owl” Squadron (Auxiliary) in London, ON, where it served until 1956 before it returned to the U.S. “Red Nose” was officially donated to the CAF in 1977. It was restored in 1993 and is in excellent shape. It was assigned to the Dixie Wing in November 2002 and took to the air for the first time in four years in September, 2003.

Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron Leader Bill Shepard Gord McNulty

Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron Leader Bill Shepard at the 2016 Brantford air show, Aug. 31, in the CAF P-51D Mustang, Red Nose (Gord McNulty)

Following the exhibit at the CWHM, Bill --- past president/vice president of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association --- took “Red Nose” and the travelling exhibit to the Brantford Rotary Air Show on Aug. 31, another highly successful event.


A new home for the Edmunston Lancaster

Lancaster KB882 575

Plans to re-locate RCAF Lancaster KB882 from Edmunston NB to the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton have collapsed. Had the relocation and restoration occurred as originally planned, Alberta would have had a Lancaster bomber at aviation museums in Edmonton, Calgary and Nanton. (Photo via internet)

Good news is that the Lancaster has found a new home where it will be saved and restored. It will now be moved to the National Air Force Museum of Canada at Trenton, Ontario. There it will be company for the restored Halifax bomber that is the showpiece of the museum. Shown below in a photo from the Trenton museum web site is the restored Halifax. To learn more, click here.

 

Halifax 575


Becoming a Museum of Flight

the hangar flight museumA museum of flight involves much more than showcasing our amazing history, it means embracing all forms of flight and helping our visitors learn and explore the history, the art and the science of flight. The Aero Space Museum of Calgary rebranded to The Hangar Flight Museum on November 4th, 2016. This change occurred to reflect the new vision: to inspire dreams of flight! We want our visitors to explore the history and technology of flight like never before. Surrounded by machines and stories that inspire their imagination, visitors will learn of remarkable courage and innovation. Guided by the expertise of our dynamic volunteers, students will engage in hands-on activities and explore the technology and aircraft that helped shape Canada’s future. Visitors will learn inspiring stories of men and women who believed in the impossible and dared to soar above their limitations. Whether it’s a butterfly, a bumblebee or a bomber, we are evolving into a museum of flight so our visitors can explore all aspects of flight. The Hangar Flight Museum is located on the southern tip of the Calgary Airport, at the corner of McCall Way and McKnight Boulevard. You can also visit us online at www.thehangarmuseum.ca.


* The following news articles are gathered from the Internet, and are provided for your interest. They are not reviewed to the same standard that Journal articles are reviewed, and may contain errors of fact, style, or grammar.

Airforce Magazine Archives

Forty years* of Airforce Magazine have been or will soon be archived in a database listing major feature stories by keyword, author, title and subject, among other things. This new database includes the means by which more items can be added for reference purposes. The database is accessible through your RCAF Association website, at this link here. (Under the "Magazine" Menu item)

*Four more years of data will be added in 2017.

The RCAF Association website is designed as a web-log (blog) so any member who wishes to do so may volunteer as a webmaster/designer. If you would like to volunteer, and help add important data, simply write to the director@airforce.ca.


 
   
 

 Canadian Aviation Moments

 
 

 

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, you will find the answer to December's questions directly below. Good luck and have fun!

The Canadian Aviation Moments questions and answers for December are:

Question 1: What were the two main differences between the De Havilland D.H. 100 Vampire and the De Havilland D.H. 112 Venom?

Answer: “The difference between the two aircraft in plan view is that the Vampire wing tapered much more toward the tip. The other difference, unless I'm letting my senility win, is that I don't believe think there was a mark of Vampire that had tip tanks. I believe all Vampire tanks were under the wing, outboard of the undercarriage.”

Source: CAHS – The JOURNAL of the CANADIAN AVIATION HISTORICAL SOCIETY – Vol.46 No. 3 – Fall 2008 – Par Avion – Letter to the editor – Written by Ron Wiley – Page 115


Question 2: When was Bomber Command of the RAF formed and what was its initial purpose?

Answer: “On 14 July 1936, Bastille Day, Bomber Command formed as part of a broad-brush reorganization of the RAF. Along with the formation of distinct Fighter, Coastal, and Training Commands, this structural change was made in order to encourage greater specialization and to promote greater efficiency. It provided Bomber Command with a more distinct and defined strategic role, based on a growing conviction among air planners that long range air attacks deep into enemy territory could be productive. At issue was the precise role the command would perform in the event of war, and this was initially not clearly defined. It was conceived primarily as a deterrent, to be used only for bombing military targets. Senior military and political leaders only vaguely assumed that RAF bombing policy would re-engage where it had left off in 1918, its
raison d'etre to attack enemy industrial centres to deprive them of war materials and also to demoralize the population.”

Source: No Prouder Place – Canadians and the Bomber Command Experience 1939-1945 – David L. Bashow – page 17


Question 3: How is an aircraft’s lifespan measured?

Answer: “An aircraft's lifespan is measured not in years but in pressurization cycles. Each time an aircraft is pressurized during flight, its fuselage and wings are stressed. Both are made of large, plate-like parts connected with fasteners and rivets, and over time, cracks develop around the fastener holes due to metal fatigue. "Aircraft lifespan is established by the manufacturer," explains the Federal Aviation Administration's John Petrakis, "and is usually based on takeoff and landing cycles. The fuselage is most susceptible to fatigue, but the wings are too, especially on short hauls where an aircraft goes through pressurization cycles every day," Aircraft used on longer flights experience fewer pressurization cycles, and can last more than 20 years. There are 747s out there that are 25 or 30 years old” says Petrakis.”

Source: AEROGRAM – AIRFORCE ASSOCIATION OF CANADA 600 (REGINA) WING – VOLUME 21 NUMBER 3 MARCH 2009 by Rebecca Maksel – airspacemag.com, March 01, 2008


 
     
 

  Research Request

 
 

This is a research request from Lukas Wagner:

My name is Lukas Wagner, I'm a journalist from Germany. Currently I'm working on a story about the town of Gander, Newfoundland. I've been visiting Gander last year to get some impressions and find protagonists for a documentary. Click here for a link to my first trailer.

At the moment, I'm looking for experts and scholars who did some research about the history of the international airport in Gander and its role throughout history. Especially the role of Gander during the Cold War – as a place where West and East met – is my focus. I hope that you can help me with some good sources or experts in this field.

You can reach me via e-mail or phone.
Looking forward to hear from you!

All the Best,

Lukas Wagner
editor NZZ
lukas.wagner@nzz.at
Bräunerstrasse 11/3
1010 Vienna, Austria
+43 680 3163509


 
     
 

 Skyward

 
   
 

Donation to Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame in memory of George Neal


A $500 donation to Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) in memory of Canadian aviation pioneer George Neal was made by the Toronto Chapter of the CAHS. The Chapter’s Executive Committee approved the donation at a meeting in May. CAHS Membership Secretary John Chalmers, a member of the CAHF Operations Committee, noted that such donations are much appreciated by the Hall. With the Hall being a Museum Member of the CAHS, the donation shows how various organizations that are part of the Society support each other.

George, CAHS #393, died at age 97 on April 4, 2016 at his home in North York, ON. A well-attended Memorial Service for George, organized with the help of CAHF volunteers, took place on May 14 at the Brampton-Caledon Airport (Brampton Flying Club) Hangar #3. George, who was inducted as a member of the CAHF in 1995, loved to fly his personal DHC-1 Chipmunk around Brampton for many years. In 2015, he flew the Chipmunk from Brampton to Pearson International Airport to display it at the 43rd annual induction ceremonies of CAHF. This flight was recorded by Guinness World Records, which recognized him to be the world’s oldest active licensed pilot at 96 years, 194 days, as of June 2, 2015. A legendary test pilot, George was a long-term and valued member of the CAHS and the Toronto Chapter.

George and Chipmunk 575
George Neal is shown here at the 2015 induction ceremonies gala of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, held at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Behind George is his beautiful custom-painted Chipmunk. The recipient of Canada’s most venerable aviation award, the Trans-Canada (McKee) Trophy in 1989, George was inducted as Member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame in 1995. More info at www.cahf.ca. (Rick Radell photo)


TOWNSEND, (Joseph) Gordon

Long-time CAHS Ottawa Chapter member Gordon Townsend has passed away.

gordon townsendGordon died on Monday, November 7, 2016 after a brief illness, aged 95. He is survived by daughters Martha Townsend and her son Gabriel Townsend Darriau, Madeleine Townsend, Andrea Matyszczyk and her husband Romek, son-in-law Ted Friesen and his children Meghan, Genevieve and Ariane Friesen, and his sisters Madeleine Cranston and Joan Marando. Brother-in-law of Irma and Everett Hogan. He was predeceased by his wife Ida (nee Hogan), daughters Elizabeth and Jo Anna Townsend, brother John, sisters Marion Reding, Sr Jean Townsend, Rhona Christie, Mary Smithbower, Betty Lawlor, Margaret McNamara, Lorna Hallett, and Isobel Stoddard. Proud former Vice-President of the Eastern Ontario Burma Star Association. Friends will be received at the GORDON F. TOMPKINS FUNERAL HOME, 435 Davis Drive, Kingston, on Friday, November 25 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral Mass in Blessed Sacrament Church, 3 Briscoe Street, Amherstview on Saturday, November 26 at 1:00 p.m. Cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. May God rest his soul. Online condolences with Sharing Memories at www.gftompkinstownship.ca.

To view the notice, click here.

 


Barr, Earl Howard

The CAHS Toronto Chapter was saddened to hear of the passing of long time member Earl Howard Barr (CAHS # 3097). Earl passed away peacefully at Scarborough General Hospital on March 31, 2016. Earl was a former Air Cadet, an Air Force veteran and a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association. Earl is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Susan Coulas and son-in-law, Scott Coulas. Earl was employed by Bell Canada for many years and was also a member of the Toronto Anglers and Hunters (Sportsman Association). Visitation was held at the Jerrett Funeral Home at 660 Kennedy Road, Scarborough on Thursday, April 7th followed by a Memorial service in the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to Heart & Stroke or the The War Amps.


 
 
 
 

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Corporate Partners:

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CANAV Books

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Vintage Wings of Canada

 

2016 Convention Sponsors

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Air Force Heritage Fund

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Museum Members:

Alberta Aviation Museum

Bomber Command Museum of Canada

Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame

Canadian Historical Aircraft Association

Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum

Comox Air Force Museum

Great War Flying Museum

Harvard Historical Aviation Society

National Air Force Museum

Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada

Secrets of Radar Museum

 

 


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  The CAHS is incorporated as a Canadian Registered Charity under a
Federal charter B/N Registration Number: 118829589 RR 0001

PO Box 2700, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5W7

 
     
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