Superior Airways

[beech 18]

July 06, 2012

There is a photo of a Superior Airways Seabee in storage at the
Western Canada Aviation Museum Storage Compound at St. Andrews,
Manitoba with some information about its history at:

http://www.seabee.info/seabee_museum.htm

The fourth photo down from the top is a Seabee that was operated
by Mr. Wieben years ago.

[Indanao]

Remember The Lodge:

[beech 18]

July 06, 2012

Indanao

You have sure kept that a long time. What a nice photo.
That must have been taken in the sixties. Maybe early 1970's.

Myself, I never made it to the lodge. I remember it well but
only hearing about it from others.

The tail letters are a little fuzzy in the photo. It looks like
it may be KQP.

It could be KVU but for sure it is not JQM.

[Antique Pilot]

Re: The Seabee. As usual I stand corrected. I assumed from page 259 of Larry Millberry's book "Air Transport in Canada" vol 1 that the Seabee with the WCAM is CF-DKD. I drove by the St. Andrews storage yard today and Seabee CF-FCD along with the Vultee are sitting next to the south fence. I guess Superior Airways obviously had more than 1 Seabee.

I am always amazed at the amount of knowledge and history that my generation of bush pilots have that flew the bush starting in the 1960's.

Thanks,
AP

[beech 18]

July 15, 2012

Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from the late 1960's to 1974.

CF-PLU was a Beech 18 that was operated by Superior Airways. The aircraft
had a bare metal fuselage with a white top bordered by a narrow black speed
line. The wing tips and horizontal and vertical stabs were bare metal. This
was one of the very few Beech 18's that Mr. Wieben operated that had a bare
metal tail. That is no bright orange or red paint at all. PLU also may have
been the only Beech in the fleet that had two landing / taxi lights in the nose
cone. The name Superior Airways - Ft. William was painted on each side.

CF-PLU operated year round on floats and skis. It was equipped with a cargo
door. This Beech 18 spend its life mainly hauling freight. It serviced all the
settlements in Northwestern Ontario. It also carried fisherman and hunters to
the many camps in the different areas it operated in. It spent a fair bit of time
running out of Wiebenville on skis in the winter.

Over the years PLU carried some unique loads.

In the mid 1960's while on skis, she was called upon to fly a new left wing into a
Cessna 180 that had been damaged in a landing accident. The Cessna wing was
strapped to the belly of PLU using the inboard float fittings on the fuselage as
anchor points. It may not have weighted a lot, but a Cessna 180 wing tied to
the belly of a Beech on skis was quite large.

Again in the mid 1960's this time while on floats CF-PLU carried another unique load.
A Cessna 180 owned by Mr. Wieben had gone through the ice at the end of ski
season at North Spirit Lake. Once the ice was gone the Cessna was recovered and
repaired for its flight out. Because it was on skis when it went through the ice, it
required a set of floats to be flown in. In Sioux Lookout the float struts and spreader
bars were removed from the floats. The Cessna 180 floats were then tied to the
boat rack mounted between the two floats on PLU. The floats got into North Spirit
and were reassembled and the Cessna flew home.

In March 1971 while operating on skis, CF-PLU had a right main ski bungee and check
cable fail on takeoff. This resulted in the forward section of the ski dropping once
the aircraft was airborne. A landing was carried out on the ice at Round Lake. The
landing was as smooth as one could be. The ski and right leg were torn off once
contact with the ice occurred. When the ski and leg were torn off the ski came up
and caused considerable damage to the top of the engine cell and wing. The right
propeller was also bent by impact with the ice. The damage to the aircraft was
considered repairable. The aircraft was repaired and flown out of Round Lake and
returned to service with Superior Airways.

In the winter of either 1972 or 1973, CF-PLU again operating on skis was returning to
Pickle Lake very late in the day. The pilot flying was the only one onboard. The
aircraft was about five miles out when it developed a very serious problem with fuel.
With both engines out the pilot attempted to land on a small lake. Touchdown was
successful but the aircraft could not be stopped and went into the trees at a high speed.
The pilot survived but the aircraft was written off in the accident. That was the last
day that CF-PLU was in operation.

Attached is a photo of CF-PLU taken on the ice in Sioux Lookout in early March 1971.
A week after this was taken the aircraft was involved in an accident in Round Lake
after a bungee and check cable on the right ski failed.

[beech 18]

July 16, 2012

the_cr

Thanks for the message.
I sent you a reply. Hope that
gives you a bit of information.

beech 18

[the_cr]

My grandfather, John Peacock, was a Superior Airways pilot around those times as well. I've heard many stories from his time working for O.J. Wieben.

He also just recently published his book "Sourdough Pilot", which contains many stories and pictures from his time there.

From him:

I worked for OJ Wieben in1958-59 and again in 1968-70. I started work in the hangar at $150.00 per month bucking rivets on CF-LBX which was being rebuilt from the Serial No. Plate and one small piece of sheet metal from the original. I was the first student of Lakehead Flying School and when I got my Commercial License took over as CFI. I trained Liz Wieben for her commercial license. During my time working for Weiben I flew the following aircraft:

AERONCA 7DC: CF-JDN, CF-BRF
LUSCOMBE 8F: CF-GCD
C140: CF-KWH, CF-KWG, CF-DXD, CF-GII
C150: CF-VXY, CF-XWU, CF-WIW
C170: CF-HQS, CF-KJD, CF-GBR, CF-EJO, CF-JDA
C172: CF-KIJ, CF-LIZ, IYN, CF-JDM, CF-SZK, CF-VBW
C175: CF-KOA
C180: CF-JDP, CF-IXY, CF-LBX, CF-LSB, CF-LDX, CF-JDH, CF-FYN, CF-DNZ, CF-KOZ, CF-DMB, CF-RNF, CF-LSN, CF-KQP, CF-LCX, CF-IWD, CF-VSD, CF-KVU
NORSEMAN Mk IV: CF-FEW
PA 23-250: CF-NWE
DHC-2 BEAVER: CF-FHO, CF-MXR, CF-ODD, CF-IVA
DHC-3 OTTER: CF-GBX
BEECH 18: CF-VCE, CF-PRZ, CF-PLU, CF-WYR, CF-ZMQ
DC-3: CF-AUQ, CF-XXT

I did not fly the following aircraft:
Bellanca Skyrocket: CF-DCH, CF-DCE and the two other Skyrockets..
Stinson SR-JR , Cessna Crane or the BT-13.

I was lying on top of the load when Chief Pilot Willie Collins ground-looped CF-VCE when landing at the Central Pat airstrip. OJ who was in the right hand seat just laughed.

[beech 18]

July 18, 2012

Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from the late 1960's to 1974.

Here are two of the aircraft that your Grandfather John Peacock would have
flown when he was at the Lakehead Flying School.


This is Cessna 172 CF-VBW that flew out of Sioux Lookout each summer on
floats. In this photo the aircraft is stuck in the mud in shallow water.
This was taken in the summer of 1971.
Each fall VBW went back to Thunder Bay for use at the flying school during the
winter months.




This is Cessna 150 CF-XWU that ran out of fuel during a student cross country
and attempted a landing on highway 642 about five miles out of Sioux Lookout.
This was the only time I ever saw XWU. Registration in the photo is C-FXWU.
This photo was taken in 1974 or 1975.

[beech 18]

Aug 03, 2012

Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from the late 1960's to 1974.

CF-PRZ was a Beech 18 that was operated by Superior Airways for quite a
number of years. The aircraft had a bare metal fuselage with a white top
bordered by a narrow black speed line. The wing tips and vertical stabs were
painted bright orange and in the later years were painted bright red. The
horizontal stab was polished bare metal.

The colour of the engine cowls and nacelles were unique to PRZ. Only the
upper inner halves were painted black with the outter halves being polished
bare metal. A thunderbird was painted on each cowling.
The name Superior Airways - Ft. William was on each side.

This Beech 18 was featured on a Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise post card
on floats taxing on the step.

CF-PRZ operated year round on floats and skis. This was one of two Beech's
that Mr. Wieben had that were fitted with extended wing tips. It was equipped
with a cargo door.

CF-PRZ spend its life mainly as a freighter. This aircraft moved many drill camps,
helped build a lot of settlements, and hauled a lot of fish during its flying career.
I do not know of any serious incidents or accidents that this Beech was involved in.

One feature that PRZ had that I never saw in another Beech was it had only one
control column. The right control column had been removed.

CF-PRZ was taken out of service in I believe the spring of 1974. It was decided
that because the airframe time was over 10,000 hours, PRZ would not be fitted
with a spar mod. The aircraft was flown to Armstrong, Ontario at the end of ski
season and the engines were removed. A set of wheels were installed to move
the aircraft to it final resting place on the field. That was the last time I saw PRZ.


A photo of CF-PRZ on the ramp in Sioux Lookout for a float repair. The aircraft
had flown in from Pickle Lake. This photo was taken in the summer of 1972.





A photo of CF-PRZ on the ice in Sioux Lookout near the very end of ski season.
This photo was taken in the spring of 1971.

[Baron]

For those of you that worked for Superior Airways and know the Wieben Family Robbie(Taylor) died
On June 25. 2012. In Victotia BC. I am sure I know a lot of you posters as I worked for Superior from
1965 to 1968 and then across the ramp untill 1980

Little more on otter IKT as the story goes, it was hauling a load of diamond drill equip And got caught
In a thunder storm after that trip the aircraft would not haul a load like before ,it was even put in a jig to see where it was bent , couldn't find the problem so when GBX was built IKT was sold.

[Indanao]

I knew some of them. What about Pete Taylor? I didn't know Robbie Taylor, would Pete have been an ex ? ( Maybe I shouldn't be asking that here....) I believe Pete was a Son In Law, and was at High Level in 1979.

[Baron]

Yea Pete was her husband but they have been divorced for a number of years.

[Indanao]

Ok, my long term memory comes in spurts and needs priming. I did meet Robbie in Thunder Bay one time. She was a nice refined person. Liked her, but never saw her much. She was up at Pays Platte one time when I was there. I am sorry to hear of her passing.

Pete was Pilot / AME Base Manager at High Level when I flew a C185 there. He was remarried to a local nurse. He quit while I was there, and I never heard where he went. Talented fellow, but not the type to stick around. Rumor was he was Chief Pilot in Thunder Bay but selected Gear Up on a light twin while sitting on the ramp - and left town shortly after.

[Baron]

Indanao
Pete an Robbie had a baron I don't remember the gear up thing but one time I the winter he was taxing out and still had a tie down ( tire full of cement ) tied to the tail. I tried to wave him down but he shot me the finger ,I think tower ask him where he was going to haul it to. He turned around and went back to the ramp and untied the tail. Guy had the personally of a shit sandwich !!!!

[Indanao]

Yes Sir....

[beech 18]

Aug 20, 2012

Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from the late 1960's to 1974.

A bit of information about Beech 18 CF-ZQR.

Beech 18 CF-ZQR arrived in Sioux Lookout on wheels in the spring of 1971. It had
been purchased by Mr. Wieben from the Canadian Air Force and was still in the
standard air force paint scheme. While at the Sioux Lookout airport it was stripped
of all unnecessary equipment. After the aircraft had been stripped it was flown
to Thunder Bay. While there a cargo door and the upper hatch were installed.
ZQR was repainted in the Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise paint scheme with the
wide gold stripe down the sides of the fuselage. This aircraft also had one unique
item in the paint scheme. The inboard sides of the vertical stabs were painted
red like all the other Beech's but the outboard sides of the vertical stabs were painted
gold.

One other feature that ZQR had was the plexi-glass bubble that was fitted to the top
of the Beech 18's for navigation equipment when in the air force was removed.
Instead of covering the opening with metal, a piece of flat plexi-glass was fitted to the
opening. This was the only Beech that Mr. Wieben had that I know of that had a
window in the ceiling.

When all the work was completed, ZQR was fitted with a brand new set of Bristol floats.

In late August 1971 CF-ZQR arrived in Sioux Lookout and began its life flying in the bush.
ZQR was normally always fitted with a boat rack. This Beech 18 served all of the
northern settlements and hauled a lot of hunters and fisherman. CF-ZQR was never
put onto skis in the winter. It was parked for the winter behind the office at the water
base in Sioux Lookout at the end of each float season.

CF-ZQR was always based in Sioux Lookout up until September 1974. I believe it went
to Pickle Lake after that but I am not sure about that.


A photo of CF-ZQR in Sioux Lookout at the dock. The aircraft had just arrived from
Thunder Bay after having the floats installed. To us this was a brand new Beech.
This photo was taken on a Sunday afternoon in late August 1971.

[beech 18]

Aug 21, 2012

Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from the late 1960's to 1974.

One small piece of information I missed about CF-ZQR.

All the aircraft carried the company name Superior Airways or Severn Enterprise
on the fuselage.

When ZQR arrived in late August of 1971 there was no company name painted
on the aircraft. It remained that way for the rest of the season and in the
spring of 1972 when the aircraft was being prepared for float season
" Fly Severn Sioux Lookout "
was painted on the fuselage above the cabin windows.

[squawk]

One of you ought to get in touch with Cathy Swanson in YXL. I rented a room in her basement and she was kind enough to show me Harry's 8mm collection of movies flying for Porky and Austins. She has a great collection of pics and video. Harry was a bush pilot if there ever was one. Liquid Charlie could back me up on this one! I posted a reply to this years ago but nobody has taken Cathy up on the offer! LCharlie send me a PM I want to know how your gig is going??

[beech 18]

September 13, 2012

Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from the late 1960's to 1974.

A bit of information about a few Beech 18's that operated on wheels only.

In the early 1970's Mr. Wieben purchased a number of Beech 18's from the
Canadian Forces.

Two of these were CF-ZQF and CF-ZQG. These two Beechs were flown from
Saskatoon to Sioux Lookout and then on to Armstrong. After arriving in Armstrong
the aircraft were pulled into the hangar and the engines were removed.
After removing the engines the aircraft were pushed outside. That was the last
time I saw either of these aircraft.
A year or two after they were flown to Armstrong I heard that at least one of them
was traded for a wrecked Beaver fuselage but I do not know if that is true or not.

CF-ZQH was another Beech 18 that arrived in Sioux Lookout from Saskatoon.
A group of pilots at Severn Enterprise and one or two of their friends had purchased
this Beech for themselves.
One small point about ZQH. When in Saskatoon before departing for Sioux Lookout
it was being run up and the right hand engine (I believe it was the right engine) broke
a connecting rod. It was an expensive set back for the guys who had purchased her.
When the aircraft arrived in Sioux Lookout it was painted in the Royal Canadian Air
Force paint scheme with the lightning bolt. The registration was spray painted on
the fuselage. The aircraft was cleaned up and modified for its new life. It remained
in the RCAF colours during its time in Sioux.
Because this Beech was only on wheels, it spent the summer months at the Sioux
Lookout airstrip and in the winter it operated off the ice runway in the bay.
One interesting fact about CF-ZQH. This Beech was one of the first medevac
aircraft in the area. Later other aircraft followed in the medevac roll but ZQH was
one of the very first in Sioux Lookout.
This aircraft eventually ended up in the Severn Enterprise / Superior Airways fleet.
I am not sure what became of CF-ZQH.

CF-ZMR was a Beech I saw only once. It was on the ice in the bay in Sioux Lookout.
I believe it was passing through Sioux on its way to Thunder Bay.
When I saw her she was painted in the RCAF colour scheme.
I am not sure what actullay became of this aircraft but after I left the company I heard
that it may have been involved in an accident in the Ft. Hope - Lansdown House area.
Again, I only heard that and cannot confirm that information.

That is just a bit of information about the Beech's that Mr. Wieben owned that were on
wheels only. There may have been some I missed or did not know about.
I did not include the Beech CF-VCE because that Beech also operated on straight skis
in the winter.


Photo taken on the ice in the bay in Sioux Lookout. I believe it is CF-ZMR on its way
to Thunder Bay. I cannot be 100% sure of that because I did not write the registration
of this aircraft on the back of the photo and it cannot be seen in the picture.
The Beech 18 in the background is CF-YQB that was parked each winter behind the
office because it never went on skis.

[beech 18]

Oct 06, 2012

Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from the late 1960's to 1974.

CF-WYR was a Beech 18 that was operated by Severn Enterprise. The aircraft
in the early years was painted in the Royal Canadian Air Force paint scheme with
the lightning bolt down the sides of the fuselage. The wing tips and tail were
painted a bright reflective orange. In 1970 the cartoon dog Snoopy was painted
on each side of the nose by an artist / painter who lived in Sioux Lookout.
In 1972 the wing tips and tail were repainted in bright red. In 1973 the aircraft
was repainted in Thunder bay in the Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise paint
scheme with the white top and the wide gold stripe down the sides of the fuselage.
The wing tips and tail remained bright red. Snoopy also remained on the nose of
the aircraft. The propellers were always painted black when I saw the aircraft.
The bottom of the floats were red.

CF-WYR was based in Sioux Lookout in the early years and later on based out of
Pickle Lake. The aircraft operated year round on floats and straight skis. Change
over from floats to skis on this Beech always took place in Sioux Lookout.
WYR was fitted with a cargo door. In the summer months the boat rack was
usually installed.
This Beech 18 did its share of hauling hunters and fisherman to remote lakes but it
was mainly a freighter moving heavy loads to all the northern settlements and
mining camps. It did its share of fish hauls as well. It spent time running out of
Wiebenville in the winter.

CF-WYR was one of two Beech's that Mr. Wieben owned that were equipped with
extended wing tips. The other Beech18 was CF-PRZ.

On this aircraft to disengage the water rudder steering from the rudder pedals when
the water rudders were pulled up for take-off,the pilot would pull the tail wheel lock
handle out on the pedestal. After landing the pilot would drop the water rudders
down and push the tail wheel lock handle in, kick the rudder pedals back and forth
and the water rudder steering would re-engage.

The heat for the cabin came from the exhaust tubes only.

In early spring of 1974 a spar mode was installed on WYR and the Beech continued
flying in the bush.

In the spring of I believe 1968 or 69, while operating on skis off the ice in Sioux lookout
the tail of the fuselage was damaged badly when the tail ski dropped into a hole in the
ice during the take-off run. The aircraft was repaired in Sioux lookout at the water
base.

In the summer of 1973 WYR was taking off on Abram Lake just south of Sioux Lookout
when it hit a submerged log. The right float started taking in water right away so the
pilot flying drove the aircraft onto a small sand beach on the north shore of the lake.
Inner tubes were inflated in two of the damaged compartments and the aircraft was
taxied over to the Department of Lands and Forest dock where there was a lifting
frame. The aircraft was lifted out of the water and the right float was replaced with
a spare float that was trucked up from Thunder Bay.

The last time I saw WYR was in the winter of 1975 / 76 when it came into Sioux Lookout
on skis and picked up an electrical generator for North Caribou Lake.

I am not sure who owned WYR after it left Mr. Wieben's fleet, but I heard she was
written off in the early 2000's somewhere in the Fort Frances area while landing on floats.
I don't know any of the details of the accident.
It would have been the end of a Beech 18 that had a very interesting working life.
Back in the late 1960's and 1970's she was sure a good looking aircraft on floats and skis.


Attached is a photo of CF-WYR taken in 1971 on skis on the ice in Sioux Lookout.
The aircraft is being heated with the herman nelson early in the morning for a flight
north. In the background is Beech 18 CF-ZQH that flew off the ice in the winter.