RCAF History Forum

[Tailwind W10]

I hope Tom will respond with some history...

CF-BLV is the Barkley-Grow T8P-1 currently on display in the Alberta Aviation Museum.
http://albertaaviationmuseum.com/index. ... &Itemid=41
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkley-Grow_T8P-1

No longer sporting the footboall on the ADF loop, I gather she's on loan from the Aerospace Museum of Calgary.

Gerry

[Moose47]

G'day Barney

NC14252 is a Consolidated Vultee V-1AD (s/n 18). It was bought by Mr. G. P. Fuller of Fuller Paints in 1935. The aircraft was sold to a buyer in Mexico in April, 1944 and registered as XA-DIL. It was later re-regsitered as XB-MEA.

Cheers...Chris

[Old Dog Flying]

The Barkley-Grow was owned by Harry Wherreat of Assiniboia Sask in the 1970s and was later sold to the Reynold's Museum. Harry's farm was across the road from the west end of rnwy 27 and we frequently landed there for a break from the low level cross-country training flights.

Harry passed away last year but his wife Ann is still living on the farm and I talked to her on New Years Day..a great lady who loved aviation.

Barney

[Moose47]

G'day Barney

CF-BLV was built in 1938.

From the 4th of April, 1939, the ownership of CF-BLV goes something like this.

Canadian Car & Foundry

Yukon Southern Air Transport

Canadian Pacific Airlines acquired the aircraft from Yukon Southern Air Transport and commenced flying it on the 23rd of December, 1943. It was given C.P.A.L. fleet number 212

H. R. Peets of Edmonton, Alberta bought it from C. P.A.L. on the 29th of November, 1949

Associated Airways (later bought by Pacific Western Airlines in November, 1956)

Pacific Western Airlines began operating the aircraft in April of 1956. It was damaged beyond repair during take-off on the 12th of January, 1960 at Peace River, Alberta.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day Barney

The pupil pilot of Tiger Moth s/n 4043 was R79641 L.A.C. Philip Edward Thompson Townsend from Balgonie, Saskatchewan, He was a student with No. 6 Elementary Flying Training School at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan The accident happened at 11:00 hours on the 2nd of March, 1941, ten miles south-east of No. 6 E.F.T.S. Townsend was severely injured, so the guy with the aircraft is not him.

Townsend recovered from his injuries, but sadly only to die on the 1st of March, 1943. Pilot Officer Townsend was the skipper of a Vickers Wellington bomber B. Mk. III with No. 420 Snowy Owl (B) Squadron. One of his wings collapsed causing the aircraft to crash near R.A.F. Station Leeming, Yorkshire, killing all onboard

Extracted from the Accident Record Cards

"Low gliding speed in a turn resulting in a spin. The aircraft was flying about 3,500 feet when the pilot put the aircraft in a spin: set the controls to come out of the spin, and the aircraft came out of the spin at about 3,000 feet. The pilot hen attempted to flatten out, but the aircraft did not respond".

Primary Cause
Failure of the pilot to make proper recovery from a spin.

Secondary Cause or Contributing Factors
The aircraft fell into a spiral following the spin and in that manner lost considerable height before recovery was made to a straight glide.

Recommendations
More instruction with respect to spirals, spins and particularly flat spins.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

This will bring back some good memories for you Barney.

A mix of Avro Lancaster Mk. 10MR's and Mk. 10MP's from No. 2 (Maritime) Operational Training Unit at R.C.A.F. Station Summerside, P.E.I. carry out a flypast in 1954.

No. 2 (Maritime) Operational Training Unit was formed on the 1st of November,1949 at R.C.A.F. Station Greenwood, Nova Scotia. The O.T.U. moved to R.C.A.F. Station Summerside, Prince Edward Island on the 14th of November 1953. As well as Lancasters, No. 2 (M) O.T.U. also used Dakotas and Expeditors. After the withdrawl of the Lancaster in the maritime role, the O.T.U. trained crews on the Lockheed Neptune and later Canadair CP-107 Argus.

The Lancaster versions used by No. 2 (M) O.T.U. included;

Lancaster Mk. X – basic bomber version when the O.T.U. was formed
Lancaster Mk. 10MR – Maritime Reconnaissance
Lancaster Mk. 10MP – Maritime Patrol
Lancaster Mk. 10N – Navigation Trainer

Here's a little bit of trivia. R.C.A.F. Station and later Canadian Forces Base Summerside's nickname was 'Slumberside'.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

A nice row of Canadian-built (Victory Aircraft) Lancaster B. Mk. X's from No. 419 'Moose' (B) Squadron at Middleton. St. George, Durham, England. The squadron operated the Lancaster from March, 1944 until the 31st of May, 1945. They flew their aircraft back to R.C.A.F. Station Yarmouth, Nova Scotia where they were to train before joining the Royal Air Force's Tiger Force in the Pacific.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Ground crew from No. 414 (P) Squadron based at R.C.A.F. Station Rockcliffe, Ontario carry out some work in a nose hangar up at Norman Wells, Yukon Territory. The squadron was equipped with the Douglas Dakota Mk. IIIP and Mk. IVP in the photographic role from 1st of April 1947 to the 1st of November,1950. No. 414 (P) Squadron was part of Air Transport Command's No. 22 (Photographic) Wing. The squadron was commanded by Squadron Leader R. F. Milne DFC (1st of April, 1947 - 19th of December, 1948) and Wing Commander B M Millar (20th of December, 1948 - 1st of November, 1950).

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Quiz time folks. Time to put the old thinking cap on.

I am a very famous pilot. Who am I?

Here are a few clues.

(1) I don't give a dam what you or anyone else thinks of me

(2) Its dark over Goose Bay

(3) A magician powered my plane

(4) animals live in these

"Good luck to you"

Cheers...Chris

P.S. I will post the picture tomorrow evening.

[Moose47]

G'day

Not much time left to answer.

I will post the answer and photo at 23:59 Zulu.

Cheers...Chris

[imarai]

So he flew a Rolls Royce Merlin powered aircraft, and had a name that may have included the words; sty, pen, barn, or corral. I've ruled out Cowboy Blatchford, Buzz Beurling, Douglas Bader, and Johnny Johnson. Buck McNair ? Just guessing...

[Moose47]

G'day imarai

Good guess.

I don't give a dam..... three dams in Germany were to be bombed by No. (B) 617 Squadron in the Rhur Valley.

Its dark over Goose Bay Goose Bay is in Labrador. A beer drinking black Labrador nicknamed '....'

A magician powered my plane – Merlin-powered aircraft

animals live in these – Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the bomb used to breach the dams

Which means our mystery aviator is Wing Commander Guy Gibson V.C.

The photo shows Guy Gibson and members of his squadron including the aforementioned beer drinking Black Labrador '...'. '...' was also the code word for the breaching of the Möhne dam. Unfortunately,the loveable K-9 was killed by a hit and run driver the morning before the operation later that evening.

Here is a 10 minute excerpt from the movie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCRIsjJFRNo

Cheers...Chris

[BD8]

"Which means our mystery aviator is Wing Commander Guy Gibson V.C."

Just read through his logbook (copy of) the other day............ quite entertaining !!

[Moose47]

G'day BD8

You may like to have a look at No. 617 Squadron's ORB's for 1943 to 1945.

http://www.dambusters.org.uk/docs/recordbook.pdf

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a painting of a Canadian Vickers Vedette Mk. VI. The full registration is G-CYWI
with the construction number CV163. It was later given the R.C.A.F. serial number 817.

The aircraft was taken on strength with the R.C.A.F. On the 13th of May, 1930 at R.C.A.F.
Station Vancouver, British Columbia.

It was assigned to the Vancouver Seaplane School at Jericho Beach, British Columbia on the
10th of May, 1930. The unit was also known as the Jericho Beach Sea Plane School.

Ottawa Air Station, Rockcliffe, Ontario.
It had two accidents while at Rockcliffe. The first one was on the 1st of August, 1934.
The pilot was Warrant Officer Kenny. No details are available but the aircraft was completely
re-built. The second accident took place on the 29th of September, 1935. The pilot was Flying
Officer West.

Air Navigation and Seaplane School - R.C.A.F. Station Trenton, Ontario.
The aircraft suffered an other accident. The wingtip floats and lower main plane were damaged
at Trenton on the 19th of July 1938. No other details were given.

No. 13 (Operational Training) Squadron – R.C.A.F. Station Sea Island, British Columbia.
On the 29th of August, 1940, the aircraft had a landing accident at Sea Island. It damaged a wing
tip float. No further details except that the aircraft was repaired.

Vedette s/n 817 was declared obsolete and approval for write-off given on the 4th of January,1941.
The aircraft was a free issue and accepted on behalf of the Youth Training School in Edmonton, Alberta
Mr. W. Cornell.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

All Eyes Skyward

The Ground Observer Corps was formed in 1951 as a means of supplementing the limited early warning system. They were, as their motto said, “The Eyes and Ears of Air Defence Command”. Considering there was no financial compensation, roughly 50,000 civilians from all walks of life volunteered. Observations towers sprang up like birds nests all across the country. They were manned on a 24-hour basis. If an observer spotted an aircraft, a call would be placed to a filter centre. The report would then be confirmed and then sent along to Air Defence Command. The reporting of aircraft movements was not the only service provided. Ground Observer Corp participation in search and rescue missions, greatly aided in many successful and happy endings.

A typical Ground Observer Corps unit or squadron would have a small staff of between four and seven regular R.C.A.F. personnel assigned to it. All units of the Ground Observer Corp located south of the 55th parallel were stood down on the 2nd of May 1960. The Ground Observer Corps north of the 55th parallel continued to operate until stood down on the 12th of January 1964.

Despite its relatively short existence, the Ground Observer Corps provided invaluable service to Air Defence Command. Everyone associated with this volunteer group can take a bow for doing their part to ensure the security of this country.

Ground Observer Corp Units/Squadrons

1 RCAF GobC Unit – Vancouver, British Columbia

5 RCAF GobC Unit – North Bay, Ontario

6 RCAF GobC Unit – Trois Riviere, Quebec

7 RCAF GobC Unit – Halifax, Nova Scotia

8 RCAF GobC Unit – St. John’s, Newfoundland * Disbanded in January, 1955

10 RCAF GobC Squadron – Vancouver, British Columbia

11 RCAF GobC Unit – Prince George, British Columbia

20 RCAF GobC Squadron– Edmonton, Alberta

50 RCAF GobC Squadron– North Bay, Ontario

51 RCAF GobC Squadron – Barrie, Ontario * The unit designator would be later given to the GobC
squadron formed at Winnipeg, Manitoba

52 RCAF GobC Squadron – London, Ontario

53 RCAF GobC Squadron – Brockville, Ontario

54 RCAF GobC Squadron – Peterborough, Ontario

60 RCAF GobC Squadron – St. Jerome, Quebec

61 RCAF GobC Squadron – Rimouski, Quebec

70 RCAF GobC Squadron – Truro, Nova Scotia

71 RCAF GobC Squadron – Moncton, New Brunswick

72 RCAF GobC Squadron – Gander, Newfoundland * Redesignated as 80 RCAF GobC Squadron in January 1955

The pin in the photo was given to all volunteers.

Although an American publication, the aircraft recognition book was 'the' guide used in Canada to identify friend and foe.

Cheers...Chris

[roscoe]

A minute-perfecr recreation of a Vedette exists in the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg. The story is posted below.



CF-MAG was built in 1929 and placed in storage until it was purchased by the Government of Manitoba in 1934, along with 5 ex-RCAF Vedettes (for $1 each) to be used for foreset fire patrols. In 1937, the engine of CF-MAG failed while on a flight to Cormorant Lake. The pilot touched down in a swamp, then walked to an area where he could be rescued. A week later, an attempt was made to retrieve the downed aircraft, but the swamp was too small to permit takeoff. After all the usable parts were salvaged, the ull was soaked with fuel and the Vedette set on fire.

A 22-YEAR ROAD TO REPLICATIONDecades later, our Museum’s retrieval team recovered the remains of this and two other Vedettes to guide the development of a replica. Museum volunteers pieced together information the three wreckages. Plans had to be re-drawn before construction could begin (the Vedette plant had since burned down so no original plans remained. Over 100 volunteers contributed to the build effort. Since CF-MAG contributed the bulk of information to the build, those are the letters which are painted on the hull. On May 24, 2002, a dedication was organized at the Museum for the opening of the Vickers Vedette exhibit.

This aircraft is the only example of this type in the world. Although it is airworthy, according to the standards of the late 1920s, it has not been certified as we do not plan to fly it.

[Moose47]

G'day roscoe.

It certainly is a beautiful restoration. I saw it just before it was put on public display.

The Royal Canadian Air Force's No. 1 (Operations) Wing was formed at Winnipeg, Manitoba on 1st of April 1925. It had formerly been formed as the Air Board, Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1921. The Wing was employed on civil government air operations such as forestry patrols. Sub-bases were located at Victoria Beach, Norway House, Cormorant Lake, and Lac du Bonnet.

While the parent organization was known as No. 1 (Operations) Wing, the flying elements were designated as 'A', 'B' and 'C' Flights. No. 1 (Operations) Wing's was disbanded on the 1st of July, 1927. All of its assets were transferred to the non-military Directorate of Civil Government Air Operations on the same day.

The aircraft used by No. 1 (Operations) Wing inclided

Vickers Viking Mk. IV
G-CYET - It crashed near Hilbre, Manitoba on the 11th of July 1927 when the fuselage failed and broke up in flight. The aircraft was destroyed

G-CYEU

G-CYEV - It caught a wave and dove under the water while making a landing at Cormorant Lake on the 3rd of October 1930. The aircraft was repaired

G-CYEX

G-CYEY

G-CYEZ

Avro 552A Viper (T.S. A.V.S.)
G-CYGB

G-CYGG

G-CYGI

G-CYGJ

Vickers Vedette Mk. II
G-CYGW

G-CYZO - It crashed near Lac Du Bonnet in a storm on the 10th of September 1929. The aircraft was destroyed.

GCYZN

G-CYZS

Vickers Varuna Mk. II
G-CYZT

G-CYZU

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day 1830

Flight Sergeant (later Warrant Officer 2nd Class) Stick's aircraft was one of 200 Lockheed Hudson Mk. I's in a block (N7205 – N7404) acquired by Great Britain through Lend-Lease. The Hudson Mk. I was the military version of the Lockheed 14-F62 airliner. It had a transparent nose cone and armed with two fixed position Browning 0.303 inch nose guns, a pair in a Boulton Paul dorsal turret and one in the ventral position. The aircraft was powered by a pair of 1,100 horsepower Wright R-1820 G1-02A Cyclone radial engines driving Hamilton-Standard two-position propellers. The Hudson Mk. I could carry 1,400 pounds of bombs or depth charges in its bomb bay. A total of 315 were built for the R.A.F. and designated the Model 214.

The original R.A.F. serial number for Stick's Hudson was N7370. It was a direct transfer to the Royal Canadian Air Force, meaning it went to Canada right from the factory. This Hudson was taken on strength with the R.C.A.F. on the 10th of February, 1940 and given the serial number 771. It was immediately assigned to Eastern Air Command's No. 11 'Flying Joe Boys' (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron at R.C.A.F. Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

While at Dartmouth, the squadron conducted a couple of detachments including four aircraft to R.C.A.F. Station Torbay (St. John's) Newfoundland from the 26th of November until the 31st of May 1942. The second detachment consisted of two aircraft flying out of Mont-Joli, Quebec from the 12th May to the 11th of June 1942. The detachment at Torbay became the nucleus of No. 145 (BR) Squadron which was formed on the 30th of May, 1942 under the command of Squadron Leader R. H. Batty. At the time of Flight Sergeant Stick's death, the squadron was commanded by Squadron Leader E. M. Willams DFC.

On the 14th of February, 1943, the crew of Hudson 771 were on a night navigation and transport flight from R.C.A.F. Station Torbay to R.C.A.F. Station Dartmouth when they disappeared. The aircraft and the remains of the six service men were found by a hunting party in dense forest on the 6th of November, 1944. They crashed just 11 short miles (in the vicinity of Lake Echo) from their intended destination.

The crew of the ill-fated Hudson were:

Pilot – J21312 Pilot Officer Thomas Albert Kidd Watterson, R.C.A.F. From Manotick, Ontario

W.A.G. - R84753 Flight Sergeant James Robin Stick, R.C.A.F. from St. John's, Newfoundland. * W.A.G. - Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

Navigator - R104858 Flight Sergeant Robert Cecil Rolfe, R.C.A.F. From Huntingdon, Quebec

Passenger - C8747 F/L John Thomas Hook, R.C.A.F. from Bridgeport, Connecticut
Signals Officer with No. 1 Landline Maintenance Unit. Note: His wife Elizabeth is from my hometown of Brockville, Ontario

Passenger - C9632 Flying Officer William Hector Thompson, R.C.A.F. from Ottawa, Ontario. Signals Officer with No. 1 Landline Maintenance Unit. He was heading to Halifax for a conference then to Ottawa on leave to visit with family members.

Navigator - 1st Lieutenant Eugene E. Snell, 21st SIG. SUC. Co., United States Army from Boone County, Missouri.

It was disclosed in the accident investigation dated the 13th of April, 1943, that Pilot Officer Watterson failed to carry out pre-take off instructions to land at R.C.A.F. Station Sydney, Nova Scotia if bad weather was encountered. It was concluded that perhaps due to snow and icing conditions coupled with poor visibility, the aircraft became lost and eventually ran out of fuel.

Note: These findings were 18 months before the aircraft was found.

Pilot Officer Thomas Albert Kidd Watterson peacefully rests in Plot G. 5 of the Kars Cemetery, in Kars, Ontario

On the 17th of November, 1944, Warrant Officer 2nd Class Stick and Flight Lieutenant Hook were laid to rest at the Mount Hermon Cemetery in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia They peacefully rest in Lot 1, Block G, Graves ` and 2 respectively. Note: They were promoted to the next highest rank after their deaths

1st Lieutenant Eugene E. Snell peacefully rests in Plot 12, 7097 of Little Rock National Cemetery in Pulaski County, Arkansas.

Flight Sergeant Robert Cecil Rolfe peacefully rests in the St. Joseph's Parish Cemetery in Huntingdon, Quebec.

Flying Officer William Hector Thompson peacefully rests in the Lakeview Cemetery in Madoc, Ontario.

Cheers...Chris

P.S. Please see 1st Lieutenant Snell's picture below the silver Hudson model by Barney (Old Dog Flying). I can only post three photos at a time )-:

[Old Dog Flying]

Then there was the Hudson that was converted to a VIP transport and operated on the west coast. I believe that it was later sold by war Assets to a start-up airline.