RCAF History Forum

[shitdisturber]

What sidestick said, minus the question marks.

[Colonel Sanders]

My Dad's CO (Blackie Williams, I think it was) killed a
guy riding a bicycle across the runway at Gibraltar,
landing a T-33. It's kind of a weird place.

[JMACK]

Back in the T-Bird days I bet there was no wigwags.

I sat at anchor off the end of that runway watching RAF Buccaneers doing their thing, 1978 on HMCS Protecteur. It was a pretty cool show!

More on the rock here!
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/11/gi ... rport.html

[Moose47]

G'day Colonel

Group Captain D. J. 'Blackie' Williams DSO, DFC, CD was the Commanding Officer of No. 1 (Fighter) Wing at Marville, France from the 25th of July, 1956 to the 18th of June, 1959

The aircraft you alluded to was a Canadair Silver Star (T-33) Mk. 3, s/n 21077 from No. 1 (F) Wing Headquarters Flight based at No. 1 (F) Wing, Marville, France

The Silver Star Mk. 3 made an emergency landing at Gibraltar on the 1st of August, 1956 due to a total electrical failure. No electricals, no heat. The cockpit frosted over. The aircraft stuck a cyclist crossing the runway and collapsed the starboard landing gear. It was later repaired.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day sidestick stirrer

You are correct sir. I will post a little bit of hsitory on the particular aircraft tomorrow.

Cheers...Chris

[CFR]

Thank you sir. Interesting still. I suspect since it was placed in the Experimental Category and it's fully aerobatic it might be pretty expensive to bring it back here.

Kind of a neat two seater from what I gather from the ad.

Beef

I missed this post the first time around. C-GSTH serial 2084 is back in Canada as C-GSTY. It is indeed a neat 2 seater and a blast to fly!

[Moose47]

G'day

The aircraft photographed on the 'Rock' is a Canadair North Star Mk. 1, s/n 17516. It was taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 17th of March, 1948. It came on strength with No. 426 'Thunderbird' (T) Squadron at R.C.A.F. Station Lachine (Dorval), Quebec on the 1st of April, 1948. At the time, the 'Thunderbirds' were under the command of Wing Commander Cecil George William Chapman DSO from Fredericton, New Brunswick.

North Star 17516 took part in 'Operation Hawk', the name given to the Korean Airlift. It also was took part in the airlift operation to the Belgian Congo between 1960 and 1962 where it transported U.N. troops and equipment.

No. 426 (T) Squadron disbanded at R.C.A.F. Station St. Hubert, Quebec on the 1st of September, 1962. North Star 17516 was transferred to No. 4 (T) Operational Training Unit at R.C.A.F. Station Trenton on the 26th of September, 1962. The unit took over North Star training and a North Star flight was formed. It was unofficially known as No. 213 Squadron which was one half of the former No. 426 Squadron. North Star 17516 was struck off strength with the R.C.A.F. on the 3rd of October, 1966.

Cheers...Chris

[Colonel Sanders]

G/C 'Blackie' Williams

That's him. A legendary WWII pilot and an incredible
post-WWII RCAF commander of fighter pilots.

They don't make men like him any more. A fine,
courageous man.

[beech 18]

August 27, 2013

Moose 47 a question for you.

Did you ever hear about the C-141 tankers for Canada.
I never heard about it before. Is it something that was considered?
I believe the CF-5's started operations in 1968. Was this an entry
into service consideration?

Thanks



Lower statement taken from the web. Unknown author.

Because of the obvious difficulties in rapidly deploying it's CF-5 fighters overseas in an emergency, Canada in 1967 tried to place an order for 4 Lockheed C-141 tanker aircraft. Lockheed turned down the order as uneconomical when they were switching to C-5 production, and the USAF also rejected a Canadian request for 8 C-141's because of the commitment in Southeast Asia. I would have thought the C-141 was an odd choice as the basis for a tanker, and I wondered if anyone had any further info?

[Beefitarian]

Thank you sir. Interesting still. I suspect since it was placed in the Experimental Category and it's fully aerobatic it might be pretty expensive to bring it back here.

Kind of a neat two seater from what I gather from the ad.

Beef

I missed this post the first time around. C-GSTH serial 2084 is back in Canada as C-GSTY. It is indeed a neat 2 seater and a blast to fly!

What plane were we talking about?

[Moose47]

G'day Beech 18

Pertaining to the potential purchase of the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter for service with the Canadian military.

The Canadian government placed an order for four Lockheed C-141A Starlifters. They were allotted a N.A.T.O. Stock Number and designated as the CC-141 Unfortunately, the production line had ceased and Lockheed would not re-open for anything less than six or eight airframes.

At the same time, five Boeing 707-347C’s suddenly became available. This allowed the Canadian Armed Forces to cancel the order for C-141A’s. The 707’s were purchased and re-designated as CC-137 in Canadian military service.

The R.C.A.F. issued a re-touched photo of a C-141A showing aerial refueling pods on the wing tips with two CF-5's plugged in.

The CC-141 Starlifter serial numbers were to be: 14101 to 14104

Cheers...Chris

[CFR]

Thank you sir. Interesting still. I suspect since it was placed in the Experimental Category and it's fully aerobatic it might be pretty expensive to bring it back here.

Kind of a neat two seater from what I gather from the ad.

Beef

I missed this post the first time around. C-GSTH serial 2084 is back in Canada as C-GSTY. It is indeed a neat 2 seater and a blast to fly!

What plane were we talking about?

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=84947&start=225

Midway down the page you asked about an aircraft (Slingsby Firefly) listed at controller.com I can confirm that it is a neat ride!

[Beefitarian]

Yeah, I kind of remember now. It looked pretty cool but likely an expensive proposition to return it here. I saw a musketeer for sale on controller recently. I'm a bum though so won't be buying any airplanes soon.

[beech 18]

August 27, 2013

Moose47

Thanks for the information regarding the C-141A Starlifters for Canada.
It's interesting that an order was actually placed and then cancelled
when the 707's became available. The 707's served the country well.

[hazatude]

Crosslinked from an old thread - viewtopic.php?f=54&t=45456&p=622763#p622763

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is my list of Canadians killed in the Battle of Britain while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy (Fleet Air
Arm) from the 10th of July – the 31st of October 1940.

Cheers...Chris

Pilot Officer R. W. G. Beley
Rossland, British Columbia
No. 151 (F) Squadron
Died of wounds on the 12th of August 1940 after combat the same day.
Age 20

Pilot Officer C. R. Bon Seingneur
Gull Lake, Saskatchewan
No. 257 ‘Burma’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 3rd of September 1940
Age 21

Pilot Officer J. G. Boyle
Casselman, Ontario
No. 41 (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 28th of September 1940
Age 26

Pilot Officer J. S. Bryson
West Mount, Quebec
No. 92 ‘East India’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 28th of September 1940
Age 27

Pilot Officer N. N. Campbell
St. Thomas, Ontario
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 17th of October 1940
Age 21

Sub-Lieutenant J. C. Carpenter, Royal Navy
Toronto, Ontario
No. 46 ‘Uganda’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 8th of September 1940
Age 21

Pilot Officer G. H. Corbett
Victoria, British Columbia
No. 66 (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 8th of October 1940
Age 20

Pilot Officer H. D. Edwards
Winnipeg, Manitoba
No. 92 ‘East India’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 11th of September 1940
Age 24

Flying Officer R. L. Edwards
Cobourg, Ontario
No. 1 (RCAF) Fighter Squadron
Killed in action on the 26th of August 1940
Age 28

Pilot Officer W. M. L. Fiske
Montreal, Quebec
No. 601 ‘County of London’ (F) Squadron
Died on the 17th of August 1940 of wounds sustained in combat the previous day.
Age 29

Flight Lieutenant H. R. Hamilton
Oak Point, New Brunswick
No. 85 (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 29th of August 1940
Age 23

Pilot Officer D. A. Hewitt
Moncton, New Brunswick
No. 501 ‘County of Gloucester’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 12th of July 1940
Age 20

Pilot Officer R. A. Howley
Victoria, British Columbia
No. 141 (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 19th of July 1940
Age 20

Pilot Officer J. T. Johnston
Brandon, Manitoba
No. 151 (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 15th of August 1940
Age 26

Pilot Officer J. A. P. Laricheliere
Montreal, Quebec
No. 213 ‘Ceylon’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 16th of August 1940
Age 20

Flight Lieutenant W. H. Nelson DFC & Bar
Mount Royal, Quebec
No. 74 ‘Trinidad’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 1st of November 1940
Age 21

Flying Officer O. J. Peterson
Halifax, Nova Scotia
No. 1 (RCAF) Fighter Squadron
Killed in action on the 27th of September 1940
Age 24

Pilot Officer H. W. Reilly
London, Ontario
No. 66 (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 17th of October 1940
Age

Pilot Officer K. M. Schlanders
Saint John, New Brunswick
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 9th of September 1940
Age

Flying Officer R. Smither
London, Ontario
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 15th of September 1940
Age 30

Pilot Officer A. A. G. Trueman
Toronto, Ontario
No. 253 ‘Hyderabad’ (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 4th of September 1940
Age 26

Sergeant R. A. Ward
Vancouver, British Columbia
No. 66 (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 8th of October 1940
Age 20

Pilot Officer R. R. Wilson
Moncton, New Brunswick
No. 111 (F) Squadron
Killed in action on the 11th of August 1940
Age 20

Photo Caption:

Fill’er Up

An ‘erk’ refuels a No. 1 (R.C.A.F.) Fighter Squadron Hurricane Mk. I.

[Old Dog Flying]

Thanks Chris

Per Ardua Ad Astra

Barney

[Moose47]

G'day

This is a Victory Aircraft-built Avro Lancaster B. Mk. X converted to a Mk. 10MR maritime reconnaissance Lancaster.. At the time of this accident at R.C.A.F. Station Trenton, Ontario on the 15th of January, 1952, AF*L was serving with No. 404 'Eagle' (MR) Squadron based at R.C.A.F. Station Greenwood, Nova Scotia. Today you would recognize this aircraft as the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. But what you might not know, is that the centre section used in the restoration of FM213, was removed from another Canadian-built Lancaster, s/n KB895. This aircraft was flown by Ronnie Jenkins of Calgary, Alberta from the 2nd of April, 1945 onwards, while serving with No. 434 'Bluenose' (B) Squadron . He flew a total of 15 operations which included five in KB213 which he and his crew nicknamed 'Lady Orchid'.

Cheers...Chris

[JMACK]

Moose any chance you got a picture of the 141 done in CF livery?

[Moose47]

G'day JMack

I'm looking around to see if I can find the photo. From what I can remember about it, it was standard white top with bare metal lower fuselage with red outer wing panels and the typical lightning bolt

Cheers...Chris

[JMACK]

Would be cool to see for sure! I was at an air show at Detroits Willow Run Airport and a 141 just about stole the show mind you I was young and easily impressed with bat shit crazy but ever since been a bit of a 141 lover.

J

[Moose47]

‘Wally’

By Chris Charland
R.C.A.F. Historian

Squadron Leader Henry Wallace 'Wally' McLeod D.F.C. and Bar, D.S.O. was born on the 17th of December 1915 to James Archibald and Hannah Elizabeth McLeod (nee Morris), of Regina, Saskatchewan. He began his military life as a member of both the 5th Saskatchewan Regiment and Regina Rifle Regiment between 1928 and 1934. Prior to enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 2nd of December 1940, Wally taught school.

He trained at No.2 Initial Training School in Regina and graduated on the 27th of November. From there, Wally proceeded to No.6 Elementary Flying Training School at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. And later graduated on the 16th of January 1941. He was selected to go to No.1 Service Flying Training School at Borden, Ontario. Upon graduating on the 1st of April 1941, Wally was posted overseas and arrived in the United Kingdom on the 9th of May 1941. After further flying training, he was posted to No.132 'City of Bombay' (F) Squadron at R.A.F. Station Skaebrae, Orkneys. Wally flew Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I's there from 21st of July into August 1941.

Wally was posted to the New Zealand-manned No.485 (F) Squadron at R.A.F. Station Redhill, Surrey on the 28th of August 1941. The unit flew the Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb. Wally left the squadron on the 2nd of December 1941. His next posting was to the Spitfire Mk.Vb-equipped No.602 'City of Glasgow' (F) Squadron at R.A.F. Station Kenley, Surrey. He flew with the squadron from the 2nd of December to the 23rd of December 1941. Wally next went to the Royal Canadian Air Forces's No.411 'Grizzly Bear' (F) Squadron at R.A.F. Station Hornchurch, Essex. He flew Spitfire Mk.Vb's and fought alongside his fellow Canadians from the 23rd of December 1941 to the 5th of May 1942. During his time with the 'Canucks', No.411 (F) Squadron relocated to R.A.F. Station Southend, Essex on the 7th of March 1942.

Wally was posted to No.603 'City of Edinburgh' (F) Squadron and duty on Malta effective the 3rd of June 1942. No.603 (F) Squadron operated Spitfire Mk.Vc's from Ta Kali. It was constant action for the island defenders. The Axis powers were relentless in their aerial assaults up on the tiny island nation. The stress of seemingly non-stop attacks by the Germans and Italians strained the Allied pilots to their limits. By the end of June 1942, Wally reported to Luqa on Malta for flying duties with No.1435 Flight. This unit operated the Spitfire Mk.Vb and Mk.Vc during his tenure there. The flight was expanded to a full squadron on the 2nd of August 1942 after the disbandment of Wally's previous unit No.603 (F) Squadron.

Wally fought alongside such legendary pilots like the 'Falcon of Malta' Flight Lieutenant George 'Buzz' Beurling of Verdun, Quebec. Malta was a great hunting ground for Wally as he bagged 13 enemy aircraft. It was in Malta that he displayed, much to the dismay of the enemy, his remarkable skills in combat. For one particular engagement, Wally was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation reads:

McLeod, F/L Henry Wallace (J4912)
Distinguished Flying Cross - No.1435 Squadron award effective 3 October 1942 as per London Gazette dated 13 October 1942 and A.F.R.O. 1690/42 dated 23 October 1942.

"In September 1942, this officer participated in an engagement against at least 20 Messerschmitt Bf-109's. Despite the odds, Flight Lieutenant McLeod so skillfully led his section during the combat that the enemy force was completely broken up. This officer has always displayed the greatest determination to engage the enemy and has destroyed at least five and damaged a number of other hostile aircraft. His leadership has been most inspiring."

Wally left Malta on the 27th of October for the United Kingdom but not before receiving a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation reads:

McLeod, F/L Henry Wallace (J4912)
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.1435 Squadron
Award effective 22 October 1942 as per London Gazette dated 3 November 1942
and A.F.R.O. 1962/42 dated 4 December 1942:

"One day in October 1942, this officer took part in an attack on a formation of six Junkers Ju-88's and shot two of them down. Although his aircraft was damaged in the combat, he led his section in an attack on another formation of nine enemy bombers. Afterwards, he skillfully flew his damaged aircraft to base. During a period of five days Flight Lieutenant McLeod destroyed five enemy aircraft in the defence of Malta. A gallant fighter, this officer has destroyed twelve and damaged many more enemy aircraft."

On the 20th of December 1942, Wally found himself heading back to Canada for a posting to No.1 Operational Training Unit at R.C.A.F. Station Bagotville, Quebec. While there, he taught future fighter pilots the valuable lessons he learned in Malta on Canadian-built Hawker Hurricanes. On the 23rd of December 1943, Wally assumed command of No.127 (F) Squadron from Squadron Leader P.A. Gilbertson. The squadron flew Canadian-built Hawker Hurricane Mk.XII's on East Coast air defence duties from R.C.A.F. Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Wally would have the distinction of being the squadron's last Commanding Officer. His command came to an end on the 8th of February 1944.

In late 1943, No.127 (F) Squadron had been selected as last of six Home War Establishment fighter squadrons for duty overseas. It was subsequently renumbered as No.443 'Hornet' (F) Squadron at R.A.F. Station Digby, Lincolnshire on the 8th of February 1944. Squadron Leader Wally McLeod assumed command of the new unit on the same day. When Wally came back England, he made no secret of his desire to surpass 'Buzz' Beurling as Canada's top-scoring pilot. This was noted by Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson who assumed command of the R.C.A.F.'s No.144 Wing, Second Tactical Air Force on the 8th of March 1944. The Spitfire Mk.IXb-equipped Wing was comprised of No.441 'Silver Fox' (F) Squadron, No.442 'Caribou' (F) Squadron and No.443 'Hornet' (F) Squadron. "He was a cool-eyed, alert man of 28. The first time I met him he moved about the room restlessly. He had the reputation of being a deadly shot, very fast on the draw. A killer I there ever was one, I thought. Might be inclined to stick his neck out too far, I'll watch him." (Johnnie Johnson)

The Wing's first aerial victory came on the 19th of April 1944. A combined force of 27 Spitfires from No.'s 442 and 443 Squadrons led by Wing Commander Johnnie Johnson, flew close escort for one of three formations of U.S.A.A.F Ninth Air Force B-26 Marauder medium-bombers which attacking marshalling yards at the small Flemish town Malines in Belgium. The Wing then swept the Venlo-Gilze region of the Netherlands. Wally shot down a Dornier 217 flying at 100 feet west of Diest, Belgium. Wally added more victories to his credit as the Wing worked its way across the continent after D-Day, closer to Germany and ultimate victory. He received the Distinguished Service Order in September 1944. The citation reads:

McLeod, S/L Henry Wallace, D.F.C. (J4912)
Distinguished Service Order - No.443 (F) Squadron
Award effective 5 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and A.F.R.O. 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944.

This officer continues to display the highest standard of courage and resolution in air operations. He is an exceptional leader and a relentless fighter whose achievements are worthy of the highest praise. He has destroyed seventeen enemy aircraft."

Fate finally caught up with Wally on the afternoon of the 27th of September 1944. He and his squadron accompanied by Johnnie Johnson, were on patrol between Arnhem and Nijmegen in the Netherlands. Wally was flying Spitfire s/n NH245. There was a heavy cloud base at 12,000 feet but the visibility was excellent. They flew along at the base of the clouds for a while when a formation of nine Luftwaffe Bf-109's was spotted 4,000 feet below. The Germans were in two small line-abreast sections, one of five aircraft and the other of four. Wally dove towards the starboard gaggle. The leader of the enemy starboard formation pulled his aircraft into a vertical climb. This was a standard maneuver that saw the aircraft half-roll on the top of his loop gaining vital altitude. The pilot would then aileron-turn his aircraft down in a fast dive to position himself for the attack. Johnson was engaged in his own duel but was able to warn Wally "watch that brute Wally, he's coming in!"

That was the last time that anyone saw Wally alive. His body was found in the wreckage of his Spitfire after the war north-west of Wesel, Germany. He is buried in the War Cemetery at Rheinburg, Germany. Squadron Leader Henry Wallace 'Wally' McLeod's did achieve his goal as Canada's top scoring ace. His final tally was 21 confirmed kills, one probable and 9 1/4 damaged.

[Moose47]

This Month in Royal Canadian Air Force History

by Chris Charland
R.C.A.F. Historian

Aircraft Taken on Strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force in October

DAY YEAR TYPE TOTAL

07 1924 Sopwith 1F.1 Camel 3
20 1927 Fairchild FC-2 15
01 1929 Fairchild FC-2L 6
07 1929 Fairy IIIF Mk. IV GP 1
10 1929 Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker 1
17 1929 Curtis-Reid Rambler Mk.II 2
11 1933 Hawker Audax 1
15 1936 Blackburn Shark Mk.II 7
29 1937 Avro 626 12
23 1939 Lockheed 10-A 15
27 1939 Fleet Model 16R Finch Mk.1 27
21 1940 Handley Page H.P. 54 Harrow Mk.1 2
25 1941 Douglas DB-7B Boston Mk.III 1
12 1942 Fleet Model 50K Freighter 2
18 1954 Sikorsky S-55 (H-19) 15
05 1960 Lockheed C-130B Hercules 4
13 1961 McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo 56
13 1961 McDonnell CF-101F Voodoo 10

Aircraft Struck Off Strength In the Month of October

DAY YEAR TYPE

30 1928 Avro 504K
22 1934 Keystone Puffer
08 1935 de Havilland DH-75A Hawk Moth
19 1935 Hawker Audax
28 1936 Fairchild KR-34
30 1936 Avro 616 Avian Mk.IVM Major
12 1943 Hawker Hind
04 1944 Bristol Type 152 Beaufort Mk.1
24 1944 Westland Wapiti Mk.IIA
03 1945 Fairchild F-24R Argus
05 1946 Fairchild 51
15 1947 Waco PG-2A Glider
03 1966 Canadair CL-2 North star Mk.1

The Plan
On the 10th of October, 1939, an announcement was made stating that Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia were in principle agreement to the establishment of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

Crying Wolf
R.C.A.F. Squadron Leader J.D. 'Doug' Lindsay was no stranger to aerial combat. As a Spitfire pilot with 403 'Wolf' Fighter Squadron, he was awarded the coveted Distinguished Flying Cross after shooting down three Bf-109s in a single sortie. He would end the war with seven aircraft destroyed and five damaged.

Between November 1950 and July 1953, Lindsay was one of 22 Canadian pilots attached to the United States Air Force flying combat missions in Korea. He flew North American F-86 Sabres with the 39th Fighter Interceptor Squadron-51st Fighter Interceptor Wing-Fifth Air Force. By Lindsay's 20th mission he was affectionately known as 'MiG Magnet'. This moniker stemmed from the five previous engagements with North Korean MiG 15's. After his 20th sortie, Lindsay was given a bottle of 'Mission Whiskey' and made a Flight Leader. Up to this point Lindsay's record was two MiG 15's damaged, both on the 5th of September 1952.

On October the 11th, Lindsay, flying his 29th mission, was leading a flight of four Sabres on patrol when he noticed 12 MiG 15's above him. As he applied power to climb into the Communist jets, the MiG 15's tried to cut the Sabres off from their base. Lindsay singled out the four trailing aircraft and led his flight into the enemy formation. In the ensuing melee he bagged one MiG, which turned out to be the third of the day for the 39th FIS and sixth of the day by all Sabres sorties. Lindsay was to damage another MiG on the 25th of October and shoot down a second North Korean jet during his 49th sortie on the 26th of November after an encounter with 21 Red bandits. Squadron Leader Lindsay left Korea after flying 70 combat sorties for a total of 73 flying hours. For his courage and leadership, the 'MiG Magnet' was awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross.

A Big Lifter
The famous Lockheed C-130 Hercules was formally introduced into the R.C.A.F. on the 5th of October with four 'B' model aircraft serial numbers 10301, 10302, 10303 and 10304 going to R.C.A.F. Station Namao, Alberta's No.435 'Chinthe' Transport Squadron. They replaced the squadron’s faithful but aging Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcars as its premiere heavy hauler.

Happy Anniversary
The first of 190 Canadair built CL-41A jet training aircraft was officially named the Tutor by Mrs. Dunlap, wife of Air Marshal C.R. Dunlap CBE CD Chief of Air Staff, at a ceremony held at Canadair's Cartierville, Quebec plant on the 29th of October, 1963. The first production Tutor was handed over by Canadair president Mr. J.G. Notman to Deputy Minister of National Defence E.B. Armstrong, who then turned the aircraft, serial number 26001, to A/M Dunlap.

Europe’s Finest
On October 1 1952, No.1 Air Division or simply known as the 'Air Div' was formed as part of the 4th Allied Tactical air Force with temporary headquarters on the Avenue Montaigne just off the champs-Elysees in Paris, France. A new permanent home was found at the Chateau de Mercy near Metz. At it's pinnacle, the Air Division consisted of 12 squadrons (8 flying the Canadair Sabre in the day interceptor role and four flying the Avro CF-100 Canuck in the all weather role)

The squadrons were divided between four Wings:
No.1 (Fighter) Wing Marville, France
No.2 (Fighter) Wing Grostenquin, France
No.3 (Fighter) Wing Zweibruken Germany
No.4 (Fighter) Wing Baden-Soellingen Germany.

Also supporting the Air Division was No.30 Air Material Base at Langar near Nottingham, England and 61 Aircraft Control and warning Squadron based a short distance from the Air Division's headquarters at Metz, France

As of October 1 1962, slightly more than 6,400 RCAF personnel were assigned to No.1 Air Division, plus some 270 more at various higher NATO formations. It is estimated that roughly 25,000 Canadian officers, airmen and airwomen served in Europe in the preceding decade since No.1 Air Division's inception.

Photo Captions:

A Canadiar-built Sabre Mk. 5 s/n 23192 fron No. 416 'Black Lynx' (F) Squadron. The squadron was part of No. 2 (F) Wing based at Grostenquin, France. The 'Black Lynx' operated the Sabre Mk. 5 overseas from March, 1954 to May, 1955 until superceded by the Canadair Sabre Mk. 6.

The Canadair CT-114 Tutor enters R.C.A.F. service

A C-130B from No. 435 'Chinthe' (T) Squadron based at R.C.A.F. Namao, Alberta, carries out a paradrop sorttie somewhere over the Canadian Prairies.

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a Curtiss-Reid Rambler Mk. II carrying the Canadian government registration G-CYXC. It was built by the Curtiss-Reid Aircraft Company of Cartierville, Quebec. This aircraft was one of two of the type taken on strength by the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 17th of October, 1929. While still on strength with the R.C.A.F., it was given the Canadian civil aircraft registration CF-CDY on the 7th of March, 1932. It was later loaned to the Brandon Flying Club on the 26th of March, 1934.

G-CYXC was damaged beyond repair on the 12th of July, 1934 at Napinka, Manitoba after the pilot stalled it while taking off from a framer's field. It was struck off strength on the 18th of September, 1936 from the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Incidentally, Napinka is located is the extreme south-west corner of Manitoba.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a Lockheed Hudson Mk. III, s/n BW628 from No. 122 (Composite) Squadron based at R.C.A.F. Station Patricia Bay (now Victoria International Airport), British Columbia. It was acquired through Lend-Lease (Requisition No. 62, 2467 and Contract No. DA-5).

Hudson s/n BW628 was taken on strength with the R.C.A.F.'s Eastern Air Command at Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 5th of February, 1942. It was immediately allocated to No. 31 Operational Training Unit at Debert, Nova Scotia. While at Debert, it was involved in one minor accident. On the 26th of June, 1942, it sustained Category C5 damaged after the pilot Sergeant E. L. Downey, taxied into Hudson s/n BW437. Downey's aircraft struck the port elevator while he was preparing to depart for a night time solo flight

Hudson s/n BW628 was put into storage on the 22nd of May, 1944. On the 9th of December, 1944, it was transferred to No. 122 (Composite) Squadron at R.C.A.F. Station Patricia Bay, B.C. The squadron was known as the 'Flying Joe Boys' and also to a lesser extent, the 'Flying Nightmares'. On the 13th of March, 1945 it was sent out for Air Sea Rescue modifications. Note the air droppable life boat it is carrying. When released, it descended by parachute. The aircraft was later equipped in December, 1945 with ASV (Air-to-Surface Vessel) radar.

This Hudson was taken off strength with the R.C.A.F. on the 14th of December, 1948 and disposed of by War Assets.

Cheers...Chris