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Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995

The NetLetter #1196

The NetLetter

For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)


February 25, 2012 - Issue 1196

 
First Issue published in October 1995!
(over 5,400 subscribers)
In This Issue
Bomber Command
Reader Submitted...Photos
Our first 75 years
Reader Submitted...Photos
TCA/Air Canada People Gallery
Alan's Space
Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc
Reader's Feedback
Odds and Ends
Terry's Trivia
Smileys
Web Site Information

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Greetings!
Terry Baker
Welcome to the NetLetter!

We welcome you to allow the NetLetter to be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC, Wardair. etal. and share your experiences with us!

Terry Baker and the NetLetter Team
Bomber Command Veterans Monument
Bomber CommandFraser Muir has asked if we would place a notice about the special unveiling of the Bomber Command Monument in London on June 28, 2012.
 
"After 67 years a National Memorial has been constructed in London, England through the efforts of Robin Gibbs (Bee Gees). It will be unveiled on June 28th, to honor the 55,573 young men killed in WW2 from the Bomber Command. Included in this number are 9,980 Canadians". 
Hopefully this message will reach some of the Canadian Veterans or their families so they can plan to participate in the unveiling.  

 

Provisional Plan of Events on Thursday, 28 June, 2012:
  • 0900 Gates Open, Refreshments available in 'Memorial' area
  • 1115 Guests to seats
  • 1200 HMTQ Arrives through Green Park. Service Commences
  • 1200 - 1230 Dedication Service
  • 1240 - 1300 VIP Departures
  • 1300 - 1500 Wreath Laying at memorial, Veterans to visit memorial, entertainment in Salute Area
  • 1500 Event Concludes

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are expected to attend. After the Service it is expected they will want to meet with veterans, in particular CAN and NZ Veterans.

 

For further information please contact Fraser Muir directly at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

See:  

for further information.

Reader Submitted Photos - Compiled by Terry Baker

Readers PhotosReader Submitted Photos -  The photos and information below have been submitted to us by our faithful readers.  


We welcome photos of interest from our readers. Please check your cupboards and shoe boxes. We bet you have some excellant photos lying around! If you do, send them to us and we will consider them for publication in a future NetLetter. We prefer photos that are of good quality of Air Canada and Canadian Airlines and their historical fleet and employees, with descriptive text and names (whenever possible) included with the submission.

Image Blank 200px Jack Stephens from the Vickers Viscount Network sent us this information along with the photo taken in the early 60's - 

This time, a photo I have never seen before. Note the Vanguard at the blast fence. A rare photo in having a DC-8, several Viscounts, a DC-3 and the Vanguard. Might be some material for interested NetLetter Winnipeg vets.

Image Blank 200pxJim Bruce had sent the photo to Don Edwards, and this was his comment regarding the aircraft at the blast fence. 

 

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the memories, could it be that some clever camera jock captured the shot from an aircraft landing on the runway... I think it was 31.? Also could the airccraft at the blast fence be one of the last North Stars? To me it just doesn't seem to have the sleek line of the cockpit window/nose.

 

It's a challenge at that distance. just a guess! Yes, those were the days.

 

Regards  Don.

 
Our first 75 years - Compiled by Terry Baker

AC 75 Years Anniversary1964 - May 1st - Inauguration of ARCH (Airline Baggage Recovery Clearance House) to assist in the recovery of lost luggage.

1956 - Feb -  Order for 11 Vickers Viscount aircraft placed.

1957 - May - Order for 13 Vickers Viscount aircraft placed.

Image Blank 200px1977 - April - The company celebrated its 40th anniversary. Here are scans of the North American and International timetables.

Image Blank 200px1984

- April 29th - Service commenced to Munich

- May 1st - Service commenced to Geneva. 

1992

- Aug 27th - Together with Air Partners L.P. made a bid for a controlling interest in Continental Airlines Holdings Inc topping bids by two rival bidders.

Air Canada News

Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges" totals are now shown at the beginning of booking process.

 

As we move towards all-in pricing, the Canadian edition of www.aircanada.com now displays a "taxes, fees, charges and other surcharges" total when scrolling over the base fares, giving consumers a good estimate of the overall price of their selected travel at the beginning of their booking process.

 

The detailed breakdown of itemized taxes, fees and other charges continues to be listed separately prior to booking completion. (Source: The Daily)  

TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker
 
TCA/Air Canada  LogoBelow we have musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, Air Canada publications from years gone by, as well as various in-house publications.

The NetLetter has been fortunate enough to have our readers donate vintage Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada publications from as far back as 1941 to share with you. These have been scanned and are being prepared for presenting in a special area of the ACFamily Network for archival and genealogy research.

Image Blank 200px From the January 1st 1960  T.C.A. timetable donated by Bev Cotton -
Here is an advert for the new Viscount service to Florida.

During a flight from Chicago to Toronto on June 10th 1956, the Viscount threw a propeller blade through the cabin, out the other side and damaging the engine. Both starboard side engines were shut down, and Capt D.Smuck made a successful emergency landing with just the two port engines operational.
Issue dated - November 1963
Gleanings from the "Between Ourselves" magazine -

Image Blank 200px PARTICIPANTS of the effective speaking course from Telephone Sales and Records sections of Toronto reservations are, from the left: (back row) Dick Thompson, "Chuck" Campbell, John Mundell, Dave Barnes, Bell Bishop, Dennis Vance, Dave Todd, Jim McCavitt, Carol Vivyan, Pat O'Mally, Ron Bolton,  

Telephone Sales Supervisor and conductor of the course;

 

(Front row) Rick Nannini, Ron Bewes, Gerry Boyle, Derek Milner, and Norm Danton. Four effective speaking classes have been organized in Toronto for beginners and advanced speakers.


Image Blank 200px "Your future in Aerospace" was the theme of a presentation given by the panel of employee speakers at the Northern Secondary School in Toronto. The Company has placed teams of panel speakers in more than 50 secondary schools across Canada.

 

Stressing the increasing importance of education in a dynamic society, these presentations have been received enthusiastically by educators as an effective method of curtailing early school drop-outs. Chatting with Northern Secondary School principal, Mr. G. H. Rowson (right), the panelists are, from the left: Harvey Malcolm, Sale Training Supervisor; Ed Nevins, Maintenance Training Assistant; Stewardess Jo-Anne Ridler; Captain Don Lowry, chairman of the panel; Stewardess Shelly Brownlee; and Captain Frank Chowhan.

Issue dated - August 1975
From the "Horizons" magazine -

Image Blank 200px Canada's participation in the 1975 Paris Air Show was enhanced by a team of specially selected employees from the P.V.M. and Paris offices.

 

Shown at the De Havilland display standing behind a model of the new Dash 7 STOL aircraft are, from the left: Barry Baker; Johanne de Villers, Bilingual Development; Francoise de Broin, Marketing Communications; Dominique Pace, Bilingual Development; Martine Brldoux, District Sales, Paris; Emma lonata, Public Relations, Danlelle Jaster, Personnel & Org. Development; Jean LePottier, Public Relations, Paris; Perry Smith, Public Relations; Doris Taylor, Montreal Airports and Val Weekes, Finance.


Image Blank 200px Friends from across the system paid tribute to Archie Murphy, District Manager,  Northern Ireland and his wife Jean on the occasion of retirement. Some in attendance were, standing from the left: Gil Paton, and Ian Gardner, Montreal; Johnny Johnston, and Bill Holman, Prestwick; Archie; Bill McLellan, Prestwick; Crawf Burns, John Clowes and Henry Thow, Montreal.

 

Seated from the left are: Joyce Paul, Glasgow; Mary Doran and Jean Barbara Barrington, Belfast; and Jane Thow.


Image Blank 200px Job safety, accident reporting and investigation were the subjects of the first of a series of courses to be introduced at the Dorval Maintenance Base. The session was designed to assist supervisory personnel in reporting and accident investigation procedures and highlighted accident prevention responsibilities.


Graduates of the inaugural course are, standing from the left: Rene Vallee, Foreman, Tony Manzo, Chemist; Charlie Nicholas, Chief Inspector, A. Gibault and Bob Stewart, Foremen and Alex Drennan, Supervisor, Maintenance Safety (instructor). Seated, from the left: Guy Charbonneau and Morris Fellows, General Foremen; John Collins, Foreman and E. Otto, General Foreman.

Alan's Space - by Alan Rust
Alan's Space*Special* Exclusive Video from 16mm reel from 1939
To help celebrate Air Canada's 75th Anniversary, we have a very rare video to present to you.
 
The video below is exclusive to the NetLetter and the ACFamily Network and was submitted in raw 16mm reel format to us by Captain John D. Gallagher, Air Canada, retired. He obtained it from Bill Amos, son of A.A. Amos who filmed the footage in 1939.
 
We were lucky to have an expert on both video and genealogy, Tom Grant, who volunteered to research and compile the information contained in the video below.
 
We believe this reference describes the flight on April 1, 1939.
 

Bearing the name Trans-Canada Air Lines, two twin engine, 10 passenger, Lockheed 14H2 aircraft lifted off runways at Montreal and Vancouver on April 1, 1939 with flight plans calling for a 2-500-mile transcontinental journey. These were the first scheduled trips from Eastern Canada to the West Coast and from West to East.


The eastern section of the Westbound flight was flown by Captain T.F.K. Edminson with F/O Frank I. Young. Taking over for the western section was Captain Z.L. Leigh and F/O G.W. McLaren.


The western section of the Eastbound flight was under the command of Capt. R.B. Middleston with F/O W.E. Barnes and taking over the eastern portion was Captain R.M.Smith with F/O D.D.Stevens.

 

On the same day in 1939 the airline inaugurated North-South service between Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge linking these cities with the cross-Canada service at Lethbridge. (Source: Between Ourselves 1964)

 

Trans-Canada Air Lines - Malton Airfield - 1939
Trans-Canada Air Lines - Malton Airfield - 1939
Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events
- Compiled by Terry Baker
CAIL TailsNews and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and it's "ancestry" of contributing airlines.

1948 - July 29th - Order for 4 Canadair four aircraft placed.
 
All PWA and CPAL flights were integrated into the Pegasus reservation system on April 26th 1987 to complete the PW switchover from Reservec. On the same date, PW227 series of ticket stock will be discontinued and replaced by CP 018 stock. To accommodate the high volume of transactions, the new AMDAHL 5860 and IBM 3090 computers were added prior to April 1987.

CAIL announced the signing of an agreement with Boeing Commercial Aircraft Co  for the purchase of (6) B-767-300ER aircraft with an option on a further (8). Delivery expected from April 1988 thru April 1989.
 
The launch of Proud Retirees Offering Positive Support (PROPS)  was made at the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel on October 7th 1995.
Issue dated - June 1987
Gathered from "Info Canadian" magazine -
Image Blank 200px Canadian Partner is the name of the new Ontario affiliate operated by Ontario Express Ltd. The fleet is to consist of (6) BA Jetstream 31 aircraft. All six of the 19 seaters will be operating September 1st.
 
Photo: The flying Staub family, with a total of 66 years of airline experience, 60 of them with either PWA or CPAL. From the left, Hardy Staub, Annie Staub, Dusty Staub and Monika Staub.
 
Holiday specialists unite as Treasure Tours, CP Air Holidays and Pacific Western Holidays merged effective June 1st 1987.
 
In conjunction with Time Air, Burrard Air is providing supplementary service June 1st for Canadian Airlines between Vancouver and Nanaimo, Campbell River and Powell River utilizing Piper Chieftain equipment.

Image Blank 200px Stan Wereschuk's hot air balloon proudly flew the Canadian colours for the first time July 3 1987 at the Calgary Stampede, the city's world famous annual rodeo.

 

Wereschuk, a Toronto-based Aircraft
Mechanic, has been flying hot air balloons for 14 years and was the first balloonist to fly over Lake Ontario at night.

Issue dated - May 1987
Three B-737 aircraft acquired making the total 66. Fin 735 in service May 2nd, fin 736 in service shortly after, both leased from Atasco. These two were previously owned by PWA and sold to Atasco who leased them on to PanAm Fin 765 is being leased from ILFC. These aircraft will replace fin 780 and fin 781, both originally part of the  Nordair fleet and being returned to Transavia and Sabena respectively.
Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker
Reader's Feedback
Every week we ask our readers for their stories or  feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently.

E.G. Snel of Nova Scotia sends this suggestion referring to the photo under "Readers submitted photos" in NetLetter nr 1193 -
The unknown male in the photo that Paula Pulling from Halifax sent in, might be Barry MacInnes.
 
Ron Rhodes sends us this url to view a video of DC-8 fin 804 in flight and landing at YUL in the 1960's.  Rather a long 7 minutes with no sound, but you  may enjoy watching it. If anyone can identify the flight crew or story behind the video then we will pass the information along.

Odds and Ends

Continuation of the story by Tony Walsh which we started in NetLetter nr 1195 -


A bit of good airmanship + smidgen of luck:
Bob is a part-time airshow pilot, and also a Captain on BC Ferries Super-Ferry run Tsawwassen to Victoria (Swartz Bay), so on the trip to Mayne Island our little Ranger group of aeroplane rescuers had a visit to the ferry bridge (wheelhouse)  (older/smaller Gulf Island type - we passed the newer Renaissance Class ferry that Bob now captains in one of the photos) and were also able to measure the bow doors so we knew how wide we had to get the plane down to (IE: How high to angle the sideways plane's fuselage on the trailer - this arrangement was my idea to avoid removing the one piece through-wing which would have taken days out in the wilds and exposed the plane's avionics to rain and mositure, etc.).


The four of us only had 4 hours between our arrival at the aircraft site on Mayne until the ferry returned from its Gulf Island circuit and came back for the last ferry departure for the day for Tsawwassen.  No one expected us to get it all done and be on the ferry loading dock in that time frame, but we pulled it off with some welcome help from several locals and good esprit.  We were actually at the terminal 1.5 hours early. The local field owner (by strange chance a Transport Canada inspector and old RCAF C-130 Herc driver that Bob knew many years ago and had not seen since and did not know he moved to BC let alone the wooded interior of a small Gulf Island) had previously cut the grass in the field with hay cutter to make it easier to drive on it with trailer, and had a tractor for the initial pull up from the swamp, and brought coffee etc.  We even made the front page of the Mayne Island newspaper (serves 1,600 full time residents spread throughout the woods and shoreline). The photos below are part mine, some of Rob Hemmett's (my hangar partner) and the others Brian Haller, the local newspaper photographer, who is with us and a BC Ferry terminal supervisor in photos on the dock.

 
I had to back the truck +trailer and protruding plane along the loading bridge and onto the ferry (after all other vehicles were on board). We had about 10" clearance on each end of the plane to the ferry's door opening, narrowed by the swung-open doors themselves and then had to turn it to the ferry's starboard car deck, so the nose of aircraft could fit under the ferry's drop deck rack. We were last on. The off and on load at next island (some cars going off had to pull a U-turn in ferry) and all went off and on through the one door, but from and to the opposite side of the car deck from the plane.


Thankfully Bob Granley had pull with the Skipper of this smaller Gulf-Island ferry (Bob being the youngest Super-Ferry Captain on the big Vancouver to Victoria runs) because we held up the ferry a bit and also forced all the special arrangements for the next island, but they are good folks and we all had fun.


Image Blank 200px Image Blank 200px
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Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker

Terry BakerHonolulu: A La Moana 3 nights $227.50 per person based on double occupancy, includes all taxes
Sheraton Princess Kailua 3 nights at $232 per person
Doubletree by Hilton 3 nights at $254.50 per person 

 

Maui with rented car - Aston at the Maui Banyan with economy rental car, 3 nights in a 1 bedroom condo at $454.50 per person based on double occupancy
Makena Beach and Golf Resort with car, 3 nights ocean view accommodations at $556.5 per person
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa with car, 3 nights at $658 per person 

 

Big Island with economy rental car.- Royal Kona Ocean front with car, 3 nights accommodations at $332 per person based on double occupancy Keauhou Beach Resort with car, 3 nights accommodations at $342.50 per person
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort with car, 3 nights accommodations at $363.50 per person 

 

Kauai with economy rental car -  Aston Aloha Beach Hotel with car, 3 nights accommodations at $268.50 per person.


Kauai Beach Resort with car, 3 nights accommodations at $354.50 per person.


Ceasar Hotel Interline deals Call Today!    1-800-422-3727
  


Sign of the times?
In the TCA flight schedule, north American edition effective September 27th 1959, was the statement "Most economical way to cross Canada - There are new low Tourist fares between most main centres, coast to coast. Remember, your TCA fare gets you there - no meal costs, no tipping, no extras! Fly TCA Tourist and save".

(Today - no meal costs as free meals are not now offered. Still no tipping and still no free extras - eds)

Image Blank 200px Here are the North American passenger fares published and effective April 1st, 1962.
Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker
Smileys
As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.

Barbara Wood has sent us some of the material which her husband Douglas produced for the Flight Operations magazine -

Here is the series from Douglas' "The Tweaking Anthology

Image Blank 200px Image Blank 200px
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The NetLetter is an email newsletter published (usually) once a week and contains a mixture of nostalgia, current news and travel tips. We encourage our readers to submit their stories, photos and/or comments from either days gone by or from present day experiences and trips. If we think that the rest of our readers will enjoy it, we will publish it here

We also welcome your feedback in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.

The NetLetter, which is free, is open to anyone that wishes to subscribe but is targeted to retired employees from Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and all the other companies that were part of what Air Canada is today. Thanks for joining us!

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!
 
Sincerely,
Your NetLetter Team

Disclaimer: Please note, that neither the NetLetter or the ACFamily Network  necessarily endorse any of the airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers. We would be interested in any feedback (good or bad) when using these companies though and will report the results here. We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link.

 

E&OE - (errors and omissions excepted) - The historical information as well as any other information provided here is subject to correction and may have changed over time. We do publish corrections when they are brought to our attention.
First published in October, 1995
  • Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
  • Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
  • Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
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