Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)

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

Tom Singfield sent us this information recently:
I am an aviation historian in the UK. I have spent five years researching and writing a book on the history of aviation in BERMUDA.

This will be published by the National Museum of Bermuda in 2013.

Over the years I corresponded with many TCA staff who were involved with the TCA Bermuda operations. Navigator Ron Peel was especially helpful as were Ross Smyth and others.

(Note: In NetLetter nr 977 in 2007, and NetLetter nr 1012 in March 2008 we received a similar email, so Tom has been working on the inaugural flight details of the TCA North Star serving Bermuda on May 1st 1948 - eds).

Tom sent these photos of posters relating to Bermuda which he has accumulated, including a first day cover.  

Paris at work.
The sales staff of Air Canada-France were all dressed for action at a recent two-day meeting to set up their new sales campaign.

Sporting "Get a Friend to Fly" t-shirts are, from the left; John Barnes, General Manager, France and Western Europe; Michel Schott, Sales Manager, Lyons; Sales Representatives Jean Munoz, Martine Bridoux, Maurice Demont, Jean Rousse, Alain Pelle and Passenger Sales & Service Manager Fernand Leroux.
 

The DC-4 M's will take a lot of filling and these are the boys who can do it. Five graduates of the 2nd Traffic Training School, they are all Air Force veterans but now directing traffic towards TCA's aircraft from their various locations across Canada.

Left to right; Back row: F/O Bob Slessor, Instructor Al Godbold and F/O Bill Dickinson, Front row: P/O Hugh McElligott, F/L Phil Baby and P/O Kel Turner.
 

Of the eleven graduates of the 13th Passenger Agent Class. nine were Air Force veterans. This brought to 136 the number of repatriated R.C.A.F. men and women who have been assigned to T.C.A. stations as Agents since March. 1942.

In the photograph, left to right. Back row: B. Blight, Moncton and F/O George Mitchell, Winnipeg. centre row: Flt.Sgt. Ed Mann, Winnipeg; F/ O Frank McDonald, Glace Bay; Eric Stull, Sudbury and Winnipeg; F/ O Bob Livingston,Edmonton; FIt.Sgt. Jack Cooke, Edmonton; F/O Barry Kerr, Winnipeg and FIt.Sgt. Howard Barber, Toronto. Frpnt row: P/O B. W. Faggo, Winnipeg; T . W. Kirkham, Supervisor of Passenger Agents; D. R. MacLaren, Superintendent of Passenger Service; Dick Sellors, Passenger Agent Supervisor, Lethbridge and FIt.Sgt. A. MacDonald, Moncton.
 

From Milan, Italy  December 4th, 2012. Maggie van Maarseveen sends us this information: Guess which airline became the first low cost airline in Europe? Yes, Canadian Airlines OF COURSE from Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Amsterdam (AMS).

We had the privilege to use our fifth freedom rights from Milan Malpensa (Italy) to Amsterdam (the Netherlands) (for several years during year 1985 onwards. I don't remember exactly when it started). 

As I'm Dutch and employed as a Canadian Sales Representative, our General Manager in Italy gave me the opportunity and the privilege to promote this service to Travel Agencies, The Dutch Consulate  - the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and the Dutch community in Northern Italy as well. Also Italian students from both Universities and High Schools with their professors and teachers used our flights during school break. Round trip started with a special fare: around 250.000 Italian Lira (125,00 euro).  20 kg free baggage - lunch (MXP AMS) and breakfast (AMS MXP) all Included.

It was a great success. We had a lot of trouble with both KLM and ALITALIA. Our flights were always full! After a year of service, the Dutch Tourism Board (V.V.V) opened its offices in Milan, Italy in front of our office! KLM General Manager Italy admitted and congratulated our offices. Regards Maggie van Maarseveen Former Sales Representative - now retired
 

The photo  of the famed Kap Hotel at Kapuskasing in NetLetter nr 1230 prompted Lorraine Nantel to share this memory: 

My husband and I, both AC retirees since July 1st, 2003 always look forward to The NetLetter. It's almost a challenge as to which one of us will get to it first! Never thought I would be the one to be able to clarify an article, but here I am!

I am Loraine Brunelle Nantel, from Kapuskasing, Ontario!
In today's NetLetter, there is a photo of the Kapuskasing Inn, taken from Between Ourselves of 1945... it was indeed a magnificent building, built by Kimberley Clark, owners of our pulp & paper mill. Not only did it accommodate locals, and ''bumped plusers'', but in 1951, Princess Elizabeth, then Duchess of Edinburgh, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, & their entourage, overnighted at the Inn!

Sadly, the Kap Inn was torn down just about 2 years ago, to be replaced by a large Ontario Provincial Police Headquarters. It had, unfortunately, become dilapidated and rundown, following a fire several years ago.

However, for all the years it stood, it was indeed a grand lady befitting a Princess! I might add that as a child... I used to be taken to the airport to see Trans Canada land in Kapuskasing, on its way westward. What a thrill! Unknowingly at the time, the thrill lasted all of my 37 years with Air Canada! Thanks for letting me vent this morning! Sincerely, Loraine

The story on the Kap Hotel mentioned in NetLetter nr 1230 has led Ken Pickford to investigate further and he sends us this information:
Re your query as to whether the "Kap Hotel" in Kapuskasing, shown in the 1945 photo, still exists, I came across the following blog item from 2007 with several photos (they enlarge when clicked on).
http://macoffeeshoppe.blogspot.ca/2007/05/kapuskasing-inn.html

Unfortunately it burned down in 2007. There are a few reader comments at the bottom referring to its history. More here: http://images.ourontario.ca/kapuskasing/24252/data

Also found the following reference in another site:
In 1951 Princess Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip (Duke of Edinbugh) visited Kapuskasing on their first visit to Canada. They stayed at the Kapuskasing Inn. The Inn was closed in 2002 due to a downturn in demand and the building was abandoned. In 2007 the Inn was burnt down by young arsonists. In 2008 the remains were finally demolished. Regards, Ken 

Del Horn's memory was triggered by Jim Griffiths Ramp experiences in a recent NetLetter: Netletter nr 1229 brought back memories of an experience I had while working on the Ramp in Winnipeg (Spring of '53).

We were fondly known as "baggage-bashers" then. A North Star arrived and because the aircraft normally "sat" on the Ramp for many hours it was parked well down the Ramp area. On arrival of the aircraft, I happened to be on the "Honey-Wagon" and attempted to drain the toilets but the drain pipe was frozen (not an unusual occurrence) and I was unable to do the draining. Unbeknownst to us, Flight Dispatch had set up a second section for the aircraft and a couple of hours later a flight departure was announced.

In the meantime (a warm Spring day) the toilet drain had thawed somewhat and the "liquid" was running along the fuselage of the aircraft and dripping off the tail Skid. There was an initial rush of passengers and they bunched up at the bottom of the stairs. Two Gentlemen lagged well behind as obviously there was no rush. 

Approaching the aircraft they noticed the "liquid" leaking from the aircraft, discussed the situation and one of the Gentlemen caught several drops on his fingers, tasted the "liquid" and shook his head and no doubt advised his partner that it was not gasoline and they could proceed safely. Del  

(Those Winnipeggers are a hardy lot aren't they? - eds)
 

In the latest issue of Horizons, and Air Canada and Aeroplan emails circulating, is an article with the following information:

"To celebrate our 75th anniversary, Roots Canada has launched an exclusive line of vintage TCA & Roots branded leather products, specially designed to celebrate our 75th anniversary, and highlighting Air Canada's pioneering years as Trans-Canada Airlines."  

Some of the items cost several hundreds of dollars to purchase, one only hopes that the signage on the product is correctly identified as Trans-Canada Air Lines.
 
Airport and In-flight employees have been asked to ensure carry-on luggage meets our limits. We ask all employees, and retirees, traveling to ensure your carry-on baggage and those in your traveling party are within our limits, and to utilize the space under the seat in front of you for carry-on items to show that we can all do our part to help our flights depart on time. (source Daily)
 
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What makes this package both a real value and a spectacular holiday to Peru are the stops along the way. Arrive Lima, then Aregquipa, Colca Canyon, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo and Pisac Indian Market. This tour is a kaleidoscope view of the culture, natural beauty and wildlife of this South American jewel. The pace of the tour is perfect while offering a view of the most popular destinations in Peru. Begins in Lima, April 9, June 4, July 9, August 13, 2013.
 
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Call 1-800-422-3727 for these and more deals. 

Caesar Hotels Airway Vacations, 17295 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield, MO 63005   

We have this cartoon, which appeared after an suggestion for having a DC-8 mounted on a pedestal at the YVR Ops Centre. The caption was "It was nothing until they filled the fuel tanks with booze and threw in the Empress Class. Now the whole town's flying higher than a kite". This appeared in the "CP Air News" magazine issued July 1981 by Fernando Moura, Flight Attendant, YVR.