Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

North Star by Ken Leigh

extracted from the ‘Horizons’ magazine issue May 1972

You notice it looks strangely out of place … smaller than you remember. The curious tail-heavy look doesn't suit the surroundings of stretched DC-8’s, scattered B-747’s and busy little DC-9’s.

Trundling past, you get the feeling it is trying to slip by unnoticed. A few heads turn out of curiosity but quickly turn back to watch a B-747 disgorge its load.

Because you're not sure, you look back at the strange airplane. Poised just off the runway, as if trying to talk itself into the decision of flight, it finally rolls to the active runway.

You watch, you think you recognize the stranger. Seconds later you hear the sound. Now you are more than curious. The sound rekindles an almost forgotten memory.

Inside the cockpit two men are at work. They watch the engine rpm reach 3,000; the manifold pressure nudges 71.5 inches of mercury. At 85 knots the man on the left eases the yoke back a little …the nose wheel lifts slightly...at 110 knots his task off the ground.

As you continue to watch, the airplane doesn't seem to be climbing at all, just holding there half-a-hundred feet up. Then, ever so gradually, it eases upward.

A few "old timers" now hear the clean and distinct sound. They stop, look around and remember too. The full, throaty sound of four Rolls-Royce Merlins will do that.

We have welcomed 216 new subscribers so far in 2022.

We wish to thank everyone for your support of our efforts.

Back issues of The NetLetter are available in both the original newsletter format and downloadable PDF format.

We invite you to visit our website at www.thenetletter.net/netletters to view our archives.

Restoration and posting of archive issues is an ongoing project. We hope to post every issue back to the beginning in 1995.

We always welcome feedback about Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge) from our subscribers who wish to share current events, memories and photographs.

Particularly if you have stories to share from one of the legacy airlines: Trans-Canada Air Lines, Canadian Airlines, CP Air, Pacific Western, Maritime Central Airways, Eastern Provincial, Wardair, Nordair, Transair, Air BC, Time Air, Quebecair, Calm Air, NWT Air, Air Alliance, Air Nova, Air Ontario, Air Georgian and all other Canadian based airlines that once graced the Canadian skies.

Please feel free to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We will try to post your comments in the next issue but, if not, we will publish it as soon as we can.

Thanks!

Extracted from Air Canada 'Horizons' magazine
Issued September 1972.

On Friday, September 8, 1972, Air Canada reached an agreement with Mr. Maxwell W. Ward for the purchase from him of one-third of the outstanding common shares of Wardair Canada Ltd.

Notice of intent of this proposed acquisition was filed on the same day with the Canadian Transport Commission in accordance with the National Transportation Act.

The Story of Wardair Canada Limited is the story of Maxwell William Ward.

Operating from his native Edmonton, Max Ward had parlayed a bush plane operation into Canada's largest charter airline. The Wardair jet fleet of two Boeing 707's and a B-727 provided an international charter service from seven cities in Canada, while the airline's red, white and blue de Havilland Otter aircraft (and a Bristol Freighter) continue its domestic operation from Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Yellowknife was the first base of operations for Max Ward.

It was during his RCAF career as a flying instructor in Canada that he decided to continue flying after the war.

He first worked for a company called Northern Flights, flying vegetables from Peace River to Yellowknife, and in 1946, bought a Fox Moth with war savings bonds and based himself at Yellowknife as the Polaris Charter Company. He flew prospectors and government men through the Northwest Territories.

With no charter license, Ward was forced into partnership when the Air Transport Board ruled that all northern flying operations had to be by chartered companies. By 1948, he and his partner's three aircraft were Yellowknife Airways — but Ward soon lost everything.

Debts were paid by working as a pilot for others and a stint as a house-builder. Then Max Ward was ready to begin again. On his second attempt, Ottawa granted his license as Wardair Limited and his next goal was an airplane. 

Posted by Angie Keeping Brodkorb

Marlie Kelsey, Judy Lucas and David Detwiller

Posted by Ken Donohue 

Canadi>n B-747-400 'Maxwell W. Ward'
 arriving at Hong Kong Kai-Tak International in 1997.