Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 Saturday, August 9, 2025
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Samaritan's Purse DC-8-72CF
departing Birmingham, England
November 2019
Photo by Alec Wilson
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Dear Welcome to The NetLetter, established in 1995 as a dedicated newsletter for Air Canada retirees.
We have evolved into the longest running aviation-based newsletter for Air Canada, TCA, CP Air, Canadian Airlines and all other Canadian-based airlines that once graced the skies. The NetLetter is self-funded and is always free to subscribers. It is operated by a group of volunteers and is not affiliated with any airline or associated organizations. The NetLetter is published on the second and fourth weekend of each month. If you are interested in Canadian aviation history, and vintage aviation photos, especially as it relates to Trans-Canada Air Lines, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines International and their constituent airlines, then we're sure you'll enjoy this newsletter. Please note: We do our best to identify and credit the original source of all content presented. However, should you recognize your material and are not credited; please advise us so that we can correct our oversight. Our website is located at www.thenetletter.net Please click the links below to visit our archives and for more info about The NetLetter. |
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 We have welcomed 113 new subscribers so far in 2025.
We now have 4515 subscribers.
We wish to thank everyone for the continuing support of our efforts.
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 Back issues of The NetLetter are available in both the original newsletter format and downloadable PDF format.
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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.
We will try to post your comments in the next issue but, if not, we will publish it as soon as we can.
Thanks!
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Submitted by Glenn Pearce -
Hello,
I always thoroughly enjoy reading your newsletter and thought you might be interested in the aircraft I’m privileged to fly. It’s one of the original CPA aircraft.
Click the image below to view Glenn's YouTube video on the CBC channel.
Retired Airline Pilot
Glenn Pearce
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Glenn supplied the photo above with his story -
Ken Pickford researched some of the history of this aircraft -
Interesting photo with connections to several AC predecessors. A real oldtimer, still flying at age 90.
Bellanca 66-75 Aircruiser, built 1935, initially operated to support a gold mine in the Philippines. Then acquired around 1940 or a bit earlier by Edmonton-based Mackenzie Air Service, one of the ten bush operators gradually acquired by Canadian Pacific in the early 1940s and merged in 1942 to form Canadian Pacific Air Lines.
According to the the 1987 book "Canadian Pacific Air Lines - Its History and Aircraft" by D.M. Bain, CF-BTW then went to Winnipeg-based Central Northern Airways in May 1947, a month after that airline was founded.
Central Northern Airways merged with Arctic Wings in 1956 to form Transair. Pacific Western Airlines acquired Transair in 1977, which continued to operate separately until 1979 when Transair was fully merged into PWA.
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Submitted by John Rodger -
 I received this bottle of Air Canada honey from one of my neighbours who was at a retirement party for a flight attendant who retired after 51 years. She had a family member working at AC who brought a few bottles to give out at the party.
I had heard that AC had beehives but didn’t know where they had them placed.
The young lady, Rachel Dineen, who looks after the hives lives in Mississauga and it is at the YYZ airport.
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Related story:
There's a buzz at Air Canada’s Montreal headquarters.
As part of Air Canada's ongoing commitment to creating a better environment, the airline has extended a helping hand to bees, which are a vital part of our ecosystem.
At the end of June 2018, two beehives were installed behind the parking lot at Air Canada's Montreal headquarters in partnership with Alvéole, a Canadian company that is raising awareness of the importance of bees.
The two beehives house roughly 100,000 bees and Air Canada employees will be able to take part in workshops on how to be a beekeeper and, this fall of 2018, on how to harvest the honey.
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 John is also curious about an unfamiliar airline.
"I picked up this flyer when I was at the Oshawa Airport a few years back. Maybe somebody has seen them years ago."
John Rodger
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Editors' Note: Our research on Yellow Bird Air is inconclusive but Terry did find info that it was Vancouver based and formed in 1968, taken over by Burrard Air in 1984
We did find a few photos posted by our friend, Gary Vincent, of a Yellow Bird Air Douglas DC-3 with Canadian registration C-GYBA.
We would appreciate any addition from our readers, thanks!
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Vancouver - October 1979
Still in Pacific Alaska Airlines livery
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Vancouver - August 1980
In Yellow Bird Air livery
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Issue dated April 1972
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Introduction of 'Rapidair' service
Rapidair will represent a giant step forward for Toronto - Montreal passengers when the commuter-like service is introduced with the April 30 schedule.
Designed with the needs of the short haul traveller in mind, the service comprises 18 daily non-stop jet flights in each direction, representing approximately 75 per cent of the total scheduled flights between the two cities.
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Found in 'Horizons' magazine
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Issue dated November 1991
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Fore the fun of it!
St. John's, Newfoundland was the scene of ACRA's 6th Annual Golf Tournament. About 64 golfers participated in the tournament, which was held at the Pippy Park Golf Course.
Bob Browne, former Customer Service Supervisor, took first prize with the lowest gross score of 42 for nine holes. Carolyn Bennett, wife of Collin Budgell, Certificated Aircraft Technician, was the winner of the women 's division with a gross score of 63.
Who said golf carts can't seat more than two people?
Proving them wrong are, back row, left to right: Chess Legge, Station Attendant; John Mackey, guest and Dave Macdonald, Airport Services Manager.
Front row, left to right: Jed Long, Station Attendant; Geoff Decker, Customer Sales & Service Agent; Jim Roche, Station Attendant and Jack Duffett, Lead Station Attendant.
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Issue dated December 1991
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The Cargo employees who staff a special 'Help Desk' in PAC (Place Air Canada) have been invaluable to those in the field who are mastering the new TOTEM system.
Shown here are some of the trouble-shooters who are standing by to help, from left to right: Danny Morgan, Manager, Systems and Procedures, Cargo; Lisette Schweiger, Acting Training Instructor; Les Ashton, Training and Development Manager; Venky Pazhyanur, UNISYS Consultant; José Gachon, Service Coordinator; John Stewart, Project Director - TOTEM; Daniel Houle, Cargo Computer Systems Specialist; Pascal Allard and (seated) Martin Guillette.
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Issue dated January 1992
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AC agent crowned Miss Heathrow.
Congratulations to Julie Wilmott, Customer Sales & Service Agent - London, England, who was crowned Miss Heathrow Airport 1992.
Julie competed against 23 other uniformed Heathrow ground staff representing airlines, hotels, handling agents, Heathrow shops and Customs. Julie, who joined Air Canada in 1989, worked in the London city sales office before moving to Heathrow in April 1991.
In the photo celebrating her win and getting into the spirit are, back row, left to right; Bob Lynch, Airport Passenger Service Manager - London and Peter Baldry, Manager, Airport Service - U.K. and Ireland.
Front row, left to right: C & S.S. Agents Karen Tant, Rula Stavrinou, Tom Doggett, Julie Wilmott, Geraldine Jolly, Rebecca Waddington, Andrew Gardner, Joanna McAinsh and John Mitchell, Station Attendant.
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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From the 'Canadi>n Flyer' magazine.
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Issue dated December 1998
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New beginning for Terrace.
The last B-737 (CP556) left Terrace on October 24, 1998 with a tip of its wings and a few tears. Thanks to Canadian Inflight crew members — it has been fun working with you.
Left to right: Jason Ellis, Debbie Minhinnick Gail Morrison, Marg Bovens, Jacquie Hancock, Doreen Goodwin, Anna Blazosek, Diane Moroskat, Donna Folmer and Les Kutenics.
Missing from the photo are: Ron Marleau and Grant Casper.
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New beginning for Prince George.
October 24, 1998 marked end of an era for Prince George..
One-hundred-and-forty-five employees, former employees and friends gathered to celebrate the end of 30 years of B-737 service to Prince George, replaced by F-28 service via Canadian Regional Airlines (CRA).
Employees attending were from predecessor airlines PWA, CP Air and CPAL, and included Ron Hilde, who was a Junior Agent for CPAL in 1946. Also in attendance were three previous managers, including Ralph Sharp, who opened the Reservations Office in 1966, Jim Langridge and Ian Blackstock.
Eleven of 19 counter staff will remain with CRA, three have chosen retirement and five have chosen to relocate. Prince George was a very senior base,- many of the employees have worked together for as many as 32 years, and it was with sadness that they watched the departure of CP567, the last B-737 to depart Prince George and the start of a new era.
Editors' Note: Persons in the photo are not identified in the original text.
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Issue dated January 1999
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Farewell from Prince Rupert
Old friendships were rekindled and new friendships were made at the base closure/turnover party in Prince Rupert on October 1, 1998.
Ex 'Ruperites' flew or drove from such distant points as Terrace, Prince George, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Thunder Bay, Regina and even Beijing.
Below from left to right: Gerry Yee, John Zerbin and Bill Werbowski, YYC (Calgary); Lois Chappell, YFR (Fort Resolution, NWT) Airport); Norma McCracken, YQT (Thunder Bay); Barb Koval and Janice Gee, YEG Edmonton) and Arlene McCleod, YPR (Prince Rupert).
Back row: Al Wood, YXS (Prince George); Fran Colussi, YPR (Prince Rupert) and Barb Drzewiecki, YEG (Edmonton).
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Below standing, left to right: Frank van Gisbergen, Denise Carignan, Lynne Finnigan, John Dunlap, Dan Fallwell, Carol Fregin and Ann Jackson.
Sitting: Arnold Thomson, Annette Youngman, Don Wagner, Shaw McNish, Wendy Prystay and Susan Eby.
Bottom row, sitting: Shannon Legovini, Shauna Fox and Edda Wagner.
Editors' Note: Bases not identified in original text.
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Our 'Featured Video' in NetLetter #1555 by videographer Alex Praglowski chronicled the arrival and departure of the Samaritan's Purse 56-year old DC-8.
They must have been impressed by Alex's video because he was able to arrange to get a ride seated in the flight deck of this classic aircraft!
This update is one of his best videos and well worth a viewing. Click the image below.
For more on the history of this aircraft, see 'Wayne's Wings' below.
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Posted on YouTube by Flying For Fun - Trecanair
A day in the life of Croydon Airport, as filmed by the Shell Film Unit in 1934.
 Click either of the still images below to view the video. |
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Croydon Airport was the UK's only international airport during the interwar period. It opened in 1920, located near Croydon, then part of Surrey. Built in a Neoclassical style, it was developed as Britain's main airport, handling more cargo, mail, and passengers than any other UK airport at the time.
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History of Samaritan's Purse DC-8
McDonnell Douglas DC-8F (Line #427) was constructed as DC-8-62CF delivered to Finnair in January 1969 under registration OH-LFR (re-registered as OH-LFT in April 1969).
It seems that its original configuration of 16F/124Y was for passenger service with windows visible on the full fuselage. However, it came equipped with a cargo door behind the forward passenger door so it may have always been intended for a mix of passenger and cargo service. We have not been able to confirm how it was used by Finnair during its time there.
It remained with Finnair until November 1981 when it was acquired by Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) where it was re-engined with CFM56s, becoming a DC-8-72CF. It was withdrawn from service in November 2004.
It was acquired by Air Transport International in June 2005 where it was converted to its current configuration of cargo with 32 passenger seats at the back of the aircraft. It went through several periods of storage until finally acquired by Samaritan's Purse in March 2015 and re-registered as N782SP in June 1015.
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 I am assuming that this photo was taken at delivery and acceptance by Finnair in January 1969.
Note the original registration 'OH-LFR' clearly visible.
Photo by Erkki Ehanti.
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OH-LFT - Original Finnair livery
with Pratt & Whitney JT-3D engines
(cargo door visible on full size photo)
at JFK - July 1970
Photo by Ken Fielding
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F-RAFG - Armée de l'Air
at CDG - September 2004
Photo by Aero Icarus
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N721CX - Air Transport International (ATI)
Reduced passenger cabin shows with the five windows at the back
Location not specified - June 2008
Photo by DLBerek
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N782SP - Samaritan's Purse
at Birmingham, England - November 2019
Photo by Ryan Kirk
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| Terry's Trivia
& Travel Tips |
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Terry Baker, co-founder of the NetLetter scours the internet for aviation related Trivia and Travel Tips for you, our readers, to peruse.
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Interline Travel deals.
by Dynamic Travel and Cruises.
AmaWaterways has opened interline rates from now until the end of the year. This includes several European Christmas Market sailings. These are always popular with our clients and are sure to sell out. We usually don't get them this far in advance so grab one while they are still available to book.
See interlinetravel.com for the list and rates, then call our office at 800 766-2911 to book!! No added booking fees when you book with InterlineTravel.com!!! Valid on all 2025 sailing dates!
Disney Cruises has opened 6 sailings to interline rates. Pick from 3 to 14 nights, sailing to the Med, the Bahamas, Hawaii and a Trans-Pacific sailing from Honolulu to Sydney. Royal Caribbean has 7-night Mexican Riviera Cruises sailing from Los Angeles in September, where a balcony cabin is as low as USD582pp.
You can book it on our website or by calling us at 800 766-2911 to see the list then call our office at 800 766-2911 to book!! No added booking fees when you book with InterlineTravel.com.
Royal Caribbean has 7-night Mexican Riviera Cruises sailing from Los Angeles in September, where a balcony cabin is as low as USD582pp. Royal Caribbean has 7-night Mexican Riviera Cruises sailing from Los Angeles in September, where a balcony cabin is as low as USD582pp.
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Issue dated July 1963
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Another gem from Dave Mathias with the caption:
"Listen Buddy - oversold or not, I ain't givin' up my seat for nobody, see!"
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Wayne, Ken & Terry Richmond, British Columbia - December 2019
(Bob Sheppard was not available for the photograph) |
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Wayne, Bob & Ken Richmond, British Columbia - December 2023
(Terry Baker was not available for the photograph) |
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We wish to honour the memories of
Vesta Stevenson and Alan Rust. They remain a part of every edition published. |
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E&OE - (errors and omissions excepted):
The historical information as well as any other information provided in the "NetLetter" is subject to correction and may have changed over time.
We do publish corrections (and correct the original article) when this is brought to our attention.
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