Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 Saturday, January 24, 2026
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Holidair DC-8-52 - C-FHAB
Calgary, May 1989
Photo courtesy of Gary Vincent |
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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 9 new subscribers so far in 2026.
We currently have 4553 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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Air Canada Curling League - Montreal
You are invited with family & friends to a 'FunSpiel' on Saturday, February 7th. 2026 at 5 PM.
Location: Baie-d'Urfé Curling Club, 63 rue Churchill, Baie-d'Urfé.
Like previous years, we'll have a time sheet to reserve period on the ice to get everyone a chance to team & play.
Menu: Buffet style: pizza (All Dressed Vegetables), salads, vegetables/dip, pickle, olives, cheese, chips, desserts, coffee, tea, etc... View acrayul.com/nouvelles-news for full details. |
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Subscriber Bill Miller comments on our item in Terry's section in NetLetter #1573 regarding Holidair
Little known facts.
Harry Borenstein and his wife Vicki started a service called 'Last Minute Club' (LMC) circa 1988 and set up a company called Travel ‘N’ Save. I believe that Harry was working at CP Air and saw all the leftover seats and came up with the idea of creating a place to help airlines sell these seats.
As the Last Minute Club (LMC) grew it also got caught up in the idea of owning and operating an airline. At the time it seemed that everyone was starting up an airline. Vacationair, Crownair, Air Club, Canada 2000/3000, Canjet, Fortunair……you get the idea.
Given that with LMC they already had a liquidation option and a membership base, they thought they could run an airline. It seemed like a crazy plan but the idea of owning their own airline was just too appealing.
With little or no plan, Harry went looking for airplanes, yes more than one. Major airlines had moved on to more fuel efficient equipment and there seemed to be a glut of DC-8s. Forget engine types and configuration, he wanted volume-moving machines.
Eventually the pride of the fleet was a DC-8-52, the former private jet of the King of Spain. I was invited to watch it arrive in Toronto. We toured the plane and noticed that it had been bought as is, all done up, for the King's private travel.
However. the plane ended up flying out of Alberta as Harry had neglected to get landing slots at Pearson.
It was a crazy and wild time in the travel business, and I had ringside seating.
Cheers,
Bill Miller
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Editors' Note: See 'Wayne's Wings' below for more about the aircraft used to transport the King of Spain.
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Spanish Air Force VIP
Madrid - September 1981
Photo courtesy of Augusto Laghi
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In NetLetter #1573 we asked if anyone could send us a photo of the commemorative coin Canadian Airlines presented to all First and Royal Canadian Business Class passengers on the first four flights between Toronto for Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Our thanks to Bruce Harris who sent in these photos with this comment:
"Read your article with great interest as I happened to have attended probably one of many meetings to do with the launch of the new service to Brazil.
After the meeting we were all presented with the commemorative coin. Here are a couple of pictures. Keep up the great work."
Regards,
Bruce Harris
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Issue dated August 1963
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A Few Changes -
Over the Company's twenty years of trans-Atlantic service there have been a few changes ... the DC-8s travel approximately twice the speed of the Lancastrians of '43, there is better meal service on the DC-8s and more ; comfort in the air.
The photo above of the twentieth anniversary flight crew bears witness to the fact that the warm smile is still one of the Company's 'trademarks'.
From the left, members of the crew are: (top) R. Grenham, Purser; J. Harding, Navigator; Captain R.W. Welsh (first flew the Atlantic as pilot in Lancastrian in 1946); D. Davidson, Ramp Supervisor, London Airport (Davidson was Station Attendant at Prestwick during the days of the Lancastrians); R. Kelly-Thorne, 2nd Officer; Stewardesses H. Wohlberg, M. Cossman, and M. Buchanan; and Captain R.K. Walker, First Officer.
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Found in 'Horizons' magazine
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Issue dated December 1995
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At Quebec City, Pierre Tousignant, Manager, Customer Service (right, in pirate costume) surprised Customer Sales and Service Agent Louise Viens on Hallowe'en with her 35-year service anniversary pin.
From left to right, standing: Jeannette Pelletier, Steve Myles, Enrica Cova, Aude Garston, Louise Viens, Colette Fortier, Denis Grenier and Pierre Tousignant; sitting: Louise Guimond and Claire Versailles.
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Issue dated March 1996
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Two hundred and forty-one employees from Eastern Canada got together in 1996 to celebrate their 25, 30, 35 and 40-year anniversaries at the Delta Hotel.
Representing Dorval Airport's Customer Service group, back row, left to right: Richard Lacoste (35 years); Claude de la Sablonnière, Manager, Customer Service; Rolande Maslanka (30 years); Réal Gendron, Manager, Customer Service - STOC; Marcel Surprenant (30 years); Andy Broda, (40 years); Francois Moureau (25 years); George Nelson (30 years); Pierre Allard, Manager, Customer Service; Robert Russell (30 years) and Terry Nord, Senior Vice President, Operations and Chief Technical Officer.
Front row, left to right: Wayne Grapes (30 years); Sue Welscheid, General Manager, Customer Service - Eastern Canada; Michelle Bisson Villaudy (25 years); Mona Dalbec (30 years); Laila Trak (30 years); Ginette Morin, (25 years); Erika Schmidt (35 years) and William Johnson (30 years).
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At Regina during 1996, Customer Sales and Service Agent, Muriel Allan, received congratulatory wishes from her fellow colleagues on her retirement after 34 years of service.
Back row, left to right: Evan Quick, Customer Sales and Service Agent; Drake Eisler, Cargo Station Agent and Cam Guest, Station Attendant.
Front row, left to right: Mike Campbell, Station Attendant; Judy Klein, Customer Sales & Service Agent; Patsy Alary, Airport Coordinator; Muriel Allan; Customer Sales and Service Agents Lorna Vickers, Edy Bell and Frank Bernard.
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Issue dated April 1996
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Ottawa honours Award of Excellence winners.
The Ottawa Employee Participation Committee launched the Award of Excellence with the unveiling of a new plaque. The plaque recognizes all past Ottawa Award of Excellence winners and will be permanently displayed in the office at the airport. Shown in the photo are all the winners with management representation.
From left to right: John Shea, former Passenger Sales Manager; Wayne Wilson, Lead Station Attendant; Helen Fahie, Customer Relations Coordinator; Station Attendants Michael Fahey, Greg Dow and Gaetan Courchesne; Marthe Dallaire, Customer Sales and Service Agent; Donna Price, Vice President, Airports; Mary Anne de Souza, Customer Sales and Service Agent; Don Demaine, Cargo Customer Service Agent; Jeanie Peppy, former Statistics Clerk; Sue Welscheid, General Manager, Customer Service - Eastern Canada; Customer Sales and Service Agents Linda Keenleyside and Garry Smith; Brenda Kearney, Lead Check-in Agent; Harry Sulley, Station Agent in Fredericton; Lynne Rowe, Customer Sales and Service Agent: Madeleine Côté, former Manager, Government & Industry Affairs and Dave Macdonald, Manager, Customer Service.
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 From the Nova Scotia Pionairs newsletter - September 2025 |
Editors' Note: Full newsletter is available on the Pionairs website, however, sign-in is required to view.
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 Close to one hundred Pionairs and their guests enjoyed a successful venture on Halifax Harbour on August 15, 2025.
A beautiful sunny evening with very light winds and calm water conditions provided for an exciting cruise on board the Harbour Queen, a two-level Mississippi-style sternwheeler vessel.
The tour provided outstanding sightseeing views of Halifax’s Harbour and its beautiful upscale Northwest Arm. Lively entertainment provided by 'Ambassatours’. “Party Marty” seemed to put everyone in a happy, joyous party mood! Our group danced, sang and clapped to some of the best Atlantic and singalong music.
What a wonderful party and fun it was!
Don Carter, Social Committee Chair, Nova Scotia
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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From Flash Info bulletin issued May 1987
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 Copenhagen staffers celebrate a successful representation for Canadian Airlines International at Copenhagen's Rejs '87 Tourism and Trade Travel Fair.
From left: Hassan Wicks, Reservations Agent; Eli Andersen, City Ticket Office Supervisor and Bjarne Timm, Sales Rep, Denmark and Norway.
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From the "Contact" , Canadian Maintenance & Engineering third annual report to employees - 1990 -91
A representative group of M&E employees reaching the 25-year mark with the airline in 1992, honoured at a dinner in April.
Standing, from left; Eric Falkenberg, shop technician, Power Plant Overhaul; Keith Zinger, lead stockkeeper; Gordon Bell, lead stockkeeper; Ivan Slatten, station attendant, Cargo; Gary Simpson, supervisor, Quality Assurance; Bob Zeiler, shop technician, aircraft maintenance; Rex Nightingale, lead stockkeeper; Ron Hutchison, lead avionics technician; Tony Dunn, foreman, Structures Shop, all of Vancouver and Sidney Gough, supervisor, Quality Assurance, Calgary.
Seated, from left: Bill Hadfield, supervisor, Line Maintenance, Toronto and Al Bostjancic, foreman, Structures Stop; Pete Evans, crew Chief, Line Maintenance, both Vancouver.
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From Canadi>n Flyer magazine
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Issue dated June 1998
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Flying is the life for me - Robert Randall
By Andrew Geider, Corporate Archives
Robert Cheetham Randall was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on November 2, 1908. Growing up in the city, he saw pilots take off and land on muddy fields and thought, "Flying is the life for me!"
The summer of 1928 was a wet one when the 20-year-old signed up to get his pilot's licence. When not in the air, Randall worked as a ground engineer, learning all he could about aero engines.
On May 25, 1928, The Star Phoenix newspaper reported that Bob Randall made his first solo flight in a G-CAKG (de Havilland Moth) and was going on to do his commercial licence.
Click the image below for the full story.
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At his retirement in 1968, Bob Randall waves from a Fairchild 82-
the type of bush plane he flew in 1937.
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In NetLetter #1566 we ran an article regarding a diversion by Canadian Pacific to Harbin, we wonder if any of the crew saw this spectacle .
China's magnificent city of ice.
The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is an annual winter event that takes place in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, and it's now the largest ice festival on the planet. It starts every year on January 5th and runs for about two months, boasting a jaw-dropping and shivering display of the world's biggest ice sculptures.
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More defunct airlines of Canada
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Intair
Began operations after Nordair was purchased by Canadian Pacific Airlines. Intair used Nordair's IATA two letter "ND" airline code. The airline was established in 1989 by City Express as a successor to Skycraft Air Transport.
Ceased operations on August 26, 1991.
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Intair Fokker 100
Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International - June 1990
Photo by JetPix
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Jetsgo
Jetsgo was a short-lived Canadian low-cost airline based in the Saint-Laurent borough of Montreal. It served 19 destinations across Canada, 10 destinations in the United States, and 12 scheduled weekend-charter destinations in the Caribbean.
Launched on June 12, 2002, it ceased operations on March 11, 2005.
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Jetsgo Fokker 100 C-GKZC
Toronto, September 2004
Photo by RuthAS
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A DC-8 Lifecycle - at one time transport for a King
Terry's item in NetLetter #1573 on defunct Canadian airline, 'Holidair', certainly piqued our curiosity. Mostly because we had very little info about this short term airline.
Luckily, it caught the attention of subscriber Bill Miller who sent us the comment that appears in 'Readers' Feedback' section of this issue. Of particular interest is that one of the aircraft acquired by Holidair was once used as VIP transport for the King of Spain.
As per planespotters.net, line #181, a DC-8-52, was originally delivered to Iberia in March 1963 registration EC-ATP. It retained the same registration when acquired by Aviaco in 1973. In February 1980 it was acquired by the Spanish Air Force and configured as VIP transport for the King of Spain.
It left Spain in October 1988 for the U.S. and was briefly registered as N7034E for Holiday Airways and, in December of the same year, it arrived in Canada as C-FHAB for Holidair.
It must have been confiscated by the Royal Bank of Canada after the bankruptcy as is shows being leased to Advance Air Charters in Canada in September 1993 and then Imperial Airlines of Bermuda as VR-BIA in January 1995. It was broken up at Lasham airfield, in England in October 1997.
Our thanks to the photographers who graciously permitted us to link to their photos below. Click the images to view the originals with comments from the photographers.
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EC-ATP - Iberia livery
London - Heathrow - May 1971
Photo courtesy of Richard Vandervord
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EC-ATP - Aviaco livery
Glasgow, Scotland - July 1974
Photo courtesy of Lewis Grant
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T.15-2 - Spanish Air Force (VIP configuration)
Zürich, Switzerland - May 1984
Photo courtesy of Rolf Wallner
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C-FHAB - Holidair livery
Edmonton, Alberta - February 1989
Photo courtesy of Gary Vincent
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VR-BIA - Imperial Airlines
London - Stansted - April 1995
Photo courtesy of LRS747
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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.
More retired airplane restaurants.
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Steaks on a Plane
Picture your average British takeaway reimagined inside an airplane and you’ll probably conjure up something similar to the fantastically named Steaks on a Plane.
Made up of the wingless front end of a butchered Boeing 737, Steaks on a Plane is glamorous in neither location nor execution, yet there’s still something charming about its polystyrene-plated grub.
You can even order to go from a hatch in the fuselage. If you decided to dine in, make sure to take advantage of the cockpit photo op.
Click the image below to view a video review posted by the TFT - Food & Travel YouTube channel
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Runway 1 Restaurant
Located in Metro Walk Mall, Sector 10, Rohini, New Delhi. The restaurant is known for its unique dining experience in a converted airplane, with an address that places it within the Metro Walk Mall complex in Rohini.
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McDonald's, Taupo, New Zealand
One of the coolest attractions in Taupo, New Zealand, is a McDonald’s (yes, really) although we doubt visitors flock here for the food.
It’s the decommissioned Douglas DC-3, now painted silver with a red racing stripe and the famous McDonald’s font, that surely grabs their attention.
While the former South Pacific Airlines plane flew throughout the ’60s, it found a new lease of life in the ‘90s when it was remodelled with room for some 20 diners.
Click the image for more info.
Editor's Note: I 'dined' here during a visit!
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Our cartoon by Dave Mathias from the 'Between Ourselves' magazine issued August 1963.
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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.
Disclaimer: Please note that the NetLetter does not necessarily endorse any airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers.
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