November 2012 Newsletter

Transcription

1 November 2012 Newsletter AtlanticCanadaAviationMuseum.com The Museum has now completed another successful year as we look forward to the challenges and opportunities of With Christmas and the New Year rapidly approaching it is time to wish all our members and supporters a Very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year. This year the Museum was open from May 19th to September 30 th. Summer students Adrienne Mirabelli and Geoff Matheson were employed for the months of July and August and also covering weekends in September. They again provided very professional staffing as they have in previous years. We thank them for their efforts. Michael White manned the Museum through the months of June and September. To commit virtually two months of his time to the Museum says so much about Michael s dedication to our volunteer operation. Many very favourable comments are received about the welcoming reception he gives to visitors and his obvious knowledge of our Museum and its collection. Our thanks to a very dedicated member. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The annual general meeting was held on Sunday, October 28th at the Museum. The meeting was well attended and reports were received on the Gift Shop from Dave McMahon, the L-19 restoration from Colin Wilmshurst, the Hudson at the Air Force Museum from Mark Peapell, and from Michael White on the web site and on work at the Museum. In his Treasurers report Gary McMahon noted that revenues in 2012 satisfactorily covered expenditures. A carryover from 2011, and a one time revenue item from the sale of our Griffon engine, allowed the Museum to set up a small but vital reserve fund to help meet any future unexpected emergency expenditure. Our thanks go to Gary for his long term dedication to the vital financial affairs of our Museum. A good job very well done! The guest speaker was Jon Orr who gave a very interesting presentation on the trials and tribulations of the original acquisition of the Seaking Helicopter which has served our Navy so well and for so many years. Reg Clarke presented the nomination report and, with no nominations from the floor,

2 the existing Executive and Board were reelected. To all of those who serve so willingly on our Executive and Board we offer our sincere appreciation. The members are: Executive: Chairman Dave McMahon Vice Chairman Mark Peapell Treasurer - Gary McMahon Board: Wayne D Cochrane Michael G A White Reginald W Clarke Dr John Christie Joseph A F Macdonald QC Brian Chappell Ron Cunningham Barry Rhodenhiser to completion. The L-19, Canso/PBY/Catalina, Link trainer, Argus simulator, many aero engines, upper lobby, Tracker, and, last but definitely not least, is the revamping of all our display reader boards and barriers around the aircraft. This sounds like a lot of work so lets get to it and if you know of any aviation minded folks that might want to get involved send them out. I m sure they will find a project to help out with. Dave MEMBERSHIPS Our thanks to all those who have sent in membership payments for The funds received are a boost to our finances and a great assistance in covering the costs of preparing and distributing our Newsletters. The usual payment form is included at the end of this Newsletter for your convenience in forwarding membership payments for We do hope that you find the Newsletters both interesting and informative and that you will support us with your membership payments. Please keep us up to date on changes in or postal addresses. We want to stay in touch. Social time after the meeting photo Dave McMahon CHAIRMAN S COMMENTS I will start my report by thanking all the Board Members and many volunteers for making 2012 another great year at the Museum. Without all of the time spent by our volunteers we would not have the great display we offer for the public s enjoyment. We do have many ongoing projects underway at the present time and with the continued work of our members we will see them ACAM s Website Webmaster Michael White reports that the Museum now has an updated Web Provider for its Website thanks to the efforts of Museum member Brian Hicks. For those of you who haven t taken advantage of the Website recently we strongly urge that you do so. AtlanticCanadaAviationMuseum.com is the Web address you will enjoy what we are convinced is among the very best of Aviation Museum Websites.

3 It has great content, wonderful presentation, and is very easy to browse even for a largely Computer Illiterate like your Editor. Our thanks go to our dedicated Webmaster Michael White and to Brian Hicks of Coronis Solutions for his very professional work on our Website and the constant support he so willingly provides to the Museum. CONGRATULATIONS In the recent Halifax Regional Municipality elections Museum Member Barry Dalrymple has been reelected as the Councillor representing the constituency in which our Museum is located. People who are willing to come forward to serve their community are deserving of our respect and appreciation and we sincerley congratulate Barry on his success. AVIATION QUIZ RESULTS In our June Newsletter we challenged our readers to identify an unusual aircraft type from a 1968 photo. The original German aircraft was widely used by the wartime Luftwaffe for training, liaison and miscellaneous duties. It was correctly identified by both Wayne Cochrane and Dave Powell. Dave McMahon was close in suggesting it was a Checkoslovakian Aero C3 another variant of the original German design. Dave Powell pointed out that the postwar versions have been often used in movies painted to represent wartime Luftwaffe aircraft. Thanks for the responses. In the next Newsletter we will have another quiz maybe a bigger challenge. VINTAGE WINGS OF CANADA This past summer we were indeed privileged to have the Yellow Wings visit the Maritimes. With a Harvard, a D H Tiger Moth, a Fleet Finch and Fairchild (Fleet) Cornell they were much anticipated as they made their appearances at several events. 3 During WW 11 these aircraft served vital roles in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) many of them being utilized at Maritime training bases. Their appearance at Halifax s Stanfield International Airport on July 21 st was jointly sponsored by ACAM and the Shearwater Aviation Museum (SAM). It was a much appreciated opportunity for the two museums to work together on a joint project. photo Frank MacLoon The aircraft was quickly identified as a post war French built Nord 701 Martinet - a version of the German Siebel Hallore Si 204D. It was one of 10 purchased between 1962 and 1970 in Sweden for use in aerial photography and mapping. ACAM s Mark Peapell worked jointly and very effectively with Christine Hines of SAM in undertaking the many complicated arrangements required to bring about the event. His efforts are very much appreciated. It was a well attended event and Dave McMahon was there again with his trusty camera. He provided a number of very

4 professional photos of these iconic aircraft a few of which follow. 4 The high pitched roar of a Harvard take-off The Yellow Wings at Halifax photos Dave McMahon ACAM was there Fleet Finch and Fleet Cornell Flights could be arranged and a number were taken. The event was greatly enjoyed by the many in attendance. Again our thanks go to Mark and Christine for a job well done. On July 18 th the Yellow Wings also visited Fredericton sponsored by COPA Flt 2. Many were also in attendance, including ACAM members, and a number of flights were taken. The Harvard warms up Among those in attendance was 94 year old Frank Jackson, formerly of Halifax, who had undertaken pilot training at an Ontario BCATP Base during World War II. He was the first in his group to fly in a Fleet Cornell with which the Base had just been equipped.

5 He was given the opportunity of a flight in the Cornell. Needless to say the offer was gratefully accepted and Frank boarded the Cornell for a flight into memory. 5 De Haviland Tiger Moth Frank Jackson climbing aboard the Cornell Heather Fleck of VWoC was particularly helpful in arranging photo opportunities and her so friendly assistance was greatly appreciated. photos Debbie MacLoon-Agnew Fleet Finch Cockpit Wonderful events and much enjoyed by so many INTERESTING MUSEUM VISITOR Early in the summer the Museum had an unusual visitor in the form of a 3 ½ ft wooden carving of an ancient aviator. Happiness is: A Pretty Girl and a Cornell Flight Heather and Frank Jackson Carved from a cedar pole by Carol MacNeill of Bluefish Carvings it is a fascinating piece of work. Carol took a number of photos of it with various aircraft including this one beside the Pitts. Come and join us with your work any time Carol!

6 6 While at the Museum Tim gave an extremely interesting presentation on the recovery of the P-40 Kittyhawk recently discovered in the Sahara desert in Western Egypt some 200 miles from the nearest town. photo Carol MacNeill Ancient Aviator and the Pitts T J (TIM) MANNA, THE GRIFFON, A P-40 Tim Manna and Jim Becker AND KENNET AVIATION As noted in our June Newsletter our Rolls Royce Griffon engine was, through the good efforts of Dr John Christie, sold to Kennet Aviation of North Weald, UK. The sale has allowed ACAM to set up a small, but much needed, reserve fund against possible unanticipated expenditures. The engine will allow the return to flight of the Company s Supermarine Seafire Mk XVII following damage received in a dramatic and successful wheels up landing in Tim Manna, President of Kennet Aviation, and a former US Navy pilot, was at the Museum on the weekend of Nov 18 th to arrange the shipment of the Griffon. He was accompanied by Jim Becker a former US Military C-130 pilot. photos Dr John Christie Presentation on P-40 Recovery Tim was part of the recovery team representing the RAF Museum. Museum members prepared the engine for shipment and it was shortly on its way to be overhauled and eventually installed in the Seafire.

7 . 7 Undisturbed for some 70 years the aircraft was discovered by a Polish oil company worker. It had since suffered some damage due to vandalism but is now in shipping containers awaiting shipment to the UK which, hopefully, will soon take place. Tim noted that the desert area where it was located is actually largely rock. There was no sign of the pilot s remains although a parachute had obviously been arranged as a protection. It is assumed that the RAF pilot, 24 year old Dennis Copping, must have attempted to walk from the crash site. The Griffon being packed for shipment Apparently Bedouin tribesmen had developed an attachment to the aircraft and a settlement with them had to be arranged. It is planned that the aircraft will be displayed at the RAF Museum in the manner it was discovered much as was done with the Halifax recovered many years ago from a fiord in Norway. Our thanks to Tim for his visit to the Museum and a most interesting presentation. photos Tim Manna Gene Hamilton and Don Hirtle at work On behalf of the Museum - our thanks go to all involved in this project.

8 MUSEUM ACTIVITIES A number of projects are currently underway and considerable progress has been made on many by our Museum Volunteers who put in many active hours throughout the year. Their involvement is vital to our continued success. Lobby and Library Improvements The library extension is largely complete with installation of trim currently underway. Debbie previously did all of the excellent lettering and decaling work for the TBM Avenger, as well as for the PA-38, and continues to be so very helpful to our restorations. The tank caps and tank cap rings have been reinstalled and a cover and retaining ring for the landing lights fabricated. The landing lights have also been rewired and installed. 8 The amazing wall mural, the work of aviation artist Paul Tuttle, no longer required at the lobby entrance, continues as a major feature of the lobby forming the wall of the extended library. L-19 Landing lights photo Bill Leeming The mural and library wall in place A project of Bill Leeming and Danny Price, the extension is an essential and much appreciated addition to the Museum. L-19 Birdog Restoration Work on this project continues as Colin Wilmshurst completes detailed items. At Fredericton Debbie Ferris-Bates, of Feminine Touch Truck Lettering & Signs, is developing a full set of L-19 decals which ensures a completely accurate restoration of this fascinating aircraft. L-19 Fuel Tank Cover Cub Interactive display photos Colin Wilmshurst Improved LED lighting and a secure cover has been added to further improve this

9 very popular interactive item. Jetstar Engines 9 One of the Jetstar P&W JT-12 engines, previously on loan to the N S Community College, has now been returned to the Museum. Nicely labelled, it will join the engine displays.. The JT-12, formerly on display, has been reinstalled on the Jetstar. photo-colin Wilmshurst Display Descriptive Panels These very attractive descriptive panels are being added at each display and should add much to visitor enjoyment. The JT-12 being reinstalled on the Jetstar Argus Simulator photo Bill Leeming CF-100 Display Panel Don Hirtle and Steve Cochrane continue their detailed work on the simulator interior. Instrumentation is now nearly completed, lighting complete, and exterior surface polishing well along. photos Bill Leeming The JT-12 now on display LOCKHEED HUDSON Mk Vi FK466 Restoration of this historic aircraft continues at the National Air Force Museum at Trenton in association with ACAM. Doug Rutley is the Hudson Restoration Manager at Trenton and Vice Chairman Mark Peapell is our contact with the project as well as assisting in locating needed components

10 Substantial progress continues on this fascinating project and much credit goes to the restoration team for their skill and dedication. 10 The center wing section, from the Byron Reynolds donated Lodestar, is now in place, a vital part of the aircraft structure. The nose section recovered from the A- 29 variant is being prepared for mating to the fuselage. Some components from the rear section of the Lodestar are suitable for use while a full rear section is still being sought Among the major components also being sought are a second 1830 engine with current leads being followed up. Two propellers are also needed. Wing section fitted bomb bay doors installed. Another view of wing structure progress Center wing section now fitted to the fuselage photos National Air Force Musum Nose section being prepared for mating

11 The success being achieved in locating the many missing components is impressive as is the progress on this exciting project. 11 AIR SHOW SEASON Dave McMahon has provided a series of his always very professional photographs taken at the Atlantic Canada International Airshow held this year in July at Summerside on Prince Edward Island and at the Vintage Wings airshow at Gatineau, Quebec. Photos from Gatineau will appear in the February Newsletter. A highlight of the Summeeside show was the attendance of the Blue Angels who put on another of their very dramatic performances. A selection of the Summerside photos follows: The Blue Angels at work Also present at Summerside was Vintage Wins of Canada The Golden Hawk Sabre The Blue Angels Hercules performs

12 12 The Fleet Finch The Racer ` North American AT-6 The Snowbirds photos Dave McMahon The AT-6 lights up the night

13 MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 13 Name: Address: Phone #: Membership Number: Single $25.00 Family $30.00 Museum addresses Webmaster Michael White Newsletter Frank MacLoon NEWSLETTER DELIVERY Do you prefer to receive your Newsletter as: attachment ( ) or Canada Post ( ) Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum P.O. Box Bedford Highway Bedford, N.S. B4A 3K5