14. Tighten brakes 15. install Pioneer compass 16. install new instrument panel 17. replace cracked sliding glass right side cockpit 18. install first aid kit 19. Patch O.B. motor cowl at old oil tank filler opening [signed:] Peel WH May 21, 1928: Ford Motor Company Invoice No. 11634 is generated for the sale of 4-AT-10 to Sky View Lines Inc., 3513 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan. The sale price is $45,475. This includes $225 for one set of landing lights, and $250 for two parachute flares. The invoice is paid the next day. May 22, 1928: Present location: Ford Airport, Dearborn Sky View Lines files a Purchasers Renewal Application for C-1077. License number and present location of airplane: C 1077, Ford Airport, Dearborn, Mich. Though there is no indication in the Canadian files of the granting of a license in Canada the US Application asks in item 16. Is airplane registered under laws of a foreign country? : YES Canada No. GCARC. Where Sky View came up with G-CARC does not appear in the Canadian files though it is the number used on the Canadian registration when it is finally granted a year later. A hand written note [dated June 6, 1928] from Sky View s Secretary written at the top of this May 22, 1928 Purchasers Renewal Application says: Please Cancel Canadian Govt. will not allow duplicate registration. May 22, 1928: An Application of Certificate of Airworthiness for Export is signed by John Vickers, Secretary, Sky View Lines; for some reason it was not sent on to be processed. The export certificate is not issued until just over a year later, on June 5, 1929. May 24, 1928: Temporary Canadian registration issued [per CAHS Civil Aircraft Register]
Niagara Falls Public Library May 24, 1928: C-1077 flight from Dearborn to Oakes Field, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pilot Major John O. Leach and mechanic Clifford Wasson arrive at 10:55 a.m. carrying Niagara Falls, NY and Niagara Falls, Ont., mayors Laughlin and Stevens along with eight others. A crowd of over 600 people greeted them. Following advance publicity of the chips inaugural arrival. The trip took two and a half hours and in the main followed the Lake Erie coastline. The trip officially opened the Niagara Falls operations of Sky View Lines. The flight left Detroit heading south and passed over lake St. Clair, then turned eastward and followed the shoreline of Lake Erie. The 200 mile trip was made at an average speed of 80 miles an hour and flew at 2,000 feet going up to 3,000 feet when they reached the falls, which came into view as they passed over port Colborne, Ontario. Sightseeing flights began that day and continued at 15 minute intervals from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
June 1, 1928: Niagara Falls Public Library G-CARC (C-1077) was christened by Sir Harry Oakes at the dedication of Oakes Field, Niagara Falls, Ontario. In June 11 th, 1928 article from Aviation: Sky View Lines To Start Sightseeing Service Over Niagara Falls (Aviation) June 11, 1928 Detroit, Mich. By John T. Nevill Detroit headquarters of Sky View Lines, Inc., recently announced that the company's sightseeing service over Niagara Falls was starting with Ford monoplane C- 1077, the same plane in which Harry J. Brooks piloted Mrs. Evangeline Lindbergh to Mexico City and which later was used to transport the Bremen fliers from Greenely Island to New York City. The plane recently left Ford Airport for Niagara Falls with 12 passengers, including the mayors of the American and Canadian cities of Niagara Falls. Maj. John W. Leach, former Canadian Army flier, is chief pilot of the company. Note: this flight could have taken place anywhere between May 22 nd and June 11 th, 1928, probably closer to the end of May. Oscar McLeod, then president of the Canadian Sky View Lines Ltd., (the Canadian subsidiary) in a letter to John Underwood, states: Sky View officially opened May 24, 1928 flying passengers over the falls with G-CARC. He states from May 25 September 15 th they flew over 12,000 passengers at $5.00 each. Then says, In late fall, toured U.S. central states arriving in Florida in December. Wintered in Palm Beach and Miami, operating charter trips.
Prior to August 6, 1928 In Canada Prior to August 6, 1928, Oakes Field, Chippawa, Ontario From Clark Seaborn Seaborn/Ellis/Wheeler July 4, 1928: G-CARC begins night flights over Niagara Falls from Oakes Field. Major Leach is the pilot. A 5,000-watt French made beacon costing $1,500 is installed at the field making it the first flying field in Canada equipped with beacons for night flight. A six-foot windsock is installed on a pole on the top of the pavilion roof with lights trained on it. Same article notes: Carl Lindenbergh is the new mechanic at Oakes Field, replacing Curly Wenzel, who went in G-CARC (when it was C-1077) to the rescue of the Bremen fliers.
probably 1928 Canadian National Archives August 6, 1928: From the Ford airport arrival logs: 8-6-1928, 5:00 p.m., Ford tri-motor 1077/G-CARC, Pilot: John O. Leach; From: Niagara Falls; Passengers: Mechanics & ground staff of Sky View Lines. Departure: 8-7-28 at 10:30 a.m. August 6, 1928 : [notes say: Must be completed Wednesday, 8-8-28 Released 8/8/28 2:30 p.m. R. [W.?] Baron ]. Note: There are two versions of this W/O, one appears to be a preliminary which is typed, more abbreviated and with hand written notes on the side as the work was done, and the second appears to be a final report, typed with no hand written notes. W/O: A-8417 [8-6-28] 1. Stabilizer [called Elevator on first draft] brace streamline (Made and installed) 2. Rear wheel (new bushings and shaft made and installed) 3. Stabilizer ball joint (play taken out and replaced) 4. Right undercarriage strut (streamline made and installed) 5. Left and right chock absorbs (rubber changed and streamlines repaired) 6. Upholstering (repaired seat cushion forward compartment replaced damaged cardboard. 7. Floor mat repaired and reinforced 8. Chairs checked and repainted. 9. Windows (All broken cabin and cockpit windows replaced) 10. Exhausts (New type made and installed Hole in wing patched) 11. Center Tachometer checked and new part installed. 12. Left starter and rod (made and installed) 13. Checked controls and cables. 14. Wing inspected and checked