by Diana Trafford | Nov 9, 2022 | Compagnie aérienne franco-canadienne, de Lesseps, Early Canadian aviation, George Fuller, Quebec aviation
Tribute November 17, 2022 — at Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue (Montréal) On July 2, 2022, we lost one of our most respected Canadian aviation historians. George Fuller had a special interest in Québec aviation, and in early aviation generally. He shared his knowledge...
by Diana Trafford | Apr 23, 2022 | Air navigation, Aviation biography
Jeppesen is a name familiar and dear to pilots, who have been using the Jeppesen aviation navigation notes and charts ever since 1934. My introduction came by a different route – a 2003 article in Art of the West magazine about a monumental statue of Jeppesen by...
by Allan Snowie | Apr 16, 2022 | Arras Flying Services Memorial, Royal Naval Air Service, Vimy
Guest author Allan Snowie is a former Canadian naval aviator and retired Air Canada captain. He authored Bloody Buron, a history of the Highland Fusiliers of Canada; The Bonnie: HMCS Bonaventure; and Collishaw & Company: Canadians in the Royal Naval Air...
by Diana Trafford | Apr 4, 2022 | US Army Air Corps
First Goodwill Visit by US Army Air Corps At noon on 24 January 1927, twelve American Curtiss Hawk P-1B fighter planes swooped down on Canada’s capital. This was a friendly “invasion” – a goodwill visit by the First Pursuit Group of the U.S....
by Diana Trafford | Jan 31, 2022 | Consolidated Liberator, Ferry Command, Gander, RAF Transport Command
Bomber Delivery at Record Speeds In April 1943, normally tight-lipped officials of the Montréal-based Royal Air Force Transport Command (formerly RAF Ferry Command) did the unthinkable. They broke the veil of secrecy that shrouded wartime bomber ferry operations. With...
by Diana Trafford | Sep 13, 2021 | Ferry Command, Gander
Twenty years ago, 42 aircraft descended on Gander. Not by choice. The date was September 11, 2001. An hour after the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration shut down American air space. All pilots halfway...
by Diana Trafford | Aug 4, 2021 | Consolidated Catalina, Flying boat, Gander, RAF Transport Command
The Royal Air Force Transport Command (RAFTC), formerly Ferry Command, faced one of its toughest jobs in the spring of 1944 – to diplomatically help Russian aircrews ferry four dozen PBN-1 Nomads from the eastern seaboard of the United States to Murmansk. There...
by Darrell Hillier | Aug 2, 2021 | Ferry Command, Gander, Radio
Welcome Back to Newfoundland Author Darrell Hillier Flights of History welcomes returning guest author Darrell Hillier, whose research focuses on Ferry Command and Gander aviation generally. His new book, North Atlantic Crossroads, launched officially on 31...
by Diana Trafford | Jul 29, 2021 | Consolidated Catalina, Flying boat, Gander, RAF Transport Command
Background In 1944, a total of 138 PBN-1 Nomads were made available to the U.S.S.R. by the United States under its Lend-Lease program. Of these, 48 were destined for Russia’s Northern Fleet (Bu numbers 02795 to 02856). An improved version of Consolidated...
by Diana Trafford | Mar 31, 2021 | Genealogy
Searching for a pub in Yorkshire is something like looking for a needle in a haystack. Would you believe there were 3,700 pubs in the Yorkshire and Humber region in 2019? [1] At least I had narrowed it down. I knew that I was looking for a pub in the...
by Diana Trafford | Mar 11, 2021 | 45 Group, Ferry Command, RAF Transport Command
In February 2021, one of the few remaining members of RAF Ferry Command passed away. Peter Maitland was 96. He joined the RCAF in 1942. In October 1943, he was assigned to 45 Group of RAF Transport Command, the successor to Ferry Command. At the age of 19, he was...
by Diana Trafford | Jan 29, 2021 | Howard Watt, Quebec aviation
It was Uncle Howard’s last flight. He loved every minute of it. Howard Watt had flown everything from Curtiss JN-4 Canadian “Jennies” to four-engine Liberator wartime transports during his three decades in commercial aviation and RAF Ferry Command. To fly in a...
by Diana Trafford | Nov 11, 2020 | Ferry Command
The Forgotten Command. That’s how some people refer to RAF Ferry Command. Remembrance Day is a good time to start remembering, Ferry Command existed for six years, from 1940 to early 1946. In that short time it recorded remarkable achievements, all the while...
by Diana Trafford | Nov 2, 2020 | Aviation biography, Early Canadian aviation, Flying boat, Robert Bradford
The 1920 first flight across Canada was a bold project of the Canadian Air Board to inspire the nation about the potential of aviation in peacetime. Part 1 of this story covers the seaplane flight from the East Coast to Winnipeg, while Part 2 traces the flight by...
by Diana Trafford | Sep 4, 2020 | Space
September 3, 2020 marked the announcement of the first woman president of the Canada Space Agency since the organization was created in 1989. Lisa Campbell served as assistant deputy minister at Veterans Affairs Public Services and before that was assistant deputy...
by Diana Trafford | Aug 24, 2020 | Aviation biography, St. Lawrence River
Richard J. Dawes: Dreams of a Quiet Life Dashed – Part 1 With nine victories to his credit, First World War ace Richard Jeffry Dawes D.F.C. said goodbye to dogfights with RAF 45 Squadron, and returned to Canada in August 1918. The days of Sopwith Camels...
by Diana Trafford | Apr 24, 2020 | Howard Watt
An eye to the future and a nose for business — that was my uncle Howard Watt. No surprise that he was one of the pioneers in commercial aviation in Canada, the holder of licence number 214, dated 2 March 1926. No surprise either that in early 1931 he was sent up to...
by Diana Trafford | Sep 1, 2019 | Air mail, Canadian Transcontinental Airways, North Shore, Quebec aviation, Roméo Vachon, Sept-Iles
If you search the internet or published books on Canadian aviation history, most sources tell you that it was Roméo Vachon. They say the well-known French-Canadian aviator was the pilot who arrived in Sept-Îles, on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River, on 25...
by Barbara Campbell | Jul 18, 2018 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Noorduyn Norseman, Quebec aviation
This is the last chapter from Barbara Van Orden Campbell’s journal “Bachelor Lake Daze.” Fans of Barb’s tales will be glad to know that there is more to come. As primarily an aviation history blog, we initially chose to run the aviation part of her...
by Diana Trafford | Jul 16, 2018 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Noorduyn Norseman
A special contribution from the tall tales department by guest author Con Campbell Jr. What’s the difference between a Flying Story and a Fairy Tale? Fairy Tales start: “Once upon a time…” Flying Stories...
by Barbara Campbell | Jul 6, 2018 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Howard Watt, Noorduyn Norseman, Quebec aviation
Con and Barb Campbell arrived at Bachelor Lake, in the Abitibi region of Québec, in August 1950 to manage the Gold Belt Air Service seaplane base there. This is the seventh in a series of excerpts from Barbara’s journal, “Bachelor Lake Daze,” published with the...
by Barbara Campbell | Jul 4, 2018 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Quebec aviation
Con and Barb Campbell arrived at Bachelor Lake, in the Abitibi region of Québec, in mid-August 1950 to manage the Gold Belt Air Service float plane base there. This is the sixth in a series of excerpts from Barbara’s journal, “Bachelor Lake Daze,”...
by Barbara Campbell | Jun 26, 2018 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Quebec aviation
Con and Barb Campbell arrived at Bachelor Lake, in the Abitibi region of Québec, in mid-August 1950 to manage the Gold Belt Air Service float plane base there. For the first few weeks, they worked from dawn to dusk getting the camp in running order, and settling into...
by Barbara Campbell | Jun 22, 2018 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Quebec aviation
Con and Barb Campbell arrived at Bachelor Lake, Québec, in mid-August 1950 to manage the Gold Belt Air Service float plane base there. For the first few weeks, they worked from dawn to dusk getting the camp in order, and settling into the routine of...
by Diana Trafford | Apr 17, 2018 | DH 60X 60G 60M Moths, Uncategorized
Been on a long-haul flight lately? A little bored, maybe? Passengers aren’t the only ones who struggle with the tedium of long hours in an airplane. In the cockpit or on the flight deck,...
by Diana Trafford | Mar 15, 2018 | 45 Group, Bruce Watt, Consolidated Catalina, Ferry Command, RAF Transport Command
During the Second World War, PBY Catalinas served the Allied forces well, mainly on coastal surveillance missions. Here, Catalina Z2147 (a Mark I Catalina), approaches the southern tip of Gibraltar after completing an anti-submarine patrol for RAF No. 202...
by Diana Trafford | Feb 22, 2018 | Mo's Fly-In, Quebec aviation
Mo’s landing strip on the frozen Ottawa River. (Photo: J-P Bonin) Rain or shine, since 1989 — Mo’s Fly-In takes place on the last Saturday in February. Meet your friends, and see the action as planes land and take off, or simply make a touch...
by Diana Trafford | Dec 19, 2017 | Bruce Watt, Howard Watt, Manitoba Basin Mining, Ryan M-2, St. Lawrence River
“Spirit of The Pas” – Eastern Canada Airways’ Ryan M-2 in 1928 operating from The Pas, Manitoba, for Manitoba Basin Mining. Photo: SDASM 00390. Called a “Lindy Look-alike” or a sister ship to Lindbergh’s Spirit of St....
by Darrell Hillier | Nov 28, 2017 | Bruce Watt, Ferry Command, Gander, Lockheed Hudson
Welcome to guest author Darrell Hillier Canadian Aviation Historical Society member Darrell Hillier, whose special interests include Ferry Command and Gander aviation over the years, tells the full story of Hudson T9446 which crashed in December 1940 with my...
by Diana Trafford | Nov 6, 2017 | Curtiss-Reid Rambler, Robert Bradford, Webster Memorial Trophy
Canada’s Top Amateur Pilot Imagine being named “Canada’s Top Amateur Pilot!” Liam Cohen, a student at Seneca College in Peterborough, Ontario, earned that title in 2017. The Webster Memorial Trophy recognizes...
by Diana Trafford | Aug 4, 2017 | de Lesseps, DH 60X 60G 60M Moths, Howard Watt, Toronto Air Meet 1910, Trethewey
Photo: Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Artifact No. 1967-0650. One of six Cirrus Moths delivered to de Havilland Canada at the Trethewey Estate on 13 July 1928, this DH 60X Moth (c/n 630) was registered on 7 August 1928 to International Airways of Canada, Hamilton,...
by Diana Trafford | Jul 8, 2017 | Bleriot XI, de Lesseps, Howard Watt, Quebec aviation, Trethewey, Wright biplane
This monoplane designed by the Frenchman Louis Blériot was one of two aircraft exhibited by Jacques de Lesseps at the Montréal and Toronto air meets in 1910. A Blériot XI, it was powered by a 25 hp Anzani engine. Photo: Canada Aviation and Space Museum #11255. ...
by Diana Trafford | Jun 18, 2017 | Ferry Command, Gander, Jackie Cochran, Lockheed Hudson
Jackie Cochran in the cockpit of her North American Aviation P-51B-15-NA Mustang NX28388 at Cleveland Municipal Airport. In 1947 and 1948 she set four world and United States speed records with this aircraft. Photo © Smithsonian Institution. Source: National Air and...
by Diana Trafford | Jun 4, 2017 | Lockheed Hudson, RAAF Museum Point Cook, Temora Aviation Museum
In the collection of the Temora Aviation Museum, Australia, Lockheed Hudson VH-KOY (Military S/N: A16-112) is still flying. Photo: Temora Aviation Museum website. About Point Cook This post is by way of an addendum to “Only Hudson Still...
by Diana Trafford | Jun 3, 2017 | Lockheed Hudson, RAAF Museum Point Cook
In the collection of the Temora Aviation Museum, Australia, Lockheed Hudson VH-KOY (Military S/N: A16-112) is still flying. Photo: Temora Aviation Museum website. Comments and photos from Paddy Gardiner A few days ago, Paddy Gardiner paddygar@gmail.com wrote...
by Diana Trafford | Jun 2, 2017 | Quebec aviation, Uncategorized
In response to George Fuller’s “Outaouais and Beyond” post, Con Campbell of Hudson, Québec, sent a couple of comments. With his permission, we are sharing them here for readers of Flights of History. Fauquier, J.E. (Commercial...
by George A. Fuller | Jun 1, 2017 | Quebec aviation
Vickers Viking flying boat, G-CAEB, purchased in June 1922 by Laurentide Air Service. Photo: Canada Aviation and Space Museum #1828. Welcome to Guest Author George Fuller A recognized historian of Québec aviation, George Fuller makes his first...
by George A. Fuller | May 31, 2017 | Quebec aviation
Vickers Viking G-CAEB, un hydravion à coque, acheté au mois de juin 1922 par la Laurentide Air Service. Photo : Musée de l’aviation et de l’espace du Canada #1828. Accueil à l’auteur invité, George A. Fuller Historien reconnu des débuts de...
by Diana Trafford | Jan 26, 2017 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Quebec aviation
Seen here taxiing on floats through thin ice at Lake Osisko, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, CF-AYO was the first Norseman manufactured by Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd. of Montréal. She was delivered to her original owner, Dominion Skyways, in January 1936. Gold Belt Air...
by Diana Trafford | Jan 16, 2017 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Howard Watt, Quebec aviation
Gold Belt Air Service base at Bachelor Lake, Québec, showing the original cabin on the left, and the smaller cabin added around 1948 on the right. In the foreground, the company’s Norseman CF-BSG. Photo credit: Canada Aviation and Space Museum #3840. In August...
by Diana Trafford | Dec 15, 2016 | Uncategorized
Highway 148 at Luskville, Québec With photos by John Frazer Crook Airborne Getaway After countless hours of aviation history research, I needed something to perk me up. Like going joyriding. “Come fly with us,” my friends said. Who could resist on...
by Diana Trafford | Dec 9, 2016 | Bruce Watt, Ferry Command, Gander
The only Lockheed Hudson still flying today. Shown here at Point Cook, Greater Melbourne, Australia, it was taken on by the Royal Australian Air Force on 5 December 1941, two days before the war in the Pacific started. After serving with RAAF Survey Flight during the...
by Diana Trafford | Oct 23, 2016 | Ferry Command, Howard Watt
Venturas, Mitchells and Liberators at Dorval, Québec, awaiting delivery by Ferry Command to the United Kingdom and points beyond, 13 May 1942. Photo: Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-114759. Howard Watt was one of several...
by Diana Trafford | Oct 4, 2016 | Compagnie aérienne franco-canadienne, Nieuport-Delage 391, TravelAir 4000
The Nieuport-Delage 391 was widely used in France by the Compagnie aérienne française. In Canada, it was the aircraft of choice for the Compagnie aérienne franco-canadienne for its 1929 airmail route. What a Sinking Feeling… Aviation...
by Diana Trafford | Sep 16, 2016 | Barb & Con Campbell, Gold Belt Air Service, Howard Watt, Quebec aviation
Living in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Barb and Con Campbell heard that Gold Belt Air Service was looking to replace their man at remote Bachelor Lake. They jumped at the chance to take over the year-round job. They would refuel the company aircraft, keep the two-way radio...
by Diana Trafford | Aug 3, 2016 | Curtiss HS-2L, Quebec aviation
La Vigilance on the waters of Lac Témiscouata. Photo: Musée du Bas-Saint-Laurent, Fonds Aline Cloutier c276. Treasures to discover Aviation history buffs will find many treasures in Québec’s regional and local museums, as a friend and I discovered...
by Diana Trafford | Jul 12, 2016 | Curtiss HS-2L, Curtiss Seagull, Quebec aviation
“La Vigilance” – the Curtiss HS-2L flying boat registered as G-CAAC. Photo: Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Remembering a Canadian aviation pioneer July 17, 2016 – The date marks 40 years since Canadians said goodbye to our first bush...
by Diana Trafford | Mar 25, 2016 | Quebec aviation
Stitched panorama of RVA chez Mo / Mo’s Fly-in 2011 by Jean-Pierre Bonin © [wowslider id=”2″] Slideshow of photos from Jean-Pierre Bonin’s album of RVA Chez Mo Fly-in 2015. To see the whole album, with complete aircraft identification,...
by FOH | Jan 4, 2016 | Introduction
A while back, as I was researching family genealogy, I took a detour into aviation history. Stories about my uncles, both bush pilots, captured my imagination. As pioneer aviators in the 1920s and 1930s they would have faced endless challenges flying in remote areas...
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