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 appearance on Flights of History as a guest author.
Another first – this post is the first to be published on this blog in both French and English.
Click here to read a biography of the author: http://wp.me/P790K9-g0
Cliquer ici pour accéder à la version française de cet article : http://wp.me/p790K9-hE
Aviation History of the Outaouais – An Overview
The aviation history of the Outaouais region of Québec goes back nearly 100 years to the days following the First World War when war surplus aircraft became available at modest prices. To encourage all readers to explore this rich history for themselves, I have compiled this overview covering the period from 1919 to 1970 to provide a starting point.
Based on extensive reference notes I have made over the course of 60 years, this brief survey lists some 75 commercial aviation operators and their major clients, as well as more than 130 aviation sites in the Outaouais and adjacent regions. Representative aircraft are shown for each of the operators, illustrating the variety of aircraft types flown in this part of the province. Aircraft are also listed separately, by manufacturer and type name or designation.
George A. Fuller
May 2017
Associated Lists
List of representative aircraft types: http://wp.me/P790K9-fz
List of aviation sites in the region: http://wp.me/P790K9-g6
Commercial Aircraft Operators and Major Clients
Addresses and years of operation are given for the various commercial aircraft operators. Representative aircraft are also listed for each operator. Unless otherwise indicated, locations are in Québec. In many cases, historic place names have been retained.
A
Aircraft Distributors Ltd., Montréal (1930-33) – Amphibions P-2 Privateer, CF-APU
Amos Air Service Ltd. (W.J. Davis), Montréal and Como, Vaudreuil county (1934-40) – Curtiss C-1 Robin, CF-AHE
Bases on the Rivière Harricana at Amos and on Lac Osisko at Rouyn.
Aviation League of Canada, Ottawa ON (1929-34) – D.H. 60 Moth, CF-AAA
B
Berry, J.M., Rouyn (1938-39) – Avro 594B Avian IVM, CF-CDL
Bisson, Louis J., Hull (1930-36) – Waco UKC, CF-AVR
Prominent pilot with Royal Air Force Ferry Command in the Second World War. The bridge on Autoroute Chomedey (Route 13), over the Rivière des Prairies carries his name. (See also Nash and Mohr.)
Brock & Weymouth of Canada Ltd., Montréal (1925-29) – Fokker C.II, G-CAEV
Flying from the frozen Lac Robertson near Taschereau, did photo survey in 1925.
Brunelle, I., St-Eustache (1929-38) – D.H. 60M Moth, CF-AGE
Passenger carrying.
C
Canadian Aerial Services Ltd., Montréal (1921) – Curtiss JN-4, G-CABA
Exhibition flying at Chénéville. This aircraft was wrecked in collision with an automobile, killing the driver.
Canadian Aero Film Co. Ltd., Toronto ON (1919-21) – Curtiss HS-2L, G-CAAZ
In 1920, flew from North Bay ON to Mattawa ON, then followed the Rivière des Outaouais to New Liskeard ON.
Canadian Airways Ltd., Eastern Lines, Montréal (1934-36) – Fairchild Super 71, CF-AUJ
Company operated at Ottawa ON, and at Maniwaki and Amos.
Canadian International Paper Co. Ltd., Montréal (1925-81)
Client of Fairchild Aviation Ltd. for operations in the area.
Capreol & Austin Air Service Ltd., Toronto ON (1932-35) – Waco UKC, CF-AVN
Operated charter service in 1934, from Toronto ON to the Rouyn area.
Central Airways Ltd., Amos (1935-37) – Travel Air B-6000, CF-AER
Company Director C.W. McLeod was publisher of the newspaper “Val d’Or News”.
Chambers & Rowntree Ltd., Montréal (1930-31) – Amphibions P-2 Privateer, CF-APU
Chartered in 1931 to fly Athanase David, Provincial Secretary in the Québec National Assembly, from St-Hubert Airport to his home at Ste-Agathe.
Cockeram, Robert, Toronto ON (1929-38) – Waco YKC, CF-AWE
This mining entrepreneur pilot had his operating headquarters at Senneterre in 1933.
Compagnie aérienne franco-canadienne, Inc., Montréal (1926-31) – Lioré et Olivier LeO 198, CF-ACS
In 1929 this flying boat visited Rockcliffe ON and later may have carried freight from St-Félicien to the Obalski mining operations in the Chibougamau area.
Consolidated Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd., Senneterre (1937-38) – D.H. 90 Dragonfly, CF-BFF
This aircraft covered a large area of Québec on exploration work.
Croteau, M., Amos (1938-39) – D.H. 60X Moth, G-CAUP
Curtiss-Reid Airways Ltd., Senneterre (1929-33) – Travel Air SA-6000-A, CF-AEJ
Although its principal base was at St-Félicien, this company probably was a regular operator in the area.
D
D & L Aerial Transportation Ltd., St-Jovite (1936-37) – Waco YKS-6, CF-AYR
Based at Gray Rocks Inn, Lac Ouimet.
Dominion Skyways Ltd., Montréal and Rouyn (1936-42) – Noorduyn Norseman prototype, CF-AYO
The prominent first operator of the Norseman, the company had bases at Rouyn (Lac Osisko) and Senneterre.
Drummond-Eckardt Commercial Air Service, Hull (1920) – Curtiss JN-4, G-CADI
Operating briefly from a field on the Allen Farm on the Aylmer Road.
Drury, William H.F., Rouyn (1936-38) – Waco YKS-6, CF-AYR
E
Elliot-Fairchild Air Transport, Ltd., Haileybury ON (1926) – Aeromarine AMC, G-CAFD
Operated bi-weekly service between Haileybury ON and Rouyn.
F
Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Inc., New York (1926) – U.S.-owned Fokker C.II, unregistered
Called in to assist the over-booked Fairchild organization in Canada to conduct a photo survey for a projected power line to connect newly completed Gatineau Power generating stations with the Ontario Hydro-Electric Power Commission grid.
Fairchild Aerial Surveys Co. (of Canada) Ltd., Grand-Mère (1923-26) – Huff-Daland HD-19 Petrel 5, G-CAEK
This aircraft’s 1926 tasks included photographic operations in the Ottawa Valley, and vertical photography of an area on the National Transcontinental Railway northwest of Parent Station as well as the area north of La Tuque and east of Trois-Rivières.
Fairchild Aviation Ltd., Grand-Mère (1926-28) – Aeromarine AMC, G-CAFD
Summer 1927 operations included forest-fire protection patrols of the Canadian International Paper Company timber limits in the Gatineau river basin between Blue Sea Lake and Clova.
Fauquier, J.E. (Commercial Airways Ltd.), Noranda (1934-38) – Waco UKC, CF-AUR
In 1937 operated daily service from Rouyn to the gold mining area of Val d’Or. Freighting from Oskélanéo to the Chibougamau area.
Fecteau, Arthur, Senneterre (1936-52) – Junkers W-33f, CF-AQB
A. Fecteau Transport Aérien Ltée, Senneterre (1952-73) – DHC-2 Beaver CF-GQO
This important operator’s activities are too extensive to summarize here.
Field, E.H., Kilmar (1935-36) – D.H. 60X Moth, G-CATJ
Forbell, Charles U., St-Jovite (1938-50) – Travel Air 2000, CF-AFI
G
G.B. Explorers Ltd., Toronto (1936-37) – Fairchild FC-2/51, G-CAIU
Glyn Burge is believed to have operated from Haileybury ON and Senneterre.
Gamble, W.A., Rouyn (1937) – D.H. 60M Moth, CF-ADK
Gamble was vice-president of Granada Gold Mines Ltd., Rouyn. In 1937 he set up Speculations Ltd., also in Rouyn. Registered to Speculations Ltd., the Moth operated as far north as James Bay.
Gatineau Power Co., Montréal (1926-53)
A major client of the Fairchild companies.
Gauthier, J.R., Senneterre (1947-55) – Noorduyn Norseman IV, CF-BDF
General Airways Ltd., Toronto ON (1928-39) – Fairchild FC-2, G-CAJJ
Major operator in the area with bases at Amos, Rouyn, Oskélanéo and Hudson ON.
Gold Belt Air Service Ltd., Rouyn (1946-62) – Bellanca 31-55A Senior Skyrocket, CF-DCH
Bases at Amos, Lac Bachelor and Rouyn.
Gray Rocks Inn Ltd., St-Jovite (1924-47) – Curtiss MF Seagull, G-CADI
Operating from Lac Ouimet and its adjacent airport.
Great North Air Service Ltd., Haileybury ON (1938-40) – Waco YKS-6, CF-AYR
Apparently operations ceased when this leased aircraft was destroyed by fire.
H
Hall’s Air Service Ltd., Val-d’Or (1948-59) – D.H. 60X Moth, G-CAPA
This company operated two Moths and three Avro Anson V aircraft for charter and freight.
Hennessy Air Lines Ltd., Haileybury ON (1935-37) – Bellanca P-200 Airbus, CF-BBJ
The Hennessy brothers were contractors and prospectors, operating aircraft from both Hudson ON and Oskélanéo.
Hudson’s Bay Company, Winnipeg MB (1939-55) – Noorduyn Norseman V, CF-BHF
Their aircraft served posts at Casey, Grand Lac Victoria, Oskélanéo, Senneterre and Waswanipi.
I
International Paper and Power Company, New York City (1928-41)
Parent company of the Canadian International Paper Company and the Gatineau Power Company, served by the Fairchild companies.
L
James D. Lacey & Company (Canada), Montréal (1924-29)
Specializing in forestry inventory and aerial sketching, associated with the Fairchild companies.
Lanouette, Albert and R. Roy, Ville-Marie (1939-44) – Curtiss C-1 Robin, CF-AHE
La Sarre Air Services Ltd., Abitibi (1946-48) – Avro Anson V, CF-EIA
Charter and freight operator. Absorbed with Air Fecteau in 1981 into a new company, Propair Inc. of Rouyn-Noranda.
Laurentian Air Service Ltd., St-Jovite (1922-24) – Curtiss JN-4, G-CADF
Did passenger carrying and pleasure flying.
Laurentian Air Services Ltd., Ottawa ON (1936-2004) – Waco ZQC-6 Custom, CF-BDO
Bases at Ottawa ON, Ste-Marguerite (Domaine d’Esterel), and Squaw Lake (Schefferville).
The Laurentide Company Ltd., Montréal (1920-22) – Curtiss HS-2L, G-CAAC
Flew from Lac-à-la-Tortue to Lac Kewagama (now Preissac) in 1920 to establish a mining claim, the first such operation in Canada.
Laurentide Air Service, Ltd., Montréal (1922-26) – Vickers Viking Mk. IV, G-CAEB
Bases at Grand-Mère (Lac-à-la-Tortue) and Rémi Lake (Moonbeam) ON.
Leavens Brothers Air Services Ltd., Belleville ON (1930-35) – Waco 10, CF-AFD
“Barnstorming” and passenger flying in Québec as far east as Trois-Rivières.
M
McCarthy Aero Service Ltd., Toronto ON (1920-24) – Curtiss JN-4, G-CABE
Based at Leaside ON and New Liskeard ON, took and marketed aerial photos of Québec regions.
McIntyre-Porcupine Mines Ltd., Toronto ON (1933-48) – Stinson SR-9FM Reliant, CF-BIM
Based at Schumacher ON. Owner of Belleterre Québec Mines Ltd., Belleterre (1936-48).
Michaud, W.J., Senneterre (1937-42) – Fairchild FC-2/51, G-CAIU
Millar Exploration Co. Ltd., Toronto ON (1929-36) – Waco YKC, CF-AWJ
Active in the western Québec mining area, W.N. Millar was a commercial pilot, related to the Weaver family from which Waco got its name.
Mohr, R.S., Aylmer (1930-32) – Swallow biplane, G-CANU
Mohr was part owner, with J. Nash and Louis Bisson.
Tom Montgomery Prospecting Syndicate, New Liskeard ON (1930-34) – D.H. 60 Moth, CF-ADO
Associated with Waite-Amulet Mines Ltd., Rouyn area.
N
Nash, J., Hull (1930-32) – Swallow biplane, G-CANU
Nash was part owner, with R.S. Mohr and Louis Bisson.
Northern Aerial Minerals Exploration Ltd., Toronto ON (1928-33) – Fairchild FC-2, G-CARA
Operated in the Amos area.
Northern Air Express, Senneterre (1930) – Fairchild FC-2, G-CAIH
Manager/pilot was Bratislav “Bret” Pliske.
Northern Air Service Syndicate, Haileybury ON (1925) – Curtiss HS-2L, G-CACT
Operated service between Haileybury ON and Lac Trémoy (later Osisko), Rouyn; pilot, B.W. Broatch.
Northern Air Transport Ltd., Montréal (1932-36) – Travel Air B-6000, CF-AER
O
Obalski-Chibougamau Mining Co., Montréal (1929-45) – Travel Air B-6000, CF-AER
Crash of this airplane resulted in considerable litigation.
P
Parker, Sydney E., Lake Placid, NY and Montréal (1919-20) – Curtiss MF Seagull, U.S.-owned, unregistered
Itinerant operator working as far north as Lac-des-Sables at Ste-Agathe, offering pleasure flights.
Patricia Airways and Exploration Co. Ltd., Toronto ON (1926-29) – Stinson SB-1 Detroiter, G-CAFW
Based at Sioux Lookout ON. Passenger flights to Rouyn in April 1927 from Haileybury ON.
Prospectors Airways Co. Ltd., Haileybury ON (1928-39) – Fairchild 82, CF-AXA
Company president was Robert Cockeram (see above). Ranged as far north as the Ungava region.
R
R. & W. Air Service, Montréal (1920-21) – Curtiss JN-4, G-CADE
Owners Adélard Raymond and Harry Wilshire. One of their then-unregistered JN-4 biplanes, named Raymondale, made the first aircraft landing at Lachute on 13 November 1919, piloted by Harry Wilshire. It was probably the first commercial aircraft operated in the Montréal area.
Rou-anda Air Services, Rouyn (1938-39) – Aeronca K, CF-BJJ
Jointly owned by Sam Coffler of Toronto and Joseph Dunkelman of Rouyn, operating as Rou-anda Air Services.
S
Ste-Marie, G., Hull (1936-40) – D.H. 60G Moth, CF-AVF
Seguin, L.A., Rouyn (1946-48) – D.H. 90 Dragonfly, CF-BFF
Shamess, A., Senneterre (1937-38) – Travel Air BM-4000, CF-AKU
Skylines Express Ltd. (Northern Flights Ltd.), Toronto ON (1937-41) – Waco ZQC-6, CF-BDS
Operated daily scheduled service between Montréal and Kirkland Lake ON with stops at Val d’Or (Sullivan) and Rouyn in 1937.
Speculations Ltd., Rouyn (1937-39) – D.H. 60M Moth, CF-ADK
T
Troup, C.R. (Northern Skyways), Montréal and Noranda (1933-36) – Fairchild 71C, CF-AWU
Absorbed into Dominion Skyways Ltd. (see above).
W
White, P.P., Rouyn (1935-45) – D.H. 60M Moth, CF-ADA
Acknowledgements
My sincere thanks to the following:
– Noël Rodrigue for the French translation,
– Maurice Graffin for revision of the French text,
– the team of volunteers at the Gatineau Airport whose airport history project inspired me to compile this overview of aviation history in the “Outaouais and Beyond.”
If you have memories to share or further information to contribute on the topics covered in this post, you are invited to do so via the comments box below.
HI GEORGE;
THIS IS AN INVALUABLE SOURCE OF AVIATION INFORMATION. HAT’S OFF TO YOU FOR COMPILING IT.DID YOU KNOW THAT H. WILSHIRE ENDED UP AS AN AVIATION REP FOR THE FORD TRI-MOTOR UNDERTAKING. I FOUND A REFERENCE TO HIM ONE ONE LANDED AT TORONTO LEASIDE ON A FLIGHT ARRANGED BY TFC & EARL HAND.
SEE YOU IN CALGARY AT THE CAHS CONVENTION…JUST SUBMITTED A PAPER FOR CONSIDERATION ON THE PILOTS, PLACES AND PLANES OF THE RED LAKE GOLD RUSH!
ROBERT GALWAY
Bob
Glad to hear that you appreciated this joint effort with Diana that appeared on her blog.
I have been researching a fantastic British site on the people who flew in the R.F.C./R.A.F. in the First World War and your mentioning Harry Wilshire prompted me to try to find him in it — airhistory.org.uk
There is a single entry for him: “Wilshire HD, Harry Dugdale, (born) 13 August 1893; (the rest is archive file numbers). Worth sharing.
George
I am looking for a source or reference on the bush plane pilots who flew for Fecteau Airbase in Chibougamau in the 1950’s?
I was boy of 10 and I can only remember one family name, Gauldry, but I’m not even sure if that is the correct spelling.
Any help would be appreciated, Thank you, Morris
George Fuller has this suggestion for you:
If Mr. Lemire can get access to the following book I am sure it will delight him: Fecteau, Thomas et Françoise Gauvreau-Fecteau, “Au-dela du 48ième parallele, mémoires d’un pilote de brousse du Québec.”. Saint-Séverin-de-Beauce, Québec, 2009.
Let me add another little book: Dorion, Nicole. L’aviation civile au Québec. L’aventure des Fecteau, pilotes de brousse. Ste-Marie-de-Beauce, Société historique Nouvelle-Beauce, 1994. 36 p.
And links for two possible contacts: the regional historical society in Chibougamau at http://www.shrcnq.com/ and the Musee de l’aviation at Ste-Marie-de-Beauce, home of the Fecteau brothers. http://museedelaviation.com/nous-joindre/
Good luck with your search – Diana
Dear George Fuller and Diana, Valuable info and fantastic photos — I remember those Gold Belt planes on Lake Osisko and took my first flight in one at 10 days old.
Thanks,
Sandy