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Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995

Aaron Pereira sent in this inquiry -

Hello,

I had a question about Canadian Pacific Airlines I hope you can answer. In article 1369, June 25, 2017, you mentioned that CPA re-branded to CP Air on June 17, 1968.

I have philatelic first flight covers from September of 1968, that still have the old CPA Airlines cachets. Do you know the date the CPA switched their logos, etc? Its a long shot, I know.

Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Aaron Pereira


We sent Aaron's request to Ken Pickford, who responded -

As mentioned, the new branding was announced in mid-1968 so it's unlikely it had much use until late in 1968. I recall they started repainting the DC-8s fairly quickly but there were still one or two in the old Canadian Pacific livery until as late as 1970.

The first aircraft delivered from the factory in the new CP Air livery was the first of the original batch of seven Boeing 737-200s which were all delivered in late 1968 and early 1969. The first one, CF-CPB, was delivered October 21, 1968. I'm not positive but by then I think a few of the DC-8s had been repainted in the new orange CP Air livery.

I believe the last DC-8 to be repainted may have been the last of the four factory-delivered DC-8-63s (CF-CPS) which was delivered in June 1968 in the old "goose" livery. But it was immediately leased for a year straight from the production line to U.S. charter carrier Flying Tiger and was used to carry U.S. troops to/from Vietnam (1968 the peak year of the Vietnam war with over half a million U.S. troops involved). That aircraft was returned to CP in July 1969.

The 2nd last of the four DC-8-63s (CF-CPQ) was delivered in February 1968 and was also leased to Flying Tiger for six months from July to December 1968. While with Flying Tiger both those aircraft operated in the final basic pre-CP Air livery with only the name on the fuselage and the tail livery changed to Flying Tiger.

This is what CF-CPS looked like during the Flying Tiger lease (registered N624FT). Not sure but I think the photo may have been taken at the Douglas plant in Long Beach, California just before delivery to Flying Tiger.

  tmb flying tiger dc8

This is the same aircraft at Amsterdam in August 1969, shortly after its return from the Flying Tiger lease, in its first month or so of CP service, named "Empress of Madrid" then.

Reference:
www.flickr.com/photos/edge-to-edge-photography/15601010071

As mentioned in the caption, the font used for the Canadian Pacific name on the fuselage was non-standard. At the time of that photo I think most of the other DC-8s had already been repainted in the new CP Air livery.

Here's some related info that might help:

The July/August 1968 issue of the parent company, Canadian Pacific Ltd., newsletter ("Spanner") had details of the rebranding of all CP subsidiaries. It's interesting that all are now gone except for the original railway.

Reference:
cpair.blogspot.com/2007/04/cp-spanner-newsletter-july-1968.html. Click each page to enlarge.

Note on 3rd page (top row, 3rd from left), the longtime CPR president and by then Canadian Pacific chairman, N.R. Crump, says in the 2nd last paragraph:

Before the end of the year, the symbol will begin appearing on rail equipment, planes, ships and trucks. You will start seeing it in stationery, print material, advertising and sales literature.

Also, on the 7th page (4th row, left side) there's the following reference:

For the remainder of 1968, the emphasis will be on equipment - trains, trucks, aircraft and ships - but the new system will not go into effect until refinements have been made by the management liaison group. For the major areas of application, painting of prototypes will begin shortly.

In the Timetable Archive in right hand column note the last timetable using the old "Canadian Pacific Airlines" branding was the issue effective October 27, 1968 to March 31, 1969.

Reference:
cpair.blogspot.com/2004/02/canadian-pacific-airlines-timetable-oct.html

The first timetable using the new CP Air branding was effective April 1, 1969.

Reference:
cpair.blogspot.com/2004/02/cp-air-system-timetable-april-1-to.html

That's about the best I can do. I expect there may be a few other CP veterans who were there before me (I joined CP Air in October 1969) who might have other relevant information.

Regards,

Ken


Hugh MacCallum sends us this comment regarding “Women in Aviation” article on former Transair Captain Rosella Bjornson which appeared in NetLetter #1405 -

About time she was recognized!

I was living in CYYL/Lynn Lake, MB from 1970 thru’ 1976. Probably mid-way through that period Ms. Bjornson set a time record for a Transair scheduled evening flight from CYWG to CYYL. Can’t remember the exact time; but I think it was in an F-28. I think the distance was 450 miles.

Cheers,

Hugh MacCallum,  www.hughmaccallum.ca


Terry Champion sends this comment -

Thank you for including the story of Jack Johnson’s Curtiss Jenny in Netletter #1405. I am happy to report that contributions now exceed $8,000.00, so this project is fully funded. However, our very capable Curator, Dr. Lech Lebiedowski, has similar dioramas planned for several other historic aircraft, so funding for our aircraft displays is an ongoing need. Every museum needs revenues over and above admission fees, so tax-deductible donations would be very much appreciated.

Check out our website at albertaaviationmuseum.com

We occupy a 84,000 sq. ft. BCATP hangar adjacent to the now closed City Centre Airport in downtown Edmonton. Guaranteed that you would find a visit most enjoyable.

Terry Champion

 
 
 
 

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