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Peter Moodie sent us in this additional info and photo relating to 'Subscriber Feedback' in NetLetter #1453 - My good neighbour forwarded your last copy to me and I would like to respond to Roger Slauenwhite. I am very fortunate to be the present caretaker of CF-EOH, one of the Fleet 80 Canucks from Central Airways. We bought EOH in 1986 from the Edmonton Flying Club. Over the years I have met about 35 people in person or through correspondence who learned to fly in EOH or instructed in her. One of the earliest was Russ Brown who retired from CPAir off the 747. He had soloed EOH in 1952 and sent me a copy of his log book pages. Many of the pilots I flew with had time in EOH and of course there were a few stories. EOH was the first Canuck converted to the O-200 engine. Transport Canada required a test program as it was considered a large increase from 85 to 100 Hp. On the thirteenth test flight an instructor demonstrated a short field and obstacle clearance take-off to his passenger, another instructor. A now retired Air Canada pilot witnessed the result. At somewhere between about thirty and a hundred feet the too steep climb angle slowed the plane until the wing stalled. He managed to keep the wings level to impact and the written off airframe was rebuilt over the slower winter period by the Flying Club maintenance department. EOH now has about 22,500 hours on her, more than any other Canuck I know of and is in semi-retirement at a grass airfield near Winnipeg. In winter we operate on skis and visit various lakes and fields in southern Manitoba. Happy landings, |
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Roger Slauenwhite sent in the two photos below relating to the arrival of the first TCA Viscount and, years later, an ad for sale. "See for sale ad in Canadian Aviation Magazine dated September 1976. Price looks pretty good for a 48 seat aircraft with 5000 hours remaining to next overhaul. Wonder what price Air Canada sold them for" Roger |
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Editor's Note from Ken Pickford: I believe almost none of the Viscounts mentioned in that 1976 ad were sold and they remained parked at YWG and were later scrapped. The same applied for many Viscounts that were retired earlier. If you look at fleet lists, of all 51 Viscounts operated by TCA/AC, not very many found buyers that returned them to service. Some went to museums etc. Half a dozen or so went to an operator in then-Zaire fairly briefly. You will probably have better info but I recall photos of many Viscounts parked derelict at YWG long after being withdrawn from service. Additional info from Bob Sheppard: When I worked in Winnipeg, from 1980-1987, I remember seeing Viscounts parked at the south end of the airport. Also there was one parked on Inkster Blvd. that I passed on my route to work. It was purchased for what I think was a private recreational area with the engines removed. The area had previously closed down so I never had a close look at it. |
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From Terry Baker:
Era ends with Viscount sale Signatories to the Viscount sale were, from the left: Robert Pierson, United Aviation Services; Russel Scrim, Executive VP, Beaver Enterprises and President Ralph Vaughn. The last 24 of the Company's Viscounts have been sold to two Montreal firms in an agreement signed last month. The total package being sold to United Aviation Services Ltd., and Beaver Enterprises Ltd., also includes one simulator, spare parts including engines and propellers, and all applicable ground equipment. The aircraft will be delivered to their new owners in phases to last over a one-year period, The sale of the British-built aircraft marks the end of an era in North American aviation. The Company, then Trans-Canada Air Lines, put Viscounts into service on April 1, 1955 on the Montreal-Fort William-Winnipeg route. It was the first North American carrier to operate turbine-powered aircraft, thus setting the stage for the dawn of the jet age. In all, the Company purchased a total of 51 of the mainstay of the fleet in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The last Viscount flights will take place on schedule April 27 on the Sault Ste. Marie - Toronto, Montreal - Ottawa-Val d'Or return, and the Montreal - Quebec City - Fredericton - Saint John - Moncton - Halifax return routes. |
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And from Wayne Albertson: Registration CF-TGI was featured in a National Film Board documentary entitled 'Routine Flight' that was the subject of my article from NetLetter #1361. CF-THS is preserved at Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada and its restoration was the subject of my article for NetLetter #1380. CF-THG is preserved at the British Columbia Aviation Museum and is featured in this YouTube video. |
