100th ANNIVERSARY of the BATTLE of VIMY RIDGE
(Submitted by: Tony Walsh via Rob Hemmett and Michael Fox)
There are numerous photos, stories and videos in the news, Facebook, and elsewhere regarding the recent 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. We have further information coming in our next issue (1366) as well. What most people don't see is all the work done by various volunteers that goes into making this all happen. Today we highlight a team of volunteers from the Vancouver area that built two Sopwith Pup Replicas for the event as well as those that were involved in actually getting them shipped to France and back.
For those not Facebook hinged, below are a few shots of RCAF CC-117 Fin-705 being loaded on April 20, 2017 at Lille France with the 7 Vimy Flight WWI bi-plane replicas and support equipment, having just completed their epic mission in France for the Battle of Vimy Ridge 100th. Now transported back to Canada for their Birth of A Nation Tour (and A Nations Soars documentary “Flight Path of Heroes” continuance) that starts in Charlottetown, PEI this May long weekend. They then proceed across Canada in a kind of flying circus through the summer to bring Vimy 100th to Canadians and to celebrate our country's 150th anniversary, ending at their home base in Langley BC.
Note: We hope to publish more photos in the ACFN Photo Gallery (that is presently under construction), so that you can view them all in one place.
Unfortunately, the two Sopwith Pups were not allowed to fly but were on static display. This note was received from Jerry Vernon, CAHS Vancouver Director - "Sad to hear, but I was advised at our Mess Dinner by the CMF General Manager that the two Sopwith Pups will NOT fly at the Vimy Ridge event. I gather it is because they do not have the necessary 25 hours flying time yet, and other requirements have yet to be met, as required by Air Regs. Instead, they will be on static display at Vimy Ridge, and the other 5 aircraft are scheduled to fly several times during the ceremonies. After they return from France, the plan is for the Vimy Flight to tour across Canada from the Maritimes to B. C., visiting air museums, etc. along the way, and to appear at the Battle of Britain Parade at Boundary Bay Airport on 17 Sep 17."
(Below) Loading Pup into CC-117 Fin-705 at Lille France – April 20. The de-winged 2 Sopwith Pups and the SE-5 are loaded last longitudinally, behind the 4 Nieuport XIs already loaded laterally, with wings on.
(Below) Looking forward on RCAF CC-117 main-deck. The 4 Nieuports all loaded & tied down at Lille France. Waiting for the 2 Sopwith Pups and the SE-5 whose wings are on floor below the Nieuports.
(Below) Two pups on drop-deck ready for road trip to Lille airport. The 4 x Nieuport XIs flew there and were loaded onto CC-117 wings on.
The Douglas DC-9 decision
While researching the BAC One-Eleven, I discovered some interesting facts regarding TCA’s decision to purchase the Douglas DC-9 back in 1963. Terry brought to my attention the Between Ourselves issue No. 264 from December 1963 in which then TCA President G. R. McGregor explains how this difficult decision was reached.
In summary, five aircraft types were in contention when the study began in 1961. The Boeing 727, British de Havilland Trident, the BAC 111, the French Super B Caravelle and finally the American built Douglas DC-9 were all considered.
The choice came down to BAC who had entered discussions with Canadair that would provide $400,000 worth of Canadian Labour and material for each One-Eleven built and the Douglas Company and the de Havilland Company of Canada which provided $540,000 for each DC-9 built. 
Deliveries of the Douglas DC-9 to Air Canada began in 1966. As discussed in NetLetter #1342 the DC-9 would become the largest (61 aircraft) and longest serving fleet (36 years) in the history of TCA/Air Canada.
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Gretchen Dawson sends us this photo with a request - Would any NetLetter subscribers be able to identify the stewardess and the two gentlemen in this photo taken in 1943? The photo below was received in an email from a friend who sent it from a website that specialiazes in "Colourized Photos That Make Canadian History Come Alive" by Mark Truelove who colourizes black & white photos from the past. He lives in B.C.'s Fraser Valley, and has a web site: www.canadiancolour.ca. That's as much as I know!
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Here we have three photos and information on the B-727 aircraft (via) Larry Milberry/CANAV Books)
“YNG” was sold to FedEx in 1991. There it operated as N280FE into 2011, when it was banished to the airplane bone yard at Victorville, the former George AFB near San Bernardino. |
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Circa 2008 “XFA” went into long-term storage at Trois-Rivieres, but is no longer there. Scrapped, perhaps, or flown away in some new resurrection?. |
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Ban-Damage.
(Source Flight International April 4/17) |
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The Pionairs are holding their 40th Annual Pionairs Conference (APC) and Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, April 30, 2017 in Vancouver. Unfortunately, the event is sold out as the room only holds 240 people. For those unable to attend, the conference will be videotaped and available on the Pionairs website at www.pionairs.ca (for members) soon after the event.
Terry Baker, Wayne Albertson and myself (Alan Rust) will be attending this event as well as the luncheon. Please stop by and say hello if you see us!
The Canadian Maple Wings Association.
The 2017 CMWA Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 7th, 2017 at the Lambton Golf and Country Club in Toronto.
The Vancouver "Western Arrow" chapter of C.M.W.A. summer luncheon will be hosted by the Dogwood Chapter on Wednesday, June 14th, 2017 at the Church & State Winery in Victoria, B. C.