Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Photos from the Pionairs visit to the BC Aviation Museum

 

April 23, 2025

 

Ken Peters, Bob Sheppard & Wayne Albertson
Photo by Brian Brownridge

 

Captain Stephen Hale talking to his tour group
about the TCA Vickers Viscount

 

Photo by Bob Sheppard

 

Former 104 RCAF Pilot Stephen Hale gave us a masterful tour of the CF104.
Known as the Starfighter, it is the Canadian version of the Lockheed F-104.

 

Photos by Brian  Brownridge

Submitted by Norman Danton -

 

WOW! I opened Newsletter #1556 and found an article about something I was involved in 40 years ago. I am referring to the group I organized to Switzerland.

 

I must say, it was a success. In 1985 I took early retirement with 30 years service. In 1990, my wife Blanche passed away. I am remarried and we live on beautiful Vancouver Island, Qualcum Beach.

 

In January 2025 I had my 90th birthday. Life is good .

 

Thanks for the memories,

Norm

 

Editors' Note: Happy belated 90th, Norm

 

Submitted by Jack Miles -

:
Hi Guys,

 

This is the story of how a PWA Hercules ended up in Libya, in Gaddafi’s stable of aircraft. These were years of much subterfuge (not much has changed).

 

The story starts half way down the first page with the subterfuge as to how the sale went through. I can provide more info. but note that this source is the CIA !!!

 

You may wonder how I retrieved it, but note that it says “approved for release in 2007”. I had mentioned this story to you when we had lunch, but I wanted to prove to you the veracity of it all.

 

I have another source, a lawyer friend, who can add a little more detail. I have had the excitement of living some interesting years in aviation.

Cheers,

 

Jack Miles Jr.

Editors' Note: We went searching the internet for the full article that Jack refers to and found this link to the CIA website detailing the full story:

 

 

Our Featured Video has been posted by the History of British Columbia YouTube channel. It chronicles the history of Vancouver International Airport (YVR).