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Trainee Aircraft Mechanics

Around the Hangar

Remembrance Day

The Museum was active on Remembrance Day. Flyovers of Murrayville, Langley, White Rock and Delta were undertaken with two of the Museum's active fleet. The Fleet Finch biplane and the WWI replica Sopwith Pup, also a biplane, took to the air just before 11 am for this flying event. As well, the Museum's Sopwith Camel was on display at the Murrayville Cemetary commemoration of the ending of WWI.

 

The Harvard is 80

The aircraft we recognize as the Harvard was a development of North American Aviation’s entry into the training aircraft field. There were several iterations that were fixed-gear training aircraft. Some of these were operated by the RCAF under the designation NA-64 Yale.

The first flight of what we know today as the Harvard bore the designation NA-49 and first flew on Sept. 28, 1938. That is just over 80 years ago. That it is still flying today in large numbers is remarkable.

The designation Harvard by the British was in recognition of the US university. The US armed forces usually gave model numbers, in this case AT-6.  Later, the name ‘Texan’ was used in recognition of the location of the factory.

The Museum’s Harvard II was built in Montreal by Noorduyn in 1941 and served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy.

Boundary Bay Airport

Two of the Museum's aircraft flew to Boundary Bay airport on Sunday, 16 September for flyovers at the annual Air Cadets parade to remember the Battle of Britain. While the Cadets stood on parade the Sopwith Pup and the SE5a did a commemorative flypast. Although the day dawned with heavy clouds and showers, the weather cleared for a few hours with enough time for the two fragile biplanes to make an appearance. They were in good company with a Harvard 4, Sea King helicopter and Aurora patrol aicraft waiting in the holding pattern for their displays.

2018 Runway Party

This year's event - styled 'Into the Wild' - a tribute to pioneer bush pilots, was held on 15 September at the Museum's hangar in Langley. 

(Photo credit: Tania Ryan)

This auction is an important part of the Museum’s annual fund-raising effort. Without such events the Museum would wither and, perhaps, die. We are indebted to all who support our event. Tell your friends and neighbours how important it is for them to come and join us at our events.  

 Chilliwack Flight Fest

This year the usually balmy weather in the eastern Fraser Valley was in revolt. After weeks of hot weather, smoky skies and scorching temperatures a weather disturbance caused low clouds, drizzle and cool temperatures. The three aircraft in the Museum's flying display stayed safely in the hangar in Langley. However, the sales team gathered at Chilliwack, erected the sales booth and the Camel display aircraft and put on a brave face in the adverse conditions. Sales were satisfactory, but lower than expectations, of course.

 Abbotsford Airshow

 Boundary Bay Airshow

 

 Pops and Props 2018

Fly-in at Pitt Meadows Airport

Family Day at the Canadian Museum of Flight

www.canadianflight.org/content/press

Biplane in Vancouver

 

 More on the Fleet Canuck story

 This week the Canuck was re-united with its donor - Hank Koehler. Hank bought the aircraft in poor condition and donated it to the Museum. It has been a long-time restoration effort by Museum volunteers. As recorded earlier, the Canuck is flying again. Now the donor and aircraft have been re-united. As more flight time is accumulated, Museum members will be able to fly in the Canuck and hopefully Hank will be one of the first.

 

The Pups and SE5 return to Langley

The Museum's overseas contingent is now back at Langley Regional Airport.

Update from Vimy

Victory at Vimy Ridge