Victoria Flying Club
November 2007
Inside
A beautifully restored Hawker Hurricane climbs out to perform for spectators at the Abbotsford Air Show. In scenes much like this throughout Southern England in the summer of 1940, young RAF and RCAF pilots scrambled for the sky in their Hurricanes and Spitfires to intercept Luftwaffe intruders during the Battle of Britain. My Uncle Roland was one of the Canadian pilots who flew with Douglas Bader during this crucial battle. Larry Dibnah
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Short Final
Letters to the Editor
Bears Air
In My Travels
First Solos
Down but Not Out
Eleanor’s
The
Patrician
S hort F inal
Newsletter of the Victoria Flying Club
NOVEMBER 2007 Editor:
Eleanor Eastick PatricianEditor@shaw.ca Advertising inquiries: Bob Mace (250) 361-6996 or bmace@shaw.ca Publisher: Seaside Designs seasidedesigns@shaw.ca (250) 383-7777 Published monthly. Unsolicited articles welcome. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, November 22, 2007.
Board of Directors President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Directors
Paul Levie Doug Marin Lloyd Toope Jeremy Prpich Colin Dormuth Don Goodeve Eleanor Eastick Dennis Arnsdorf
General Manager Gerry Mants Chief Flying Instructor Graham Palmer 1852 Canso Road Victoria, BC V8L 5V5
Phone: Fax: Email: Web:
(250) 656-4321 (250) 656-2833 (250) 655-0910 info@flyvfc.com www.flyvfc.com
Opinions expressed are those of the authors alone. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any format without the written authorization from the publisher or author.
The weather has been pretty good to us this October – those bright, cool, cloudless days – aeroplanes love ‘em! It’s still light until early evening, but on November 4th, the clocks go back and the dark days begin. Time to think of a night rating if you don’t have one.
Remembrance Day November 11 is a time to reflect on all those who have served Canada in the armed forces, all those who gave their lives for us and all those whose lives are now in peril preserving our freedom. Let us never forget their sacrifice.
SAR The big news is the seminar coming on December 1st. Don Devenney has arranged for Maj. Leenders to talk about the SAR system - who’s responsible for what, what happens when it’s activated, etc and for Sgt Condly, their unit Search and Rescue Tech, to talk about the more “survival” related topics. Sgt Condly has just come to JRCC after a stint with 442 Sqn up at Comox so he should have a lot of good info to impart. In this series of presentations by the Victoria Joint Rescue Coordination Centre pilots will be informed on a variety of Search and Rescue topics including: • The SAR system in Canada – how it’s structured and what happens when an aircraft goes missing. • Helping yourself – what to do (and what NOT to do) should you find yourself down in the wilderness • Survival kits, personal beacons and more. No matter how careful pilots may be, there is always the chance that they may find themselves down in the wilderness. At this seminar you’ll learn what is done to find you when you’re down, steps you can take to keep yourself safe while awaiting rescue and what you should carry with you every time you fly over unsettled terrain. Presented by the Officer-in-Charge of the JRCC and JRCC’s unit SAR tech, this will be an informative afternoon for pilots of all levels. Be there on Saturday, December 1, 2007 - 1 to 4pm in the Lounge.
the right marketing solutions for YOUR business. Call today. 250.383.7777 seasidedesigns@shaw.ca seasidedesigns.net
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Admission is by donation: A new, unwrapped toy for Santas Anonymous or a non-perishable food item for the Sidney Food Bank Seating is limited and we expect this seminar to fill up early. Please register by phoning Victoria Flying Club dispatch at: 656-2833. Refreshments will be served.
SEASIDE designs & photography
This promises to be a most interesting afternoon. Don’t miss it! See also the February 2006 Patrician for Bear’s Air, After the Crash, a personal take on how to equip and prepare yourself if anything bad happens. Blue Skies and Safe Flying everyone!..........Eleanor
Letters to the Editor Larry and I were bombarded with mystery guesses, photos and stories. Many thanks to all who took the time to write. Enjoy the letters! - Ed
bombing runs on one of our submarines. They used 10lb. bags of flour for target practice. Evidently the Captain, who was standing outside on the conning tower, didn’t appreciate a good dusting!
Hi Eleanor, The plane of course is a Lancaster. Anyone who was at the Abbotsford Airshow some years ago would have seen the Canadian War Museum one parked next to a B-17 Fortress. It is one of only two flying.
You can go and pay a Lancaster a visit at the Aviation Museum in Ottawa. It is truly an impressive piece of gear.
I happened to see the other one in the UK earlier this year. While out walking with my sisters near Henley, I suddenly hear the unmistakeable rumble of Merlin engines. I looked up and there was the Battle of Britain Flight in formo. heading straight towards us, about a thousand feet up. The Spitfire and Hurricane shepherding the Lanc. along, obviously off to a show somewhere. What a sight, and what a magnificent sound.
And more trivia...A.V. Roe was ordered by the British government to build its competitor’s aircraft, the HandleyPage Halifax. A.V. Roe just couldn’t stand that idea, and so put two more engines on its existing, inadequate bomber and created the Lancaster - without a doubt the best bomber of WWII! Cheers, Colin The twin engine prototype was known as the Avro Manchester and its 4 engined successor was called the Avro Lancaster.
Peter Houghton Hi again Eleanor, Just thought of something else. In 1960 our family left South Africa for a year. My Dad did a sabbatical at Edinburgh University Medical School and my brother, sisters and I all went to school in Auld Reekie. During the summer we went down to the Lake Dsitrict to visit my godmother and her family. They lived in a house on Derwent water, right opposite Squirrel Nutkins island! Anyway, she told us about listening to the steady drone of the Lancasters practising night after night over Derwent Water. Of course the people of Keswick and area didn’t know what was going on and it was only after the famous raids that they realised what the RAF had been doing. I’d read the book and when the Dambusters movie came out, it became one of my all time favourites as a kid. Cheers Peter. Hi: It’s a Lancaster. My dad used to repair them when he first joined up. Cheers Allen Must be the Avro Lancaster. Barry Hinderks Hi Eleanor Looks very much like a Lancaster to me! I have two connections to that name. It is my mother’s home county, and my father-in-law used to fly Lancasters. He ended up being rather deaf - the result of sitting between 4 absolutely gorgeous sounding, but very loud, unmuffled Rolls-Royce Merlins while flying them on anti-submarine patrol over the Atlantic. He got in trouble one day while doing pactice
Regards, Richard Carter Hello Eleanor, The October ‘Mystery of the Month’ aircraft is the Avro Lancaster. The original aircraft was the twin engined, Avro Manchester. Matthew G. Looks like a Lancaster to me... Don Devenney Hi Larry, No cheating here - i.e. pure guesswork but I believe the aircraft pictured is an Avro Shackleton. I certainly remember the Shackleton flying during the 60s but not others of that vintage. Cheers, Rolf Here’s an explanation from that crafty guy, Larry Dibnah: The mystery aircraft is an Avro Lancaster. It’s the Mynarski Lanc from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. I took this photo when she was out visiting the Abbotsford Airshow back in 1989 (?). The Avro Shackleton was based on the same airframe as the older Lancaster so it looks very similar to a Lanc from certain angles. That’s probably why Rolf might have mistaken the photo. I purposely used the angle from below to conceal some of the Lanc’s features (now that wasn’t very nice!). No, it wasn’t! Mark H also has a bit to add: I also have some photos that I think will give folks a hard time as the Lanc would do when seen from the belly.
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Letters to the Editor cont’d from p 3 Hi I have been reading your Newsletter for a while now. I am going to take a guess at this one and go with Lancaster. I saw one at the Ottawa Air Show years ago. Have a great day and keep up the great work. I look forward to getting my wings with your Flying Club soon. Mark Walcott Hi Eleanor That is so cool; I love the layout of my article [on virtual flying]! I think I am going to have a little trouble with the mystery plane so give me a few tries, but I think it might be a Lancaster? Blue skies...Liam Re: Mystery Plane 2nd Guess - Oops, it isn’t the Halifax so I guess it is the Lincoln B.1. I didn’t realize that the Lancaster ever had a radial engine as the aircraft in the picture… The Halifax looks somewhat similar to a Lancaster but it has radial engines and I was surprised to learn that the Lincoln B1 was a development of the Lancaster. Thanks for the info. Cal Larry explains: The Lincoln airframe is based on the Lancaster but with longer (and greater aspect ratio) wings, lengthened fuselage and
improved Merlin engines with four bladed props. Lincolns were taken on strength with the RAF late in 1945 but did not see any WW2 action. From the viewpoint of my original ‘Lanc’ photo one can see how the aircraft could easily be mistaken for a Lincoln or even a Shackleton. A development of the Lancaster was the Avro Lincoln bomber, initially known as the Lancaster IV and Lancaster V. These two marks became the Lincoln B1 .
And on a different subject: I haven’t finished reading the Pat yet but it looks great as always. I went out to the club this morning and picked up a printed copy and it was the only one left on the desk. Lucky! Thanks for putting my remarks in too! [Liam Aloni’s story about] the flightsim options was sure interesting. I downloaded the free trial for the latest Flight X and I sure wasn’t impressed. I have no interest in getting it and that story convinced me. Al Whalley. Ten out of ten to [Island Blue for] printing the Patrician. Good for Rob [Shemilt]. I really do like to have the magazine.... Peter
Here is the explanation of the October Mystery Plane. The Mystery Plane of the Month is an Avro Lancaster, the B,X version was built by Victory Aircraft Ltd., Canada which made ~ 430 planes – the twin engine version which first flew in July 1939 is known as the Avro Manchester I. The failed predecessor of the Lancaster was the Avro Manchester I which was a twin engine heavy bomber. It was plagued throughout its service with troublesome engines. The Manchester eventually developed into the Lancaster – arguably the best bomber of WW II. Of the 1,200 Manchester’s which had originally been ordered from Avro by the UK government, only 200 were eventually produced. The final operational flight of a Manchester was made on 25th/26th June 1942 on Bremen by the No 83 squadron. The Avro Lancaster first flew in January 1941 and entered service a year later. It eventually came in several different versions (B.I, B.II, B.III, B.VII and the B.X) manufactured by several different companies including Avro, W.G. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, Austin Motors, Metropolitan-Vickers, Vickers Armstrong and Victory Aircraft of Canada. Representative of the Lancaster series of planes was the Avro 683 Lancaster (B.I and B.II) nick named the “Lanc” - a four engine heavy bomber and was a mid wing cantilever monoplane. It had a two spar wing structure with ribs that were aluminum alloy pressings. The entire wing was covered in a smooth aluminum alloy skin. The ailerons have metal noses and are fabric cover aft of the hinges. The fuselage was an oval all metal structure. The tail unit was a cantilever monoplane type with twin oval fins and rudders. It had an all metal structure as well including the tail-plane, fins and rudders – the elevators were covered with fabric. The landing gear of the Lancaster had retractable mains and a fixed tail wheel. The mains retracted into inboard engine nacelles. The Lancaster was powered by four 1,280hp Rolls-Royce Merlin XX twelve cylinder Vee liquid cooled engines and had three bladed constant speed propellers. It had a provision for a crew of seven. The bomb aimer position was in the nose below the front gun turret. Above and behind was the pilot’s position. Aft of the pilots seat is the fighting controller’s
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Mystery Plane cont’d p. 6
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Lawn Chairs Can Fly
BEAR’S AIR Barry Meek
This is the true story of a fellow, who for many years had a dream of flying with helium balloons, and the daring adventure it involved when he finally did it. Often mistaken for an 'urban legend', the event actually took place in 1982 when Larry Walters launched in a lawn chair suspended beneath forty-some odd weather balloons. LAWN CHAIRS CAN FLY highlights the incredible details of his odyssey and discusses the good news and bad news of Larry's situation. Much of the material comes from the detailed research of Mark Barry, who is in the process of writing a book about the life of this man. The photo attached is from his website, and I would ask that you publish the credit "photo courtesy www.markbarry.com"
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f it weren’t for the Wright brothers, make no mistake, we would still be flying. These two fellows just happened to be doing the right thing at the right time. They got off the ground in controlled flight before anyone else did. There were others working on the same project in different parts of the world, but the Wrights just did it first. That doesn’t mean we take any credit away from them. It was a great tribute to American ingenuity at the time, and seems a fitting beginning to one of the greatest inventions in history. The airplane.
with the FAA regulations. He knew the qualities of helium and the principles of lighter-than-air vehicles. About the only thing he wasn’t prepared for was the super performance of his balloons when the tether was cut. Climbing at over 1000 fpm, it wasn’t long before he found himself level at 16,000 feet over Los Angeles in the cold, thin air, crossing the flight paths to the L.A. and Long Beach airports in the process. The crew of a TWA airliner was pretty shocked to see him out their window. And of course the FAA wasn’t too amused when they needed to start diverting aircraft.
The wind pushed the balloons on a generally northeasterly heading, away from the ocean. Larry shot out some of the balloons in order to start his descent before accidentally losing his BB gun overboard. He finally descended into a neighbourhood in Long Beach. The balloons tangled up in some power lines, cutting electricity to the area, but Larry was uninjured, and survived to pay the fines and face the music. The FAA charged him with everything Larry was 33 at the time, and for they could, including entering a years had the dream of drifting in control zone without establishing a balloon above the earth contact, etc. etc. They couldn’t enjoying the view. His craft was revoke his pilots licence because PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.MARKBARRY.COM pretty simple, some 42 heliumhe didn’t have one. filled weather balloons, each about six feet in diameter, Anyway, it was a dream come true for Larry Walters. A tied together in three clusters stacked on top of each dream he said he’d never do again. No doubt! He other. The whole bunch was then tethered to a sturdy became an instant celebrity, appeared on talk shows, was lawn chair, to which Larry fastened himself for the ride. interviewed by many dozens of newspapers and radio He wasn’t completely nuts though, as some forethought stations. For a while, he was the worlds biggest hero or to his personal safety went into the project. He was the dumbest loser, depending on who you talked to. He equipped with a CB radio, wore a parachute, a lifejacket, made people laugh, some were shocked, most just shook had about 30 gallons of water in jugs attached for ballast, and to control his altitude, he had a BB gun with their heads. In my opinion, he has to go down in aviation history on some level. Possibly alongside Howard which to shoot out the balloons one at a time. Hughes, Amelia Earhart, the Wright Brothers, Neil He was his own test pilot for the aircraft. He thought Armstrong, and all the rest. about and planned for the flight for almost twenty years. There is a really entertaining website which contains He studied weather trends, upper winds, knew the several pictures and documented stories of this guy. characteristics of the jet stream, and had a pretty good You’ll be amazed with the read. If you have time, and knowledge of the airspace he hoped to transit, along story cont’d on p 6 Although hot air and helium filled balloons have been around a long time, the invention of the flying lawn chair is relatively recent. And rare. It made sense to Larry Walters, enough sense that in 1982, in Los Angeles, he perfected his craft, and went flying in it. What a story! Often thought to be an urban legend, the facts are pretty clear, supported by all the media coverage and talk shows of the day.
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Bears Air cont’d from p 5 want the details of this interesting tale, go to www.markbarry.com. Mark has done more research into this than anyone else, and will soon publish a book about Larry Walters, his life and his incredible achievement with the flying lawn chair. Look for “FLIGHT OF THE INSPIRATION” this fall (2007). Details will be posted on his web site. Apparently, this is not the end of the story. Copy-cat balloonists are now showing up in the skies. In early July, 2007, another fellow in a similar contraption, lifted off from Bend, Oregon bound for anywhere in Idaho. His flight was partially successful in that he wasn’t killed or lost, but he didn’t make it to Idaho. He landed his lawn chair in a field, about 250 miles from home. By the time you read this, it’s anybody’s guess as to how many “balloonists” will have re-created Larry’s feat. Barry Meek bcflyer@propilots.net Mystery Plane cont’d from p. 4 position while in the fuselage are the seating for the navigator and the radio operator. Further aft were the upper turret and the tail turret. The Lancaster was armed with eight 0.303 in Browning machine guns in three power turrets and its bomb compartment could accommodate 14 1,000 pound bombs. The Lancaster had a wing span of 102 ft, a length of 69 ft 6 in, a height of 20 ft and a wing area of 1,297 sq ft. It had an empty weight of 36,900 lbs. and a maximum take-off weight of 68,000 lbs. It had a maximum speed of 287 mph at 12,000 ft, an initial climb rate of 250 ft/min, a service ceiling of 24,500 ft and a range of 1,660 miles with a 14,000 pound bomb load. The last airframe was delivered in February 1946. Several of the Lanc’s flew for many years in civilian guise and as a warplane when sold to other nations. A number of Lancasters have been preserved and can be viewed at museums; however, only two of the 7,366 still fly under their own power to air shows – one in Canada and one in the UK. There are a few restoration projects underway to return others to flying condition. Best regards, Mark B. Hassenplug
NOVEMBER Mystery of the Month The November mystery plane has performed at many air shows throughout North America and Europe. However, it was during Operation Desert Storm, the first Gulf War in 1991, that this aircraft first demonstrated its lethal capabilities against ground targets.
Send your educated guesses to
patricianeditor@shaw.ca
THE BRITISH COLUMBIA AVIATION MUSEUM is dedicated to preserving aircraft and aviation artifacts. We collect, restore and display aircraft and artifacts related to the history of aviation in Canada, with emphasis on British Columbia.
1910 Norseman Road Sidney, BC Canada,V8L 5V5 Tel (250) 655-3300 Fax (250) 655-1611 email: bcam@bcam.net The Museum is open daily! Summer Hours May 1 - Sept. 30 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Winter Hours Oct. 1 - April 30 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
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R O YA L PA C I F I C MAINTENANCE LTD.
Cessna Parts, Sales, Service and Aircraft Maintenance General Aviation Services Victoria International Airport 9552 Canora Rd T: 250 656-7322 E: service@royalpacificmaintenance.com Toll free Parts line: 1-877-2CESSNA (1-877-223-7762)
In My Travels PAT B AY A IRPORT
IN
by Larry Dibnah
WARTIME
This issue of the Patrician is dedicated to all the men and women of Canada’s Armed Forces, past and present. This is a time of remembrance. It is a time to honour our veterans for their contributions and sacrifices, not only to fellow Canadians but to the principles of democracy, freedom and justice throughout the world. Indeed we should remember these people all year round. While we usually think of Canadians involved in conflicts overseas, a great deal of wartime-related activity took place right here at home, on our doorstep. Victoria International Airport – YYJ – started out as RCAF Station Patricia Bay in 1939. In 1936 the Canadian government, anticipating another world war, began planning for a new air base on the West Coast that could also include seaplane operations. The current location was selected and within a few years the base was ready for use. On August 16, 1939 at 10:45 a.m. a Lockheed 12A Electra Junior, CF-CCT, belonging to the Canadian Department of Transport, was the first aircraft to officially land at ‘Pat Bay’ airport. The seaplane portion of the base was utilized over the next four years by Canadian Airways and Canadian Pacific Airlines to provide Victorians with passenger service to Vancouver. Simultaneously the main base soon became a hive of activity as the RCAF and RAF began to set up operations. Under the Western Air Command, the base eventually became one of Canada’s largest wartime stations. Canada declared war on the Axis powers in September 1939, shortly after Station Patricia Bay opened. Despite continuous development and construction on the base, flight operations had to be carried on. On October 22, 1939 an advanced detachment of RCAF 111 Coast Artillery Cooperation (CAC) Squadron moved to Pat Bay from Sea Island, the current site of Vancouver International Airport. An Avro 626 two-seat Types of aircraft based at Pat Bay in 1941. biplane with F/L George Du Temple and Corporal Rusty Hopper on board landed at Station Pat Bay. The two crew members raised the RCAF ensign and became the first RCAF aircrew to be based there. Twenty two other members of 111 Squadron joined them a few days later. Aircraft strength was soon increased to include Blackburn Mk II Sharks, Fairey Battles, Westland Lysanders, a Grumman Goose and a Fairchild 71. In the meantime, several of the hangars and other buildings which are still in use today began cropping up all over the base. In August of 1940, RCAF 120 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron, equipped with Lockheed Hudson Mk. I’s, arrived at Station Patricia Bay from Regina. A little while later, Squadron 120 moved to Coal Harbour, BC. RCAF Squadron 13 Operational Training Unit which was also based at Pat Bay at this time became the Station’s Headquarters Squadron and had inherited the Hudsons from Squadron 120. It was during a routine flight that one of the Hudsons crashed at Shoal Harbour with the loss of aircraft and crew. No. 13 OTU also flew Bristol Bolingbrokes, Supermarine Stranraers, a Grumman Goose, a Noorduyn Norseman and a rare Northrop Delta Mk. II.
Members of No. 13 OTU with one of their MK I Hudsons.
Remnants of the Royal Norwegian Air Force were based in Toronto after having escaped the German invasion in 1940. A small contingent of the RNAF was temporarily based on Canada’s Pacific Coast, first setting up at Jericho Beach in Vancouver then later moving to Station Patricia Bay. The RNAF West Coast Unit was equipped with six Northrop N-3PB low wing monoplanes on pontoons. This unfortunate unit had lost one aircraft, an instructor and his student in a crash while at Jericho Beach and then lost another aircraft and its crew at Patricia Bay.
story cont’d on p 8
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photo credit Mrs.Alexander Fraser, courtesy of Hugh Fraser.
In My Travels cont’d from p 7 On August 9, 1942, No. 32 Operational Training Unit of the Royal Air Force began to take up residence on the East side of Station Pat Bay (the East Camp). One of the original RAF hangars is occupied by the Victoria Flying Club today. This Squadron was a participant in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Student aircrews from throughout the Commonwealth began their training at hundreds of bases across Canada, mainly in the Prairie Provinces where the terrain was flat. But more advanced, operational training was provided at bases such as Patricia Bay. No. 32 OTU was equipped with Bristol Beauforts and Handley Page Hampdens. These aircraft were used to train student pilots, navigators, bombardiers and gunners in the techniques of attacking surface vessels. Unfortunately, due to the intensity of training, several crews were lost in This was the first aircraft to officially land at RCAF Patricia Bay. accidents at sea and on the base. To illustrate how close WW2 had come to home, an Imperial Japanese Navy submarine surfaced offshore from Estevan Point lighthouse near Nootka Sound on June 20, 1942 and fired several shots from its deck gun at the lighthouse, narrowly missing it. One of No. 32 OTU Squadron’s Beauforts was scrambled to find the sub but the mission failed when the aircraft was damaged on take off. RCAF 115 fighter/Bomber Squadron was first posted to Patricia Bay Station between 1941 and 1942. It was originally designated as a fighter unit but only flew Bristol Bolingbroke twin engine attack aircraft. The unit was shipped to Annette Island in Alaska where its ‘Bolies’ helped US Forces to drive the invading Japanese forces out of the Aleutian Islands. Upon 115 Squadron’s return to Patricia Bay in 1943 it was re-designated as a bomber squadron and swapped its Bolingbrokes for Lockheed Ventura Mk. V’s. The unit flew anti-submarine patrols from Pat Bay until being posted to RCAF Station Tofino.
Grumman Goose at Pat Bay seaplane base.
Between 1942 and 1945 three more bomber squadrons were based at Patricia Bay. RCAF No. 149 Torpedo Bomber Squadron flew Bristol Beauforts to defend against any future attacks on the West Coast by Japanese naval forces. This unit re-equipped with Lockheed Venturas before being sent to the Aleutian Islands. RCAF No. 8 Bomber Squadron also flew Lockheed Venturas and was briefly based at Pat Bay from 1944 to 1945. In May 1945 RCAF No. 11 Bomber Squadron was transferred from the Atlantic Coast to Western Air Command following VE Day. The unit brought its Consolidated Liberator Mk. VI four engine bombers to Patricia Bay where it served until September 1945.
In 1942, RCAF No. 3 Operational Training Unit replaced No. 13 OTU at Station Patricia Bay and served until 1945. This unit flew Consolidated Catalina’s and Canso’s. Early Catalina’s were true flying boats while Canso’s were an amphibious version of the ‘Cat’. These aircraft provided long range coastal patrol plus search and rescue services. Between 1942 and 1945 a few fighter squadrons were also based at Station Patricia Bay to provide air defense. RCAF No. 135 Fighter Squadron was originally equipped with Hawker Hurricanes but switched to Curtis P-40 Kittyhawks after returning from assignment in the Aleutian Islands in 1944. RCAF No. 111 Fighter Squadron also flew P-40s at Pat Bay during that time period as did Nos. 132, 133 and 163 Fighter Squadrons. In 1945, No. 133 Fighter Squadron traded their P-40’s for de Havilland Mosquito fighter bombers before being disbanded in September 1945. RCAF Station Patricia Bay also did its part in the wartime motion picture industry when two separate features were filmed on location here. In 1942 Station Patricia Bay posed as a German air base and Saanich Inlet made a convincing Norwegian fjord for the film entitled: Commandos Strike at Dawn. Three years later in 1945 Station
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Stranraer flying boat at Pat Bay seaplane base in 1942.
Patricia Bay doubled as a Royal Air Force base in the popular film entitled: Son of Lassie. Following WW2, activities at Station Patricia Bay had started to wind down. A presence was kept at the base through the 1950’s as the Royal Canadian Navy’s VU-33 Squadron made the West Camp of Pat Bay its home. Today, No. 443 Squadron of the Canadian Armed Forces keeps a detachment of CH-124 Sea King helicopters at Victoria International Airport in support of Maritime Forces Pacific. In its hangar at Victoria International Airport, the British Columbia Aviation Museum Society keeps a collection of aircraft and other aviation-related artifacts. Among them are several items from the wartime years at Station Patricia Bay and nearby bases. Most poignant is the Memorial Room which is essentially a tribute to the many personnel who were either killed during training accidents at Station Patricia Bay or were lost in battle after being transferred overseas.
Lassie poses with RCAF and MGM film company officials in 1945.
All across the country, fine museums such as the BCAM pay tribute to the pioneers of Canadian aviation. And each museum reserves a special place for all those Canadians who have answered the call to duty and served their country with distinction at home and abroad. Let us not forget them. Curtis P-40 Kittyhawks at Pat Bay in 1944. References: Photos:
Brendan Coyle. War on Our Doorstep, The Unknown Campaign on North America's West Coast Elwood White & Peter L. Smith. Wings Across the Water, Victoria's Flying Heritage 1871 - 1971 Wings Across the Water by gracious permission of the authors, Elwood White and Peter Smith. Mrs. Alexander Fraser, courtesy of Hugh Fraser.
Hawker Typhoon
by Larry Dibnah Aircraft designer Sydney Camm had already created the Hawker Company’s successful Hart, Fury and Hurricane fighters for the Royal Air Force when a requirement was issued for a new, fast, heavily-armed single engine interceptor.
Although initially troubled with the problematic Napier Sabre engine and a weakness in the tail empennage, the Hawker Typhoon was a promising aircraft. Performance improved when Mark IA Typhoons were equipped with the more reliable Sabre II engine and F/L J.W. Cantelon, MBE, 143 Wing, “bombed up” Typhoons during WW II the tail was re-designed. The Typhoon went on to prove itself as a pleasant aircraft to fly and could carry an impressive load of weaponry with which to cause the enemy air and ground forces much grief. In fact, the Typhoon’s role was switched from fighter to ground attack aircraft. Three Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons, Nos. 438, 439 and 440, flew Typhoons in the European theatre during WW2. Their contribution was impressive as they not only halted the advance of German Panzer Divisions in North Western Europe but they obliterated most of these forces. Specifications for the Hawker Typhoon Mark I B: Single engine, single seat, low wing all metal airframe; Power was provided by a Napier Sabre IIA 24 cylinder horizontal-H liquid cooled engine producing 2180 horsepower; Maximum speed = 405 mph, cruising speed = 254 mph, ceiling = 34,000 ft; Range = 510 miles, 980 miles with drop tanks; Armament included four Hispano 20mm cannons provisions for 1000 lbs of bombs or eight air to surface rockets
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First Solo s as of Oc t 30 Adam Cota (Mike Chow)
Logan Reid (Brad Fraser)
Leon Le Chasseur (Mike Chow)
Wouldn’t you rather be flying?
A • Tax and financial planning • Rapid refunds (electronic filing) • Personal, corporate and estate tax
Owner Evelyn J. Andrews-Greene, CA Sustaining Member of VFC since 1983
VIEW…AND AIR PLA ITH A W NE M ST O O O R
Open 8am 4pm daily
in the Victoria Flying Club
386-4466 #202-31 Bastion Square Victoria BC V8W 1J1
O!
Join us for breakfast or lunch…inside & patio seating 101-1852 Canso Rd
LICENSED
250.655.9395 11
Down but not out Down
Down
a presentation by the
Victoria Joint Rescue Coordination Centre How the SAR system in Canada works: What you can do to help yourself while awaiting rescue What to carry with you when you fly over unsettled terrain
Saturday, December 1, 2007 1 to 4pm VFC lounge ADMISSION BY DONATION: New, unwrapped toy for Santas Anonymous OR A non-perishable food item for the Sidney Food Bank
Register now! Phone dispatch at: 656-2833. Refreshments will be served
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P R I VAT E P I L O T G r o u n d s c h o o l Classes held Monday and Wednesday, 1900-2200 Nov
Dec
Jan
Jan
Achievements First Solo Logan Reid Adam Cota Leon LeChasseur
DATE
TOPIC
INSTRUCTOR
05
Navigation
Emily Harvey
07
Radio and Electronic Theory
Mike Chow
14
Review (Tower Tour/Written Seminar)
John MacConnachie
19
Review
Brad Fraser
21
Theory of Flight & Licensing Requirements
I. Watt
26
Aerodynamics
I. Watt
Sahil Bhatia Graham Arts
28
Airframes and Engines
M. Chow
CPL Written Test
03
Systems & Flight Instruments
M. Chow
05
CARS
KOIDE
10
CARS
KOIDE
Christopher Peschke Ryukichi Arakawa Tristan Nano Karan Ahuja
12
Meteorology
B. Thompson
CPL Flight Test
17
Meteorology
B. Thompson
19
Meteorology
B. Thompson
02
Meteorology
B. Thompson
07
Meteorology
B. Thompson
Simon Dennis Christopher Peschke Ryukichi Arakawa Achitay Gautam Brian Burger
09
Human Factors
Brad Fraser
Class IV Instructor Rating
14
Flight Operations
Brad Fraser
Yasuhiro Koide
16
Flight Operations
Brad Fraser
21
Navigation
Emily Harvey
23
Navigation
Emily Harvey
28
Navigation
Emily Harvey
30
Radio and Electronic Theory
Mike Chow
04
Review (Tower Tour/Written Seminar)
John MacConnachie
06
Review
Brad Fraser
PPL Written Test Summit Sharma Amit Nagar Chris Staples Digvijay Lamba
PPL Flight Test
Commercial Pilot Licence Simon Dennis
Instructor Written Yasuhiro Koide
Welcome New Members! Robert Herbison Christopher Bullen Daniel Patenaude David Kinloch Philip Reece Tyler Payne
at the
Pilot Shop* CHRISTMA S IS COMING. Check out the pilot shop for gifts - lots of new goodies coming in December
*see poster P. 15
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Good news from VFC and Galvin Flying Services Tristan Nano has set up a account at Galvin Flying Services in Boeing Field for the club. Next time you are there, just mention the account (Victoria Flying Club) and you'll get a discount on the fuel. It works out to be about 8 USD per 10 gallons (which is the minimum amount to waive the ramp fee of course).
VFC Smile Cards The Victoria Flying Club is very excited to partner with Thrifty Foods in their successful
Smile Card Program. Pick up your Smile Card today and 5% of all your Thriftys grocery purchases will go towards creating scholarships and awards for VFC members.
To date, we have been able to create three new bursaries! Pick up cards for your family and friends too. This is a great opportunity for VFC members. We thank you for your support!
SMILE CARD TOTAL TO DATE
$5015
L indair Ser vices Ltd
IslandBlue
Specializing in Cessna, Piper, Beaver float and wheel equipped aircraft. A high quality Service Department that is ready to complete any inspection or repair requirement you may have.
• QUALITY • DEPENDABILITY • SERVICE •
5180 Airport Road South, Richmomd, BC Tel: 1-800-663-5829 Fax: 1-800-667-5643
Tel: 250.385.9786 Toll free: 1.800.661.3332 E: repro@islandblue.com FTP: ftp.islandblue.com Web: www.islandblue.com
R E P R O G R A P H I C S A N D A R T S U P P LY C E N T R E
PRINT WHAT YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT! 905 Fort St (at Quadra)
www.lindairservices.com 14
VFC Pilot VFC PILOT SHOP Shop
Got a pilot on your Got a pilot on list? your Christmas
Christmas list?
• Headsets - including David Clarke's NEW X11 • Flight Computers And Other Pilot Gadgets • Books and More Books! • Air Force-style leather flight jackets • Shirts, sweat shirts and jackets Heritage Brand Cessna, DeHavilland & RCAF logos • VFC's own t-shirts, golf shirts and fleece vests
Victoria VFCFlying PILOT SHOP Club Pilot Shop
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Sonny Shah was presented with the “Most Senior to Solo” award at the 2000 Wings Banquet. Aside from acquiring his RPP later that year, Sonny cooked up some great curries for past parties at the Club.
Now we discover another talent boxing!
You gotta love him!
A number of outside tie-down spaces are now available. Phone DISPATCH 656-2833 for details.
A P AV E F E W D AVA I S P A C E S LABL E!
VIEW…AND AIR PLA ITH A W NE M ST O O R OO A !
Open 8am 4pm daily
Join us for breakfast or lunch…inside & patio seating 101-1852 Canso Rd
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in the Victoria Flying Club
LICENSED
250.655.9395