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A somewhat forgotten aspect of the history of No. 425 Squadron (Alouette), Part 2

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May 31, 2019
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Profile picture for user rfortier
By: Rénald Fortier
Ingenium – Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation
The advertising published by the Québec daily Le Soleil to publicise the visit of the Lancaster from No. 425 Squadron (Alouette) to RCAF Station L’Ancienne-Lorette in August 1945. Anon. “Le fameux Lancaster ‘P’ pour Pierre à Québec.” Le Soleil, 13 August 1945, 8.
The ad published by the Québec daily Le Soleil to publicise the visit of the No. 425 Squadron (Alouette) Lancaster to RCAF Station L’Ancienne-Lorette in August 1945. Anon. “Le fameux Lancaster ‘P’ pour Pierre à Québec.” Le Soleil, 13 August 1945, 8.

Good day again, my reading friend, and welcome to the second part of this special edition of our blog / bulletin / thingee. Do you need a quick reminder before going re-seizing the thread of our story? No? I am very glad. Well, read now, if you wish to do so course.

On 19 July 1945, the new Minister of National Defence for Air, Colin William George Gibson, announced that Canadian-manufactured Avro Lancaster four engine heavy bombers from Canadian squadrons would be traveling across the country to collect funds to benefit the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Benevolent Fund, as well as to show Lancasters to as many people as possible. An additional objective was to offer the public the chance to thank some crews for their bravery in the face of adversity.

The spectacular growth of the RCAF’s personnel during the Second World War had led to an equally spectacular increase in the needs and responsibilities of its benevolent fund. The latter offering assistance to members of the RCAF and their immediate families, it was preparing to meet the needs of the dependents of aviators deceased during the conflict.

The RCAF Benevolent Fund dealt with people who did not meet the criteria of the federal government. It also pointed out to civil servants veterans who really deserved assistance. The fund seemed to lend more money than it gave. These loans allowed RCAF members to stay afloat while awaiting the civil servants’ decision regarding pensions and other financial assistance offered to veterans by the federal government. The benevolent fund supported veterans throughout this bureaucratic process, which was sometimes quite long. Some loans became donations if their recipients proved unable to repay them without hurting their families.

The benevolent fund intended to take advantage of the visits made by the Lancasters across the country through donations from various individuals and organisations, as well as through the transfer of the admission fees to the bases and airports.

Preparations for the flights of the Lancasters began in the days following Gibson’s announcement. In early August, the RCAF stated that six Canadian crews of Canadian-manufactured Lancaster from six Canadian squadrons would be traveling to many places across the country.

The crew of Lancaster No. 1 was staffed by No. 425 Squadron personnel, all of them veterans of many sorties, namely:

- Squadron Leader Joseph Roland Serge Yvan “Roley” Laporte, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with bar, of Montréal, mentioned in the first part of this article, pilot;

- Flight Lieutenant Joseph Alphonse Claude Bourassa, DFC, of Trois-Rivières, bomb aimer;

- Pilot Officer Bernard “Ben” Horsfall, of Winnipeg, flight engineer;

- Pilot Officer Jacques P. “Jack” Lamontagne, of Montréal, also mentioned in the first part of this article, radio operator / gunner;

- Flying Officer Gabriel Longpré, of Montréal, navigator;

- Pilot Officer Roger Thomassin, of Sillery, tail gunner; and

- Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph René Raymond “Ray” Saint-Onge, of Montréal, Laporte’s flight engineer for some time.

These people flew aboard a Lancaster that carried the identification letter P for Pierre / Peter, and an individual nose art entitled “Ville de Québec.” It should be noted that this aircraft was the fourth bomber of No. 425 Squadron to carry the identification letter P for Pierre / Peter.

Oddly enough, the initial list of Lancaster crew members from this squadron, sent to the media in early August, included the names of two Québec aviators who vanished for one reason or another, namely Pilot Officers Joseph Aurélien Audet, of Vallée-Jonction, and J.E. Parent, of Wrightville. Bourassa and Horsfall replaced them.

The RCAF’s director of French language external relations in Ottawa, Flight Lieutenant Charles Miville-Deschêne, a former journalist, chaperoned the crew of No. 425 Squadron for at least part of its tour. Yours truly does not know if this officer was behind the information suggesting that the Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron was a veteran of the air war in Europe, which was not the case.

On 7 August, an unforeseen but extremely important event made the front page everywhere in Québec and abroad. The day before, American President Henry S. Truman announced that a bomber, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress to be more accurate, had dropped a nuclear bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Two days later, Québec dailies informed their readers that the Americans had dropped a second nuclear bomb, on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. On 10 August, these readers learned that the Japanese government has just submitted an official surrender offer demanding the maintenance of the sovereign status of Emperor Hirohito. The British and American governments, as well as the government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, at war with Japan since 8 August, demanded that their Japanese counterpart accept an unconditional surrender.

Robert Laporte, aged 4, on one of the horizontal stabilizers of the Lancaster piloted by his father, Squadron Leader Joseph Roland Serge Yvan Laporte, Rockcliffe, Ontario. Anon., “Le rêve d’un enfant.” Le Canada, 18 August 1945, 2.

Robert Laporte, aged 4, on one of the horizontal stabilizers of the Lancaster piloted by his father, Squadron Leader Joseph Roland Serge Yvan Laporte, Rockcliffe, Ontario. Anon., “Le rêve d’un enfant.” Le Canada, 18 August 1945, 2.

Meanwhile, the crew of No. 425 Squadron’s Lancaster was in Ottawa or, more accurately, at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, the site of today’s Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the first stop of its journey. Laporte and his crew landed there on the morning of 10 August. They were greeted by several distinguished personalities, including the mayor of Ottawa, J. E. Stanley “Stan” Lewis, and the Deputy Minister of National Defence for Air, Herbert Gordon.

A pilot and staff officer of No. 425 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Réal Saint-Amour, of Ottawa, was also at Rockcliffe. A former crew member of Laporte’s Lancaster, Flight Lieutenant G. Langlois, now assigned to the French language external relations section of the RCAF in Ottawa, was also present. Laporte was pleased to see members of his family, including his son Robert, aged 4.

It should be noted that a small ground crew team, specifically attached to the Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron, was in Rockcliffe. It included Sergeant J. E. Lavoie of Gatineau Mills as well as Corporals J. E. Doucette of Montréal and R. Lemay of Sherbrooke. Yours truly unfortunately does not know if these three people accompanied the Lancaster throughout its journey.

Once their welcome was completed, Laporte and his crew sat in automobiles that took them to town to have a good meal with members of the Ottawa Kiwanis Club, one of the oldest in Canada.

The RCAF Benevolent Fund took advantage of the visit of No. 425 Squadron’s Lancaster to host an important event on the weekend of 11 and 12 August. For the first time since the beginning of the Second World War, in September 1939, the general public would be able to visit Rockcliffe. While the Lancaster was clearly the star of the benevolent fund’s exhibition, many RCAF aircraft displayed with it, some fifteen or so, would also draw attention.

There were American training aircraft used for initial and advanced training, such as a Fairchild Cornell and a North American Harvard for example. There was also a Grumman Goose utility amphibian, a Douglas Dakota transport aircraft and a Boeing Fortress long-range postal aircraft, all of them American. There were also several combat aircraft: two British fighter aircraft, a Hawker Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire; at least one example of two types of American maritime reconnaissance aircraft, a Consolidated Liberator landplane and a Consolidated Canso amphibian, as well as a North American Mitchell medium bombing aircraft and a Lockheed Ventura general reconnaissance aircraft, two American aircraft presumably used for operational training. None of these RCAF aircraft could be visited.

A few hundred residents of the Ottawa and Hull region may have gone to Rockcliffe on 10 August, in the afternoon, to view the aircraft exhibition of the RCAF Benevolent Fund. They probably saw the ground crews complete preparations before the official opening of said exhibition, on 11 August, around 1 PM.

One of Ottawa’s high-end department stores, Charles Ogilvy Limited, published a large advertisement in the 11 August edition of the city’s two major daily newspapers, The Ottawa Journal, now defunct, and The Evening Citizen, today’s Ottawa Citizen. This advertisement provided some information about what was going on at Rockcliffe but did not include any advertising for the store itself. Another high-end department store in Ottawa, A.J. Freiman Limited, did the same thing on the same day with a full-page advertisement.

Few readers realised that the Lancaster whose photograph adorned these advertisements was not the No. 425 Squadron aircraft that visited them. It was in fact a British-manufactured aircraft of No. 424 Squadron (Tiger), RCAF.

Approximately 20 000 residents of the Ottawa and Hull region traveled to Rockcliffe on 11 and 12 August to see the Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron and the other RCAF aircraft. Many people used the buses that Ottawa Electric Railway Company ran between the nearest tramway station and the base. Many people also drove to Rockcliffe. Parking was free. If the exhibition officially opened at 1 PM on 11 August, some people showed up at Rockcliffe as early as 8 AM.

If the good weather of August 11 pleased the organisers, the clouds and the possibility of rain on 12 August caused some fears. The residents of the Ottawa and Hull region did not seem to worry too much. More people seemed to visit Rockcliffe on 12 August. Automobiles were parked on the road to the base all the way to it, for example. The last visitor left the site around 8 PM.

Members of the Ottawa-Dollard squadron of the Air Cadet League of Canada, the only French-language unit in the national capital region, collected base admission fees, which were 25 cents per person. Said fees were not taxed, a detail noted by an English-language daily. Yours truly does not know if children were entitled to a reduced rate. Squadron members who did not collect admission fees also perform at least one drill demonstration.

With your permission, I would like to digress for a moment on the Air Cadet League of Canada. The repeated attacks of the German air force against the United Kingdom in the weeks following the fall of France, in June 1940, had a profound impact on Canada. Eager to strengthen the RCAF, several influential personalities proposed the creation of a national organisation offering basic training to thousands of young boys who would enlist once they reached adulthood. The Minister of National Defence for Air, Charles Gavan “Chubby” Power, mentioned in the first part of this article, thought the idea was excellent. An order in council signed in November authorised the creation of an organisation.

Based in Ottawa, the Air Cadet League of Canada was officially born in April 1941. Honorary Air Marshal William Avery “Billy” Bishop, a First World War Canadian fighter pilot known to all, was its honorary president. Its patron was none other than the Governor General of Canada, the Earl of Athlone, born Alexander Cambridge.

The Air Cadet League of Canada was inspired by a British private organisation founded in 1938 but absorbed by the Royal Air Force (RAF) early in 1941. Its growth was rapid. Present from coast to coast, the league had 10 000 cadets in 135 squadrons in May 1942. In September 1944, the league reached an all-time high of 29 000 cadets and 374 squadrons. The lack of statistics covering the war period makes it impossible to assess the importance of the Air Cadet League of Canada in terms of recruitment. This being said, between October 1943 and June 1944, no less than 3 000 air cadets joined the ranks of the RCAF, but let’s get back to our history and to Rockcliffe.

Only parents of aviators who had served overseas, but not necessarily in squadrons of No. 6 Group apparently, had the privilege of boarding the Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron and sitting in the place occupied by their spouse, son or brother. Indeed, the many instruments of the aircraft were fragile and access on board required some agility. Crew members guided these visitors as they boarded. In order to avoid abuse, these persons had to prove that their spouse, son or brother had served or was still serving overseas.

Some people who had lost a family member serving in the military could also access the Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron. In order to avoid abuse, they had in all likelihood to prove their claims. Yours truly must admit that he does not know if this state of affairs was unique to the aircraft’s stay at Rockcliffe.

I must also confess I do not know if children could board the six Lancasters travelling in Canada. Their small size and their agility was to their advantage. Their curiosity could, however, be problematic. Be that as it may, the many questions they posed to the crew of No. 425 Squadron, or their uncles, fathers, cousins or brothers, did not leave the adults around them indifferent. Many mothers and fathers thus obtained information on the environment in which their son worked.

The people visiting the Lancaster were not unaware that some pieces of equipment were hidden under pieces of black cloth. Many of them asked the escorting crew member to explain this state of affairs. They received more or less evasive answers. In fact, the Second World War not being over yet, some pieces of equipment were still considered secret.

If the average persons had to be content with seeing the Lancaster from a certain distance, the fact was that, for all intent and purposes, no one has seen one of these aircraft from that close. Better still, the crew was happy to answer their questions. Many young boys wanted to know more about its exploits, for example. A temporary platform near the nose of the aircraft also allowed them, and their family members, to see what the interior of the Lancaster looked like. Other temporary platforms may have been in place elsewhere around the aircraft. The bulk of this routine was repeated in all the municipalities visited by the six Lancasters.

After seeing the Lancaster and the fifteen or so aircraft of the RCAF, the visitors could have a look at a great many items in many tents and buildings, including a powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine comparable to those that powered the Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron. A tent sheltered a photographic camera used for reconnaissance sorties, for example, as well as a number of images. RCAF personnel, including some recently freed prisoners of war, responded to the many questions of the public.

Pieces of emergency equipment were also located in a building. Again, RCAF staff responded to the many questions from the public regarding items on display, open and packaged parachutes, as well as inflatable rafts and inflatable lifejackets. These were commonly referred to as “Mae Wests,” after the buxom American actress, screenwriter and singer Mary Jane “Mae” West. There was also at least one example of an American emergency radio transmitting device intended for crews whose aircraft had landed at sea. The rounded shapes of the radio transmitter of this device very strongly inspired by a similar equipment of origin German recalled the wasp waist of the independent and seductive young women drawn in the 1890s and 1900s by a well-known American graphic designer, Charles Dana Gibson. It was therefore quickly nicknamed “Gibson Girl.”

A brief digression if I may. Did you know that a dessert originally known as the Mae West was apparently invented during the Second World War by René Brousseau, a foreman at Vaillancourt Incorporée, a bakery located at the heart of city of Québec? In 2019, the May West, a new name adopted during the 1980s, was / is produced by Vachon Incorporée, a very well known division of Canada Bread Company Limited, itself a division of Mexican giant Grupo Bimbo Socieded Anonima Bursatil de Capital Variable, the largest baking company in the world.

On 13 August, Ottawa’s French-language daily, Le Droit, published a photograph showing the spouse of G. Emilius Fauquier of Rockcliffe handing over to the spouse of the Deputy Minister of National Defence for Air, the aforementioned Herbert Gordon, a check for $ 500, quite a sum for the time, for the RCAF Benevolent Fund. Fauquier was the mother of Acting Air Commodore John Emilius “Johnny” Fauquier, Distinguished Service Order and three bars and Distinguished Service Cross, commander of No. 617 Squadron, RAF, the famous dam busters, still stationed in the United Kingdom. One of Ottawa’s two English-language dailies, The Evening Citizen, published the same photograph three days later. Apart from the 13 August photograph, Le Droit did not seem to mention the visit of No. 425 Squadron’s Lancaster at Rockcliffe, which was actually a bit strange.

In an editorial published on 10 August, The Evening Citizen took advantage of the visit of No. 425 Squadron’s Lancaster to hint at the inadequacy of pensions and other financial assistance offered to veterans by the federal government. It was this very situation that forced the RCAF Benevolent Fund to raise funds. “It will be the public’s privilege to contribute to the bonds of airborne kinship by joining with the airmen in mutual aid to build up the RCAF Benevolent Fund,” the paper concluded.

On 13 August, Laporte and his crew checked the Lancaster before heading for the second stop of their route, the city of Québec.

Le Soleil, Québec’s main daily newspaper, published an advertisement / article about the Lancaster’s visit, which filled an entire page of its 13 August edition. The photograph of the Lancaster in flight was identical to that of the advertisements published in Ottawa on 11 August by Charles Ogilvy and A.J. Freiman. The page in Le Soleil was sponsored by the Québec municipal council, the Lévis city council and 23 local businesses, from the Zellers Limited department store chain to the Canadian Import Company Limited, as well as the Marché public Limitée public market.

Interestingly enough, at least for yours truly, the list of companies included the names of Laiterie Fortier Limitée of Lévis and Elzéar Fortier Limitée of Québec. The latter was a well-known soft drink producer, founded around 1900, which disappeared in 1963.

You probably wonder, my reading friend, why I introduced this digression. The fact was / is that this soft drink producer sold one of the two Canadian aeronautical games released after the Second World War found by yours truly. Jet made its appearance around 1954. Given the presence of aircraft that look a lot like the American Northrop F-89 Scorpion jet powered all-weather bomber interceptors operated by the United States Air Force, this writer wonders if this game was not American in origin.

General Mills Canada Incorporated, a subsidiary of the American giant General Mills Incorporated, marketed a board game called World’s Traveler Airplane Game at an indefinite date, but possibly in the 1950s. This game, which may have been available in French, seemed to be given to young people who consumed the Cheerios cereals of the company, but back to our story.

It should be noted that the city of Québec adopted No. 425 Squadron around March 1945. This was a common practice at the time. La Presse also adopted this squadron around March 1945, for example. This being said, the press within the province of Québec did not seem to know that the city of Québec was the godmother of No. 425 Squadron before mid-May. Curiously, this unit may have been the last squadron of No. 6 Group to be adopted.

Various personalities played a more or less important role in the process leading to the adoption of No. 425 Squadron by the city of Québec. Let us mention the mayor of the city, Lucien Borne, Cardinal Jean-Marie Rodrigue Villeneuve, whose see was in Québec, and Hormisdas Langlais, the member of the legislative assembly for the Magdalen Islands. The latter joined this effort in part in to honour the memory of his nephew, Warrant Officer 2nd Class François Gabriel Maheu of Arthabaska, a gunner with No. 425 Squadron, who had died in action in June 1943, at the age of 21.

The crew of the Lancaster from No. 425 Squadron was greeted with every honour at RCAF Station L’Ancienne-Lorette, today’s Québec Jean Lesage International Airport, on 13 August, in the early evening. Virtually all the air cadets of the region were there. The authorities from the city of Québec as well as representatives of the Royal Canadian Navy, the RCAF and the Canadian Army were also on hand. Pro-mayor Louis-Philippe Bégin greeted the aviators on behalf of Borne, who was busy elsewhere. Miville-Deschêne quoted the citations earned by No. 425 Squadron during the conflict. A chaplain said a prayer. A marching band completed the festivities. The few hundred people present applauded. Meanwhile, the French-language branch of the state radio broadcaster, the Société Radio-Canada, reported in detail what was happening.

Many Québec residents went to the airport aboard buses of four companies (A. Drolet Bus Limitée, Autobus Fournier Limitée, Compagnie d’autobus Charlesbourg Limitée and Quebec Light, Rail & Power Company) made available through the municipal administration. These buses were available from 13 to 15 August. Their common starting point was Jacques-Cartier plaza, in the Saint-Roch district. The small sum requested from users was delivered in full to the benevolent fund of No. 425 Squadron.

Residents of the Québec region who had an automobile were admitted to the L’Ancienne-Lorette base in exchange for an entry fee. The small sum requested from motorists was also delivered in full to the benevolent fund of No. 425 Squadron.

This transfer of funds to No. 425 Squadron’s benevolent fund contradicted the information published in newspapers according to which the RCAF Benevolent Fund would benefit from this money. This writer is not able to specify where the sums collected ended up when all was said and done.

It should be noted that the crew of the Lancaster from No. 425 Squadron was at L’Ancienne-Lorette in mid-week, while most people in the region were at work.

Laporte and his crew signing the city of Québec guest book (top photograph) and at the luncheon of the Club Rotary de Québec. Anon., “Réception aux Alouettes.” Le Soleil, 14 August 1945, 1.

Laporte and his crew signing the city of Québec guest book (top photograph) and at the luncheon of the Club Rotary de Québec. Anon., “Réception aux Alouettes.” Le Soleil, 14 August 1945, 1.

Accompanied by air cadets, Laporte and the other members of the crew of No. 425 Squadron’s Lancaster went to the city hall of Québec late in the morning on 14 August. They signed the city’s guest book under the benevolent gaze of Bégin, many members of the city’s municipal council and representatives of the RCAF.

The Club Rotary de Québec welcomed the aviators a little later that day during its weekly talk at the Château Frontenac, a magnificent hotel owned by a Canadian transport giant, Canadian Pacific Railway Company. The air cadet squadron of the club and its commander, Flight Lieutenant Harold Johnson, or Johnston, welcomed them. The latter also highlighted how much the residents of Québec admired the personnel of the RCAF. Miville-Deschêne thanked the Club Rotary de Québec for its enthusiastic welcome. He then asked the aviators questions about their overseas service. Two members of the Lancaster crew, Bourassa and Laporte, thanked the residents of Québec for their support. Another RCAF officer, Group Captain Gordon Lewis, who had come expressly from Trenton, Ontario, for the occasion, shared their gratitude.

By a curious coincidence, the President of the Rotary Club de Québec had the same family name as one of the evicted aviators of the Lancaster crew. Lorenzo Audet seemed to be a postcard publisher. Would you believe me, my reading friend, if I told you that it was at the Château Frontenac that the Second Québec Conference, mentioned in the first part of this article, took place? Ours is a small world, is not it?

The Japanese government having agreed to surrender unconditionally, 15 August newspapers from the province of Québec announced the end of fighting on their front page. Everywhere around the globe, in the United States, in the United Kingdom, in Canada, there was joy. The Second World War, a cataclysm which has mowed down between 60 and 75 million human beings, was finally over.

The long table that greeted the aviators of No. 425 Squadron for lunch at the l’Hôtel Saint-Louis, Québec. Anon., “Au déjeuner de l’équipage du Lancaster.” Le Soleil, 17 August 17, 1945, 3.

The long table that greeted the aviators of No. 425 Squadron for lunch at the l’Hôtel Saint-Louis, Québec. Anon., “Au déjeuner de l’équipage du Lancaster.” Le Soleil, 17 August 17, 1945, 3.

On 16 August, the crew of the Lancaster from No. 425 Squadron, about fifteen of their unit companions and a dozen aviators from three other RCAF squadrons participated in a lunch at the hotel where it was staying. Laporte seemed to be the only member of the Lancaster’s crew present with his spouse. The management of the Hôtel Saint-Louis, now long gone, wished to thank these representatives of the RCAF for their contribution to victory, all in a cordial and intimate atmosphere, without long speeches. The General Manager and President of the hotel, H.L.J. Aubin and René Pettigrew, had left the RCAF shortly before. The Manager, on the other hand, had one son, Albert Gadoury, in the RCAF and another in the Royal Canadian Navy. Wilfrid Gadoury had apparently served in the RAF, in Canada, in 1918.

Did you know that the Hôtel Saint-Louis, one of the most prestigious hotels in Québec in the 19th century, hosted some of the delegates at the 1864 Québec Conference, one of those leading to Confederation, in 1867?

A livewire pilot from No. 425 Squadron invited to the lunch with his spouse, Flight Lieutenant Saint-Amour, mentioned above, conducted a performance of the famous folk song Alouette with much movement and funny faces. The audience also sang a relatively unknown British work, I got sixpence.

Once lunch was over, the Lancaster crew went to L’Ancienne-Lorette. It then took to the sky towards RCAF Station Mont-Joli. The presence of this small municipality on the list of places visited by one of the six Lancasters seemed unusual at first. It was, however, due to the presence of No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School, possibly the largest school in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). This school became active in December 1941 and closed its doors in April 1945. The vast majority of the personnel trained at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School came from outside Québec and did not speak French.

What was the BCATP, you ask, my reading friend? Nothing less than one of Canada’s greatest contributions to the Allied victory in the Second World War. Created in December 1939, the enormous achievement that was the BCATP included nearly 120 schools of various types spread across Canada’s nine provinces. Between 1940 and 1945, the BCATP trained 130 000 of the 290 000 pilots and crew members of the Commonwealth’s air forces – an outstanding performance, but back to our story.

Inclement weather on 17 August cooled somewhat the enthusiasm of residents of the Mont-Joli area who wanted to see the Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron. The fact that this day was a Friday and a work day probably did not help either. This being said, several hundred people went to the base, today’s regional airport of Mont-Joli.

Working together with the Chamber of Commerce, the municipal administration organised an official dinner in the great hall of the Hôtel Commercial, now long gone. An important personality of the region and founder of the Sanatorium Saint-Georges, Georges Henri DeChamplain, presided over the ceremony. Some eminent people from the region were at the head table, including Gleason Belzile, Member of Parliament for Rimouski; Onésime Gagnon, treasurer of the province of Québec; Paul-Émile Gagnon, mayor of Rimouski; and Dr. René A. Lepage, mayor of Mont-Joli. Some speeches paid homage to the Lancaster crew and to No. 425 Squadron, a subject of admiration for all of French Canada. Radio station CJBR of Rimouski, affiliated with the Société Radio-Canada, transmitted these words to those who were not present. This station still existed as of 2019.

On 17 August, No. 425 Squadron’s Lancaster flew to RCAF Station Moncton, the site of No. 8 Service Flying Training School, active between December 1940 and January 1944, and site of today’s Greater Moncton Roméo Leblanc International Airport. As in Rockcliffe, the huge bomber was the main attraction of an exhibition of RCAF training and combat aircraft exhibit sponsored by the RCAF Benevolent Fund. The exhibition was held on 18 and 19 August, occupying a full weekend. It included, among other aircraft, a Hurricane, two de Havilland Mosquito bombing aircraft and two Consolidated Canso search and rescue amphibians, quite possibly of Canadian manufacture.

Eager to publicize the event, two well-known businesses in Moncton, the cookie manufacturer Marven’s Limited and the hardware store Sumner Company Limited, published two advertisements in the city’s leading daily newspaper, The Moncton Daily Times, on 15 and 17 August. These advertisements provided some information about what was going on at the base in Moncton but did not include any advertising for the businesses as such. An energy provider, Moncton Electricity & Gas Company Limited, issued a similar advertisement on 15 August in The Moncton Transcript.

Eager to allow as many people as possible to visit the base, the event organizers offered a special bus service, most likely provided by Gray Bus Line Company Limited. Their starting point was Moncton’s well-known Brunswick Hotel, now long gone.

Tickets to the base were available at that establishment, as well as at major newspaper outlets in the city. Potential visitors could also approach RCAF members circulating in the main arteries of Moncton.

The Moncton Daily Times told its readers that the event sponsored by the RCAF Benevolent Fund did not include aerobatics demonstrations. There was no danger, therefore, of a tragedy like the one that hit the residents of Calgary, Alberta, when a de Havilland Mosquito of the RAF which was touring Canada crashed on 9 May, the day after Victory Day in Europe, as it flew at high speed at low altitude. Its two crew members, Canadians both, perished in the accident.

Approximately 2 500 people from the Moncton region visited the exhibition. If the doors of the base closed at 6 PM on the 18th, they remained open until 11 PM the following day. Indeed, the program of 19 August included two concerts, offered in the afternoon and evening. This last concert was followed by fireworks. Visitors to the base could also examine various pieces of equipment used by the crews of the Canso search and rescue amphibians.

On August 20, Laporte and his crew began the penultimate leg of their journey, the flight to RCAF Station Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, home to two of the eight Canadian squadrons of the Commonwealth’s Very Long Range Bomber Force. Their tour ended at this location on 21 August. The Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron may have returned to RCAF Station Debert, Nova Scotia, the next day.

It should be noted that it was a Lancaster piloted by a crew of No. 434 Squadron (Bluenose) which visited Cartierville Airport, on 17, 18 and 19 August, in other words during the weekend. It nonetheless arrived in the middle of the afternoon instead of the morning. An engine problem forced the pilot to make an emergency landing at RCAF Station Summerside, Prince Edward Island. The crew of this Lancaster included two French Canadians, apparently the only ones present in a Lancaster other than that of No. 425 Squadron, namely Pilot Officers P.G. Doucet of Petit-Rocher-Nord, New Brunswick, mid upper gunner, and J.F.R. Boyer of Montréal, tail gunner. Flight Lieutenant Gabriel “Gaby” Langlais, an RCAF external relations officer mentioned in the first part of this article, was one of the RCAF representatives welcoming the crew.

Cartierville was an important site for the Canadian and Québec aircraft industry. Indeed, aircraft manufacturers Canadair Limited and Noorduyn Aviation Limited had factories of importance there. As we all know, the Canadair plant is now part of Bombardier Incorporée, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the country and one of the largest producers of regional airliners in the world for many years.

Even before the end of 1945 perhaps, holders of Noorduyn Aviation shares may have required a reorientation of the company which withdrew from the aeronautical sector and became Nuclear Enterprises Limited. This decision was all the more surprising as Noorduyn Aviation was one of two finalists in an RCAF competition to develop a twin engine advanced training aircraft that did not, however, go beyond the wind tunnel model stage. Outraged by this reorientation, Robert Bernard Cornelius “Bob” Noorduyn resigned from his position as Vice President and General Manager. In the spring of 1946, Nuclear Enterprises sold the production rights for its famous Norseman bush plane to Canadian Car & Foundry Company Limited, the country’s largest railway equipment manufacturer and a major Canadian aircraft manufacturer during the Second World War. Nuclear Enterprises seemed to disappear in the 1950s, but let’s get back to our story.

The crews of the six Lancasters of the RCAF eventually visited Canada’s nine provinces.

On 22 August, the staff of the RCAF authorised the disbandment of No. 425 Squadron. Given the fact that this service intended to keep a number of operational squadrons, a number of people took steps shortly before or after this date to ensure that No. 425 Squadron, a unique unit if there was one, be among them. Their request was not accepted.

No. 6 Group was disbanded on 1 September. On 2 and 3 September, dailies in the province of Québec revealed that Japanese government officials had signed the instrument of surrender aboard a United States Navy ship anchored in Tokyo Bay. Comparing the power of nuclear weapons, the impact of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics’ entry into the war and the reputation of No. 425 Squadron, a member of this unit offered an exaggerated explanation of Japan’s surrender: “There was the atomic bomb, the Stalin bomb, and the Alouette bomb.”

On the evening of 4 September, at Debert, the commander of No. 425 Squadron, Squadron Leader Lionel Palma Joseph Dupuis, DFC, gathered his aircrews and his ground crews for a dinner farewell. No. 425 Squadron was disbanded the next day. Its personnel appeared to be demobilised in September and October. Nine other squadrons of No. 6 Group were disbanded in September and October. The Commonwealth’s Very Long Range Bomber Force, finally, suffered the same fate in late October.

The disbandment of No. 425 Squadron seemed to have taken many people by surprise. Langlais learned the news from the lips of Dupuis and Group Captain Joseph Hector Lucien “Joe / Joe the Group” Lecomte, DFC, in early September, prior to the official announcement. You will recall that Lecomte was the commander of Debert, where No. 425 Squadron was stationed. You will also remember that this officer commanded said squadron for a while.

The aviators of No. 425 Squadron may not have realised how important they were to their French-speaking compatriots. An example will suffice. The opening of the first session of the interim council of the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization in Montréal on 15 August was of great interest to the aviation community of Canada, and well beyond. Earlier that month, the nationalist newspaper Le Devoir, for example, published an article on the role of French Canadians in civil aviation.

Its author, Lucien Desbiens, pointed out that Québec’s contribution to the air war effort, through No. 425 Squadron for example, was extremely important. Many young French Canadians who had served and still served in the RCAF wished to pursue a career in aviation after the Second World War. One only needed to think about Pilot Officer Jean-Paul “Ti-Paul” Lacaille, Distinguished Service Medal, of Magog. This pilot did not particularly want to spend the rest of his life making wooden toys and utensils in his father’s workshop. Lacaille wanted to become an airline pilot.

Speaking of Québec, says Desbiens, “it was therefore in its interest to follow closely the upcoming discussions, to see right now that our people were not treated as poor cousins by the central government which would represent the provinces at this conference.” If the contribution of French Canadians to federal government projects was then unknown, “the example of the past might have justified some fears for the future.” A French-speaking RCAF officer who preferred to remain anonymous in order to avoid trouble abounded in the same direction. Regardless of the plans of the federal government, he said, “our young French-Canadian aviators had little chance of playing a big role.”

This officer proposed to solve this serious problem by appealing to the Québec government. The latter could, for example, create a provincial air service for forest fire prevention and combat similar to the one which had existed in Ontario since 1924. The Service aérien du gouvernement du Québec did not see the light of day until 1960, however, after the death of Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis and, in all likelihood, the defeat of his party in the June 1960 general election, in the hands of the stupendous team led by Jean Lesage.

The massive contraction in the RCAF’s personnel and the limited personnel of the Canadian air carriers, including the state-owned Trans-Canada Air Lines and Canadian Pacific Airlines Limited, the largest private airline in the country and a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Railway, ensured that the vast majority of French speaking aircrews and ground crews of the RCAF quickly had to give up the idea of having a career in aviation after the Second World War. The same went for French-speaking personnel of the aircraft manufacturers of Québec, which were also strongly affected by the cancellation of military contracts. In fact, this state of affairs was also affecting English speaking aircrews and ground crews of the RCAF, not to mention the personnel of the aircraft manufacturers from across Canada.

One only needed to think about Thomassin, who worked for a long time for the Post Office Department, later Canada Post Corporation. Horsfall, meanwhile, worked in sales, for the pharmaceutical industry, before becoming a real estate agent.

It should be noted that the very procedures of the Civil Aviation Division of the Department of Transport hampered the transition of Canadian aviators toward civil aviation. Indeed, if the inspectors of the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the organization with the power to regulate all aspects of civil aviation in the United States, willingly agreed to go to military bases in order to give examination to pilots who wished to obtain a civilian pilot’s license, those who worked within the Department of Transport did not act in this manner.

A Canadian aviator could not in fact apply for a civilian pilot’s license until demobilised. Said aviator then discovered that the waiting list of the Civil Aviation Division had thousands of names, a situation due to the fact that said division suffered from a chronic lack of personnel. Worse still, this staff pretty much suggested to any aviator wishing to obtain a transport pilot’s license that he drop the matter. Said license was obsolete, they said, and under revision.

This being said, some of the procedures of the Civil Aviation Division of the Department of Transport made things a little easier. One only needed to think, with regard to pilots, about the elimination of flight tests and some written examinations. If a special medical examination at the time of demobilisation was acceptable to obtain a commercial pilot license, the very length of the waiting list of the division discouraged many potential candidates.

Despite the obstacles, many members of No. 425 Squadron had a career in aviation during the post-war years. Some remained in the RCAF, for example. Let us mention at random five influential and important DFC holders, the aforementioned Dupuis and Lecomte; Hugh Charles Ledoux, mentioned in the first part of this article; as well as Édouard Jean and Joseph Léon Gabriel Taschereau.

Other members of the squadron made themselves known in the field of civil aviation. I would like to mention three other DFC holders. Gilles Simard became chief pilot of the regional air carrier Québecair Limitée before joining the staff of the aforementioned Service aérien du gouvernement du Québec, of which he became Director of Operations and Acting Director General. Léopold Rosario Brochu, on the other hand, acceded to the position of Director of Québec airport, the aforementioned Québec Jean Lesage International Airport. Gilles Gilbert Boulanger, finally, launched the Faucheurs de Marguerites, an annual air show presented since 1995 a few metres from the Gilbert-Boulanger terminal at Sherbrooke airport in Cookshire-Eaton.

If I may be permitted a brief digression, this event, one of the most important of its kind in Canada, owed its name to a television co-production, initially West German-French-Canadian. Les Faucheurs de Marguerites went on the air in 1974. Its episodes described the growing passion for aviation of the ruined son of a businessman, before 1914. They combined a fictional frame with real characters. Canada did not participate in a sequel co-produced by television broadcasters in five countries (Belgium, France, Morocco, Switzerland and West Germany). Le temps des as was broadcasted in 1978. As its name indicated, this series dealt with aviation during the First World War. Two other sequels, co-produced by broadcasters from the same five countries, La conquête du ciel and L’adieu aux as, hit the airwaves in 1980 and 1982. They covered the inter-war period. This ambitious European saga with multiple titles, a little naive and sometimes off-topic, had a grand total of twenty-four episodes.

Still other members of No. 425 Squadron shone in various fields of activity. One only needed to think about two influential and important DFC holders. The businessman Jean-Claude Hébert was a member of boards of directors of companies as varied as Bombardier and Petro-Canada Limited, as well as Dominion Textile Incorporated – the employer of yours truly’s father for about 45 years. Joseph Georges Gilles Claude Lamontagne, on the other hand, became Minister of National Defence and Lieutenant Governor of Québec.

Fourteen of the twenty Lancaster aircraft of No. 425 Squadron, including the aircraft carrying the identification letter P for Pierre / Peter, stored in Alberta in 1945-46, were scrapped in 1947-48.

A fire in Trenton, in January 1952, destroyed two other Lancasters, including one used by a maritime reconnaissance squadron. An aircraft used for a time by a search and rescue unit was struck off strength in May 1955. Another, assigned to a maritime reconnaissance squadron, suffered the same fate in April 1961. The date of destruction of one of the Lancaster of No. 425 Squadron remains uncertain.

The very last Lancaster of the RCAF was struck off strength in May 1965.

Only one of the twenty Lancasters of No. 425 Squadron still existed as of 2019. This aircraft, registered as KB944, was originally assigned to the commander of the squadron, Wing Commander Hugh Charles Ledoux, DFC, of Montréal. Flown by Warrant Officer 2nd Class Roland Beaudoin, mentioned in the second part of this article, at the time of the June 1945 crossing the Atlantic, this aircraft, which carried an individual nose art entitled “Le roi des airs / King of the air,” was placed in reserve in September.

Given the unsuitability of the maritime climate for long term storage of aircraft, the aircraft left Nova Scotia in March 1946 to be stored at RCAF Station Fort Macleod, Alberta. Canadian Pacific Airlines (Repairs) Limited of Calgary inspected it in July 1952. In August, the Lancaster flew to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where Fairey Aviation Company of Canada Limited began to refurbish it. Returned to service in March 1955, the aircraft served at RCAF Station Greenwood, Nova Scotia, with No. 404 (Buffalo) Squadron, until January 1957.

A decision to save the Lancaster for display in a museum, in part because it had undergone few change over the years, led to its transfer to RCAF Station Dunnville, Ontario, for storage. In early 1964, the aircraft was painted in the colours of a Canadian-manufactured Lancaster, delivered in July 1944 to No. 428 (Ghost) Squadron, RCAF, which had made 72 sorties during the Second World War before being scrapped, in January 1947. This change of identity, a relatively common practice at the time in the aviation museum community, was probably performed to preserve the identity of a very successful wartime Lancaster. On the other hand, it pushed aside the role played by No. 425 Squadron in the history of the aircraft.

Flown to RCAF Station Rockcliffe in early May 1964, the Lancaster was included in the RCAF’s collection of historic aircraft later that month. It was one of the most impressive machines on display there, as part of an agreement between the Department of National Defence and the Secretary of State for Canada, which controlled the Canadian War Museum and the National Aviation Museum via the National Museums of Canada.

Said agreement saw the presentation at Rockcliffe of the aircraft collections of the RCAF, the National Aviation Museum and the Canadian War Museum. This temporary / experimental arrangement proved so popular that it led to the creation of the National Aeronautical Collection. The National Museums of Canada acquired administrative control of the Lancaster in February 1965. The National Aeronautical Collection was absorbed by the National Museum of Science and Technology, today’s Canada Science and Technology Museum, in 1967. The collection became the National Aviation Museum in 1982. Known in 2019 as the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, a member of Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, this national museum of Canada is recognised around the world for the breadth of its collections. Its library, for example, is the best of its kind in the country.

Yours truly dares to hope that the second part of this article interested you a little bit. If that is the case, come see us soon to read the third part of this special edition of our blog / bulletin / thingee.

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Logan Archbold Vilas, the official aviator of the Wisconsin State Board of Forestry. Anon., “Wisconsin Has Flying Fire Warden.” The State Journal, 14 October 1915, 11.

A tale of air, water, and fire: A peek at the aeronautical activities of Hoffar Motor Boat Company of Vancouver, British Columbia, 1915-27, part 2

The wreckage of the Hoffar H-2 flying boat after its crash on the roof of the house of an ear, eye and nose doctor, Vancouver, British Columbia. Anon., “From Hantsport to Vancouver.” Canadian Courier, 28 September 1918, 12.

A tale of air, water, and fire: A peek at the aeronautical activities of Hoffar Motor Boat Company of Vancouver, British Columbia, 1915-27, part 1

Wilfrid Thomas Reid. Anon., “Specification and description of the Reid Rambler.” Canadian Air Review, November 1928, 30.

It was born a rambling plane, trying to make a living and doing the best it could: The fascinating story of the Reid / Curtiss-Reid Rambler, Canada’s first light / private plane, part 2

An advertisement of Curtiss-Reid Aircraft Company Limited of Montréal / Cartierville, Québec, showing its Curtiss-Reid Rambler light / private plane. Anon., “Curtiss-Reid Aircraft Company Limited.” Canadian Air Review, May 1929, 23.

It was born a rambling plane, trying to make a living and doing the best it could: The fascinating story of the Reid / Curtiss-Reid Rambler, Canada’s first light / private plane, part 1

The SAGEM CU-161 Sperwer of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum after one of its uneventful landings in Afghanistan. David Pugliese, “Faulty drones risk lives: troops.” Ottawa Citizen, 29 August 2007, 10.

Canada’s introduction to a deadly game of drones: An all too brief look at the Canadian career of the SAGEM Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle, part 3

The first SAGEM CU-161 Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle operated by the Canadian Forces, near Kabul, Afghanistan, November 2003. Anon., “Drones canadiens utilisés en Afghanistan.” La Presse, 19 mars 2006, A 5.

Canada’s introduction to a deadly game of drones: An all too brief look at the Canadian career of the SAGEM Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle, part 2

A view of a generic / typical SAGEM Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle. Chris Wattie, “Army buys spy drones for Afghan mission.” National Post, 8 August 2003, 4.

Canada’s introduction to a deadly game of drones: An all too brief look at the Canadian career of the SAGEM Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle, part 1

The first miniature Cadillac as it was driven in London, England, by an unidentified office boy working at F.S. Bennett Limited. British & Colonial Kinematograph Company Limited, The Smallest Car in the Largest City in the World, 1913.

A prince and his Cadillac; or, How Prince Olav of house Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, heir to the throne of Norway, got his first jalopy – with information on other miniature Cadillacs, part 2

A lilliputian Cadillacs which might be the one mentioned in the title of this article, 1912-13. Anon., “La plus petite voiturette automobile au monde.” La Science et la Vie, August 1913, 275.

A prince and his Cadillac; or, How Prince Olav of house Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, heir to the throne of Norway, got his first jalopy – with information on other miniature Cadillacs, part 1

André-Georges Lafitte’s arrival in Dijon, France, June 1990. A.-G. Lafitte, “Un membre de l’I.F.N. traverse l’Atlantique Nord en U.L.M.” Navigation, October 1991, 559.

The Pélican brief: The fascinating history of one of the founding pillars of the Québec ultralight aircraft industry, Ultravia Aéro Incorporée, Part 2

A typical Ultravia Pélican ultralight aircraft on floats. The absence of a registration is worth noting. Anon., “Amateurs – ULM ou avions?” Aviation magazine international, 1 August 1983, 37.

The Pélican brief: The fascinating history of one of the founding pillars of the Québec ultralight aircraft industry, Ultravia Aéro Incorporée, Part 1

A map of the cranberry bog of Les Producteurs de Québec Limitée of Lemieux, Québec. Luc Bureau, “Un exemple d’adaptation de l’agriculture à des conditions écologiques en apparence hostiles: L’Atocatière de Lemieux,” Cahiers de géographie du Québec, December 1970, 389.

“A sea serpent without affidavit, is like roast turkey without cranberry sauce;” Or, how the Larocque family created the first cranberry bog in Québec, part 3

Some of the buildings on the cranberry bog operated by Les Producteurs de Québec Limitée of Lemieux, Québec. Pierre-Arthur Dorion. “La plus importante plantation d’atocas au pays.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, July 1955, 11.

“A sea serpent without affidavit, is like roast turkey without cranberry sauce;” Or, how the Larocque family created the first cranberry bog in Québec, part 2

Charles Larocque, manager of Les Producteurs de Québec Limitée of Lemieux, Québec, showing how to pick up cranberries, on the left, as well as fallen fruits floating in water. Arthur Prévost, « À Lemieux, au Québec, prospère la culture des ‘juteux atacas.’ » Photo-Journal, 23 July 1953, 33.

“A sea serpent without affidavit, is like roast turkey without cranberry sauce;” Or, how the Larocque family created the first cranberry bog in Québec, part 1

A serious looking Lawrence Niles Swank points out the initial impact point of the meteorite which had hit his automobile near Crawfordsville, Indiana, October 1930. Anon., “Projectile céleste.” Le Petit Journal, 2 July 1933, 22.

“A difficult target for a meteoric sharpshooter from interplanetary space” – The incredible story of a Indiana teenager, Lawrence Niles Swank, whose automobile was hammered by a meteorite

The aerostatic railway / balloon railway proposed by Friedrich Volderauer. Salvatore Pannizzi, “Mountain Railways.” The Wide World Magazine, July 1898, 304.

The world’s most scenic railway journeys, hosted by you know who – Season 7, Episode 7 – The Aerostatischen Bahn / Luftballon-Eisenbahn of Friedrich Volderauer

A typical advertisement of the Berlin Brewery of Berlin, Ontario. Anon., “Lion Brewery.” The Canadian Courier, 6 June 1908, 17.

From a Lion Brewery in Waterloo to a Ranger Brewing in Kitchener, and more: A brief look at the history of a somewhat forgotten Ontario brewery

Junior Lieutenant Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, in the centre of the photograph, at the Fifth World Congress of Women, Moscow, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, June 1963. RIA “Novosti,” 612179.

“Russia launches a… ‘cosmonette’” Another brief look at how the francophone press of Québec covered an aspect of the Soviet space program, in this case the journey into space of Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, part 2

Junior lieutenant Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova in street clothes and space clothes. Anon., “Un 3e Russe dans l’espace? Il irait rejoindre le couple qui s’y trouve.” La Presse, 17 June 1963, 1.

“Russia launches a… ‘cosmonette’” Another brief look at how the francophone press of Québec covered an aspect of the Soviet space program, in this case the journey into space of Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, part 1

The Tupolev Tu-104 jet-powered airliner operated by Aeroflot which took part in British Columbia’s Centennial air show, Uplands Airport, Ontario. Don Brown, “Aerial Display Ready.” The Ottawa Citizen, 13 June 1958, 39.

“It taxis along the ground with all the ease of an arthritic stork,” Or, A brief look at the brief presence at British Columbia’s Centennial air show of an Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104 jet-powered airliner, part 2

The Tupolev Tu-104 jet-powered airliner operated by Aeroflot which took part in British Columbia’s Centennial air show, held at Vancouver International Airport, Richmond, British Columbia. Anon., “–.” The Sunday Sun, 14 June 1958, 25.

“It taxis along the ground with all the ease of an arthritic stork,” Or, A brief look at the brief presence at British Columbia’s Centennial air show of an Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104 jet-powered airliner, part 1

The sternwheeler river boat SS Klondike at an early stage of its journey to Whiskey Flats South, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Anon., “Sidewalk Supers Size Up Sternwheeler.” Whitehorse Star, 23 June 1966, 1.

As the world, err, as the wheel turns; Or, How / why SS Klondike, a cargo-carrying sternwheeler river boat briefly used for river cruises, became one of Parks Canada’s 1,004 national historic sites, part 3

Passengers of the Canadian sternwheeler river boat SS Klondike watch as their ship was about to cross a narrow passage of the Yukon River, at the Five Finger Rapids, Yukon Territory. David Willock, “There’s Tourist Gold in the Yukon.” The Ottawa Citizen – Weekend Magazine, 25 June 1955, 18.

As the world, err, as the wheel turns; Or, How / why SS Klondike, a cargo-carrying sternwheeler river boat briefly used for river cruises, became one of Parks Canada’s 1,004 national historic sites, part 2

An abandoned and beached workhorse faced with an uncertain future, the Canadian sternwheeler river boat SS Klondike, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Anon., “Yukon River Boats.” The Calgary Herald, 5 May 1958, 1.

As the world, err, as the wheel turns; Or, How / why SS Klondike, a cargo-carrying sternwheeler river boat briefly used for river cruises, became one of Parks Canada’s 1,004 national historic sites, part 1

A smiling Mrs. Élie Fortin of Montmagny, Québec, accepting the bicycle won by her daughter, Michèle Fortin, in a contest organised by Dulac Potato Chips Incorporated of Sainte-Marie, Québec. Anon., “–.” Le Peuple, 10 May 1963, 10.

A great lady who never let go of the potato: Anne Marie Harmonia Hallé and the Dulac potato chips saga

The first page of the comic strip Julien Gagnon. Rémy, “Julien Gagnon.” Le Petit Journal, magazine section, 16 May 1948, 18.

The great adventure of a fictional Québec pilot and amateur spy hunter who confronted an equally fictional Communist bad hombre at the dawn of a very real Cold War: The Julien Gagnon comic strip by Rémy / Normand Hudon

The Loman 225 all-terrain vehicle on display at the Salon camping, chasse et pêche 73, Montréal, Québec. Anon., “Pédalo ‘Fun Cycle’ – Une réponse à un rêve…” La Patrie, 1 April 1973, 23.

Four wheels for all seasons: The all-terrain vehicles of Loman Incorporée of Richelieu, Québec

The one and only Rohr M.O.1 Midnight Oiler before the installation of its definitive nose section and forward horizontal stabiliser, Chula Vista, California. Anon., “Private Flying – ‘Midnight Oiler’ Radical Design Lightplane is Built by Rohr.” Aviation News, 1 July 1946, 15.

Burning the midnight oil to reach for the sky and roar: The all too brief saga of the Rohr M.O.1 Midnight Oiler light / private plane

Various aspects of the activities surrounding the launch of the ice railway between Longueuil, Québec, and Hochelaga / Montréal, Québec. Anon., “Montreal – Incidents at the opening of the ice railway bridge.” Canadian Illustrated News, 14 February 1880, 104.

Hauling freight on thin ice: The ice bridge railway between Longueuil, Québec, and Hochelaga / Montréal, Québec, Part 2

The gaily decorated W.H. Pangman locomotive and the flat cars it towed during the first crossing of the Saint Lawrence River between Hochelaga / Montréal, Québec, and Longueuil, Québec, January 1880. R. Richou, “Un chemin de fer sur la glace.” La Nature, 28 April 1883, 349.

Hauling freight on thin ice: The ice bridge railway between Longueuil, Québec, and Hochelaga / Montréal, Québec, Part 1

Ahh, ice cream, the cause of and solution to all of life’s problems. I do wonder if this young boy knew he was actually eating mellorine. Anon., “De la crème glacée synthétique.” Photo-Journal, 16 April 1953, 3.

Do they or do they not buy some? Only their grocer knows for sure: A brief look at a lower-cost imitation of ice cream sometimes known as mellorine

A typical T.K. Bellis Turtle Company Limited advertisement. Anon., “T.K. Bellis Turtle Company Limited.” The Graphic, 8 January 1898, 64.

Ransacking nature and building up a fortune by satisfying the cravings of a selfish elite; Or, How an industry dominated by T.K. Bellis Turtle Company Limited of London, England, nearly obliterated a true marvel of the sea, Part 2

Thomas Kerrison Bellis, in other words the Turtle King. Anon., “Good Stories for All – Turtle King of England is a Powerful Ruler.” The Boston Daily Globe, 17 March 1898. 8.

Ransacking nature and building up a fortune by satisfying the cravings of a selfish elite; Or, How an industry dominated by T.K. Bellis Turtle Company Limited of London, England, nearly obliterated a true marvel of the sea, Part 1

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 piloted by Second Lieutenant Franciszek Jarecki, Rønne airfield, Rønne, Denmark. Jarecki is the gentleman marked by an arrow. Anon., “Undamaged Red Jet in NATO Hands.” The Gazette, 7 March 1953, 2.

A flight for freedom which pierced the Iron Curtain; or, The day Second Lieutenant Franciszek Jarecki escaped from Poland aboard a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 jet fighter

Four of the main characters of the what could well be Canada’s first SF television series, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Space Command. Anon., “Space Command Is Not Run-Of-Mill ‘Opera.’” The Ottawa Citizen, 26 December 1953, 14.

“Challenging the stars themselves”: An infinitesimal look at what could well be Canada’s first science fiction television series, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Space Command

The prototype of the Astro Kinetics Aero Kinetic Lift, Houston, Texas. Anon., “Aircraft and Powerplants – Crane version of ‘flying saucer’ projected in U.S.A.” The Aeroplane and Commercial Aviation News, 7 March 1963, 24.

“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a Texan flying saucer!” Astro Kinetics Corporation of Houston, Texas, and its unique looking vertical take off landing aircraft

James Bertram Blackmon (on the right, of course) talking about his rocket with the host of the very popular American daily news and talk television show Today, David Cunningham Garroway, New York City, New York. Anon., “Jimmy on TV Show.” The Charlotte Observer, 1 December 1956, 2.

An American whiz kid at the dawn of the Space Age who became a professor at the Propulsion Research Center of the University of Alabama in Huntsville: James Bertram Blackmon, this is your life, Part 2

James Bertram “Jim / Jimmy” Blackmon and his homemade rocket, Charlotte, North Carolina, July 1956. Irwin Hersey, “Aid for basement rocketeers.” Astronautics, February 1958, 25.

An American whiz kid at the dawn of the Space Age who became a professor at the Propulsion Research Center of the University of Alabama in Huntsville: James Bertram Blackmon, this is your life, Part 1

The Canadair Silver Star of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, June 2005. This aircraft was flown by the Red Knight, the solo aerobatic pilot of the Royal Canadian Air Force, in 1961-64. Alain Rioux, via Wikimedia.

It really kept going and going and going: A brief look at the Canadian career of the Lockheed / Canadair Silver Star jet trainer, part 2

Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Brooke Claxton, left, during the taking of possession of the first Canadian-made Lockheed T-33 Silver Star jet trainer, Cartierville, Québec. Anon., “M. Claxton reçoit le premier réacté T-33 fabriqué ici.” La Patrie, 13 February 1953, 1.

It really kept going and going and going: A brief look at the Canadian career of the Lockheed / Canadair Silver Star jet trainer, part 1

The thirty or so Mexican peasants who helped clear the Bacubirito meteorite, not far from Bacubirito, Mexico, 1902. N. Rosst, “La grande météorite de ‘Bacubirito’ (Mexique).” La Nature, 14 February 1903, 173.

A blaze in the northern skies and a cinder of sidereal fire: The Bacubirito meteorite

A Woolery Machine Company runway de-icing device in action at Cologne-Wahn airport, Cologne, West Germany. Anon., “Ancillary Review – Flame-throwing – On Ice.” The Aeroplane and Commercial Aviation News, 28 February 1963, 29.

Come on, PB, light my fire. Try to set the ice on fire: A peek at the American firm Woolery Machine Company and some of its ideas and products

A promoter of Sure Food, the food chemist James Pearson (right), at the facility of Wentworth Canning Company Limited of Hamilton, Ontario. Anon., “La viande, synthétique, produit canadien, pourrait sauver de la famine les peuples affamés d’Europe.” Photo-Journal, 5 February 1948, 3.

“It smells like meat. It even looks like meat.” The long forgotten tale of a synthetic meat / meat substitute / meat analogue / meat alternative / imitation meat sometimes called Sure Food

The Junkers Ju 52 bushplane registered as CF-ARM of Canadian Airways Limited of Montréal, Québec, Manuan Lake, Québec, August or September 1940. CASM, 13469.

Old bushplanes never die, they just fade away: A few lines, all right, many lines on the remarkable career of a Junkers Ju 52 “flying box car” named CF-ARM, part 3

The Junkers Ju 52 bushplane registered as CF-ARM of Canadian Airways Limited of Montréal, Québec, under repair, Arviat, Nunavut (Eskimo Point, Northwest Territories), September 1932. CASM, 1208.

Old bushplanes never die, they just fade away: A few lines, all right, many lines on the remarkable career of a Junkers Ju 52 “flying box car” named CF-ARM, part 2

The Junkers Ju 52 bushplane registered as CF-ARM of Canadian Airways Limited of Montréal, Québec. Anon., “Pionnier des transports lourds dans le nord du Canada, le ‘Cargo volant’ a fini sa carrière.” Photo-Journal, 29 January 1948, 2.

Old bushplanes never die, they just fade away: A few lines, all right, many lines on the remarkable career of a Junkers Ju 52 “flying box car” named CF-ARM, part 1

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Sergeant Bob Electro caught in the act of saluting the commanding officer of RCAF Station Clinton, Group Captain John Gordon Mathieson, Clinton, Ontario. Anon., “Six-Year-Old Sergeant.” The North Bay Nugget, 7 January 1963, 15.

Dōmo arigatō, gunsō Electro, mata au hi made: The electronic adventures of Royal Canadian Air Force / Canadian Armed Forces Sergeant Bob Electro

A very appropriate piece of equipment given the season, well, the season which affects the northern part of the northern hemisphere of planet Earth, the domestic / home snowblower of Autocanner Registered of Montréal, Québec. Anon., “–.” Montréal-Matin, 9 January 1948, 6.

“Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!” The Blo-All domestic / home snowblower of Autocanner Registered of Montréal, Québec

The 10-inch flight impact simulator of the National Research Council of Canada at some point during its long career, Uplands / Ottawa, Ontario. NRC.

A great Canadian success story you should know about: A brief look at the National Research Council of Canada flight impact simulators donated to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Part 3

The 3.75- / 3.5-inch flight impact simulator of the National Research Council of Canada at some point during its long career, Uplands / Ottawa, Ontario. NRC.

A great Canadian success story you should know about: A brief look at the National Research Council of Canada flight impact simulators donated to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Part 2

The 10-inch flight impact simulator of the National Research Council of Canada at some point during its long career, Uplands / Ottawa, Ontario. NRC.

A great Canadian success story you should know about: A brief look at the National Research Council of Canada flight impact simulators donated to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Part 1

A typical wild and free bullfrog. John J. Brice, editor, A Manual of Fish-Culture: Based on the Methods of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, with Chapters on the Cultivation of Oysters and Frogs (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1897), 258.

“Is a frog game or fish? There is the rub.” A brief look at the history of ranaculture in Canada and Québec, Part 4

A typical advertisement of Giant Frog & Sea Food Limited of Montréal, Québec. Anon., “Giant Frog & Sea Food Limited. La Patrie, 18 October 1952, 53.

“Is a frog game or fish? There is the rub.” A brief look at the history of ranaculture in Canada and Québec, Part 3

Three of the innumerable American bullfrogs found on the frog farm of Harold Lee, Casitas Springs, California. Anon., “Nature – Frog Farm.” Pix, 6 January 1951, 30.

“Is a frog game or fish? There is the rub.” A brief look at the history of ranaculture in Canada and Québec, Part 2

A typical advertisement of Canadian Frog’s Industries Company of Montréal, Québec. Anon., “Canadian Frog’s Industries Company.” La Patrie, 16 November 1952, 86.

“Is a frog game or fish? There is the rub.” A brief look at the history of ranaculture in Canada and Québec, Part 1

An editorial cartoon which reflected the reaction of many Americans following the launch of Sputnik 2. John Milt Morris, “Our own non-fly doghouse.” The Nome Nugget, 8 November 1957, 2.

Three Days of the Sputnik; or, “Radio-Moscow admits that the dog revolving around the earth in the satellite will never return”: Laika, Sputnik 2 and the daily press of Québec, part 3

A replica of Sputnik 2, Tsentral’nyy Dom Aviatsii i Kosmonavtiki DOSAAF Rossíi, Moscow, April 2021. Krasnyy via Wikipedia.

Three Days of the Sputnik; or, “Radio-Moscow admits that the dog revolving around the earth in the satellite will never return”: Laika, Sputnik 2 and the daily press of Québec, part 2

The first official portrait of Laika to be released by the Soviet authorities. This photograph was originally published in the Moscow daily Pravda. Anon., “More Sputnik Dogs Due Before Humans Go Up.” The Evening Star, 13 November 1957, 6.

Three Days of the Sputnik; or, “Radio-Moscow admits that the dog revolving around the earth in the satellite will never return”: Laika, Sputnik 2 and the daily press of Québec, part 1

The (single seat?) biplane designed by Canadian Aircraft Works (Incorporated? Limited? Registered?) of Montréal / Coteau Rouge, Québec, January 1915. Gustave Pollien might be at the controls. CASM, 1134.

A terrific trio active during the early days of aviation in Québec: Ernest Anctil, Gustave Pollien and Percival Hall Reid, part 3

The biplane made by Gustave Pollien (left) and Ernest Anctil, Cartierville, Québec. Anon., “L’aviation chez nous – Un jeune aviateur canadien-français, Ernest Anctil, vole avec succès sur un biplan construit au pays.” La Presse, 27 September 1912, 1.

A terrific trio active during the early days of aviation in Québec: Ernest Anctil, Gustave Pollien and Percival Hall Reid, part 2

The biplane fabricated by Ernest Anctil (on the left in the lower photograph) and Gustave Pollien, Cartierville, Québec. Anon., “The first Montreal-made biplane.” The Standard, 5 October 1912, 4.

A terrific trio active during the early days of aviation in Québec: Ernest Anctil, Gustave Pollien and Percival Hall Reid, part 1

Louis Victor Jules Vierne (3rd from left), composer and organist of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral at the keyboard of the Coupleux Givelet electronic organ, Poste Parisien radio station, Paris, France. Anon., “L’orgue des ondes du ‘Poste parisien’ est inauguré.” Le Petit Parisien, 27 October 1932, 1.

The melodious saga of two French pioneers of electronic music who deserve to be better known: Joseph Armand Marie Givelet and Édouard Éloy Coupleux

Artist’s impression of the Canadian satellite Alouette in orbit above Canada. National Film Board, Photostory 288: Canadian Scientists Keep Pace with Space, NFB62-5961.

Alouette, gentille alouette, Alouette, je te lancerai; Or, How the Cold War propelled Canada into space via the Alouette satellite, part 3

The Thor-Agena rocket which put the Canadian satellite Alouette into orbit, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Anon., “Alouette’ Working Perfectly – First Canadian Satellite in Orbit.” The Montreal Star, 29 September 1962, 1.

Alouette, gentille alouette, Alouette, je te lancerai; Or, How the Cold War propelled Canada into space via the Alouette satellite, part 2

Two of the engineers who made the Alouette satellite a success: Colin A. Franklin (left) and John N. Barry, Ottawa, Ontario. Anon., “Many ‘Firsts’ for Canadian Satellite – Alouette Sports New Space Advances.” The Montreal Star, 22 September 1962, 43.

Alouette, gentille alouette, Alouette, je te lancerai; Or, How the Cold War propelled Canada into space via the Alouette satellite, part 1

Approximate view of the area in which the solar eclipse of 31 August 1932 could be observed in its totality (main image), or not (right-side column). Anon. “Mighty Workings of Tomorrow’s Eclipse.” Sherbrooke Daily Record, 30 August 1932, 1.

“We all pray for a cloudless day:” The solar eclipse of 31 August 1932 in Québec, part 3

Some of the eminent British researchers en route to Canada to observe the total solar eclipse of 31 August 1932. Anon., “Le ciel québécois et les astronomes. La Presse, 29 July 1932, 9.

“We all pray for a cloudless day:” The solar eclipse of 31 August 1932 in Québec, part 2

The solar eclipse of 31 August 1932 as it could be observed in its totality, from a country road in Maine. Anon., “Souvenir d’éclipse.” La Presse – Magazine illustré, 24 September 1932, 9.

“We all pray for a cloudless day:” The solar eclipse of 31 August 1932 in Québec, part 1

The Manicouagan Reservoir, also known as the Eye of Québec, as photographed from space by the Sentinel 2-A satellite of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Programme, January 2017. https://scihub.copernicus.eu/ via Wikimedia.

Sic itur ad astra: Several observations on the stellar career of Canadian astronomer Carlyle Smith Beals, part 2

Carlyle Smith Beals, Dominion Astronomer. Raymond Taillefer, “Tant qu’il y aura des étoiles – L’observatoire fédéral assure au Canada un brillant rôle scientifique.” Le Droit, 2 August 1947, 1.

Sic itur ad astra: Several observations on the stellar career of Canadian astronomer Carlyle Smith Beals, part 1

The prototype of the Canadian de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver bushplane on display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario. CASM, deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver-005.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Beaver, happy birthday to you: An all too brief look at a Canadian icon, the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver bushplane, part 2

The prototype of the Canadian de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver bushplane on the day of its first flight, Downsview, Ontario, August 1947. CASM, KM-08317.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Beaver, happy birthday to you: An all too brief look at a Canadian icon, the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver bushplane, part 1

The Shell By-Plane X 100 Astroterramare of Professor Septimus Urge (far right), Pleasure Gardens of the Festival of Britain, Battersea Park, London, England. Anon., “New British Jet Unique, but Not Matchless.” Aviation Week, 18 August 1952, 44.

Heath Robinson / Rube Goldberg machines that Heath Robinson and “Rube” Goldberg themselves would have approved of; Or, The wonderful world of Frederick Rowland Emett and his things

Rachel Marie-Louise Clément, born Guillot, salting Madame Clément camembert cheeses produced by Laiterie R.A. Clément (Enregistrée? Incorporée? Limitée?), McMasterville or Beloeil, Québec. Anon., “Fromages du Québec.” Photo-Journal, 28 August 1952, 33.

“If I had a hundred lives, I would start again the adventure of the camembert:” The delicious Québec saga of the Clément family and its cheeses

An artist’s impression of the airship designed by Québec modeler, sculptor, stonemason or worker Louis N. Filion. Anon., “Le secret de la direction des ballons est-il réellement détenu par un Canadien-français?” La Patrie, 26 July 1902, 19.

In 1902, was the secret of steering dirigible balloons held by Quebecer Louis N. Filion? That is for me to know and you to find out

A typical advertisement of the Bamboo Cycle Company Limited of London, England. Anon., “Bamboo Cycle Company Limited.” The Graphic, 31 July 1897, 179.

“Should anyone be in doubt my advice is Buy a Bamboo:” A few pages on Bamboo Cycle Company Limited of London, England

An American test firing of a Douglas M31 Honest John short range unguided ground to ground rocket. Anon., “Engins et missiles.” Aviation Magazine, 1 June 1959, 155.

It might not have changed history but would certainly have changed the geography: A brief yet frightening look at the Douglas M31 and M50 / MGR-1 Honest John short range unguided ground to ground rockets, part 2

A team of the Canadian Army’s Royal Canadian Artillery training on a Douglas M31 Honest John short range unguided ground to ground rocket of the United States Army, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Anon., “Rocket Training.” Sherbrooke Daily Record, 13 July 1957, 1.

It might not have changed history but would certainly have changed the geography: A brief yet frightening look at the Douglas M31 and M50 / MGR-1 Honest John short range unguided ground to ground rockets, part 1

A Frisco Soda Water Company of Montréal, Québec, advertisement for the Salvador beer brewed by Reinhardt ‘Salvador’ Brewery Limited of Toronto, Ontario. Anon., “Frisco Soda Water Company.” The Montreal Daily Star, 5 July 1912, 5.

A tale of two Reinhardts; or, A brief look at two long gone and forgotten Canadian breweries

Kenneth Albert Arnold, in the centre, with two other pilots who claimed they had had seen unidentified flying objects, namely Emil J. Smith, on the left, and Ralph Stevens. Anon., “Pilotes qui virent des soucoupes volantes.” Le Soleil, 8 July 1947, 1.

“Everyone has seen the flying saucers, except journalists:” The first sightings of unidentified flying objects / unidentified aerial phenomena in the province of Québec, 24 June to 19 July 1947, part 2

Kenneth Albert Arnold. Anon., “Boise Airman Positive He Didn’t See Ordinary Craft Reflections.” The Idaho Daily Statesman, 28 June 1947, 9.

“Everyone has seen the flying saucers, except journalists:” The first sightings of unidentified flying objects / unidentified aerial phenomena in the province of Québec, 24 June to 19 July 1947, part 1

A typical advertisement for a product offered by O-Pee-Chee Gum Company of London, Ontario. Anon., “O-Pee-Chee Gum Company.” The Aylmer Express, 6 June 1912, 5.

“Chew Chew Chew Chew Your Bubble Gum:” The sweet old times of O-Pee-Chee Gum Company Limited of London, Ontario

Advertisement for the Isetta manufactured by Isetta of Great Britain Limited. Anon., “City Motors Limited.” The Gazette, 21 November 1957, 2.

A look under the hood of one of the symbols of the West German economic miracle of the 1950s; or, The multifaceted and multinational tale of the Isetta microcar, part 2

A typical BMW 250 or 300. Devon Francis, “What you get in the foreign economy cars.” Popular Science, June 1957, 62.

A look under the hood of one of the symbols of the West German economic miracle of the 1950s; or, The multifaceted and multinational tale of the Isetta microcar, part 1

A Spitz planetarium projector at the Planetario Municipal Agrimensor Germán Barbato, the first planetarium in South America, inaugurated in 1955, Montevideo, Uruguay, February 2015. Fedaro via Wikimedia.

Blessed be the one who brings the wonders of the cosmos to the multitude: Armand Neustadter Spitz and his planetarium projectors, part 2

Armand Neustadter Spitz. Hilaire Cuny, “Sciences et techniques – La plus gigantesque tentative de notre temps: La conquête de l’espace cosmique.” Combat, 15 May 1957, 6.

Blessed be the one who brings the wonders of the cosmos to the multitude: Armand Neustadter Spitz and his planetarium projectors, part 1

A typical advertisement of the Toronto, Ontario, firm William Hood & Company. Anon., “William Hood & Company.” The Canadian Grocer & General Storekeeper, 27 May 1892, 9.

“A new trade winner for grocers and general merchants;” or, How William Hood & Company of Toronto, Ontario, became a pretext to dwell upon the mysteries of... castor oil

A typical Tillson Company Limited advertisement. Anon. “Tillson Company Limited.” The Canadian Grocer & General Storekeeper, 13 May 1892, 19.

“A Food, not a Fad:” The life and times of Edwin Delevan Tillson of Tillsonburg, Ontario

Gertrude Dugal, the first francophone Québec women to obtain a pilot’s license – or not, Cartierville airport, Cartierville, Québec. Anon., “La seule diplômée.” La Patrie, Journal du dimanche, 18 May 1947, 1.

“Across the clouds I see my shadow fly:” Some words about Gertrude Dugal, the first francophone Québec woman to obtain a pilot’s license – unless it was someone else

A Vincent Amanda personal watercraft in its element, Ruislip, England, April 1957. Anon., “Triss i bâtar.” Teknikens Värld med Flyg, 2 to 16 May 1957, 8.

Bournemouth, Scarborough, ooh I want to take you. Great Yarmouth, Lyme Regis, come on my reading friend: The Vincent Amanda, the almost forgotten ancestor of today’s personal watercrafts

A close-up view of a radio pill a few moments before the first volunteer patient swallowed it. Anon., “Science – Radio Made to Swallow.” Life, 29 April 1957, 74.

Take one of these pills and your innards will call me in the morning: The digestive saga of… the radio pill

Dan Cooper, as drawn by Belgian “bande dessinée” author Albert Weinberg during his visit to North Bay, Ontario, in May-June 1966. Anon., “Originator of RCAF cartoon hero visits defence bases at North Bay.” The North Bay Nugget, 3 June 1966, 1.

A prolific Belgian “bande dessinée” author who deserves to be better known: the father of Dan Cooper, Canadian hero, Albert Weinberg (1922-2011), Part 2

Albert Weinberg during one of his many visits on Canadian soil. Anon., “Dan Cooper c’est Buzz Beurling.” La Presse, 31 March 1975, A3.

A prolific Belgian “bande dessinée” author who deserves to be better known: The father of Dan Cooper, Canadian hero, Albert Weinberg (1922-2011), Part 1

A typical FFVS J 22 fighter plane of the Swedish air force, or Flygvapnet, Bunge, Sweden, circa 1948-49. Flygvapenmuseum, FVMF.002142.

I have been asked a few times what my favourite airplane was. Well, here is one of my all-time favourites: Sweden’s FFVS J 22 fighter plane, part 2

A typical FFVS J 22 fighter plane of the Swedish air force, or Flygvapnet. Harald Jacobson, “Ett flygplan – en flygepok.” Looping, April 1952, 12.

I have been asked a few times what my favourite airplane was. Well, here is one of my all-time favourites: Sweden’s FFVS J 22 fighter plane, part 1

 An advertisement for products, in this case herrings and sardines, canned by Connors Brothers Limited of Black’s Harbour, New Brunswick. Anon., “Connors Brothers Limited.” Le Prix courant, 29 March 1912, 20.

From lobster bait and potato fertiliser to salt water silver: The humble sardine and Connors Brothers Limited of Black’s Harbour, New Brunswick

A Volvo P1800 comparable to the one driven by Simon Templar, also known as the Saint, a character played on television by Roger George Moore, Volvo Museum, Göteborg, Sweden, 2008. Jarle Vines via Wikimedia.

A saintly automobile from the land of “Pippi” Longstocking and Lisbeth Salander: The Swedish Volvo P1800 grand tourer / sports car, part 2

A typical Volvo P1800 grand tourer / sports car. Anon., “La plus belle auto.” La Patrie du Dimanche, 25 March 1962, 11.

A saintly automobile from the land of “Pippi” Longstocking and Lisbeth Salander: The Swedish Volvo P1800 grand tourer / sports car, part 1

The outgoing representative of the electoral district of Limoux, France, senator Henri Charles Étienne Dujardin-Beaumetz. Joseph Uzanne. Figures contemporaines. (10th edition) (Paris: Librairie Henri Floury, 1906), no page number.

“My dear Védrines, it is a voting failure:” Charles Toussaint “Jules” Védrines and the partial legislative election of Limoux, France, in March 1912, Part 2

Cartoon of Senator Henri Charles Étienne Dujardin-Beaumetz messing with “Jules” Védrines, the defeated candidate in the Limoux, France, by-election of March 1912. Anon., “La course Limoux-Palais-Bourbon.” Le Rire, 30 March 1912, no page number.

“My dear Védrines, it is a voting failure:” Charles Toussaint “Jules” Védrines and the partial legislative election of Limoux, France, in March 1912, Part 1

The Lincoln Continental 1950X / Ford X-100 laboratory on wheels. Anon., “La Ford de l’avenir.” Photo-Journal, 28 February 1952, 8.

The car of tomorrow as imagined 70 years ago: The Lincoln Continental 1950X / Ford X-100 laboratory on wheels

Edward T. Faulkner and his Curtiss JN-4 Canuck, Honeoye Falls, New York, 1962. Canada Aviation and Space Museum 2985.

It took off at 100 kilometres/hour, flew at 100 kilometres/hour and landed at 100 kilometres/hour, more or less: The saga of the Curtiss JN-4 Canuck

An advertisement of David Brown (Canada) Limited of Toronto, Ontario, showing the tractors offered by a British sister / brother firm, David Brown Tractors Limited. Anon., “David Brown (Canada) Limited.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, February 1962, 75.

“Do you want to drive my tractor? Let us go and load some hay.” A very brief look at the history of the British firm David Brown Tractors Limited

Tomanowos, better known as the Willamette meteorite, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, New York. Anon., “Ça et là, par l’image.” Le Samedi, 22 February 1947, 8.

Tomanowos, a visitor from the sky or Moon: A brief look at the largest North American meteorite known today

Vera Elsie Strodl wearing the leather flight jacket she wore during the Second World War. Glennis Zilm, “Only Canadian honored – Long love of flying brings award to aviatrix.” The Gazette, 1 February 1972, 8.

God may have been her co-pilot, Or, The remarkable career of a remarkable pilot, Vera Elsie Strodl

John D’Alton Woodlock with one of his sons, Peter Woodlock, in front of the family television set, Iberville, Québec, summer of 1949. Arthur Prévost, “Dix ans avant CBFT – À Iberville, on a la TV depuis 14 ans!...” Le Petit Journal, 14 January 1962, A-49.

But sadly, like so many great minds, Québec television pioneer John D’Alton Woodlock was gone too soon – and quickly forgotten

An advertisement of the Société auxiliaire agricole of Paris, France, showing a Pavesi P4 or Agrophile-Pavesi agricultural tractor in action. Anon., “Société auxiliaire agricole,” L’Agriculture nouvelle, 14 January 1922, 4.

Once upon a time there was an acrobat tractor: The beautiful although partly military story of the Pavesi P4 farm tractor and the career of Ugo Pavesi

Two of the great fighter planes of the First World War: A SPAD S.VII of the Royal Flying Corps or Aéronautique militaire and an Albatros D.III of the Luftstreitkräfte. Anon., “A Dog Fight.” Canadian Aviation, January 1932, 12.

The tale of the most extraordinary photographs ever taken of air fights during the First World War, Or, The long and short of the Cockburn-Lange collection

An overall view of one of the first telephone networks in Canada, Montréal, Québec, 1878. Anon., “Le premier téléphone qui ait jamais été installé à Montréal.” La Presse, 27 January 1912, 5.

They were among the first to reach out and touch someone: A look at one of the first telephone networks in Canada

The Canadair CL-44 leased by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), September 1963. This Seaboard World Airlines Incorporated aircraft carried 19 racing cars from the United Kingdom to the United States on that flight, its first in the colors of BOAC. CASM.

A good swing deserves another: The saga of the Canadian Canadair CL-44 cargo plane, Part 2

An advertisement from the aircraft manufacturer Canadair Limited of Cartierville, Québec, extolling the merits of its ginormous cargo plane, the Canadair CL-44. Anon., “Canadair Limited.” La Presse, January 23, 1962, 29.

A good swing deserves another: The saga of the Canadian Canadair CL-44 cargo plane, Part 1

Advertisement published by the Zeller’s Limited stores of Calgary, Alberta, which highlighted the Reely Ride-’em tractor produced by Reliable Toy Company Limited of Toronto, Ontario. Anon., “Zeller’s Limited.” The Calgary Herald, 11 December 1961, 32.

Toys, glorious toys, we are anxious to try them: A few pages on Reliable Toy Company Limited of Toronto, Ontario

A de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter utility floatplane operated by Northway Aviation Limited of St. Andrews, Manitoba, Fishing Lake, Manitoba, September 2005. Mark Swaffer via Wikimedia.

Canada’s flying one tonne truck: The de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter

A Moline Plow Company advertisement showing a Moline Universal Tractor in action. Anon. “Moline Plow Company.” L’Agriculture nouvelle, 10 December 1921, 707.

A very successful vehicle and, dare I type it, a sidehill gouger of the farm tractor industry: The Moline Universal Tractor

The Douglas DC-8 jetliner of Canadian Pacific Airlines Limited of Vancouver, British Columbia, known as Empress of Montreal. Anon., “Empress of Montreal DC-8 First CPA Jet Visitor.” The Gazette, 6 December 1961, 17.

An article whose punchline I am reluctant to divulge so early in the game: Or, A speedy DC used by CP

The United States Air Force Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar cargo plane borrowed by Iron Ore Company of Canada Incorporated in 1951. Anon., “Fret aérien – L’opération Ungava – Le fret aérien accélère l’application d’un projet. » Interavia, December 1951, 672.

“In the interests of national security”: The role played by a United States Air Force Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar cargo plane in the development of the Knob Lake region’s iron ore deposits

The Vertol Model 42 of Skyrotors Limited of Arnprior, Ontario, chartered by Spartan Air Services Limited of Ottawa, Ontario, as part of Operation High Tower. Anon., “Operation High Tower.” The Ottawa Citizen, 8 November 1961, 3.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to move stuff around: Spartan Air Services Limited of Ottawa, Ontario, the Ottawa radio station CFRA and Operation High Tower

One of the two life-size aluminum alloy sculptures of whooping cranes created by Wolfram F. Niessen for Regina Municipal Airport, Regina, Saskatchewan. Anon., “Regina Honors the Whooping Crane.” The Ottawa Citizen, Weekend Magazine, 18 November 1961, 38.

Let’s talk about art, humans. All the humans. Louder now. Help me out. – Wolfram F. Niessen, John Cullen Nugent and the life-size aluminum alloy sculptures of whooping cranes created for Regina Municipal Airport

Joseph Alphonse Ouimet. Anon., “Le pionnier de la télévision préférait la radio à une bicyclette neuve.” La Patrie, 5 November 1961, 26.

“The pioneer of television preferred radio to a new bicycle:” An overview of the career of Joseph Alphonse Ouimet, a founding father of Canadian television

An advertisement published by La traction et le matériel agraires Société anonyme for the American Beeman Junior garden tractor. Anon., “La traction et le matériel agraires Société anonyme.” L’Agriculture nouvelle, 12 November 1921, 664.

“Green acres is the place to be. Farm livin’ is the life for me:” The American firm Beeman Garden Tractor Company and the Beeman Junior or Model G garden tractor / walking tractor

An ascent made by Québec female fairground balloonist and parachutist Florida Lanthier. Maurice Desjardins, “Dans une modeste maison de Montréal-Nord -- Florida Lanthier, reine des parachutistes, vit de couture... et de souvenirs.” Photo-Journal, 8 November 1951, 3.

Shadows and light in the skies of Québec: A preliminary look at the life and times of Québec female fairground balloonist and parachutist Florida Lanthier

The Mobile Demonstration Irradiator put together by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. Anon., “Boon to Canadian potato industry.” Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 21 October 1961, 6.

One hot potato, two hot potatoes, three hot potatoes, four: Atomic Energy of Canada Limited of Chalk River, Ontario, and the early days of food irradiation in Canada

A Mathis VL 333 light and economical automobile. Fernand de Laborderie, “Le 33e Salon de l’automobile.” La Nature, 15 October 1946, 331.

A vision of the future for a firm running out of steam: The French Mathis VL333 light and economical automobile

A coastal reconnaissance Bristol Bolingbroke destined for the Royal Canadian Air Force being assembled at the Fairchild Aircraft Limited factory, Longueuil, Québec, 1941. Anon., “Les C.F. et la R.C.A.F.” Le Samedi, 18 October 1941, (c).

“We must get aircraft equipment and look after our coasts” – The Royal Canadian Air Force and the Bristol Bolingbroke coastal reconnaissance aircraft

The prototype of the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter on display at the Canada Aviation Museum, Ottawa, circa 2001. CASM.

From pole to pole and horizon to horizon, the Twin Otter was, is and will be there: A very brief pontification on one of the best Canadian aircraft ever designed

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, February 2009. Wikipedia.

The strange and baffling case of the switched aeroplanes; or, Even when using New Mathematics, 4112 never equals 5878: The tall tale of the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, part 2

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum when it belonged to the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario. H.J. (“Titch”) Jenkins, “Correspondence – Ottawa’s – and Sowrey’s – B.E.2c.” Flight, 12 October 1961, 600.

The strange and baffling case of the switched aeroplanes; or, Even when using New Mathematics, 4112 never equals 5878: The tall tale of the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, part 1

Isidore Joseph Amédée Marsan. Anon., “Isidore Joseph Amédée Marsan.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, 17 September 1921, cover.

One of the pioneers of agricultural science in Québec and Canada: Isidore Joseph Amédée Marsan

An advertisement for St. Lawrence Starch Company Limited, Port Credit, Ontario. Anon., “Advertisement – St. Lawrence Starch Company Limited.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, September 1941, 61.

Free, magnificent cards bearing drawings or photographs of Allied aircraft! Collect them all!

An Aluminium français-Grégoire automobile, Cité de l’automobile – Musée national – Collection Schlumpf, Mulhouse, France, May 2010, Wikimedia.

‘Tween two joints, he really did something: Jean Albert Grégoire and his magnificent automobiles, Part 2

 An example of the French CGE-Tudor electric automobile. C. Faroux, “Un progrès considérable de la voitures électrique.” La Vie automobile, 25 September 1941, 284.

‘Tween two joints, he really did something: Jean Albert Grégoire and his magnificent automobiles, Part 1

The one and only example of the Italian long range airliner Breda Zappata BZ 308. Jacques Gambu. “Breda Zappata BZ 308.” Aviation Magazine, 1 September 1951, 21.

Il Constellation italiano, an unrecognised star in Italy’s aeronautical firmament: The Breda Zappata BZ 308 long range airliner

Paul Fjeld in the family residence, Rosemère, Québec. Claude-Lyse Gagnon, “Parti avec $200 en poche – Un jeune Québécois a pu voir décoller Apollo 15.” La Patrie, 15 August 1971, 12.

Space, the final frontier towards which travels our planet, the Earth; this is the life story of Paul Fjeld, space enthusiast and artist for over half a century

Advertisement for the Frontenac Blue Label lager of National Breweries Limited of Montréal, Québec. Anon., “Advertisement – National Breweries Limited.” Le Samedi, 23 August 1941, 12.

The great victim of the Montréal beer war of 1925: Frontenac Breweries Limited of Montréal, Québec

A Karou Karou all-terrain vehicle. Anon., “Opération Camping à Saint-Hilaire.” Photo-Journal, 26 July to 1 August 1971, 47.

All-terrain, all-weather, all-pleasure: Karou Incorporée of Drummondville, Québec, and the Karou all-terrain vehicle

The first production example of the Canadian-made Avro Anson advanced training aircraft fitted with the moulded plywood fuselage, location unknown, 1943. CASM, 23290.

Not everyone knows that aircraft manufacturing can be a contact sport: Clarence Decatur Howe, Harvey Reginald MacMillan and the production of Avro Anson advances training aircraft in Canada, Part 2

A pair of Canadian-made Avro Anson advanced training aircraft operated by No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Royal Canadian Air Force Station Dauphin, near Dauphin, Manitoba, 1943-44. CASM, 27297.

Not everyone knows that aircraft manufacturing can be a contact sport: Clarence Decatur Howe, Harvey Reginald MacMillan and the production of Avro Anson advanced training aircraft in Canada, Part 1

The very first electric streetcar operated by Telegraphen-Bau-Anstalt von Siemens & Halske, Berlin, German Empire. Anon., “The first electric railway in Berlin.” Canadian Illustrated News, 9 July 1881, 21.

A streetcar named Straßenbahn Groß-Lichterfelde, or, How Telegraphen-Bau-Anstalt von Siemens & Halske put in service the world’s first electric streetcar

The Canadian author and aviation pioneer Frank Henry Ellis (centre) with American aviation pioneers Frank Purdy Lahm (left) and Will D. “Billy” Parker, president of Early Birds of Aviation Incorporated, Los Angeles, California. Robert Francis, “Early Birds.” Sunday Sun Magazine, 28 July 1951, 5.

If we have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of a giant: Frank Henry Ellis and Canada’s Flying Heritage

An advertisement showing an Italian SAME Buffalo tractor. Anon. “Advertising – Les Entreprises Biasotto & Hardy (Canada) Incorporée.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, July 1981, 26.

They were all the same, brothers to each other: Francesco Cassani, Eugenio Gabriele Cassani and the Società Accomandita Motori Endotermici (SAME)

A Canadair North Star of British Overseas Airways Corporation, London Airport, Heathrow, England, September 1954. Wikimedia

Around the world in eighty hours: A few pages on the Canadair North Star, part 2

The prototype of the Canada North Star, 1946. Canada Aviation and Space Museum, KM-08329

Around the world in eighty hours: A few pages on the Canadair North Star, part 1

An advertisement for a hay cutter made by La Machine Agricole Nationale Limitée of Montmagny, Québec. Anon., “Advertisement – La Machine Agricole Nationale Limitée.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, 11 June 1921, 556.

Don’t let it be forgot that once there was a firm, for one brief shining moment, that was known as La Machine Agricole Nationale Limitée of Montmagny, Québec

The Folland / Hawker Siddeley Hoverstretcher in action. Anon., “Airborne comfort.” The Calgary Herald, 9 June 1961, 19.

Developing the germ of an idea: Maurice Joseph Brennan and his hovercraft

Some mothers and children about to get aboard one of the Douglas DC-3 airliners converted into Nurseryliners by United Air Lines Incorporated, San Francisco, California, April or May 1946. Anon., “Service aérien pour bébés.” Photo-Journal, 20 June 1946, 12.

Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the flight – Babies on a plane: United Air Lines Incorporated and its Nurseryliner service

The Canadian engineer and amateur astronomer James Hargreaves with an instrument he had built himself. Jean Taillefer, “Un voyage de 180 jours au Soudan, en Afrique; une expérience astronomique de 180 secondes.” Le Droit, 16 June 1951, 13.

“An Ottawa scientist makes a sacrifice for science:” The Canadian engineer and amateur astronomer James Hargreaves and his travels around the globe

The prototype of the Fairchild F-11 Husky bushplane shortly before its first flight, June 1946. Canada Aviation and Space Museum KM-05311.

You’re good, doggy, but as long as the rodent’s around, you’ll always be second best, see: The brief yet long story of the Fairchild F-11 Husky bushplane

A cutaway view of Canada’s Fleet Model 50 Freighter bushplane. Anon., “Fleet’s Trainer and Transport.” Aviation, May 1941, 61.

It could (and should?) have been one of the greats: Canada’s Fleet Model 50 Freighter bushplane

Wilfrid-Henri Perron. Claude Asselin, “Une encyclopédie québécoise pour les horticulteurs.” Photo-Journal, 3 to 9 May 1971, 12.

Chez Perron, tout est bon: A giant of Québec and Canadian horticulture, Wilfrid-Henri Perron (1897-1977)

The cyclecar / “vélomobile” / “vélocar” / bicycle car / “automouche” with pedals and / or auxiliary engine Le Dauphin. Edmond Massip, “Un cyclecar à pédales et moteur auxiliaire.” La Vie automobile, 25 May 1941, 153.

The cyclecar / “vélomobile” / “vélocar” / bicycle car / “automouche” with pedals and / or auxiliary engine Le Dauphin: An (extreme?) solution to the fuel shortage in Paris during the German occupation in the Second World War

The Pitcairn PCA-2 autogiro of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum during its grand tour of the United States, when it was owned by Sealed Power Corporation. Anon. “Pohled na Ciervovu autogiro za letu.” Letectvi, November 1932, 310.

“‘Flying Windmill’ here on Wednesday”: The great journey of Donald Walker and the Pitcairn PCA-2 of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, part 2

The Pitcairn PCA-2 autogiro of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum when it was owned by Standard Oil Company of New York. Anon., “Advertisement – Standard Oil Company of New York.” Aviation, May 1931, 22.

“‘Flying Windmill’ here on Wednesday”: The great journey of Donald Walker and the Pitcairn PCA-2 of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, part 1

A sober, no-frills advertisement from Elzéar Fortier Limitée of Québec, Québec. Anon., “Advertisement – Elzéar Fortier Limitée.” L’Action catholique, 8 April 1946, 9.

He was a smooth operator: Elzéar Fortier and the production of soft drinks in Québec, Québec

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin and Charles Augustus Lindbergh. The caption of these photographs mentions the striking resemblance between these important people in the world of astronautics and aeronautics. Anon., “Lancement du premier homme dans l’espace – Comment se sont déroulés les événements en Union soviétique.” La Tribune, 13 April 1961, 24.

That was also one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind: The flight into space of Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin in the French language press of Québec, 12-15 April 1961, Part 2

Major Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin during his visit to Helsinki, Finland, July 1961. Wikimedia.

That was also one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind: The flight into space of Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin in the French language press of Québec, 12-15 April 1961, Part 1

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio host Claire Wallace interviewing Trans-Canada Air Lines interior accommodation engineer Diana Jocelyn Dudley, January 1946. Anon. “Air Transportation – Radio Broadcast over Niagara.” Canadian Transportation, April 1946, 200.

No place for a lady?! Balderdash!: Trans-Canada Air Lines’ first interior accommodation engineers, Diana Jocelyn Dudley and Janet Elizabeth Lowe

Peter Müller at the controls [sic] of the Pedroplan, Berlin, Germany, March 1931. Anon., “Cologne contre Marseille – Le mystère du ‘Pédroplan.’ [sic]” Les Ailes, 2 April 1931, 14.

I want to fly my bicycle, I want to fly my kite: Peter Müller and the Pedroplan

The Phillips Saucercraft hovercraft, Mount Hope, Ontario. Anon., “Flying saucer crack-up”. The Calgary Herald, 2 March 1961, 1.

A most intriguing INFO (Identified Non Flying Object): The Phillips Saucercraft hovercraft

Dr. Ann Elizabeth Noelle Grace tending to one of her patients, Montreal General Hospital, Montréal, Québec. Claude Adams, “An eye-opener for our reporter – Team of women doctors shatters Ben Casey myth.” The Gazette, 3 March 1971, 31.

Shattering the Ben Casey and James Kildare myth: Canada’s first female pediatric surgeon, Dr. Ann Elizabeth Noelle Grace

 An advertisement from Langlais & Frère Incorporée of Québec, Québec, extolling the merits of the Zetor 25 tractor. Anon. “Advertising – Langlais & Frère Incorporée.” L’Action catholique, 3 March 1951, 14.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares; or, A brief look at the Czech state-owned firm Zbrojovka Brno Národní Podnik

Some personalities present at the inauguration of the École d’avionnerie de Cartierville, Cartierville, Québec, 3 March 1941. Anon., “À l’inauguration de l’École d’avionnerie de Cartierville.” La Presse, 4 March 1941, 19.

A magnificent achievement, full of promises for the future, swept away by the narrow mind of Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis: The École d’avionnerie de Cartierville

The presentation of the first Boeing Model 747 of Air Canada at Montreal-Dorval International Airport, Dorval, Québec. Anon., “Des milliers de personnes ont vu le géant des airs.” La Presse, 22 March 1971, A 1.

66 327 people cannot be wrong, but they can be cold: The presentation of the first Boeing Model 747 of Air Canada at Montreal-Dorval International Airport

The Fokker D.VII of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, March 2019. CASM.

One of the great combat aircraft of the 20th century and one of the many jewels of one of the most remarkable aviation and space museums on planet Earth: The Fokker D.VII and the airplane of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

An advertisement from Équipements Ascot Incorporée of Saint-Élie-d’Orford, Québec, extolling the merits of the UTB U530 tractor. Anon. “Advertising – Équipements Ascot Incorporée.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, February 1981, 28.

They shall beat their wings into plowshares; or, A brief look at the Romanian government firm Uzina Tractorul Braşov

An editorial cartoon highlighting the launch of the Soviet planetary probe Venera 1 in February 1961. Edmund Alexander Sebestyen, “To Venus With Love.” Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 14 February 1961, 4.

Trying to lift the veils under which Venus hid itself from our gaze: The saga of the Soviet planetary probe Venera 1

A Jacobs Jaycopter at rest, Edmonton, Alberta. Lyn Harrington, “Cutting helicopter training cost.” Canadian Aviation, February 1961, 20.

A helicopter simulator with a difference: it flies – Canada’s Jacobs Jaycopter

Editorial cartoon showing King Neptune offering his crown to the crew of the English Electric Canberra which crossed the Atlantic Ocean in February 1951. Charles R. Knight, “Ready to Abdicate.” The Windsor Daily Star, 22 February 1951, 4.

Several thousand words on the English Electric Canberra / Martin B-57 Canberra and the small role played by Canadair Limited in its history

The first production example of the Piasecki HUP Retriever helicopter. Anon., “News Picture Highlights.” Aviation Week, 15 January 1951, 9

“Shoe,” Retriever, “Hupmobile” or Army Mule – a HUP by any other name is still a HUP: The Piasecki HUP Retriever and H-25 Army Mule helicopters, and the HUP of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

A view of the Warsak Dam, northern West Pakistan. Anon., “Inauguration du barrage de Warsak.” Le Droit, 27 January 1961, 12.

Frankly, my dear, we did give a dam: Canada and the Warsak dam in Pakistan

One of the first de Havilland Canada Chipmunk imported to the United Kingdom. Anon., “De Havilland [Canada] DHC-1 ‘Chipmunk.’” Aviation Magazine, 1 January 1951, cover.

A Tamias striatus cavorting in the clouds: The de Havilland Canada Chipmunk

The 5th pre-production de Havilland Canada AC-1 Caribou. Larry Booda, “Aeronautical Engineering – Aviation Week Pilot Report – STOL Caribou Calls for Special Handling.” Aviation Week and Space Technology, January 23, 1961, 56.

A flying truck which gave soldiers atom-age mobility: The de Havilland Canada Caribou

The Oberth Moon car as imagined in 1960. I.M. Levitt, “Le problème du transport sur la Lune.” L’Action catholique, 10 July 1960, 5.

I’m just not sure this vehicle was well thought through: The Moon car of astronautic pioneer Hermann Julius Oberth

The Ferrari 512 Pininfarina Modulo, on display at the 1971 edition of the Salon international de l’Auto de Montréal, Montréal, Québec. Jean D. Legault, “Une première mondiale et 12 continentales.” La Patrie, 17 January 1971, 31.

One of the most famous dream cars of all time: The Ferrari 512 Pininfarina Modulo

A rather sober advertisement for F.A. Fluet Enregistré’s La Canadienne spruce beer. Anon., “Advertisement – F.A. Fluet Enregistré.” L’Action catholique, 4 January 1951, 5.

A small beer which was no small beer: F.A. Fluet Enregistré of Québec, Québec, and La Canadienne spruce beer

A scene captured at the launch of the Jeu de l’électricité by Éditions Héritage Incorporée, Montréal, Québec, 6 November 1968. Anon., “–.” Le Devoir, 6 November 1968, 11.

A B C Abécédaire. Viens avec nous autour de la Terre: The Société Radio-Canada’s Tour de Terre children educational television program

An advertisement selling the merits of the Vin St.Georges. Anon. “Advertising – T.G. Bright & Company Limited.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, December 1940, 2.

To treat the family this holiday season, do not forget the Vin St.Georges: A brief look at a pioneer of the Canadian wine industry, T.G. Bright & Company Limited

The Bell Model 47 operated by Airspray Limited, Ontario. Anon., “Helicopter – Down on the Farm.” Canadian Aviation, September 1947, 25.

Old Macdonald had a farm, Ee-I-Ee-I-O. And on that farm he had a Bell, Ee-I-Ee-I-O: A few more words on the early days of agricultural aviation in Canada

An advertisement announcing the introduction into service of Trans-Canada Air Lines’ Vickers Vanguard short to medium range airliner. Anon., “Advertisement – Trans-Canada Air Lines.” Maclean’s, 3 December 1960, 8-9.

From “big Viscount” to Merchantman: The abbreviated journey of the Vickers Vanguard

 The Convair 580 operated by the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing of Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, Ottawa, Ontario, September 2001. Wikipedia.

It was one of the greats: The Convair 580 remote sensing aircraft of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

An Air Tractor AT-502 agricultural aircraft operated by Southeastern Aerial Crop Service Incorporated, Belle Glade State Municipal Airport, Florida, June 2013. Wikipedia.

Wings over the world: The PT6 turboprop and turboshaft engine, Part 2

The first turboprop engine designed in Canada, the PT6 of Canadian Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company Limited. Anon., “Advertisement – Canadian Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company Limited.” The Gazette, 14 November 1960, 24.

Wings over the world: The PT6 turboprop and turboshaft engine, Part 1

The 14 volumes of the 1960 edition of L’Encyclopédie de la jeunesse of Grolier Limitée. Anon., “Advertisement – Grolier Limitée. » La Tribune - Perspectives, 12 November 1960, 31.

A book of knowledge: L’Encyclopédie de la Jeunesse

Roxana Hartley and Mr. Jolie / Lord Robert Brummel, the main protagonists of the 1930 American play Dancing Partner, Belasco Theatre, New York City, New York. Anon., “The Stage Goes ‘Air-minded’.” Scientific American, November 1930, 355.

A play in an airplane, and an airplane in a play: Dancing Partner, 1930

The Supermarine Spitfire on display for the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, 18 September 1940. Anon., “News roundup – Battle of Britain ceremonies.” Aircraft, November 1960, 58.

A gift for heaven: The Canada Aviation and Space Museum’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIb

Some of the displays of the National Aviation Museum, Uplands Airport, Ottawa, Ontario, early 1960s. CASM, negative number 4446.

Happy birthday to us. Happy birthday to us. Happy birthday dear CASM. Happy birthday to us: A few words on the early days, weeks, months and years of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

A somewhat inaccurate (life-size?) reproduction of Sputnik I on display in Prague, Czechoslovakia, as part of an exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution. Anon., “Modèle du satellite russe.” Le Nouvelliste, 10 October 1957, 1.

Québec / Canada and the simplest satellite, the PS-1 spacecraft, in other words Sputnik 1: An overview of what was published in the French language Québec press between 5 and 12 October 1957, Part 4

Pierre Dorion, « L’ère des émotions. » La Presse, 9 October 1957, 4.

Québec / Canada and the simplest satellite, the PS-1 spacecraft, in other words Sputnik 1: An overview of what was published in the French language Québec press between 5 and 12 October 1957, Part 3

The simplest satellite or PS-1 spacecraft, in other words Sputnik I, a little before its launch, September 1957. NASA.

Québec / Canada and the simplest satellite, the PS-1 spacecraft, in other words Sputnik 1: An overview of what was published in the French language Québec press between 5 and 12 October 1957, Part 2

A somewhat inaccurate drawing of the spacecraft PS-1, in other words Sputnik I, in orbit around the Earth. Anon., « Fusées et satellites seraient invincibles. » Le Soleil, 8 October 1957, 1.

Québec / Canada and the simplest satellite, the PS-1 spacecraft, in other words Sputnik 1: An overview of what was published in the French language Québec press between 5 and 12 October 1957, Part 1

Eldon Douglas McEarchern working on his agricultural Piper PA-18 Super Cub as one of his sons watched on, Carman, Manitoba. Anon., “Les fermiers volants de l’ouest canadien.” Le Samedi, 22 October 1960, 25.

Oh, what a beautiful mornin’! Oh, what a beautiful day!: An overview of the first decade of the flying farmer movement in Canada

One of the towed threshers designed and fabricated by Dion & Frère Incorporée of Sainte-Thérèse-de-Blainville, Québec. Anon., “Publicité – Dion & Frère Incorporée.” Le Bulletin des agriculteurs, September 1940, 47.

A century of agricultural technology and innovation in the Laurentides region of Québec: From Dion & Frère to Dion-AG

Jani Moreau, female flight attendant as imagined by Québec artist Nicole Lapointe. Anon., “Un nouvel illustré: Jani hôtesse de l’air.” Claire, 15 September 1960, cover.

She is not a waitress in the sky: Jani hôtesse de l’air and some words on the presence of female flight attendants in popular culture

An infuriated Clara shredding the Curtiss biplane piloted by George F. Russell, Dongan Hills, New York, 10 September 1910. Anon., “La vache et l’aéroplane.” Le Petit Journal – Supplément illustrée, 25 September 1910, 312.

A close encounter of the strange and unusual kind, or, How did Clara the cow meet a Curtiss biplane in Staten Island, New York City, New York

The first Douglas DC-3 airliner delivered to Trans-Canada Air Lines, Montreal (Dorval) Airport, Dorval, Québec, circa 1945-48. CASM, negative number 25515

A gleaming example of one of the most famous and significant aircraft of the 20th century: The Douglas DC-3 of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

The first Fleet Model 80 Canuck light / private airplane, Fort Erie, Ontario, March 1946. This aircraft belonged to Sturgeon Air Services Limited of Fredericton, New Brunswick. CASM, negative number KM-07962

Teaching to fly because it has wings: Canada’s Fleet Model 80 Canuck light / private airplane

A Zenair CH-701 manufactured under license by Czech Aircraft Works Společnost s ručenim omezeným, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 2011. Wikimedia.

Born in a garage, but now all the world is a market for Zenair Limited: A look at the Cold War era designs of Christophe Jean Heintz, Part 2

Christophe Jean Heintz at the controls of the Heintz Zenith. Anon., “–.” Aviation magazine international, 15 to 31 August 1970, cover.

Born in a garage, but now all the world is a market for Zenair Limited: A look at the Cold War era designs of Christophe Jean Heintz, Part 1

The Echo 1A satellite balloon during an inflation test, 1960. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The wonderful lead balloons of Claude Williams Coffee, Junior, Walter Edward Bressette and William J. O’Sullivan: The Echo satelloons in Québec and elsewhere, Part 2

The Echo 1A satelloon whizzing in the sky, above the École normale de Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Québec. Dominique Lapointe, “Une visite qui nous est devenue familière – L’Écho 1 continue à se promener tous les soirs sur notre région.” Le Progrès du Saguenay, 27 August 1960, 7.

The wonderful lead balloons of Claude Williams Coffee, Junior, Walter Edward Bressette and William J. O’Sullivan: The Echo satelloons in Québec and elsewhere, Part 1

One of the Found FBA-2s of Georgian Bay Airways Limited. H.L. “Des US et du Canada 2 formules d’avions légers – 1 Le Found ‘Flying Truck.’” Aviation magazine international, 1 July 1964, 39.

A small Ontarian flying truck relocated in the land of the kiwis: The Found FBA-2 bush airplane

The one and only Cushioncraft CC1, initially known as the Britten-Norman BN-1 Cushioncraft / CC1 Cushioncraft. Anon., “News Digest – New Cushion-rider.” Canadian Aviation, August 1960, 46.

It seemed like a good idea at the time: The bananas of the British Cameroons and the Cushioncraft CC1 hovercraft

The one and only Canadian Car & Foundry CBY-3 Loadmaster. CASM, negative number 17826.

The eight lives of a unique flying boxcar, the Canadian Car & Foundry CBY-3 Loadmaster

The atomic / nuclear pulse rocket imagined by well-known American illustrator Francis Xavier Theban Tinsley. Anon., “Advertisement – American Bosch Arma Corporation.” Aviation Week, 4 July 1960, 13.

A nasty blast from the past: Francis Xavier Theban Tinsley and the atomic / nuclear pulse rocket

Walter Thomas Leavens examining the cups which drove the agitator mounted inside the hopper of the Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser light / private airplane flown by Leavens Brothers Air Services Limited. Anon., “Crop Dusting with a Cub.” Canadian Aviation, July 1945, 50.

Weed’em and Reap: Leavens Brothers Air Services Limited and the early days of agricultural aviation in Ontario / Canada after the Second World War

L’Aviateur du Pacifique.

A scientific romance and war novel from the Belle Époque: L’Aviateur du Pacifique of Captain Danrit (Émile Driant)

The Fouga CM-8 Cyclone / Sylphe jet-powered glider. Anon., “–.” Aviation Magazine, 1 June 1950, cover.

I love the clouds… the clouds that pass… over there… over there… the marvelous clouds! The Établissements Fouga et Compagnie and its jet-powered gliders

The Sharp / Bond Minicar Mk A microcar presented to the people of Montréal, Québec, by local dealer Budd & Dyer Limited. Anon., “Jusqu’à 110 milles au gallon.” La Presse, 10 June 1950, 26.

A microcar designed in a time of austerity: The Bond Minicar

A Koser / Koser-Hrovat KB-3 Jadran hydroglider, Adriatic Sea, summer 1949. In the background, the coastal passenger ship Dalmacija of the government-owned shipping firm Jadranska Linijska Providba. Anon., “Gliding and sailplanes in Yugoslavia.” Sailplane and Glider, June 1950, 125.

Above the lakes, above the vales: The Koser / Koser-Hrovat KB-3 Jadran hydroglider

Tsar Nikolai II, on the left, with his hands behind his back, looking at the aeroplanes which took part in the Sankt-Peterburgskaya aviatsionnaya nedelya, St. Petersburg, Russian Empire. Anon., “Nouvelles sportives – Le tsar chez les aviateurs.” La Revue aérienne, 10 June 1910, 349.

Miracle of miracles, look what the plane dragged in: The Sankt-Peterburgskaya aviatsionnaya nedelya

The Dane Jan Bo Kristensen performing a precision landing with a parafoil during a national competition organised by the Dansk Faldskærms Union, Randers, Denmark, August 2005. Wikipedia.

Imagination is the highest kite one can fly: The life and times of a master of the wind, Domina Cléophas Jalbert, Part 2

Domina Cléophas Jalbert, on the left, and Hamnett Pitzer Munger with one of the kytoons made by Jalbert Aerological Laboratory Incorporated to study atmospheric pollution. Anon., “Ce que devient un jouet d’enfant.” La Presse, 23 May 1950, 3.

Imagination is the highest kite one can fly: The life and times of a master of the wind, Domina Cléophas Jalbert, Part 1

Two of the young employees of Ontario Model Aircraft Company at work, Toronto, Ontario. Arthur Lowe, “Kindergarten of the Air.” Maclean’s, 1 May 1940, 24.

A kindergarten for the air age: Ontario Model Aircraft Company / Model Craft Hobbies Limited and a few other words on scale aircraft modelling in Canada before and during the Second World War

The one and only Monte-Copter Model 15 Triphibian, Seattle, Washington. Anon., “World Air News.” Air Pictorial, May 1960, 167.

The day of the triphibs: Monte-Copter Incorporated and the Model 15 Triphibian helicopter

Vladislav Verner’s little sweetie, the Verner W-01 Brouček. Anon., “Private Flying.” Flight International, 14 May 1970, 806.

Malé letadlo a skvěly příběh / A small airplane and a great story: The Verner W-01 Brouček homebuilt airplane

The crate containing Jean Versailles’ Blériot Type XI on the specially-equipped horse-driven truck belonging to Shedden Forwarding Company Limited, Montréal, Québec. Anon., “Le premier aéroplane à Montréal.” La Presse, 28 May 1910, 12.

Montréal has its first aeroplane: The Blériot Type XI of Jean Versailles and William Carruthers

A black-and-white image depicts a group of men standing underneath a Royal Air Force Avro Lancaster; they are loading cloth supply bags into the bomb bay. Wikimedia Commons

He gave them bread from heaven to eat: A few words on Operation Manna and Operation Chowdown, April-May 1945

A boy and elements of a toy on display at the 1950 edition of the toy fair of New York City, New York: Stefan Olsen and the cloud chamber of a Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab. Anon., “La page des enfants – Initiation atomique.” Photo-Journal, 13 April 1950, 20.

One of the most dangerous toys of all times: The Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab

One of the Aeronautica Macchi AL-60s used in Canada by Northwest Industries Limited to interest potential customers, Edmonton, Alberta. Anon., “Aeronews.” Air Progress, July 1969, 15.

An L-402 by any other name is still an L-402 – or an AL-60 or a Conestoga or a Ranger or a Santa Maria or a Trojan, unless it’s a Kudu, Part 2

The first prototype of the Lockheed L-402. Anon., “Le Lockheed-Azcarate C.L.-402.” Les Ailes, 16 April 1960, 1.

An L-402 by any other name is still an L-402 – or an AL-60 or a Conestoga or a Ranger or a Santa Maria or a Trojan, unless it’s a Kudu, Part 1

One of the advertisements published in Québec newspapers to promote the new Glas Goggomobil T700 automobile. Anon., “Advertisement – Eugène Roy Limitée.” La Presse, 1 April 1960, 39.

In search of… the Glas Isar / Isard T700, an automobile previously known as the Goggomobil T700

The aerosled designed and built by Kenneth J. Richards. Anon., “Traîneau moderne.” L’Auto, 9 February 1940, 1.

The magical mystery week is waiting to take you away, or, Does anyone in the blogosphere know anything about the Richards aerosled or the Lawrence aerosled?

From left to right, Boum-Boum, Ba-Ba and Bi-Bi, in other words the Lunours. Anon., “Toute la vérité sur la soucoupe de St-Bruno – Un coup monté de $100,000.” Photo-Journal, 23 February to 1 March 1970, 1.

We are Bi Bi Ba Ba Boum Boum: The saga of the Lunours

An example of the Swedish STAL Skuten turbojet engine on display, under guard, in Stockholm, Sweden. Anon., “Production – First Swedish Turbojet Revealed.” Aviation Week, 27 March 1950, 36.

A tale of two engines, or four, or even six: The STAL Skuten, Dovern and Glan

Frances Marian “Poppy” Northcutt in one of the space exhibits of the Palais de la Découverte, a science centre in Paris, France, not Texas. Anon., “Astronautique – ‘Poppy’ à Paris.” Aviation Magazine International, 15 to 31 March 1970, 42.

Her parents find her job exciting, but they would like her to marry: Frances Marian “Poppy” Northcutt at NASA and beyond

Turi Widerøe speaking with a flight attendant aboard a Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle jetliner of Scandinavian Airlines System Denmark-Norway-Sweden. J.-C. Fortin. “SAS ne compte qu’une seule femme pilote de ligne: Turi Wideroe.” Le Petit Journal, 1 March 1970, 28.

Turi Widerøe paid a flying visit to Montréal the other day

A few aspects of the fourth Montréal Motor Show. Anon., “Ouverture de l’exposition d’automobiles et de yachts.” La Presse, 28 March 1910, 1.

A week at the Coliseum: The 1910 Montréal Motor Show and the first aeroplanes displayed in Québec / Canada

Doctor Margaret Beznak with one of her research subjects. Elizabeth Motherwell, “Elle succède à son mari à la tête de la faculté de physiologie de l’U. d’Ottawa.” La Tribune, 3 February 1960, 17.

A stellar example of the contribution made by people who choose Canada: A few words on the life and times of Doctor Margaret Beznak

Sisters Maria Cleofas and Maria Innocenza of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga aboard an AVIA / Lombardi FL.3 light / private airplane during their flight training, Turin, Italy. Anon., “Le ciel leur appartient.” Le Soleil / Perspectives, 20 February 1960, 12.

Sister Bertrille was not the first flying nun, or, Let’s talk about Sisters Maria Cleofas and Maria Innocenza – and about Sister Mary Aquinas too

The Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, ca 2007. Wikipedia.

So far away from home: The Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Part 2

A Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker operated by Alaska Coastal Airlines, Incorporated, Juneau, Alaska. This floatplane is now on display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. Keith Petrich, “Bush Flying Is Dead.” Air Trails Pictorial, February 1945, 26.

So far away from home: The Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Part 1

A typical New-Map / Rolux Baby microcar. Anon., “La voiturette ‘Baby VB-60’ à Québec au milieu de février.” L’Action catholique, 14 January 1950, 12.

The car that was more economical than the streetcar: The New-Map / Rolux Baby microcar

Charles Aznavour with the Beehoo / Magna Amphicat all-terrain vehicle he was examining, Montréal, Québec. His daughter Seda is near him. Suzanne Piuze, “Aznavour m’a dit…” La Patrie, 25 January 1970, 20.

I would love to own one; on my boat, that would be dandy: The off road journey of the Beehoo / Magna Amphicat

The lunar habitat imagined by Rocco G. “Roy” Scarfo. Anon., “C’est écrit dans le ciel.” La Patrie du dimanche, 24 January 1960, 6.

He was one of the greats: Rocco G. “Roy” Scarfo, space artist, and the world beyond tomorrow

A demonstration of the lightness of the Williams Jet No.1 turbojet engine. Anon. “23-lb. Turbojet Develops 70 lb. of Thrust.” Aviation Week and Space Technology, 18 January 1960, 126.

This engine may have been a bit heavy but her smile still stayed on: The Williams Jet No. 1 and its successors

The General Development / Christmas airliner, near New York City, New York. Anon., “Potężny łoskot silników powietrznych gigantów powitał rok nowy.” Lot Polski, January 1930, 1.

The powerful roar of the aerial giants’ engines greeted the new year: The troubling saga of William Wallace Whitney Christmas

Some actresses and actors who contributed to the success of the Québec science fiction television series Opération-Mystère, 1958. From left to right, Luce Guilbeault, Marcel Cabay, Georges Groulx, Louise Marleau and Hervé Brousseau. Société Radio-Canada.

Opération-Mystère, a television series which answered the needs of the sputnik and flying saucer generation

The aluminium bridge of Arvida, Arvida / Saguenay, Québec. Anon., “Premier pont tout en aluminium.” Le Petit Journal, 4 December 1949, 51.

On the bridge of Arvida, a national historic civil engineering site, they are dancing, they are dancing

The Piaggio P-7 at rest in its element. Joaquin de la Llave y Sierra, “Antes y después de la Copa Schneider.” Aérea, December 1929, 8.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try again: The odd story of the Piaggio P-7

A poster for the Japanese science fiction film Uchû Daisensô

Uchû Daisensô, or, A battle in outer space from the land of the rising Sun

The very first Zar Zar-Car automobile / microcar, Windsor, Ontario. Arthur Prévost, “La première auto entièrement canadienne bientôt en vente!” Le Petit Journal, 25 October 1959, 67.

In search of a Canadian car: The Zar of all the Windsors

Soviet astrophysicist Alla Genrikhovna Masevich and her daughter, Natasha Josifovna Friedlander. Sam Schecter, “Deux Canadiens en Russie – Rencontres avec l’élite russe.” Le Soleil / Perspectives, 26 September 1959, 11.

Her name is Masevich, Alla Genrikhovna Masevich

The University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies Great Flapper ornithopter during trials, Malton, Ontario, 2005. http://www/ornithopter.net

To dream, perchance to fly: The saga of the Great Flapper

Beth Ross posing for a photographer as she cleaned up the main fragment of the Dresden chondrite in front of the office of The Dresden News. Anon., “Adding lustre to meteor that startled a province.” Toronto Daily Star, 13 July 1939, 1.

The art of the deal in rural Ontario; or, The unhappy tale of the Dresden chondrite

Gérard Duquette, foreman at Héroux Incorporée, on the right, with many family members and 2 of his workers, 20 July 1969. Roger Nadeau, “Les ouvriers de la Héroux ont tressailli de joie en voyant le LEM sur la Lune.” Le Petit Journal, 27 July 1969, 4.

Did you know that the Eagle landed on the Moon on legs made in Québec?

Canadian engineer Owen Eugene Maynard with a model of the Convair Atlas launch vehicle topped by a McDonnell Mercury space capsule, 1962. Roger Nadeau, “Une foule de techniciens canadiens ont pris part au vol d’Apollo 11.” Le Petit Journal, 20 July 1969, 4.

The little guy from Sarnia who put the first human on the Moon

The first Taylor J.T.1 Monoplane, White Waltham, England. Anon., “Sport and Business.” Flight, 19 June 1959, 839.

Tinker, Taylor, monoplane

Constance Cann Wolf caught on film as she herself caught on film a scene that caught her eye, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The gas balloon belonged to the Balloon Club of America. Anon., “Balloon over Paris.” Flying, May 1959, cover.

Suspended under a twilight canopy: Constance Cann Wolf and the wonderful world of ballooning

The unloading of the nitroglycerin carried from Shelby, Montana, to Calgary, Alberta, aboard the (purple?) Stinson SB-1 Detroiter operated by Great Western Airways Limited, February 1929. Anon., “–.” Canadian Aviation, April 1929, 17.

Unsafe at any speed or time

A prototype of the Kamov Sever-2 aerosled in its element. Anon., "’Mail Train’ to North." The Gazette, 26 March 1959, 2.

Oh what fun it is to ride in a Kamov Sever-2

The SIMCA Fulgur concept car. The French parachutist and model Colette Duval was at the controls. Anon., “Actualités.” La Patrie du dimanche, 1 March 1959, 2.

It was fulgur, fulgur, fulgur, fulgurable

The Spirit of Canada hot air balloon. Peter Calamai, “Lots of hot air and a high old time.” Canadian, 26 August 1967, 14.

This magnificent man in his flying machine

The road section monitored by the speed radar set of the Connecticut State Police, near Glastonbury, Connecticut. Anon., “L’actualité en images – Pièges à comboys.” La Patrie, 16 February 1949, 14.

Cowboy traps did not appear yesterday

Cecil George Armitage at the controls of an Aérodoo, Richelieu River, Québec, November 1968. Anon., “Et maintenant… l’Aérodoo.” Vallée de la Petite Nation, 30 January 1969, 15.

The Mancunian candidate; or, How to float near the ground with the greatest of ease

Some members of the Ligue des avions miniatures de Montréal examining the radio controlled model then under construction. Christian Verdon, “Avion-miniature contrôlé par la radio.” La Patrie, 7 January 1939, 44.

A league of their own: The long forgotten story of the Ligue des avions miniatures de Montréal

Santa Claus’ two rigid airships over the Saint Lawrence River abreast of Québec, Québec. Anon., “Advertising – A.E. Rea & Company.” La Presse, 2 December 1910, 15.

A thoroughly modern Santa Claus

A poster for the movie From the Earth to the Moon

Jules Gabriel Verne would not have been amused: From the Earth to the Moon

An image from the credits of CF-RCK.

A captivating television show: CF-RCK, Part 2

The main actors of the Société Radio-Canada television show CF-RCK, Yves Létourneau (on the right) and René Caron. Anon., « Une scène de CF-RCK avec René Caron et Yves Létourneau. » La semaine à Radio-Canada, from 2 to 8 January 1960, cover.

A captivating television show: CF-RCK, Part 1

Loading up Voo-Doo, the Waco Hadrian used for the first transatlantic flight by a cargo glider, Montreal Airport (Dorval), Dorval, Québec, June 1943. Anon., “Flying into focus”. Flying Aces, October 1943, 7.

It was magnificent. It was splendid. It was pointless.

A poster of the Italian-French movie La morte viene dallo spazio. We see 2 members of the control centre’s team: the unsavoury French researcher and the pretty but cold mathematician.

Movie titles can be so… positive and cheerful: The Day the Sky Exploded

The host of the weekly television show Plein Ciel, on the right, and his technical adviser, Captain Marcel Everard. Anon., “Introduction à l’aviation.” La semaine à Radio-Canada, 29 November to 5 December 1958, 12.

A television show I would have liked to see during my youth

Lift off of the hydrogen balloon that carried aloft the antenna of the American emergency radio transmitter BC-778, better known under the name “Gibson Girl.” Anon., “Gibson Girl to the rescue.” Flying Aces, septembre 1943, 30.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

Two Rohrbach Ro VIII Rolands operated by Iberia, Compañía Aérea de Transportes Sociedad anónima, Madrid, December 1927. The one in the background was used for the Madrid-Barcelona flight of 14 December. Anon., “Inauguración del nuevo servicio aéreo Madrid-Barcelona.” Aérea, October-December 1927, 33.

Never on a Sunday: The tall tale of an Iberian Roland, Part 1

Related Stories

Logan Archbold Vilas, the official aviator of the Wisconsin State Board of Forestry. Anon., “Wisconsin Has Flying Fire Warden.” The State Journal, 14 October 1915, 11.

A tale of air, water, and fire: A peek at the aeronautical activities of Hoffar Motor Boat Company of Vancouver, British Columbia, 1915-27, part 2

The wreckage of the Hoffar H-2 flying boat after its crash on the roof of the house of an ear, eye and nose doctor, Vancouver, British Columbia. Anon., “From Hantsport to Vancouver.” Canadian Courier, 28 September 1918, 12.

A tale of air, water, and fire: A peek at the aeronautical activities of Hoffar Motor Boat Company of Vancouver, British Columbia, 1915-27, part 1

Wilfrid Thomas Reid. Anon., “Specification and description of the Reid Rambler.” Canadian Air Review, November 1928, 30.

It was born a rambling plane, trying to make a living and doing the best it could: The fascinating story of the Reid / Curtiss-Reid Rambler, Canada’s first light / private plane, part 2

A pair of bare metal ejection seats with no cushions or padding are mounted on a plywood base, placed beside a few cardboard boxes. Behind the seats, a camouflage-green helicopter is partially visible.

How a pair of ejection seats from the Avro CF-105 Arrow survived

An advertisement of Curtiss-Reid Aircraft Company Limited of Montréal / Cartierville, Québec, showing its Curtiss-Reid Rambler light / private plane. Anon., “Curtiss-Reid Aircraft Company Limited.” Canadian Air Review, May 1929, 23.

It was born a rambling plane, trying to make a living and doing the best it could: The fascinating story of the Reid / Curtiss-Reid Rambler, Canada’s first light / private plane, part 1

The SAGEM CU-161 Sperwer of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum after one of its uneventful landings in Afghanistan. David Pugliese, “Faulty drones risk lives: troops.” Ottawa Citizen, 29 August 2007, 10.

Canada’s introduction to a deadly game of drones: An all too brief look at the Canadian career of the SAGEM Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle, part 3

The first SAGEM CU-161 Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle operated by the Canadian Forces, near Kabul, Afghanistan, November 2003. Anon., “Drones canadiens utilisés en Afghanistan.” La Presse, 19 mars 2006, A 5.

Canada’s introduction to a deadly game of drones: An all too brief look at the Canadian career of the SAGEM Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle, part 2

A view of a generic / typical SAGEM Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle. Chris Wattie, “Army buys spy drones for Afghan mission.” National Post, 8 August 2003, 4.

Canada’s introduction to a deadly game of drones: An all too brief look at the Canadian career of the SAGEM Sperwer tactical unpiloted aerial vehicle, part 1

André-Georges Lafitte’s arrival in Dijon, France, June 1990. A.-G. Lafitte, “Un membre de l’I.F.N. traverse l’Atlantique Nord en U.L.M.” Navigation, October 1991, 559.

The Pélican brief: The fascinating history of one of the founding pillars of the Québec ultralight aircraft industry, Ultravia Aéro Incorporée, Part 2

A typical Ultravia Pélican ultralight aircraft on floats. The absence of a registration is worth noting. Anon., “Amateurs – ULM ou avions?” Aviation magazine international, 1 August 1983, 37.

The Pélican brief: The fascinating history of one of the founding pillars of the Québec ultralight aircraft industry, Ultravia Aéro Incorporée, Part 1

The aerostatic railway / balloon railway proposed by Friedrich Volderauer. Salvatore Pannizzi, “Mountain Railways.” The Wide World Magazine, July 1898, 304.

The world’s most scenic railway journeys, hosted by you know who – Season 7, Episode 7 – The Aerostatischen Bahn / Luftballon-Eisenbahn of Friedrich Volderauer

The Tupolev Tu-104 jet-powered airliner operated by Aeroflot which took part in British Columbia’s Centennial air show, Uplands Airport, Ontario. Don Brown, “Aerial Display Ready.” The Ottawa Citizen, 13 June 1958, 39.

“It taxis along the ground with all the ease of an arthritic stork,” Or, A brief look at the brief presence at British Columbia’s Centennial air show of an Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104 jet-powered airliner, part 2

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