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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

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May 1, 2023
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Profile picture for user rfortier
By: Rénald Fortier
Ingenium – Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation
The first page of the comic strip Julien Gagnon. Rémy, “Julien Gagnon.” Le Petit Journal, magazine section, 16 May 1948, 18.
The first page of the comic strip Julien Gagnon. Rémy, “Julien Gagnon.” Le Petit Journal, magazine section, 16 May 1948, 18.

Hi, how are you, my reading friend? Yours truly is delighted to see (read?) that you are doing reasonably well. I too am doing reasonably well. However, I must admit that my old bones would feel a tad better if the federal, provincial and territorial governments of Canada got with the program and celebrated International Workers’ Day, or Labour Day, on 1 May, rather than on the first Monday of September but let us not dwell. We, after all, have an intriguing topic on our plate. Our weekly encounter with science, technology and innovation beckons. Still, solidarity forever, for the union makes us strong! Locatores, no opprimar operarios!

In veritate dico vobis, err, in truth, I say to you, it is less science, technology and innovation than history and popular culture, and aviation, that will hold our attention this week. As you may have guessed, the subject covered by our glorious blog / bulletin / thingee is a French language comic strip, Julien Gagnon, published from 16 May to 7 November 1948 in a very popular weekly newspaper of Montréal, Québec, Le Petit Journal.

Yours truly will teach you nothing by telling you that comic strips had occupied a significant place in Le Petit Journal for quite some time. Indeed, in September 1947, the management of that newspaper grouped together the various series it published in a magazine section of 16, then 24 pages, in January 1948. Better yet, that management wished to encourage local talent, an approach it was keen to mention in the pages of the weekly. And so it was that an adventure comic strip set in the South Seas and a police comic strip set in Montréal appeared in Le Petit Journal between September 1947 and May 1948.

The third comic strip created by a Québec artist was somewhat different. At the very request of the management of the weekly, the latter drew his inspiration from current events in Québec, Canada, North America and the world.

In mid-February 1946, readers of daily newspapers across Canada were stunned to read that unidentified people, allegedly federal employees and ex-employees, had transmitted confidential / secret information to an unidentified country with an embassy in Ottawa, Ontario. There had been numerous arrests and a royal commission of inquiry would submit a report. Some dailies did not hesitate to affirm that the secret of the atomic bomb had been betrayed. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was quickly blamed.

It should be noted that the quite secret Royal Commission to Investigate the Facts Relating to and the Circumstances Surrounding the Communication, by Public Officials and Other Persons in Positions of Trust of Secret and Confidential Information to Agents of a Foreign Power, the RCIFRCSCPOOPPTSCIAFP for short, all right, all right, I am just kidding. It should be noted that the quite secret royal commission had heard from at least one witness when that rocambolesque spy case became known to the public.

That was / is quite the name for a royal commission, was is it not? Anyone suffering from hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia would have every right to be uncomfortable in the presence of such a name. By the way, hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is a real word. It can be defined as the fear of overly long words. I kid you not.

This being said (typed?), hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia and Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu would count as only two words on a text panel prepared by a group of Canadian national museums yours truly was closely associated with for a third of a century – and half a lifetime. And yes, I still think that the number of characters would be a better way to evaluate the length of an ideal text on a text panel. What say you? (Hello, SB, EG, EP and VW!) But I digress.

To answer the question which condenses in your panicked little noggin, Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu is the name given to a New Zealand hill. That Maori word translates as the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his flute to his loved one.

The spy case we were dealing with before I derailed our train of thought owed its origin to the defection, in September 1945, with many confidential / secret documents, of an employee of the cipher department of the USSR embassy in Ottawa mentioned in an October 2020 issue of our enlightening blog / bulletin / thingee, a lieutenant in the Glavnoye Razvedyvatel’noye Upravleniye, the main intelligence directorate of the USSR, more precisely, Igor Sergeyevich Gouzenko.

The royal commission published two interim reports in March 1946. These contained no information on the confidential / secret information obtained by the USSR. The commission published its final report in June. Ten of the people mentioned in this slab of more than 730 pages were sent to prison by Canadian or British courts. Nine other people were acquitted. According to several / many people, the Gouzenko affair marked / marks the beginning of the Cold War. (Hello, EG and VW!)

Would you believe that Gouzenko’s defection inspired an American semi-documentary thriller film which premiered around mid-May 1948? The Iron Curtain was partly filmed in Ottawa in November and, I think, December 1947.

The screenwriter wrote the screenplay for this feature film using a series of articles entitled “I Was Inside Stalin’s Spy Ring” which appeared between February and May 1947 in the American literary / family monthly magazine Cosmopolitan. Yes, yes, my reading friend, that Cosmopolitan. Gouzenko, whose English was limited to say the least, apparently wrote the content of these articles in Russian. The latter was apparently later translated into English and, perhaps, rewritten by one or two unidentified people.

Two adorable young people, Colleen Carter, 16 months, and Donald “Donnie” Inglis, 17 months, were among the extras hired in Ottawa for the filming of The Iron Curtain. Both were stand-ins for Christopher “Chris” Olsen, an adorable 15-month-old American who played Gouzenko’s son, Andrei Igorovich Gouzenko.

Would you believe that Inglis’ parents lived in one of the buildings at Royal Canadian Air Force Station Rockcliffe, in… Rockcliffe, Ontario, a stone’s throw from the location where the fabulous Canada Aviation and Space Museum now stands? Inglis was an employee of a major Ottawa daily, The Evening Citizen, incidentally.

Incidentally, again, some people who feared the film’s negative impact on American-Soviet relations, already quite tense it had to be admitted, and even some people who were broadly favourable to the USSR, might have tried to hinder the filming of the sequences on Ottawa soil. Those attempts failed.

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation had embarked on said filming in part in response to remarks by the chairperson of the (in)famous House Committee on Un-American Activities of the United States House of Representatives, John Parnell Thomas, to the effect that American film studios did not make anti-communist films.

And the fact was that The Iron Curtain was the first Cold War American film of its kind, in other words a propaganda film. It was certainly not the last. One only needed to mention Sofia (premiered September 1948), Walk a Crooked Mile (September 1948), The Red Menace (August 1949), The Red Danube (September 1949), The Woman on Pier 13 (October 1949), etc., etc., etc.

If I may be permitted to answer the question which is gradually condensing in your little noggin, the Soviet government did not appreciate that type of film at all. At the end of February 1948, in the Soviet daily Pravda, for example, the very influential Soviet literary critic / journalist / satirist David Iosifovich Zaslavsky denounced the American gangsters who had produced The Iron Curtain and castigated the Canadian government for not having prevented said production.

That dreaded and redoubtable die-hard hatchet man of the cultural milieu of the Stalinist regime could (should?) have waited before tearing down The Iron Curtain. That feature film was in fact one of the most balanced and intelligent filmic representations of the early years of the Cold War. The films which followed often turned out to be excessive / bonkers in their denunciation of the USSR and its agents.

Denounced by American commentators who feared an increase in anger, anxiety and suspicion among the American general public, The Iron Curtain was more publicised than any other feature film released in 1948. The jury of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences totally ignored it, however, when it came to choosing the best film, actor, actress, director, etc., of the year 1948, but I digress. Was that academy mentioned several times in our simply awesome blog / bulletin / thingee since September 2019, you ask, my reading friend? Yes, it was.

In early May 1948, just days before the grand premiere of The Iron Curtain, the publishing house J.M. Dent and Sons (Canada) Limited of Toronto, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia, a subsidiary of the British publishing house J.M. Dent and Sons Limited, published This Was My Choice, a book originally written in Russian by Gouzenko, then translated into English, perhaps by a certain Mervyn Black, and rewritten by Montréal sports journalist Andrew William “Andy” O’Brian.

This Was My Choice was also published in the United Kingdom in 1948, by… Eyre and Spottiswoode (Publishers) Limited, which was a tad curious. It went without saying that Gouzenko’s book was published in the United States in 1948, but with a very different title: The Iron Curtain. Oh surprise… It was not published in Québec, a paradise of anti-communism if there ever was one, however, or in France, which was also a tad curious.

Speaking (typing?) of curiosity, would you like to know the name of the artist who created the comic strip at the heart of this issue of our blog / bulletin / thingee? And yes, that was indeed a rhetorical question.

The pseudonym which accompanied Julien Gagnon’s first page, Rémy, hid one of the greatest Québec, or even Canadian, political cartoonists of the 20th century.

Montréal cartoonist Norman Hudon hard at work. Pierre Gascon, “Croquis et instantanés.” Photo-Journal, 30 June 1949, 7.

Normand Hudon was born in Montréal in June 1929. And no, he was not yet 19 when Julien Gagnon’s first page appeared in May 1948.

A great drawer since his childhood, Hudon won a prize in the spring of 1945 for the poster which publicised a eucharistic congress, organised / held by the Roman catholic church, in June, in Rosemont, Québec. That same year, he won the first prize in the poster competition launched by the famous Jardin botanique de Montréal as part of a vast campaign against weeds launched, it seems, within the framework of the annual meeting of the Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences (ACFAS) held in October in Montréal, at the Université de Montréal. And yes, ACFAS was indeed mentioned several times in our wonderful blog / bulletin / thingee since December 2018.

In July 1946, the important daily newspaper La Presse of Montréal began to publish, on the front page of the colour magazine section which accompanied its Saturday edition, several / many works by Hudon: a view of Dominion Square, in Montréal, and its superb tulips, a young woman walking in the rain on a country road, a couple in a sleigh visiting friends on New Year’s Day, etc. In July 1946, Hudon was 17 years old. At that age, yours truly barely knew which way was up.

In 1947, even before completing his secondary studies, Hudon enrolled at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal, where he specialised in illustration, drawing and decoration. It did not take long for him to shine. Would you believe that the management of that august institution deemed Hudon so talented that it apparently placed him in second-year classes on his first day in class?

In 1948, Hudon became a freelance cartoonist for two Montréal newspapers, the daily La Patrie and the weekly Le Petit Journal. He created Julien Gagnon and a police comic strip published in Le Petit Journal between November 1948 and May 1949. Le cirque Moréno was / is an original story inspired by an American comic strip, Lance Lawson, which appeared in Le Petit Journal in 1948-49 under a new title, Le détective Lanson.

In 1949, Hudon embarked for France to study at the Académie de Montmartre, an Paris, under the guidance of the director of that art school, the great French sculptor / painter / illustrator / draftsman / decorator / ceramist Joseph Fernand Henri Léger. He had paid for the many months spent there by selling caricatures and comic strips, working on ships which cruised on the Saint Lawrence River, etc.

Once back in Québec, Hudon returned to his position as a caricaturist. He also worked as a caricaturist in Montréal cabarets, and this for several years during the 1950s. He could often be seen at the Cabaret Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the most popular French language cabarets of the time, where future giants of the Quebec artistic community performed, people like Clémence Irène Claire DesRochers, Pauline Julien, Monique Leyrac, born Marie Thérèse Monique Tremblay, and Dominique Michel, born Marie Marguerite Jeannette Aimée Sylvestre.

Hudon of course exhibited in Montréal paintings made in various places in Québec. He was well known within the artistic community of the metropolis of Canada.

In February 1953, Hudon appeared on the airwaves of a brand new Montréal television station, CBFT of the Société Radio-Canada, a state radio and television broadcaster mentioned moult times in our wonderful blog / bulletin / thingee since September 2018. He was the official cartoonist of Télé-Scope, a popular weekly entertainment and information program hosted by Québec artist / foodie / humourist / journalist / lawyer / manager / oenologist / trade unionist / writer Gérard Delage. That presence made Hudon a well-known personality throughout Québec.

The Québec cartoonist also made a name for himself on American soil. In the spring of 1956, Hudon drew caricatures for the wealthy clientele of the famous Blue Angel nightclub in New York City, New York. He returned there at least once again, in the fall of 1959. Hudon also performed at least once around that time on the set of a well-known American variety show, The Steve Allen Show, hosted by Stephen Valentine Patrick William “Steve” Allen.

Hudon took part in a new weekly program devoted to caricature broadcasted by CBFT from August 1956 onward. He shared the set of Ma ligne, maligne with the show’s host, the great Québec actor Jean Duceppe, born Jean Hotte, and the great Québec caricaturist / painter Robert LaPalme. The latter was then delivering to his employer, the influential Montréal daily Le Devoir, caricatures which included deliciously nasty portraits of the Premier of Québec, Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis, a conservative and authoritarian / autocratic as well as populist and nationalist / autonomist individual mentioned on many occasions in our blog / bulletin / thingee since January 2018.

In October 1956, Hudon began co-hosting Aux gais lurons, a new weekly Montréal variety show also broadcasted by CBFT, a show renamed Au p’tit café by the time of its second episode. The cartoonist and his stage mates, a singer / comedian, the aforementioned Michel / Sylvestre, and the great Québec actor Pierre Thériault, made Au p’tit café one of the most popular television shows in Québec.

Hudon joined Le Devoir’s team in 1958 as a regular caricaturist. His caricatures of Duplessis, whom he transformed into a shabby miser sometimes represented in the form of a vulture, were also deliciously nasty. The one he drew following the death of that politician, in September 1959, was, let us face it, really mean. Like a lot of good people in Québec, Hudon abhorred Duplessis and everything that demagogue stood for.

Hudon joined La Presse’s team in 1961. He held the position of caricaturist until 1965, which did not prevent him from appearing more than once on television. Let us mention, for example, that Hudon and another great Québec caricaturist, Frédéric Back, were cast members of one of the most popular Québec television programs of the 1960s, Les Couche-Tard of the Société Radio-Canada, hosted by two giants of Québec television, Roger Baulu and Jacques Normand, born Raymond Pascal Chouinard. Mind you, he might also have delivered caricatures to a Montréal daily, Le Journal de Montréal.

Before I forget it, Hudon opened a boîte à chansons, L’Ardoise sur la butte, in Eastman, Québec, connected to the famous Théâtre de la Marjolaine, in June 1960. He may had put this project aside in 1964 when L’Ardoise sur la butte became Le Chat gris. Incidentally, Le Chat gris became Le Piano rouge in 2004, in honour of the piano played on site by a famous Québec songwriter / singer / pianist / actor, Claude Léveillée. It still existed as of 2023, as did the Théâtre la Marjolaine.

Incidentally, a boîte à chansons was / is a type of establishment, very popular in the 1950s and 1960s, where people listened to singers while having a drink and / or some food.

In 1967, Hudon produced a large work for the ceiling of a pavilion at the Exposition internationale et universelle de Montréal, or Expo ‘67, which was to take place from April to October, in… Montréal, an amaaazing world fair mentioned in several / many issues of our tremendous blog / bulletin / thingee since November 2020. He then produced a mural for the Humor Pavilion at Man and his World, the temporal extension of Expo 67 which opened in May 1968. Said pavilion closed its doors in 1981, I think.

Over the years, Hudon published several collections of caricatures: J’ai mauvaise mine (1954), La tête la première (1958), À la potence (1961) and Parlez-moi d’humour (1965).

At the beginning of 1968, Hudon launched Le Poing, a monthly humour magazine which seemingly did not stick around for long. He also created Académie Normand Hudon Incorporée of Montréal, in September 1970, to exhibit and sell paintings. That academy later became a correspondence art school. It might, I repeat might, have closed its doors fairly quickly. Hudon was indeed going through a rather difficult period at that time.

In 1972, Hudon began to paint paintings which tenderly and ironically illustrated aspects of Québec’s heritage, from alley scenes to nuns on bicycles.

Hudon remained active pretty much until his death in January 1997 at the age of 67.

If Hudon was inspired by Québec, Canadian, North American and world news to create the comic strip Julien Gagnon, yours truly believes that the eponymous hero of that comic strip, a fictional Québec pilot, might, I repeat might, have drawn his inspiration from a real person.

After all, the first image of the first page of the comic strip contained the following words, in translation: “Aviator officer of the [Second World War], Julien Gagnon piloted a transport plane between Canada and England.” In addition, an image on the last page contained the following words, pronounced by Gagnon, again in translation, “No, Maria, I am going back to long-distance aviation.” Could Gagnon have been a ferry pilot? Nothing proved / proves that. This being said (typed?), that possibility opens wide the door leading to a long and irresistible digression. Brace yourself, my reading friend.

Captain Louis Joseph Ernest Bisson of the Royal Air Force’s Ferry Command. Anon. “Record établi par le capitaine Louis Bisson.” Le Droit, 26 May 1945, 1.

Louis Joseph Ernest Bisson was born in Hull, Québec, in March 1909. He apparently wanted to become a priest but had to give up that dream.

In or around 1929, while on holiday, Bisson visited Lindbergh Field in Ottawa, a site now known as MacDonald-Cartier International Airport. His first flight was a revelation. Like many other young people of his time, he discovered a passion for wings. Indeed, Bisson began flying lessons a week after his first flight. He impressed his instructors at the Ottawa Flying Club, in… Ottawa. Juggling two jobs, at the famous pulp and paper firm E.B. Eddy Company Limited of Hull and as a door-to-door salesman, Bisson obtained his private pilot’s license in 1930.

Between 1932 and 1934, Bisson also managed to obtain his commercial pilot, radio operator, aeronautical mechanic and instructor licenses.

In 1931, Bisson and, perhaps, a few friends bought a small used aircraft which he used to make a living as best he could. That machine was apparently destroyed in 1933, during a botched landing.

Bisson’s career really took off around 1933, however, when he learned that a Societas Iesu / Society of Jesus missionary from Québec working with First Nations of Northern Ontario was taking flying lessons so that he could get around more quickly. Bisson communicated with Joseph-Marie Couture and offered him his services, free of charge. He was hired on the spot. Bisson would thus transport Couture from 1933 to 1936. He also gave him flying lessons.

At the same time, Bisson worked for Nipigon Airways Limited of Jellicoe, Ontario. Would you believe that he shared his salary with the missionary? Interestingly, Bisson became the owner of Nipigon Airways.

Bisson’s fame in his hometown was such that many people called him, in translation, the Canadian Lindbergh.

Towards the end of 1936, confident that Couture would do just fine on his own, the latter having obtained his private pilot’s license earlier in the year, Bisson offered his services to a French missionary bishop who was working in the Northwest Territories. Monsignor Gabriel Joseph Élie Breynat was delighted with the qualities of the Québec pilot. Bisson worked with that apostolic vicar of the Mackenzie between 1936 and 1940. As a reward for the work he had carried out during that period, the apostolic delegate of the Vatican in Canada and Newfoundland, Ildebrando Antoniutti, presented him with the Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice medal in June 1940.

It is worth noting that Antoniutti and Bisson knew each other. The Québec pilot had transported the Italian bishop all over northern Canada in the summer of 1939.

Bisson joined the staff of Prairie Airways Limited in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in the late summer or early fall of 1940. He was the chief pilot there.

Around July / August 1941, Bisson joined the Royal Air Force’s Ferry Command, a largely civilian staffed command established in Canada to deliver / ferry overseas military aircraft manufactured in the United States and, later on, Canada.

Bisson received an important assignment in early 1942: to examine the possibility of delivering relatively small combat aircraft of the United States Army Air Forces to the United Kingdom, via Labrador, Greenland and Iceland. Accompanied by the pilots who helped him carry out this work, Bisson made the first delivery flight on that route. At that time, Bisson appeared to be the only francophone Canadian in Ferry Command.

While working for that organisation, Bisson traveled more than 3 000 000 kilometres (more than 1 860 000 miles) – 7.8 times the average distance between the Earth and Moon. He could very well be the first pilot to make more than 100 crossings of the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, Bison ended the war with 138 crossings to his credit and several flights around the world.

As he began to carry out more and more transport flights, Bisson carried important personalities such as the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand, John Joseph Ambrose “Jack” Curtin and Peter Fraser, as well as the British Prime Minister, Winston Leonard Spencer “Winnie” Churchill, a famous politician mentioned many times in our blog / bulletin / thingee since May 2019.

Louis Bisson received the King’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in June 1942. He was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire in January 1944.

Bisson left Ferry Command in the spring of 1945. Returning quickly home, he went into business and got involved in his community. Bisson played a crucial role in the creation, around August / September 1945, of Hull City Transport Limited, one of the ancestors of the Société de transport de l’Outaouais. The public transit firm’s buses soon replaced the streetcars which were still serving Hull.

In February 1948, Bisson founded Logements de Hull Tenements Incorporée of Hull. The latter had many houses built in the Lac des Fées sector of Hull. A good sport, Logements de Hull Tenements indicated to employees of Hull City Transport that it would lend them the down payment allowing them to buy one of those residences. A bus driver who had not had an accident in the previous 12 months was even entitled to a rebate. Bisson and two of his brothers subsequently developed the Parc de la montagne sector.

Very interested in education, Bisson and a few friends founded Bibliothèque municipale de Hull Incorporée in 1953. The Bibliothèque municipale Saint-Joseph de Hull opened its doors in April of the following year. This was a first for this municipality which had become a town / city in February… 1875, on 23 February it seemed – a day which makes the aeronautical fibre of all Canadian aviation enthusiasts quiver, and… Sigh…

On 23 February 1909, John Alexander Douglas McCurdy, a gentleman mentioned many times since September 2017 in our incomparable but all too easily forgettable blog / bulletin / thingee, made the first controlled and sustained flight of a motorised aeroplane in Canada. End of the digression linked to your all too… flighty mind.

In June 1959, Bisson co-founded Association des bibliothèques municipales de Québec Incorporée, an organisation whose goal was to promote the development and creation of public libraries on Québec soil. Bisson was also one of the co-founders of the Commission des bibliothèques publiques du Québec in 1959. He held the position of vice-president of that organisation for a long time.

A great volunteer before the divine, Bisson settled in Chapala, Mexico, around 1977. He worked there with disadvantaged young people. Ordained a priest in 1986, Bisson was consecrated bishop in January 1989 by Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Méndez, patriarch of the Igreja católica apostólica brasileira, a Brazilian independent / dissident Catholic church founded in July 1945 which did not / does not recognise the infallibility of popes and rejects the celibacy of priests.

Bisson died in September 1997, at the age of 88.

The great protagonists of the Julien Gagnon comic strip: Julien Gagnon and the diabolical Dimitri. Dollard Morin, “L’espionnage russe a inspiré à un jeune Montréalais le sujet des aventures illustrées de ‘Julien Gagnon.’” Le Petit Journal, 16 May 1948, 45.

And yes, the time has come to sum up the plot of the Julien Gagnon comic strip.

A ferry pilot during the Second World War, I think, the eponymous hero of said comic strip was, by chance, the only person in Canada able to identify a Soviet spy in search of information on the atomic bomb. The diabolical Dimitri did not act out of political conviction, however. Nay. He was looking for that information only to line his pockets.

Gagnon, on the other hand, went after that nogoodnik to protect his country, Canada. His fiancée, Maria, a nurse in a major Montréal hospital, and one of his uncles, Urbain, a retired detective, joined that heroic quest, a quest for which all these beautiful people did not receive so much as a dime.

My cinephile reading friend, do you happen to remember the broken compass of the somewhat deranged pirate Jack Sparrow, sorry, sorry, of the famous captain Jack Sparrow, a pirate of the Caribbean mentioned several times in our dazzling blog / bulletin / thing since September 2018? You know, the compass which pointed / points in the direction of the thing or person a character most desired. Well, Gagnon also used a broken compass to find the location of the person he wanted to find. I kid you not. That location was Québec, Québec.

Did Gagnon’s broken compass inspire that of Sparrow, you ask, my perplexed reading friend? I very much doubt that. Still, even stranger things have happened… You are here, reading this sentence, after all.

Yours truly will not bother you with a detailed account of the events which occurred in the course of the plot. You are welcome.

This being said (typed?), allow me to mention that the diabolical Dimitri initially eluded our hero. He rushed to Montréal where Gagnon and his adventure companions were quick to join him. The Soviet spy and his accomplices were nowhere to be found, however. Worse still, two of them attacked Gagnon and his uncle. The latter woke up in hospital with a nervous shock. Gagnon’s broken compass was then put to use again.

The plot reached its climax when the diabolical Dimitri and his accomplices found themselves surrounded in a warehouse after a car chase through the streets of Montréal. Gagnon entered said warehouse and shot one of the accomplices (!) with a pistol. A grenade he threw into the building (!!) killed another one. The surviving accomplices of the diabolical Dimitri wanted to surrender. The latter would hear none of it. He shot one of his accomplices. Fearing for his life, one of them then shot him. As the diabolical Dimitri died, all of the Soviet spy’s accomplices surrendered.

Unwilling to worry his fiancée, Gagnon gave up on a career as a detective. He announced to Maria that he would resume his career as a long-distance pilot, a job which was not without danger if I may be permitted a brief comment. The last panel of the Julien Gagnon comic strip showed the lovebirds in front of a church, just after their wedding.

If yours truly may be permitted to quote the consecrated formula, then defended by the Roman catholic church, Julien and Maria lived happily and had many children. Indeed, let us not forget, Québec women who married between 1946 and 1950 gave birth to 4 children on average. One in three had 5 or more children, but I digress.

See ya later, and profuse apologies for the length of this text.

Tags
Normand Hudon, Julien Gagnon, comic strip
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Rénald Fortier

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Rénald Fortier
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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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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