Silver Dart

This article was originally written and submitted as part of a Canada 150 Project, the Innovation Storybook, to crowdsource stories of Canadian innovation with partners across Canada. The content has since been migrated to Ingenium’s Channel, a digital hub featuring curated content related to science, technology and innovation.

Mar 8, 2016

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By: Ingenium – Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation

First flight of the Silver Dart immortalized in a painting by Robert W. Bradford , 1965 Source: Ingenium 1967.0893

The Silver Dart made the first powered flight in Canada when it lifted off the frozen surface of Bras d’Or Lake on February 23, 1909. Piloted by J. A. D. McCurdy, the Silver Dart’s designer, the flight took place at Alexander Graham Bell’s retreat in Baddeck, on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. McCurdy was a member of the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), which Bell’s wife Mabel funded to support a team of aircraft researchers that also included engine designer Glenn Curtiss, engineer F. W. Baldwin, and designer-pilot Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge. The Silver Dart was the result: like other aircraft of its era, it was a pusher, and the pilot sat in front of the engine and the rear-facing propeller.

Constructed of wood, bamboo, steel tubes, and wire, the Silver Dart was difficult to control. It was subsequently destroyed in a crash later in 1909. In 1958, Leading Aircraftman Lionel McCaffrey of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) proposed to build and fly a Silver Dart replica to mark the 50th anniversary of the aircraft’s first flight. With RCAF support, McCaffrey and a team of volunteers built the replica in Trenton, Ontario, and shipped it to Baddeck in time for the anniversary. Wing Commander Paul A. Hartman flew the replica on the anniversary date, but high winds caused the aircraft to crash. The pilot was unhurt and the aircraft was repaired in time for the opening of the National Aviation Museum, today’s Canada Aviation and Space Museum, in 1960.

The Silver Dart’s name was inspired by the silvery balloon silk that covered the aircraft’s frame.

Replica of the Silver Dart, flown in 1959 on the 50th anniversary of the first powered flight in Canada. Source: Ingenium 1967.0629

J. A. D. McCurdy, at the controls of the Silver Dart. Source: Ingenium CAVM 2177

The Silver Dart over Baddeck Bay, February 23, 1909, with J. A. D. McCurdy at the controls. Source: Ingenium CAVM 7113

Drawing of the Silver Dart, 1908. Source: Ingenium, CASM archives

J. A. D. McCurdy holding a model of the Silver Dart on February 23, 1959 — the 50th anniversary of his historic flight. Source: Haddon Family

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The Canadian flag, set against the backdrop of a clear, blue lake and mountains in Banff National Park, Alberta.

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Propeller model used by W. Rupert Turnbull in 1923. Source: Ingenium 1967.1152

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The advertisement “La liberté d’expression,” in English “Freedom of Speech,” published by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon, “Canadair Limited.” La Presse, 13 April 1954, 25.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 3

“Freedom of Worship,” one of the advertisements issued by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon., “Canadair Limited.” The Vancouver Province, 5 January 1954, 5.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 2

One of the advertisements issued by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon., “Canadair Limited.” Toronto Daily Star, 6 October 1954, 4.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 1

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A typical pod of beluga whales, Hudson Bay, near Churchill, Manitoba, July 1999. Ansgar Walk, via Wikipedia.

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The Franco Canadian physician / pilot Louis Cuisinier and one of the 45 or so kilogram (100 or so pounds) handmade aerial bombs with which he hoped to kill beluga whales. Anon., “La bombe qui tuera le marsouin.” La Presse, 5 August 1929, 11.

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