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June 2010 - March 2011
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30 March 2011 Working on the April Calendar pages today. Last night I received this e-mail from Bob Kobzey of Sealand. >>> I read your blog tonight. Elmer Ruddick was the base engineer when I 28 March 2011 Yesterday I was "sorting" stuff in our basement. I was shredding some of the excess paper, which included old 2006 Calendar Orders. Usually when an order came in by mail there would be a nice letter with it. It was hard not to keep them all, but I was in serious recycling mode. I did put one letter aside from Elmer R. Ruddick, it would go on the "keep" pile. I brought it up to my studio last night and read it. Wow, coincidence yet again. I had just added CF-GQQ (119) on Saturday, having had some grand scans arrive from Don Hughes earlier in the week. Here is part of Elmer's letter - for the record.
Photo: Don Hughes © 1970s Oct 29/2006 > snip I flew for Austin Airways Ltd., for many years, mostly Waco's, Fairchild's and Bellanca's and many hours on the Norseman. But I did fly their Beaver CF-GQQ. I spent a summer in Quebec and a summer in the Barren's, on Government Survey work with CF-GQQ. I have the odd picture of it, but they are black and white, if you are interested in these pictures I will forward them down to you. I enjoy your website. yours very truly Elmer R. Ruddick, Nakina, Ontario 27 March 2011 Adding a couple to my "Neil's Nostaligia" sections. The first is a shot of N797AS Boeing B727-90C (19169) on the ramp at Sitka, AK. This was my modern mode of transport back to Alaska in 1968. Gravel airfields included as this aircraft was certified for such landings. Interesting to note that it was later based close to me at Ottawa, Ontario, with Bradley Air Services/First Air as C-FRST "Spirit of Iqaluit", again servng the far North. Cancelled 20-Apr-2001 . Photo: Neil Aird © 14 September 1968 26 March 2011 Thanks to our travelling Dirk Septer, we have some updated images of Frank Wright's eighth Beaver restoration/rebuild, ZK-AQA (1467).
Photo: Dirk Septer 16 March 2011 22 March 2011 Snow has vanished! I had an interesting e-mail from Fred Wallis (visiting Atlin, BC). He sent a snap of the front page of "The Province". I checked for the on-line story. Some of you will have read about this already on my website. I do hope the RCMP finally get their "man". Nasty business.
Photo: "The Province Newspaper" Fred Wallis © 21 march 2011 21 March 2011 S N O W ! 19 March 2011 I'm busy working on a non-Beaver project today. More nostalgia brought on by watching a reality TV show on Alaskan Flying. Will appear soon in this blog with a link to larger images. My old 1966 slides take a bit of effort to clean up! Here's what I have managed so far. The section is called "Fly Alaska" and will be added to, now and then. (You know me by now!!) Some of you know I spent some time in a Connie doing engine runs in Australia last November. Well, the Connie below started out as VH-EAN before becoming N7777C in July 1962. She ended her days just under eight months from my day long adventure, six hours and five minutes in the air. She had a landing accident at Kotzebue on 17 April 1967. Finally broken up in September 1980.
Photo: N7777C Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation (4803) at Unalakleet, Alaska • Neil Aird © 31 August 1966 Soon I'll be adding some shots of Mark Blok's latest Beaver, showing how he neatly transports a DHC-2, in this case C-GPUQ (1341). Nice shot of C-FASA (1640TB22) by Bob Kobzey, sure looks happy as she is about to be released again into the air from rework at Sealand. Thanks Bob, looks like your crew have completed another great job! Just revisited the Sealand Aviation Blog, wow, you folks are doing a wonderful job there, kudos to the webmaster!!
Photo: Bob Kobzey © 18 March 2011 15 March 2011 Our clock has changed to EDT and snow is vanishing from my area. Not putting snow shovels away just yet. I'd like to thank my recent donors for there helpful contributions. These include Liam (BC), Jeff (ON), George K (BC), George W (NS). Cheers gents! 10 March 2011
Photo: Dirk Septer © 09 March 2011 Our correspondent Dirk Septer sent this overhead view of the Sealand Aviation airport hangar floor, and it sure looks busy. Dirk commented that the hangar probably contained 1% of the worldwide Beaver fleet!! Thanks Dirk, as always. For those who took the time to sign up to 08 March 2011 For some reason Google Chrome does not go to my updated pages - insists on opening old pages!!. I'm sorry about this, I will have to figure our a way around this situation. IE Explorer is fine however. 07 March 2011 Well, I may have opened Pandora's Box, yesterday I started a 04 March 2011 I had two e-mail DHC-2 alerts in my mailbox today. They had me scratching my head. I noticed they were picked up by my very own SBS box! Reg: N14YP Reg: N14YP "Funny?" I thought, N14YP (151) was cancelled a while back. Well, next e-mail in my box was from my pal Eric Dumigan, who wrote; Hello Neil,
I had a nice surprise today and found s/n 151 in the circuit at CYPQ today. Looks like it was getting some work done at Flying Colours. It did about 5 circuits but I was only able to get there for the last two.
Eric Dumigan
Photo: Eric Dumigan © 11:17 EST 03 March 2001 Thanks Eric, good catch. I guess we might see this one often in our neck of the woods. 03 March 2011 I do not go out to my local airfield (Kingston - CYGK) all that often, I had an occasion to today! HB-JED an Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 (145644) of Diamair S.A was due in at 15:06 from CYYT - St John's, Newfoundland. I had been aware of the journey recently via EINN - Shannon, Ireland. It was a beautiful winter day here, so off I went. The plane is 7.3 years old, but looked immaculate. Welcome to Kingston.
Photos: Neil Aird © 15:13est 03 March 2011 01 March 2011 Another of Ian Beatty's great images has been chosen to grace the March 2011 DHC-2.COM Calendar page. Many thanks Ian for yet another great photograph. (Sorry I had to crop a wee bit off the top to fit my format!)
Photo: Ian Beatty © 17 February 2011 22 February 2011 A red (burgundy) letter day for G-DHCZ (1442) and her first flight after restoration at Duxford Airfield, about 13:45 local. Well done to all concerned. My thanks to Tony Clarke for the series of pictures.
Photo: Tony Clarke © 22 February 2011 My ACARS/Mode-S sources just sent these automatic notes as well: Reg: G-DHCZ Another Beaver added (21st this month - so on track!), this time CF-JOQ (1070). My right hand is about to fall off. Why? This was an old slide, came to me via Australia, purchased with recent donation funds, and even after cleaning, it must have taken me well over an hour to "tweak" . . it was like viewing the DHC-2 through a cloud of black flies! 'Tis done now, and time to go for a Family Pot Luck dinner, as this is "Family Day" in Ontario.
Photo: Unknown photographer © June 1967 - Aird Archives 14 February 2011 Just added Mike Feeney's "Wings of Time" - The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver - Part Two - Agricultural Operations for you all to enjoy. Thanks Mike. Here is a link that we will all follow I'm sure. Ron Carlson's lovely N888BH (110) has just been fitted with Tundra Tires for her big Summer 2011 Adventure. Read (and watch) all about it here, don't forget to Bookmark the Website/Blog.
Photo: Ron Carlson © 12 February 2011 08 February 2011 I had a very interesting visit to Flight Deck Solutions to view their operation. My thanks to Steve Cos. Visit their website for full details, but here are a few snaps I took of a Triple Seven they were finishing. Absolutely amazing craftsmanship. Thanks Steve.
Photos: Neil Aird © 04 February 2011 07 February 2011 Back in Kingston after an enjoyable visit to Toronto Pearson Airport and the YYZ Airport Watch AGM. I had the pleasure of being invited to speak at that event. Some 75 folk were present, about half of their members. An impressive turnout and well organized Group. I'd better get back to the website now. Updates soon. 30 January 2011 My last entry for the month. It is with great pleasure, yet again, that I present to you all the February 2011 Calendar page from DHC-2.COM. My thanks this time to John W. Olafson for letting me use the image. There were two hundred and fifty two downloads of the January 2001 Calendar page!
Photo: John W. Olafson © 08 September 2010 21 January 2011 Climbed in my time machine again this morning. This time set the clock to back to 06 September 1966. I had just arrived at McCarran Field, Las Vegas, Nevada. Took a shot or two through the tinted glass of the two sister ships of my aircraft, all delivered between December 1965 and July 1966. N947L (45730) a Douglas DC-9-11 of Bonanza Airlines. Flight 433 from Reno. N945L (45728) and N946L (45729) share the ramp here with Fairchild FH27 Friendship N755L (92) delivered in May 1962. I then boarded N945L Bonanza Flight 417 ( with the smart looking cabin staff!) for my forty minute ride to Los Angeles. I made a note that certain Captain Payne made a very bad landing!!
Photos: Neil Aird © 06 September 1966 19 January 2011 Some interesting e-mails recently. One made me do a double take. Jon Wornman is an Air Traffic Contoller at Ronaldsway on the Isle of Man. Jon has many interests and is in a great position to take photographs. His Beaver connection is in the area of Flight Simulator, hence the image of G-202 (1452) over the western isles of Scotland! Over the port wing is the beach on the Isle of Barra where the DHC-6 Twin Otter lands at low tide. For more of Jon's images check here.
Photos: Jon Wornham © 13 August 2005 I also added an image from Ruud Leeuw to the Canadian Vista section. Knight Inlet area taken from C-FIGF (834).
Photo: Ruud Leeuw © 14 September 2010 16 January 2011 Compare these images, taken 53 years apart! Click on an image and then scroll down to read more about the time and place.
Photos: Neil Aird © September 1957 and 05 November 2011 15 January 2011 More snow here today, great day to snuggle down and take some time off. I just discovered a few videos on YouTube that peaked my interest. A lad named Gerrit Braun and his "tagebuch" entries on a model airport located at Hamburg, Germany. Wow, what dedication and skills. If you have some free time, click on a few of these videos. English subtitles are available. The place is called Miniatur- Wunderland - a Wonderland it truly is!! 11 January 2011 Thanks to a few donations, I am able to continue to add slides of New ! Beavers to the website. A prime example is N3790G (600) just added today. The cost was 12 Euros plus postage (US$18.00). I see many slides on auction, but am unable to purchase due to the high cost. Would any of you like to help with this ongoing venture? The collection will eventually go to an Air & Space Museum for future generations to research and enjoy, should this website not continue. If you can help, just make a note to your donation "For DHC-2.COM Slide Fund". Thanks. 08 January 2011 Another year, my 25th involved with semi-serious de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver research. The trouble is that I am equally interested in a host of other aircraft types. I hate to neglect that interest. With that in mind, you will see other areas of this website develop during the coming year. I urge you to explore these areas, if, and when they appear! With these brief comments, I'd like also like to wish you all a safe, and above all, healthy New Year. Thanks also to my many correspondents. If you don't see your images appear right away, be patient please, I'll try to add them. Not all make it onto the website, but I do keep them on file for the odd quiet moment in my schedule to manifest itself!! • 31 December 2010 It is with great sadness that I report the death of my good pal Ken Marshall, of New Brunswick. He died in peacefully in hospital this morning. Ken knew that his section of my website made it into the top ten this month. 435 in November and 562 unique visits in December - way to go Ken!
My Dear Ken,
I'm going to really miss our daily contact and especially your "humour" and "intelligent comments" on the ways of the world.
I guess this will sort of be my last contact. Needless to say, I will think of you often pal, and remember all our happy conversations. I'll enjoy re-reading your early, pre-email letters typed on newsprint, salted away in my archives.
Through your conversations I have managed to maintain my Scottish language skills.
I know your many friends in the Aviation fraternity will miss you, but by the same token, remember all the happy times spent together.
Cheerio - We'll toast your passing this Hogmanay.
"Them's the breaks" "I'll away and let you get on with it" will be two phrases with your name forever attatched to them!
I'll take you home to bonnie Scotland one day.
Your life long friend
Neil
29 December 2010 I added yet another tracking site to my "portfolio" Laurent Duval's RadarVirtuel©. Laurent worked on my computer remotely from France, to set things up, amazing to watch someone who really knows what they are doing. Here is a special page he set up for me to keep an eye on what my system "catches" going by Kingston, Ontario. The main website is www.radarvirtuel.com and there you can look all over Europe and a few other areas of the world. 28 December 2010 It is with great pleasure that I present to you all the January 2011 Calendar page from DHC-2.COM. My sincere thanks to Jvan Aeberli, owner of N930AJ (1286) for sending the image, and also to the fine photographer, Erich Gandet. Shown with Jvan is N5CC (1167) from Norway as they fly formation over Lake of Brienze, Switzerland. A fine start to the year 2011, don't you think?
Photo: Erich Gandet © 04 July 2010 27 December 2010 Added a few more images to V I S T A S - lots more to come. Also I have a link here to a fine article (Part One) by Mike Feeney on our beloved de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. Thanks Mike for permission at add this updated article link.
24 December 2010
Photos: C-FOEV (1680TB48) Steve Blanchette © 10 December 2009 at Red Rock, Just a brief word about this year's Christmas Card. Steve Blanchette, pilot of C-FOEV 1680TB48 sent me an explanation when I asked permission to use his photos for the banner on Christmas Eve. Steve wrote: Just in case you would be interested to know the story behind these pictures. My youngest son, who is 5 years old now, used to tell his friend at the day care here in Montréal, that my Job was to fly plane in the arctic with the only purpose to find out where Santa Claus' toy shop was hiding . This was my last rotation before Christmas, and every day on the phone he was asking me, if I was finding anything. The traditional answer about seeing Caribou every day, did work for a while, but on the last trip before my return home, That flight to RED ROCK (Max Ward fishing camp) was booked. I bought a 2 dollar Red ball at Wal-Mart in Yellowknife, borrowed a 2x4 from work with some white shipping stickers and the candy swirl is isolation tape, I had on hand. If you zoom on the picture you see the details of the tape and stickers. It made the effect wanted . Both my youngest kids were persuaded that SANTA's Kingdom is under the ICE. They both talked about again last week end. I guess you have to be creative to keep the family happy when you are away. This Year I asked Santa for a SPOT, so they are able to follow me on the computer when I fly the Beaver or the Twin Otter . I hope they will listen. Joyeux Noël ! Steve 18 December 2010 As you know by now my Danielle returned safely from India via Amsterdam. I used my new technologies to keep her company on the return flight. Here are a few snaps of my desk-top. Funny coincidence is that when I took the snap of my desk-top, I looked at the location in Eire/Ireland, she was directly over a town called Carrick-on-Shannon . . . funny thing, my middle name is Carrick!
Photos: Neil Aird © 10:54 est 16 December 2010 15 December 2010 I have added some images (Airliners) to the Plane Finder site to expand their data base of aircraft. I believe you can see them below. The first lot are from Auckland, New Zealand, with a few extra from Sydney, Australia. I will be adding to this collection to help them out. 14 December 2010 I thought I'd better add a couple of "Vistas" taken from a Beaver on my recent adventure "Down-Under". Peter Reardon was flying VH-SYS (763) courtesy of owner Sy Allsep. My sincere gratitude to both you fine fellows. The structure you see is the Sea Cliff Bridge, aptly named.
Photo: Neil Aird © 07 November 2010 13 December 2010 When I arrived at Los Angeles/KLAX on Monday 15 November 2010, from New Zealand, my aircraft got me up close to the three A380-842 of Qantas, which were all getting special inspections. I just read a very interesting account on Aerospace Insight which I will link to here (hope they leave it for a while for all to read). The airframes present that day were VH-OQD (026), VH-OQE (027) and VH-OQF (029).
Photos: Neil Aird © 15 November 2010 12 December 2010 Today I have been tinkering with the website - dangerous I know. Some of you have added the Conduit/DHC-2.COM toolbar. This is a very useful little add on to your screen. I know I use it constantly. You can add some really handy "apps" to your own bar. It does not take up too much space, and (hopefully) I make a little (very) loot when you click on one of the apps. I use translation, and some quick buttons. Ones that get most use are the ones directly linking to my DHC-2 Yahoo Group site, Civil Registers, weather, e-mail etc. Hope you will give it a try if you have not already. Thanks. Seems to only work when you use Internet Explorer. If you have your own web site, you can build your own one. 10 December 2010 Some of you may know that I recently transitted KLAX on my way to the Antipodes. I was amazed that one Icon was still very much in evidence after 44 years. Only the planes and amount of soot produced have changed.
Photos: Neil Aird © October 2010 and September 1966 08 December 2010 It's not often you get to take a picture that encompasses two of your interests!
ZK-AZB (156) DHC-2 low level and 08-8203 (P-203) Boeing C-17A Globemaster III highlevel. Location Gisborne, Northland, NZ. Photo: Neil Aird © 14:43 24 October 2010 07 December 2010 When I was travelling I was also shooting airliners and almost anything in fact. The weather was not always perfect, and as I was "training" with my camera really, I sometimes struck lucky, as with this less than perfect action image. It shows a Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777-200ER 9M-MRO (28420) alighting at Auckland International Airport/NZAA after a rain squall had just passed through.
Photos: Neil Aird © 16 October 2010 This aircraft was destined almost three and a half years later to be the infamous Flight "MH370" . . . . 05 December 2010 The 2010 December DHC-2 Calendar page is now ready for you to grab and enjoy. Thanks to Ian Beatty (yet again!) for this wonderful image, taken just recently at Bella Bella, British Columbia. De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver C-FDSG (892) built 1953, shares a snowy ramp with Grumman G-21A Goose C-GDDJ (1184) built 1942, both operated by Pacific Coastal Airlines.
Photo: Ian Beatty © 17 November 2010 A long time ago I lost an important image when all the photos vanished (an inadvertant click on my part) from the Yahoo Group DHC-2. Well, last night the image that I missed most arrived back on my desk from Chuck Ross. Thanks Chuck. I'll add your e-mail comments later today.
Photo: 53-7947 (765) - Chuck Ross © 1968 The end of the line for U-6A # 53-7947. This was during the Tet offensive of early 1968. The aircraft was assigned to a Signal Corps unit at Can Tho, Vietnam and was parked in the revetments of the 156th Aviation Co. (RR) which operated the RU-6A and RU-8D aircraft that also occupied these revetments. The sand-filled structures did their job this night and damage was confined to this one aircraft. A Vietcong mortar round landed almost directly beneath the engine. It blew the rocker boxes off the lower cylinders, they were found in our tech supply tent about seventy feet away. It also punctured the fuel tanks and ignited the 115/145 octane avgas with the result you see here. Beyond the wall you can see an RU-6A (note the dipole antennae) and a USAF L-19 forward air control Birddog.
Photo: RU-6A 58-2012 (1340) on a mission in Vietnam, 1968. That is CW2 Mike Mortson in the left seat and me, CW2 Chuck Ross in the right seat. I handed my camera to the equipment operator in the back and he took the photo. There is a small bit of mission gear visible at the lower left which makes this an RU as opposed to a ‘slick’ U-6A. Detail-rich image for me. This was a very early configuration for the RU. The very large radio-compass dial at the top center instrument panel is a clue to this. The standard later was a C-12 digital compass with a very small readout. While actually ‘working’ the pilot was responsible for present heading to a single degree and the copilot for present position within ten meters. (not much more I can say about the mission) The aircraft had two bomb shackles under each wing but they were never used for anything in my time there. The arming switches for these shackles were immediately above the center of the windshield – the four red-guarded toggles. In this picture I had hung my old Elgin wristwatch on a pencil and closed it in those switchguards. I always did this so the tropic heat didn’t make my sweat fog up the watch crystal. You can see the watch just above the compass. The heat is also the reason our chinstraps are unsnapped and the parachute harness is slung over the seatbacks instead of cinched down over our shoulders. The UHF comm radio overhead is the reason for the fiberglas hump above the flight deck you may see in some Army Beavers. You can also see the gravity fuel transfer handle just to the left of Mike’s helmet. We had to use no fewer than eight fuel selections during a four-hour mission. Mike stayed in the Army until retirement and worked on as a civil servant. I still hear from him every now and then. I left active duty a couple years after this and left the National Guard a couple years after that. Interesting that 012 was later called “The Old Reliable” because I had quite the opposite impression of that particular tail number at the time. Chuck 01 December 2010 First day of a new month, no calendar ready for you just yet, next day or so. Be patient - hey, it's free after all. Still wallowing in memories of my trip. Here's a shot from VH-SWB (1557) as we zip over Sydney's famous icon. Five years since I was in that very same spot! Thanks Steve Krug of SeaWing Airways - Sydney by Seaplane for letting me join you in your morning commute at 500 feet to Rose Bay.
Photo: Neil Aird © 08 November 2010 26 November 2010 The days are just zipping by here for me. I'm still day dreaming about my recent trip. Here is a shot of VH-SYS (763) at Wedderburn Airfield, NSW. Shown are (l to r) Mark Booth, Neil Aird, Sy Allsep and Peter Reardon. We are just back from a scenic flight over the coast near Wollangong. I was even allowed to drive for a while (well someone had to do it!).
Photo: Adrien Hanna © 07 November 2010
Photo: Mark Booth © 07 November 2010 22 November 2010 The best ride I've ever had was in Hallett Griffin's Pacific Aerospace Cresco 08-600 ZK-PWT (010) with pilot Pete Harding driving. Yee-ha, Pete let me experience what he does every day. Thanks you two!
Photos: "Pullin' G" - Neil Aird © 26 October 2010
Photo: Neil Aird © 26 October 2010
Pete Harding and PAC Cresco ZK-PWT (010) - Photo: Lenn Bayliss © 26 October 2010
"Debrief" Pete and Hallett listen while I replay! Photo: Lenn Bayliss © 26 October 2010 "The Empress" should be at CYUL/Montréal for her KLM flight PH-KCF MD-11 to Amsterdam and then Delhi. I'm sure Danie will be happy to leave a dark, rainy November 22nd in Canada behind. I'm sure missing the Antipodean Spring I left behind!! I'm about to start into the website, but the task is daunting. I think a gradually increasing "ramp up" is the order of the day. I'll start with this little snap of "heaven". I was sitting in the right chair of VH-EVB (586) a rare, flyable, Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer Srs.3 completed 26 January 1962. Even de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver VH-SYS (763) looks small in comparison. More images soon. Sy Allsep, the proud owner, let me "play" with the throttles and help shut down after the engine runs. What a thrill, especially since I had seen this airframe before as FM1066 of the Royal Malaysian Air Force at Prestwick, being built and later test flying, it was delivered on 28 May 1962.
Photo: Neil Aird © 06 November 2010
19 November 2010 Well, back here in the cab, a little more rested! I really don't know where to begin, so be patient while I get my "house" in order. Danielle is off to India on Monday and I expect it will be business as usual after that, for me on the website! My Antipodean Travels were not purely searching out Beavers, in fact it was more of a people and scenery trip and of course, other aircraft chasing! Sometimes I had the distinct feeling I was being watched!!
Photos: "Lenny" (top) "Ruby" (below) Saltwater Crocodiles - Proserpine River, Queensland - Neil Aird © 10 November 2010
No entries - Travelling in New Zealand 10 October 2010 Hello everyone. Life is going to be a little hectic at "Beaver Lodge" over the next few days as we celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving here with an influx of family and friends, therefore no more additions to DHC-2.COM. Off on my travels on Thursday, so that will entail a few preparations. I hope to keep in touch via the Beaver DHC-2 Yahoo Group, and hopefully meet a few of you in person in the coming month. Wish me a safe travels and return, meanwhile, dig in the archives. 05 October 2010 First test flight was made yesterday in New Zealand, which probably was today over here in North America. Well done Hallett and crew! 04 October 2010 Latest image in from Kairanga, New Zealand. ZK-AZB (156) is ready for her first flight since careful reassembly.
Photo: Alison Griffin © 04 October 2010 03 October 2010 "Bob & Richard" it's a new YouTube movie, have you seen it yet? The sequel to "Rosie the Rivetter".
Courtesy Sealand Aviation © 2010 01 October 2010 This will be a lean month for Beavers I'm afraid, I will be heading off to do some "Beaver Hunting" on October 14th for about a month. That will be a time for you to dig into the archives and see what items you have missed, or take a vacation yourself! I hope to send the odd e-mail to the Yahoo DHC-2Beaver group from the road, wherever that may lead me ;-) 29 September 2010 The DHC-2.COM October 2010 Calendar page is ready for you to grab. My thanks to Mario Richard for this peaceful shot of N5CC (1167) earlier in the year visiting in Switzerland, from her home base in Norway. Thanks much Mario.
Photo: Mario Richard © April 2010 28 September 2010 Michael S. Prophet has added a special section to his website "Exploring Canada's North - Yellowknife June 1998". I can guarantee you will enjoy it! Fine work yet again Michael.
Photos/article: Michael Prophet © 1998/2010 27 September 2010 I received this image from Dirk Septer of our Dutch collegue Ruud Leeuw in the right hand seat of C-FIGF (834). Dirk managed to wangle Ruud a ride.
Photo: Dirk Septer © 14 September 2010 Well, I signed my painting "Jetsam", so that means to all intents and purposes, it's done! I will have it framed soon, and it will hang with "Flotsam".
Photos: "Jetsam" & "Flotsam" © Neil Aird 27 September 2010 26 September 2010 Got some news from Graeme Mills, illustrious webmaster of kiwibeavers.com - that he has just added the fine collection of Dave Paull to his website. Go check 'em out! Good job Graeme, don't know how you find time to do all that plus organise the Gisborne Reunion as well.
Photo: ZK-CPS (1609) at Masterton - Dave Paull © 03 October 1973 25 September 2010 One of my Aussie correspondents, Mike Mirkovic in Perth, Western Australia, sent me another CD recently of recent additions to the Western Heritage Museum Collection. To my delight one more New ! Beaver has been added to the website. Many thanks Mike.
Photo: Unknown photographer © c.1953 • Aviation Heritage Museum of Western Australia Collection • Link 24 September 2010 John Olafson was out visiting Viking Air at CYYJ recently, and he took a close up of the "new" Viking "Pop-out" Emergency window for the de Havilland DHC2 Beaver. I hope all operators will seriously consider this important safety item.
Photos: John W. Olafson © 11 September 2010 19 September 2010 A nice image came in from Bob Kobzey on the "Wet Coast". Thanks Bob. Rather appropriate for my Beaver Web Site eh?
Photo: Bob Kobsey © 18 September 2010 Here's some of the country just north of my station, a bit overcast, but pleasant outing away from the Cab! Typical Eastern Ontario Canadian Shield country.
Photo: Neil Aird © 18 September 2010 - Clear Lake. 14 September 2010 I'm in good shape for images right now. Eleven scans from my regular correspondent Ruben Husberg (Norway) and seven from a great Toronto area photographer Parr Yonemoto, who shot some action shots at Oshkosh - Airventure 2010, with us in mind. Thanks to you both! I'll be trying to add more than my usual amount of Beavers this month in preparation for my month off. Yesterday I got an interesting e-mail from Andre Labine, which I will paste part of it here for you. Here is Trevor Dusik, the pilot in question, with C-FFHS (51). Thanks Andre and great job of keeping your level head Trevor!! Trevor wrote: Pretty cool as when it was all happening all I kept hearing was, "Trevor, just fly the plane...fly the plane...fly the plane." - words of Ike Enns.
Photo: Unknown photographer © 08 September 2010 Hello Neil, We exchanged emails last year. I think you like pictures of aircraft rather than the pilot of the aircraft. This is the son of a good friend of mine who is living his dream, being a bush pilot. He graduated from University of Calgary a few years ago and decided that being a scientist was not in his makeup. So he learned to fly at CYBW (Calgary-Springbank Airport) and obtained his commercial licence. He was lucky or good timing to a job flying a Cessna 185 and started getting some stick time on a Beaver in Northern Manitoba for a tourist outfitter. He has flown now for a couple of charter outfits along the BC coast and is now flying C-FFHS. He is still building his log book and is gaining very good experience. Early this summer he was flying a Cessna 182 with a plane load of skydivers. At 3500 feet his aircraft’s engine had a catastrophic failure. He kept his cool, got everyone out of the aircraft and proceeded to find a good place to put the crippled bird down. He found a farmer’s field and performed a perfect forced landing without as much as scratching the paint. He did what all pilots are trained to do...when in an emergency “fly the damn plane!!”. The attached link gives a bit of an insight but there is more behind the article. Trevor wrote: Here is the internet article from yesterday....there are some other small articles if you navigate around that page. Read the posts at the bottom of the page - pretty funny! I am still here in FSJ...waiting for the mechanics to show up so we can dismantle it and ship it back. Thought you might like this picture....I was dropping off two hunting guides that were scouting new territory for Goats. Lake was above the treeline at about 5000 feet and surrounded by giant rock! One way in and one way out type of setup. I have been doing lots of really challenging flying lately dealing with goat hunters and steelhead fishermen. Andre Labine 12 September 2010 I don't know about you, but I was blown away by the latest banner shot of C-FJOF (1053) by pilot/photographer Ian Beatty. Ian was flying some Government lads to take water samples in Northern Manitoba the other day. He took advantage of the break and had a climb up onto his "roof". Glad the climb was safely accomplished and the camera and photographer did not go for a swim! Thanks Ian. Outstanding.
Photo: Ian Beatty © 09 September 2010 05 September 2010 I have some friends who get into high places sometimes! Ken Kula, ace photographer, was up in a New Hampshire ANG Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, which was tasked to tank the Blue Angels en route to the former Pease AFB for a show. Thanks KK for letting me share a few of your images. Ken will have a website someday, I can guarantee it will blow us all away.
Photos: Ken Kula © 25 August 2010 04 September 2010 I had more time on "Jetsam" today, making good progress. Still working around, tightening up the rocks and playing with the glove. A week or so yet before I sign off on it.
Photo: Neil Aird © 17:42EDT 04 September 2010 01 September 2010 Progress on C-GJZE (1276) at Campbell River, almost ready to go back into service with Air Cab at Coal Harbour, BC. Credit to the unsung, modest engineers and skilled rebuilders of the Beaver community!
Photo: Dirk Septer © 26 August 2010 A note to those generous souls who have kindly taken the time and gone to the expense of sending me CD's and suppling e-images for potential inclusion on the website. Please be patient, most of you are, and I appreciate that. I am plowing my way through the backlog (hundreds!) and gradually adding them. I have been "scolded" recently about my web content etc., - this website is for fun, it is not a duty. If, and when I am not "around", this website will be history. Let's all enjoy it daily while we can (as about 350 of you do!). Rant over - now back to my painting. 31 August 2010 Just when I thought I was so cool, I flipped over my calendar page to September 1st...oops, I had some extra errant numbers. So my apologies to those of you who printed out the date section and like me, did not check. It is now correct (phew) and is here. Now, let's move on to September. 30 August 2010 Almost the last day of August. I decided to get a jump on September by adding the September 2010 DHC-2.COM Calendar Page for you. This month we have a great shot of C-FMRN (480) taken by David Brown from his cottage dock near Temagami, Ontario. Many thanks Dave.
Photo: Dave Brown © 13 August 2010 My painting "Jetsam" has been on hold for a few days as we have had some visitors coming and going. 22 August 2010 Another Beaver down. Current status on N9313Z (441) is missing after leaving Swikshak Lagoon at 13:45 local Saturday 21st, for a flight to King Salmon. © Image here by Andrew Serak 23 June 2007 taken at King Salmon, Alaska. May there be survivors. 19 August 2010 The scale of things - this interesting image from "The Sealand Blog" - shows a DHC-2 MK.III Turbine Beaver aircraft beside a Douglas DC-3 Dakota. Wow, does it ever look small! Two favourites of mine, and yours too no doubt.
Photo: Sealand Aviation © 09 August 2010 18 August 2010 As reported on the CBC today, I note that SaltSpring Air is fitting their Beaver fleet with the new emergency pop-out windows to permit easy egress in event of an emergency. Congratulations on this initiative St. Clair! I hope that all Beavers will soon be so equipped. Here is the CBC link. Viking Air are doing this type of installation as a full on "Mod" / Service Bulletin to the Type Design. 12 August 2010 For those of you who follow my brush, below is the area I have been working on today. Pretty slow really, hard to see any changes on "The Jetsam Journal". Like those "Can you spot the difference" games we used to do as kids. Updated the small animation too, I had forgotton how to do it, but Graphic Designer son Anthony, came to the rescue (yet again). You can see some of his work here, Your Workplace magazine is his "canvas". Thanks again Ant!
Photos: Neil Aird © 12 August 2010 Happy to report that my wife Danielle is writing again, albeit on Wednesday and Thursday only at the moment. 10 August 2010 At 09:20 EDT this morning I got an e-mail from my friend Ken Marshall informing me that an Otter was down in Alaska. By 10:20 I had been in touch with CNN and suggesed they contact John Olafson, our regular correspondent from Vernon, British Columbia. John had two fine images of N455A (206) the de Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter that crashed. After e-mailing John a heads up, I spoke to him on the phone and he was already fielding requests. He does not like to be in this situation, but did furnish permissions to CNN, the New York Times, Associated Press and Reuters.
Web images: CNN.COM © 10 August 2010 - Photos of DHC-3T John W. Olafson © 28/29 April 2005 Sad loss of life again, but hopefully the survivors can shed some light on the accident. Condolences to familes and friends of the victims. I wish safe operations for the search and recovery teams. as they deal with a harsh environment and conditions. 04 August 2010 Today I picked up my paintbrush again, and have started in on "Jetsam" once again after a long two year (yikes!) hiatus. I will endeavour to complete this painting before my travels in October/November. I had forgotten how much fun painting can be. Throw in a swim in the mighty Lake Ontario each nice day, man, it really seems like summer. I don't think I will do daily snaps of the painting as that seems just a bit too much like work. Oh, okay, here's one . . . after two hours of new work.
Photo: Neil Aird © 06 August 2010 I still hope to add a "Beaver-a-Day" if I can, although I can't promise!! I found this little video the other day about a certain type of plane we all know and love;-)
02 August 2010 As of yesterday, the DHC-2.COM Calendar pages for August 2010 available, with my compliments. Give the PDF lots of time to load and print on Canon Photo Matte paper for best results. My thanks to John Caswell for the image of C-GACK (711).
Photo: John Caswell © 2010 30 July 2010 Usually on the first of August I see my first autumn red leaf. . . guess what I saw shining in the sun this morning?
Photo: Neil Aird © 08:12 EDT 30 July 2010 26 July 2010 Some DHC-2.COM trivia for you. just checked on the Countries section and I noticed a few more visitors from areas of the world I have somehow missed. Suriname, Gambia, Myanmar and Montenegro. 180 Countries now in the "Passport" . . . ;-) The most popular item I have added to the website "ever" is the "Monthan Memories" page. During July alone, 9,635 views have been made of that page. 8,737 visitors going there directly!! I guess the word got out on that section, and there is not a single Beaver there!! 25 July 2010 Yet another accident to report. On Saturday 24 July 2010 C-FGYK (123) a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver crashed shortly after take off from La Grande-Riviére airport near Radisson, in northern Québec. Two were killed, including the pilot and three were injured. 24 July 2010
Photo: Neil Aird © 10:24 EDT 24 July 2010
I noticed a track on my screen, warned Danie "Husky 05" 15005 an Airbus CC-150 would be whistling by her window. . . snapped a shot as it did a lazy circuit and headed off back to CFB Trenton at 3,075. I don't miss much . . . my guess is a Saturday morning air experience flight with Air Cadets. More sad news I'm afraid, a Beaver crashed at Ketchikan on Friday 23 July 2010 early in the morning. The 38 year old pilot lost his life. Sympathies to his young family, parents and friends. A FAA report will follow at some point. The Aircraft was N9290Z (1387). 21 July 2010 A couple of storm cells moved through my zone this afternoon and evening, but we were rewarded by grand light and a rainbow.
Photo: Neil Aird © 18:20 21 July 2010 20 July 2010
Photo: Ron Livingstone © c1958 - FM1014 SAL Single Pioneer RMAF
Photo: Ron Livingstone © c1958 - XK699 DH Comet C.2 RAF Some more nostalgia. Recently I got an e-mail from a retired Airline Captain, Ron Livingstone. We have corresponded some more and he has sent me some early images taken as a lad. I have added them to my Prestwick Portraits section. Thanks Ron. I'm sure you will enjoy his anecdote, especially those young lads who, like me, jumped the wall at Scottish Aviation to take snaps with their "Box Brownies" (Cameras, not Cookies!). Ron wrote: Hi Neil, finally getting round to reply.
I used to spend a lot of time at Prestwick because of the greater variety of aircraft based and transiting there. I used to either cycle down from Edinburgh or sometimes hitch-hike, with a friend from school John Carter. We used to camp on a farm on the north side of the airport just out past Scottish Aviation and all the cocooned Sabres. As most of the transatlantics went through in the middle of the night we used to hang around and were very well treated by the ramp handlers who let us use their crew room and made us tea.When the first ever 707 to come across the Atlantic on a PanAm route proving flight was coming in to Prestwick, we went down to see it arrive about 4 or 5 in the morning. Incredibly, Prestwick went out in fog, happens about once every 5 years, and the 707 shot an approach to limits, did a go-around and diverted to Amsterdam !We heard it but never saw it. The press and TV were all there and suddenly had lost their story, so they latched on to John and myself and gave us a slap up breakfast in the airport hotel and together with 2 local girls also there made us the focus of their stories. The following day at school I was called to the headmaster and asked to explain my absence, after a long explanation of how sick I had been he said "Don't lie to me, I saw you on television on the news last night !" He gave me full marks for initiative but a warning not to repeat it.I have attached some photos, not terribly good as I only had a box Brownie.
Thank you for stirring up the old memory box,Ron
19 July 2010
Photo: Long B. Nguyen © 14 July 2010 Last weekend the first Beaver Owners and Pilots Association "tour" took place to Eagle Nook Lodge, British Columbia. Here is the "BOPA" logo, with a bit of tweaking by me. Not sure if it is their final one just yet.
Design: Graham Howard © 2010 Long Bach Nguyen, pilot and photographer kindly has let me use a couple of his images. I will add more of the event when I can. Many thanks Long. Check out his work here.
Video frame: via Jean-Michel Garnier © I had an e-mail from Jean-Michel Garnier in France, he was telling me he just watched the Video "The Immortal Beaver" on TV and that he thoroughly enjoyed it. He owns a "French Beaver" which is F-BNDD (240) Max Holste 1521-M Broussard. You might enjoy some of the video clips he has on his web site. He also mentioned that the Broussard is for sale. 16 July 2010
Photo: Tim Martin © Congratulations to Viking Air for making the cover of Air-Britain NEWS for June 2010, and especially for getting Twin Otter DHC-6-400 C-FMJO (HB-LUX) safely across the miles to Farnborough, UK. I hope we yet more new sales being added during that famous event. 14 July 2010 Yesterday four de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and one DHC-2 Mk.III Turbine Beaver aircraft dropped in to Sproat Lake near Port Alberni, British Columbia to visit the two resident Martin Mars flying boats belonging to Coulson. Here are a few images sent along by Pete Killin. Thanks again Pete.
Photos: Pete Killin © 13 July 2010 13 July 2010
Photo: Kenneth I. Swattz © 16 June 2010 Go here http://ottawa.ctv.ca/ and look for video "Taking to the Skies in a Beaver airplane". Featuring Jason Karas and C-FETE (1204) of RideauAir.
Video still: CTV Ottawa © July 2010
Photo: Rod Digney © 01 July 2010 11 July 2010 Don't know if soccer teams playing today have any fans in the EMS sector, but this fine Sikorsky S-76 just left our hospital pad dressed in appropriate colours for Dutch fans . . . I could never fathom why they spelled Ornge that way ;-)
Photo: Neil Aird © 14:00 ETD 11 July 2010 10 July 2010 Finally I have managed to add the rebuilding images of N19FH (1296), my thanks to Rob Richey of Kenmore Air for sharing these with the website. Another first class job by the Kenmore team!
Photo: Kenmore Air © 25 February 2010 08 July 2010 Guess who came back today, or maybe a sister ship? Better flight path, closer to the river when eastbound . . . almost took my roof off westbound. It's so hot here, the rotor wash was actually welcome.
Photo: Neil Aird © 15:03 08 July 2010 07 July 2010 When Canadian military choppers come through the area, they do so over the water, along the shoreline. This U.S. Army hot-dogger came choppering right over the city, low level, over Hospital etc . . . even the Ambulance choppers go along the shore and over water, make wide arc to miss the core of the city. What a racket! A little thought next time neighbour!
Photo: Neil Aird © 16:07 07 July 2010 04 July 2010 Happy Independence Day Holiday to my US neighbours.
My thanks to Terry Fletcher for a collection of recent Alaska images showing some changes in owners and markings on various DHC-2 Beaver aircraft. Cheers Terry! 01 July 2010 Canada Day - our Nation's 143rd birthday
I can always tell when "The Immortal Beaver" plays on TV - there is a huge spike in the viewing of the website. I usually get some interesting e-mails as well. It's hard to believe it is over three years since I took this snap. I noticed that a certain Cessna 525B was visiting Dryden, Ontario for a few days recently. I wonder if the gent below was visiting?
Photo: Neil Aird © 11 June 2007 30 June 2010 Last day of June, so time for the July 2010 DHC-2.COM Calendar page to appear. This month's image is courtesy of Kyle G. Cameron of Whitehorse, Yukon. Many thanks Kyle.
Here is yet another accident to report. It happened on Sunday 27th June 2010, at 17:30 local time, Kukaklek Lake, Katmai National Preserve, Alaska. Some injured but N9RW (1095) looks rather sad.
Photo: Unknown photographer © via correspondent. 28 June 2010 G8/G20 • A few timely images of some participant aircraft (parked on "CDF" the de-ice field) from a flight deck at Pearson Airport, Toronto, Ontario.
Photos: "Anon" © 25 June 2010 27 June 2010 "Spectre Zero One" came a calling and circled my studio for ages, gear down, which was rather unusual. 140105 again, one of our Lockheed CP-140 Aurora, just back from G8/G20 work.
Photos: Neil Aird © 18:00 27 June 2010 We never know what the future holds. When my pal Eddy shot Grumman OV-1D Mohawk 69-17014 at Greenham Common on 07 July 1973, he did not know that it would crash just six days later in Germany, with the loss of both crew.
Photo: Robart A. Edwards © 07 July 1973 Since I have met my monthly quota of Beavers, I have been adding some more of Eddy's images today. A Dassault Super Etendard, a couple of English Electric Lightning, a Handley Page Hastings and Gloster Meteor T.7 make up the compliment. 26 June 2010 Last few days have been fun watching the G20/G8 aircraft on my radar screen heading to CYYZ. Quite a selection. Another item just now is the "Google Jet" N2767 which is just 11 nautical miles south above the rainclouds, westbound. Is probably on the scope of the circling AWACS E-3B 77-0353 "SNTRY01H", and it might get a "wave" from our CF-188 Hornets as it reaches Toronto. 24 June 2010
C-FJAB (934) was featured in the latest Mauricie Magazine. Alain Priem operates this machine winter and summer. So if you want to go for a real "ski" trip, you know who to call. C-FJAB is currently on amphibs. Merci Alain for the latest images.
20 June 2010 Some interesting clouds at early o'clock today.
Top: View North - Lower: View EastXXXPhotos: Neil Aird © 20 June 2010 18 June 2010 As you all know I get quite a bit of correspondence as a result of the website. Here's one from Nolene Watt in Tasmania I'd like to share. Thanks Nolene. It is amazing how the Travel Industry benefits from DHC-2 enthusiasts. Hi Neil,
Just a note to say that I'm absolutley "blown away" by your efforts on your Beaver web page. They have remained my favourite aircraft ever since as a young recreational pilot in the 70's (many years ago), I spent some time in the cockpit with the ag pilots of Benders Spreading Services. (My husband was Chief Engneer at Benders). It's sad to see the demise of some of the ex Tassie aircraft and even sadder to bring back the memories of some of my pilot friends who did not survive this hazardous occupation, but I look back on some great times and great mates. Last year we ventured to Canada to visit a friend in Edmonton and visited Alaska as well. To use another Australian phrase "I was like a pig in shit" to see all those beavers buzzing around and of course gave the helo flights a miss and insisted on doing our scenic flights in Beavers. I look forward with interest at your obtaining your goal of a database entry for every Beaver. Cheers Noelene
P.S. Aviation can be such a small world, thanks to the web. One of the engineers of the fire fighting helo from Canada that works for us during our summer months (I work for the Tasmania Fire Service) is an ex Beaver engineer from Vancounver. 14 June 2010 Today I've been giving some attention to my neglected website - the other one! A few more "new" old images. Do have a look around. Here's a sample of a Brooch I made back in 1989. There are some more here.
Photo: Neil Aird © 2010 13 June 2010 Some more scanning done today, and a new page of Australian Navy Douglas A-4G Skyhawk from R.A. Edwards Collection.
Photo: N13-154907/886 © Robert A. Edwards Also some French Air Force Dassault Super Mystère B2 at the 1977 RIAT display, RAF Greenham Common.
Photo: 156/12-YK Robert A. Edwards © 25 June 1977 09 June 2010 A long time ago (29 July 2007!) I was sent a group of images of CF-JRO (1108) in a rather sorry state at Rispin Lake, Yukon. Kyle Cameron, who salvaged the machine, and the owner Ron Newsome, suggested that I should add the images to "complete the picture". Well today I did. Thanks Kyle. His e-mail appears on that page.
Photo: Ron Newsome © August 2001 06 June 2010 Working away on a new date format for the Data section of each Beaver with a page on the website. To avoid confusion with the US method of dates (month first), a date on this website will read thus 13-Apr-1988. My collegue Ian Macintosh is working through our Master Index and is changing each page, including some military details when appropriate. I change the date format as I add a Beaver photo. At some point "it will be done". My thanks as always to Ian, who is also adding other info that we have gleaned, with some additional Historical Data help from Dirk Septer, the "Third Musketeer" (or Eager Beaver)! I am also photocopying all Beaver details from my huge collection of Canadian Civil Registers, and this in turn will be passed to Ian for inclusion. 01 June 2010 Starting a new page for my blog. No entries yet. Just doing "general housekeeping" on the web-site. |
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* 14 October - 16 November 2010.
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