The almost daily blog started 01 April 2006.
28 April 2007
When John Olafson was out for his stroll by Vernon Airport today, he took a snap for us. I've given it the title "Do pigs Fly ?" Thanks John, we've had Bears and Beavers, now Pigs. What next ?
Photo: John W. Olafson © 28 April 2007
27 April 2007
Whilst researching for my lecture today, I found a slide in my collection that I have not included, and it is a New ! Beaver. Dennis Newell has also located a negative of Chilean Air Force 908 (213) which he will send so that I may scan and add this aircraft, also New ! to the website. Little by little we are catching those elusive Beavers.
22 April 2007
Not quite quick enough off the mark last night. Saw an opportunity - grabbed camera, opened studio skylight and click. Continental's N68160 B767-223ER (30437 ) operating COA58 from KIAH to EHAM.
Photo: Neil Aird © 19:37 21 April 2007
21 April 2007
Another fantastic day here. I got distracted yesterday - here is the bit of nostalgia I planned on adding to the blog then.
Photo: Neil Aird © circa 1960
When I was a young lad I used to visit Prestwick Airport. At Scottish Aviation there were large numbers of RCAF Canadair CL-13B Sabre aircraft stored. On the odd occaision I "hopped the wall" and took a few snaps using an ancient bellows type camera given to me by an uncle. He developed the film for me, so I no longer have the negatives (or the uncle). This image was printed on heavily textured "pearl" paper, but I have manged to tweak it in photoshop to give a nice soft nostalgic image.
20 April 2007
While working away at my desk, blinds drawn at 12:23 EDT - I heard "that sound". Blinds up and a Beaver swung by. Straight floats..hmm. Radio on...bad reception, but figured out it might be "Zulu Mike" I heard. Did it land? It's an amphib...but I did not see tiny wheels at the front of the floats. Went to airport after a while. Indeed, a sparkling C-FFZM (869) graced the ramp. I gained access to the ramp and met proud owner John Kenny from Ottawa, finally.
Photo: Neil Aird © 20 April 2007
We had a pleasant conversation. John had routed from Gatineau via Brockville to Kingston. At 14:00 he was off RWY 25 in just under seven seconds. Our FSS had commented on the fine aircraft as she taxied by the tower. Back to Gatineau via Carp for a "gas and go" stop. What a perfect day for that trip, and lucky for me my "ears" were switched on. See you on May 25th at Downsview John.
19 April 2007
Another yarn from Derek Palmer, this time: "The Wonderful Beaver" - Chapter 6. - Trouble with Tip Tanks, and a casualty at Ataq.
16 April 2007
Heavy snow here today and a fine batch of eight US Army Beavers from Robin A. Walker. More rare military, lovely!
14 April 2007
Added a few images of 53-7904 (712) sent by Dana Atchley, her Crew Chief, taken during his service with the U. S. Army in Europe 1967-68, thanks Dana. Interesting large unit tail markings of 32 Signal Corps..
Photo: Dana Atchley © 1967-68
13 April 2007
Thought the day and date rang a bell, on Friday 13th April 1962 I made my first flight! Took BEA Vickers Viscount V.802 G-AOHO (164) from Renfrew (Glasgow) to Elmdon (Birmingham). Was it really all those years ago? Seems like only yesterday! The days when aircraft had great big windows.
Photo: Sister ship G-AOYS V.806 (267) at Renfrew © Neil Aird
12 April 2007
The Army Air Corps Beaver blitz continues. Great to fill in some periods in the Army career of these machines. On a similar theme, Part Five of Derek Palmer's "The Wonderful Beaver" continues - "Murder, Motoring and Meteorology at Mukerias". Thanks Derek.
10 April 2007
A new batch of images from Ian MacFarlane, Army Air Corps Beaver A.L. 1 pictures taken by himself over the early years. Thanks again Ian.
07 April 2007
Well, website "migrated" safely to a new DNS server at MidPhase. Smooth transition and the two small items "snags" were attended to in short order by Sergey at MidPhase.
Enduring several snow squalls still here in Kingston . . I thought I saw bunny tracks on the grass this morning. For sure there will be a few more by tomorrow ;-)
06 April 2007
This snap just arrived in my mail from my pal Andrey Tsvirenko in Siberia. Don't know where he got the shot from, but thought I'd add here. No photo credit known alas.
Remember the snap in my earlier blog?
My ISP number is being changed and "migrated" today, so hope the website stays up. Let me know if it vanishes!!
Got up late today, went to window and caught brand new Air Canada Boeing 777-333ER C-FITL 14 nautical miles away at FL350 operating ACA400. Tonight she makes her first trip across the pond to EGLL/London Heathrow operating ACA856. I guess this is an appropriate Easter picture?
Photo: Neil Aird © 07:57 EDT 06 April 2007
05 April 2007
Jan Koppen sent us his article on Beaver operations at Tofino, British Columbia. I have dedicated aa special area on the website to this. Many thanks Jan.
03 April 2007
Just working on my "snag list" supplied by my chief number cruncher Ian Macintosh. It's good to fix all those links that don't do what they are supposed to. So I guess I'm AOG today! It has to be done.