December 2006 Blog Archives

31 December 2006

Last day of 2006. Nice to add a New ! Beaver c/n 90. Merci to Jacques Guillem for sharing some wonderful images. I'll be adding those in the next few days. Pete sent images of the 3 day ferry flight of C-FZZJ (1019) from Winkler, Manitoba to Vancouver, BC. He and Brian Fitzgerald brought her west. Saving that pictorial adventure for the New Year. Thanks Pete.

Photo: Pete Killin © 29 December 2006 • Yorkton, Saskatchewan • Temperature -18C

I might be scarce tomorrow, but will be back in the cab on the 2nd.

My good wishes for a great 2007 to one and all! Got your Calendar yet ? ;-)

29 December 2006

As the end of 2006 approaches, I'd just like to thank all of the folk who have contributed photographs, information, or helped as a support group member. Without your valuable help, this website would not be what it is!! I would have lost my enthusiasm long ago. It is a great pleasure to record the Beaver's history and meet all of you, even though it is just in cyberspace.

27 December 2006

You never know what will arrive in the mailbox (electronic) at DHC-2.COM. I got an e-mail from James Shields asking me for the id of CF-PJH. I looked in my database...no such registration showed up for a Beaver. James then sent me a photo. Sure enough CF-PJH. Checked my 1964 Canadian Civil Register and meanwhile Ian Macdonald was doing the same in his 1965 copy. We both came up with c/n 64. So have added the image taken circa 1968 at Thunder Bay, Ontario. Speaking of Ian. He has started sending me some of his earlier Beaver photographs . . . now this fellow has one awesome collection ;-) This morning Ian flew on Beaver CF-FHQ (42) to Ganges, but they were unable to land due to the strong winds. Here's a shot taken at 500 feet en route of the whitecaps and spindrift in the Strait of Georgia on that trip.

Photo: Ian Macdonald © 27 December 2006

26 December 2006

Well, a day late, but we now have snow. Time to add a Beaver or two.

25 December 2006

My best wishes to all DHC-2.COM visitors, especially to my "regulars". Cheers!

Neil

23 December 2006

Taking a wee break from the website for a few days. Will add something tomorrow for you all. Today, I'd better get my three presents made!!

21 December 2006

Just learned that XP772/G-DHCZ (1442) is being restored. Details here.

Paper Beavers - Jim, and Design Group Alpha, have given us the link to the early stages of the DGA website. You just have to check out the product line. This may not be the final URL. I will keep you posted. It's not just going to be jig-saws over the holiday in my house!

20 December 2006

I see C-GBZH (1518) is now operating on the west coast with Howe Sound Seaplanes.

You might enjoy this sound clip of C-FTUR (1529) made in 2002 at Lac Nikanis, Québec by Michel Giroux. (Be patient with the sound clip, it does work..high speed interent helps!)

Got this super image of Richard Grevatte-Ball landing his AL.1 XV272 (1651) at Greenham Common in 1968. The panel on the right is a DECCA "moving map" display.

18 December 2006

Well, Bernard made a comment in the Group about Time Magazine's "Person of the Year". . . I just could not resist - you all know me by now! I guess I do qualify ;-)

Cover Image © Time Inc

Fred Wallis made a visit to wintery Lake Hood on December 15th. He has sent us some photos showing the activity there, at least on the Beaver front. Thanks Fred.

17 December 2006

No updates today, busy tackling requests for info. In the meantime, here is a great site for Profile Art, Pierre-André Tilley images. This fine collection is colated into the website . Check it out - best viewed using a minimum 1mb broadband connection.

Image: © Pierre-André Tilley

13 December 2006

Still working through my U.S. miltary Beavers. catching the odd "New !" one ;-)

12 December 2006

Got a link to this image from Alain. Thanks. Quite the scene during the "Cold War" says at Stephenville, Newfoundland. Taken from the very complex Pinetreeline site.

Photo: Unknown source © Pinetreeline.org

11 December 2006

Danielle is en route to Kingston (by bus) as I type this (16:15EDT) better get back into husband mode. Place is dusted and ship-shape, even got some food in. She returned to Toronto instead of Montreal . . so home early. Beaver website production will return to more normal rate of additions now. I hope you all have enjoyed the increased rate recently.

10 December 2006

Some more gaps in U. S. Army L-20A/U-6A history filled. Lots of images of service Beavers in West Germany in the 1970 period. Thanks to Robin A. Walker. Keep 'em coming sir!

09 December 2006

Filling in some Army Air Corps gaps today, thanks to Peter Vine.

08 December 2006

It is almost the weekend again, so, as promised, I have started fine tuning the V I S T A S area of the website. As mentioned earlier, this is a work in progress, almost warrents a whole new website. Nice to get my head back in the clouds, and to be able to share magic moments in time.

Well, we just had a visit from an enthusiast on St Helena Welcome to the website.

07 December 2006

I have just learned some sad news that Mickey Bednar, known as AirNikon on Airliners.net, passed away last week. Mike has generously let me use many of his images on DHC-2.COM through the years. Condolences to his friends and family.

06 December 2006

Just noticed that Viking Air has a hot new website complete with historical video (produced by Arwen & David of Gamut Productions!). Check it out if you can.

05 December 2005

Since there are only 20 days until Christmas, I have added a link to "Santa's Beaver". Jim Gausman's fine paper de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver takes on special markings for the Holiday Season. Click on the Beaver then click on the Santa!

Thanks Jim and Design Group Alpha - Enjoy !

I have created a page showing one of Jim's U-6A airframes which flew from Minnesota to Ontario earlier this year, and now is in my studio. I have not yet had time to try my own craftsman skills on the "flat" one that came with the already assembled machine. They will be launching a website very soon!

02 December 2006

A pleasant selection of thirteen Beavers arrived in my e-mailbox tonight. Paul Rushton scanned these black and white images by his friend Peter Vine. My thanks gents!

A launch, of sorts. Inspired by the fine images sent to me from Pete Killin of BC recently, I am adding a page or two of cockpit, flight deck, "office" - "over the nose views" taken around the world. I hope this will bring in some stunning shots from you folks. Only precondition is that there must be part of the Beaver in the image ! Here we go • V I S T A S • is launched. It may change now and then as I decide on the final format.

01 December 2006

While uploading my last Beaver for the day, something made me look over my shoulder . . . the rain had finally stopped.

Ladies and Gentleman...start your Calendars!!

For those who have received the 2007 DHC-2.COM Calendar..note, it starts December 1st, 2006!

Commencing December additions with a few from the DHC Archives. Beaver output will continue at a high rate until about the 10th of December, then my production will drop off as other activities will preclude this intense rate from continuing. In the meantime, let's get at it!

To Part Ten (NOVEMBER 2006)