SECRET TORONTO: Flight 621 in Toronto-Gore Township

Toronto-Gore Township, now Castlemore inclusive.

Really Brampton.

But back then, in 1970, this was known as Toronto-Gore.

AND THIS is where Air Canada Flight 621 crashed.

Archeological dig.

195 holes, just like this one, throughout the crash arena in 2006 yielded 90 human bone fragments.

So on one hand, we have developers that want to build right here. On the other hand we have a field that has crash victim's bones STILL in it.

What is Solomon, or anyone, to do?

Enter, into the fray, the illustrious City of Brampton.

"Guys if you want to build there…you gotta clean up the field, put a cemetery at the crash point and build a monument."

And that is exactly what they are going to do—

So what the Office of the Coroner could not do, what Air Canada could not do…the City of Brampton will make happen. The right thing will now be done!

Everyone connected with the this amazing reversal, those staff and those elected members from the City of Brampton…we, the Friends of Flight 621, salute your noble efforts to finally, finally, bring closure to this tragedy, and more recently the on-going travesty of the unburied flight victim's human remains.

Although 109 people died here on July 5, 1970…in an area that is home to almost 8 million Canadians…indeed, one quarter the population of our entire country, that beloved Canada…yet, so few actually know about the horrific crash and the location of the nearby, but mysterious, former crash site.

How is that?

Fast forward to 2010…everyone will know where it is, and all will be able to visit.

But why is the 621 crash site off our present radar, folks?

Air Canada…and…their corporate damage control team.

Remember, the Flight 621 relatives were promised a memorial on site by Air Canada. Back in 1970.

Air Canada later gave them one instead at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in midtown Toronto. Sure, a lot of famous Canadians have been laid to rest there. A prime minister or two. Notable musicians. War heroes. Why even the victims of the SS Noronic were buried there. But that's Toronto's other disaster. And yet this setting just wasn't right for the 621 families.

Too far from the actual site of the air disaster.

Much, too far.

However, there was something about the closeness of the crash site to Air Canada's Toronto hub that bothered the uppers (upper management of Air Canada). Remember the "uppers" made incredible decisions back then. Like in Cincinnati when that Air Canada DC-9 burned to the ground, right there on the runway. And additional Air Canada passengers died way back in the mid-80s.

The all-consuming fire had only just been contained by the Cincinnati Fire Department, on what was left of the DC-9, when the Fire Department regulars were suddenly bewildered by events that began unfolding right before their eyes. An unidentified vehicle, that obviously received airport clearance (the power of those AC uppers extends far) drove right up, alongside the just extinguished DC-9 tail. Now, before the firefighting team could voice disapproval, out poured mystery folk who immediately and with much fervor started painting white over the famous Air Canada logo, so prominent on the tail, in the airline's livery back then.

Damage control. Protect the brand. Mobilize the peons. Send the order down!

"Get that logo off the tail! At all costs." Sound of a phone slamming.

There may even be a "protect the brand" chant, that only the "uppers" know.

So the placement of the Flight 621 memorial in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, where 55 passengers and crew were laid to rest, while generous back in 1970, was…remiss.

Not satisfactory.

Except to those AC uppers.

And through the years…the "621" families were ALWAYS ANGRY about that betrayal.

That failed Air Canada promise. The 621 families I met, inevitably, referred to it.

But in 2010…that will all change.

By the executive order of the City of Brampton.

Uppers vs. One-Uppers.

And those families will be able to go the 621 crash site themselves. And Air Canada can't stop the process, or the new memorial this time. Or the Flight 621 cemetery containing the remaining bone fragments that will also be ushered into existence.

The City of Brampton has decided.

So in 2010, at the 40th anniversary of the crash…there will be a new memorial right alongside a new cemetery. Since thousands of small bone fragments of their loved ones are still there and will be entombed in the new cemetery.

Then family members will be able to visit.

And so too, others moved by the disaster, now so long ago.

Family members then, won't need me to show them where the worst event in their lives happened. Although I was always ready to do that when asked.

Awkwardly.

And they will go there, next year. Some even for the first time.

In droves the families will go. Officially.

For closure. For solidarity.

To join prayerfully, and mystically with their departed ones. To say by their visit, by their presence, by the anguish in their souls…that we had to come here…because here…is where you left us ~

And we never got over it. Know this.

Never.

CALEDON HILLS ::: 1941 ::: RCAF Anson Crash

SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT in deteriorating weather conditions on November 13, 1941, RCAF Avro Anson W1672 with a training crew of five aboard slammed into Caledon Mountain…not far from the legendary Forks of the Credit.

The crew had lost their bearings.

The pilot thinking he was still near Hamilton, Ontario dropped to an elevation of 1200 feet above sea level, taking the Anson just below cloud cover when disaster struck. While that might have been a safe aerial height for RCAF Station: Mount Hope…it wasn't for Caledon Hills, Ontario.

Three British RAF navigators perished in the mishap.

One in the arms of a rescue worker, another was discovered dead after having crawled 200 feet from the wreckage, and the third later in hospital. Dennis Donahue, Denis Drayton and Reginald Gillman became the first training casualties of No. 33 RAF Navigation School based out of Hamilton, Ontario commonly known as YHM and Hamilton International Airport (hi). By the war's end there would be eleven others. They all rest in peace, nearby, at St. Paul's Glanford Anglican Church on the "Mountain".

Surprisingly the pilot and the wireless operator survived!

Take a second look at the Anson's nose will ya—

Miracle.

Majorie Cluff who resided two miles away on Highway #10, spotted the aircraft going down and alerted other locals. The wreck was found four hours later by Arthur Bracken, a Caledon farmer, who discovered the tragedy after hearing someone cry out. No lights around for miles, and brambles everywhere "in the hills" the aircraft was not an easy find.

Not even ten years after this crash, hockey legend Conn Smythe, owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs (1927 - 1961), and builder of Maple Leaf Gardens would buy 2,000 acres of Caledon land where he both lived and ran Smythe Racing Stables. Smythe and his son led the Leafs through their glory years and he also found time to breed his own horses and win the esteemed Queen's Plate twice! This former Anson crash site was located on his property and not far from his actual home.

(Photo by Ruth Braiden, courtesy of daughter, Urla Braiden and Fay McCrea of Caledon Village Heritage, Post-Production - Special Projects In Research)

Silence

Parents are channeling their kids these days…I'm see a lot of bettering of the intellect…but I'm not seeing a lot of bettering of their spirituality.

How many can appreciate the repose of soul, resignation and silence of Jesus that is illustrated by the great Ariel Agemian above.

A ancient mob cries,

"If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar; for everyone who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar!"

That mob of 2,000 years ago takes many forms today.

Jesus, imprisoned then...and imprisoned now.

Silence, at so many levels, becomes the ultimate revolt against the vast climate of evil that surrounds us...and that Christian act of justified witholding disturbs the "peace" of the pagan.

The residents of the Secular City eventually come seeking affirmation from the City of God.

Of course, none is given.

At times, limited forms of affirmation may be given. For some of the actual good that is being done in that city.

But many times none is given. Just silence.

Ix-nays.

Now it should suprise no one that eventually that sort of milieu leads to reprisals against the City of God, by the secular crowd. Often violent.

Or in Canada...false Human Rights Tribunals that punish a person for publically living out his faith.

Whenever religion is supressed, like it is in North America, especially Christianity, look for the communist. Or the secular humanist. In a free society...they're always behind the scenes pushing their "neutral" atheistic agenda. And persecuting Christians along the way.

See folks, times haven't changed.

——————————————————————————————

MOSTLY CHRISTIANS struggle against personal sin, but every once and a while we have an enemy we can look right into the eyes. Fascists, Nazis, Communists, Islamists…Secular Humanists…

Oh…and someone once asked me how do you juggle Avro, the Arrow, the RCAF, Jesus and Catholicism?

Answer: I'm a complex and…complete person.

But aren't all these somewhat opposed to eachother?

Answer: Not in my world.





© Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis, Confraternity of the Precious Blood
(Original artwork reworked, colourized, text and border added by me.)

STREETSVILLE ::: 1981

I'M FOR smaller schools. Large schools were created to produce winning football teams. They're a mistake. A child has no sense of individuality or sense of importance in a school that large.

Ross Perot, 1983


(Photo NOT mine…colourized B/W by me, however—)

Streetsville Cheerleaders on the run in 81'.

And Streetsville? Well, it was the just the right size for a high school.

Winter Returns…but will the RCAF?

Nope.

44 great and glorious years!

Then in 1968 comes the Canadian Armed Forces…and out goes the Canadian Navy, and the Canadian Army too. Trudeaupean flower-power initiatives based on European military models and recklessly Canadian tradition is replaced with Trudeau's vision… which, by the way, proved to be garbage.

However, if my political party were in power you know there'd be sweeping changes.

For starters AND overnight, the return of the RCAF, the RCN and the Canadian Army.

These divisions of our national defense would become heavily fortified. Did someone say…shopping spree?

Peacekeeping is useless…policing works best.

We need 9 new aircraft carriers, 1,200 Arrow Mark 7s (including the Mark 8 which is carrier-based) and 30, 000 UAVs. I don't know a damn thing about nuclear submarines, but three for every province and 5 for every Territory would be a healthy start.

And our new Coast Guard ships would look more like small battleships than the current anemic tugboat design.

YYZ perimeter lands would be immediately seized by MY Canadian government and a newer, more expansive Avro Canada would be re-established on the former site. Where do you think our new Arrows, UAVs, aircraft carriers and subs are going to come from?

Did someone say Northwest Passage? International waters?

I say, Canada's Internal Waters.

Did someone say bankruptcy…and bye, bye, GM Canada? Chrysler of Canada? Ford of Canada?

I say hello, Bombardier, Avro and hello, McLaughlin Automotive.

Anyways, its all contained in my political brief, "Outlines". So politically explosive…so fearlessly Canadian…it's not available to the general public at this time.

First, he's here. Then way over there.

Once…he ran right up to me!

I don't know how many photos I have of Seabiscuit (X marks the guy) running around the tarmac marshaling (signaling) the Lancaster.

On the face of the earth, there is not an aircraft marshaller (signaler) who takes his job more seriously than "Seabiscuit". He puts the Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) found at busier airports to shame.

Here, he hasn't started running yet but…he will—


But…will…our Lanc' even fly again?

If she does, it will be because of you and I.

New props cost $100, 000 CDN. SEE ENTRIES below to donate. Or please contact the museum at (905) 679-4183 to donate by phone.

Lancaster GROUNDED! ::: No Cheer in Hamilton!!

GIRLS…put away your pom-poms. Our Lanc' hangered on the Mountain has been grounded indefinitely ~

HAMILTON CHEERLEADERS perform in the Roger's Centre. Where else could the lighting be so bad!

FULL STORY: See below—

Will Our 'MIGHTY LANC' Fly Again?

FOLKS, you know very well, if AVRO CANADA was still around…they would just give the MUCH NEEDED Lancaster props to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, free of charge!

Such was the greatness and generosity of the company.

The Mississauga Hospital is there today because Crawford Gordon (President of Avro Canada) and the company Avro got behind the fundraising efforts to put a hospital in Mississauga, where one was desperately needed in the 50s.

And our Lanc was one of their own.

That Lancaster, you see before you, was made in the very same bays as the legendary CF-105 Arrow! No foolin'.

But alas…Avro ISN'T around to bail out the Lanc.

It's just you. And me.

Without $100, 000 CDN…the propellers can't be purchased and the Lancaster will miss out on the airshow "revenue circuit" this season. When she flys, people pay to fly with her. She makes money for the museum!

We gotta' keep the cycle going.

So whatever you can give…


HERE, I'll let the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum tell you all about the dilemma:

At this time we are seeking your financial support for a very special project here at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. During the annual inspection on our Lancaster bomber aircraft it was discovered that there is a corrosion issue with the propellers and until we can replace these propeller blades our Lancaster will be grounded.

The propellers used on the aircraft are unique and although we have been fortunate enough to locate a very limited and currently available supply, the total replacement cost will be about $100,000.00. As I am sure you are aware, we own and operate one of only two Lancaster bombers still flying in the world today. This aircraft is the most popular and notable aircraft in our collection and we therefore receive many requests to have the Lancaster attend events throughout North America. Unfortunately without new propeller blades we will not be able to meet our flying commitments for the 2009 season.

As this year is the Centennial of Flight in Canada, the Lancaster has been requested to attend a number of high profile events and venues including Air Venture at Oshkosh, WI, the largest air show in the world. It is also scheduled to go to Cold Lake, Alberta; Bagotville, Quebec; and Winnipeg, Manitoba; as well as attending several other events in Southern Ontario. In 2009 the Lancaster C-GVRA flight schedule has been planned to allow many hundreds of thousands of people to enjoy this aviation icon during the course of the summer as we celebrate 100 years of powered flight in Canada.

In order to honour our commitments, we must endeavor to make our Lancaster airworthy once again. We have sent an appeal letter to our members and supporters and now we are asking for your assistance at this difficult time. With less than 2% of our annual operating budget coming from any government grant or assistance, we rely very heavily on supporters like you. As a donor, your investment in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is an investment in a great Canadian success story. We still have a great deal to be accomplished here at the museum and we hope you will take part in this worthy endeavor.

PLEASE DONATE NOW!!
Donations can be made on our website by clicking: www.warplane.com/Gift-Shop/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=38&a....

Or please contact the museum at (905) 679-4183 to donate by phone.

Donations can also be mailed in to:
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope, ON. L0R 1W0

Please mark "Lancaster Propeller Fund" on your cheques.

Lancaster: URGENT APPEAL!

Our "Made in Toronto" Avro Lancaster Bomber has been grounded.

Corrosion found. Propellers.

$100, 000 CDN needed to get our Lanc back in the air.

Whatever you can give…

HERE, I'll let the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum tell you:

"At this time we are seeking your financial support for a very special project here at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. During the annual inspection on our Lancaster bomber aircraft it was discovered that there is a corrosion issue with the propellers and until we can replace these propeller blades our Lancaster will be grounded.

The propellers used on the aircraft are unique and although we have been fortunate enough to locate a very limited and currently available supply, the total replacement cost will be about $100,000.00. As I am sure you are aware, we own and operate one of only two Lancaster bombers still flying in the world today. This aircraft is the most popular and notable aircraft in our collection and we therefore receive many requests to have the Lancaster attend events throughout North America. Unfortunately without new propeller blades we will not be able to meet our flying commitments for the 2009 season.

As this year is the Centennial of Flight in Canada, the Lancaster has been requested to attend a number of high profile events and venues including Air Venture at Oshkosh, WI, the largest air show in the world. It is also scheduled to go to Cold Lake, Alberta; Bagotville, Quebec; and Winnipeg, Manitoba; as well as attending several other events in Southern Ontario. In 2009 the Lancaster C-GVRA flight schedule has been planned to allow many hundreds of thousands of people to enjoy this aviation icon during the course of the summer as we celebrate 100 years of powered flight in Canada.

In order to honour our commitments, we must endeavor to make our Lancaster airworthy once again. We have sent an appeal letter to our members and supporters and now we are asking for your assistance at this difficult time. With less than 2% of our annual operating budget coming from any government grant or assistance, we rely very heavily on supporters like you. As a donor, your investment in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is an investment in a great Canadian success story. We still have a great deal to be accomplished here at the museum and we hope you will take part in this worthy endeavor.

PLEASE DONATE NOW!!
Donations can be made on our website: www.warplane.com/Gift-Shop/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=38&a...

Or please contact the museum at (905) 679-4183 to donate by phone.

Donations can also be mailed in to: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope, ON. L0R 1W0

Please mark "Lancaster Propeller Fund" on your cheques."

The Way We Were ::: 1953 ::: CANADA

That's CRAWFORD GORDON (President, A.V. Roe) and FRED SMYE (Vice President, A.V. Roe) shaking hands with the men who were rolling THE FIRST CF-100 Mark IV Canuck off the line, in 1953. On time, and right on schedule.

What a difference two years made with Crawford at the helm.

The earlier CF-100s were delivered to the RCAF in 1951, two years late by that point, and structurally unsound.

Shortly thereafter Crawford turned the whole lackluster enterprise around, commandeering Avro to become the 3rd largest company in Canada by 1955!

So when the tale of Canada is told…the story of Avro CANADA (A. V. Roe Canada) must be told, as well.

To Canadians.

Forget Louis Riel, who was only an insignificant dreamer. But, whom, my history teachers were absolutely mesmerized with back in the soulless high school years of the late 70s.

The esprit de corps at Avro Canada, and the aeronautical achievements at Avro and Orenda for Canadians, and by Canadians, in the 17 short years of her aviation related existence, were absolutely breathtaking for the outsider to behold. Employees were enthusiastic. And unquestionably devoted. As a collective they had that strong regard for the honour of their company. And their country.

Avro was the only place to be, in Canada, in the 50s.

But, let's not pretend. It'll will never happen again.

The little country that could.

Did. However briefly. And that's where it ends.

We will never again repeat the scope and diversity of those aviation technological achievements from such a united and singular industrial base.

Marvels, really—

In technology, and industrial amalgamation.

Avro Canada funded initially and exclusively by the Government of Canada…but moving toward a more public and commercial model of self-sufficiency, only to be ruined in the end.

The Jetliner, the CF-100, the Avrocar, the Orenda Iroquois, and the Arrow. And all that stuff on the drawing boards. Only far flung memories now.

So Avro Canada must always be remembered for lofty dreams, detailed planning and brilliant execution…but only, only—by those Canadians that matter.

"NEVER WAS" does acknowledge the commercial and technological success of Bombardier Aerospace Canada…but I've always been partial to military stuff.

Hey, I gave my heart to Avro.

I own the copyright to this post production rework of the original Avro photo. All rights reserved.

© Paul Cardin
© 2009 SPIR

BOMBER BOYS: The B.C.A.T.P. and an R.C.A.F. Lancaster Crew

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. We will remember them."


Monarch Films describes the BOMBER BOYS Series (4 DVDs):

"As seen on PBS stations comes a new four hour "living history" series set in the early days of World War II. Using a unique blend of living history elements, CGI, first-person interviews and never-before-seen W.W.II footage, this dramatic four-part documentary series, follows a new generation of "Bomber Boys" as they train to become a Lancaster Bomber crew. All are descendants of British, Australian, American and Canadian airmen, and while these new recruits struggle to come to terms with 1940s discipline and values - we hear the harrowing anecdotes of the "real" Bomber Boys - the veterans who flew into the night skies over Occupied Europe to fight in some of the most critical battles of the war. As the two groups come together, a special bond emerges and a bridge is built between the generations."

CANADA's special role during the war is thoroughly explained.

But what was Canada's special contribution?

Why it was the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (B.C.A.T.P.) or ("The Plan") of 1939-1945. Across Canada aircrews from the Commonwealth countries, the USA, Poland etc. were trained and prepared for combat. Upon completion of their training, successful candidates left Canada, were transported "across the pond" and filled up the ranks of the RAF.

SEE Monarch Films to purchase: www.createspace.com/212916


© Frantic Films
© Monarch Films

RCAF Approved: MAINTAINING Your Lancaster!

FIXING MY BOMBER


WHENEVER I'M working on my Lancaster, as you can see here I'm working on those mighty Merlins…I can't always go by memory.

Ain't what it used to be.

So I get out my Hayne's Owner's Workshop Manual for my Mighty Lanc before I do ANYTHING!

This is a damn expensive airplane, folks! And I can't take it to Canadian Tire!! Even though it was made here, locally, in Toronto.

So here goes.

Chocks in place.

Righty, tighty…lefty, loosey.

It doesn't get any better than this…working on my Lanc…Supertramp playing in the background, but hey…I almost forgot.

There is ALSO a Hayne's Owner's Workshop Manual for the Supermarine Spitfire and even the British Leyland one! Thanks ...Anna... for the tip.

WHY THERE ISN'T a Hayne's Owner's Guide for the Boeing B-17 or the North American P-51, only Ken knows. There isn't even one for the famous Taylorcraft 75.

There will be one for the Avro Arrow.

I assembled a little graphic here for the viewership, complete with page views from the books.

I. Ain't. Making. This. Stuff. Up.



© Hayne's Owner's Workshop Manuals
© SPIR
© Paul Cardin

:::: And A Mitchell Flew Through it

::: A New War Is Coming ::...

You guys know what I am talking about.

When groups here in Canada want to prevent our singing of the national anthem publicly…as far as I am concerned war has been declared.

So CANADIAN FREEDOM will have to be fought for all over again, but not over there in Europe, or the Far East, or Africa, but right here on our own soil.

In Canada.

So,

"Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong!'"

FREEDOM must always be earned…by each generation…it seems that IS the will of God.

And if your don't care about freedom…your freedom will be taken away. Inch by inch…or by blitzkrieg. That's the rule.

THOSE HEROES flying our Canadian bombers knew it. Do you?

The MOST HATED Canadian (still)

OH, OUR BELOVED ARROWS being torched, and cut-up—

Well Chief, Dief, this IS your legacy.

That 1963 cover of Newsweek says it all. Decline and fall.

You may have given the aboriginal people the vote, and you had an impressive quip about being Canadian…but THIS is all you are remembered for. And cursed.

Destroying the Arrow (and the Iroquois).

And ultimately Avro Canada.

Oh, and by the way, that 1959 Herb Nott flyover photo (shown above) was finally published after being suppressed for nearly two months! The Canadian public saw for the first time that the Arrows were being cut-up! The public outrage was enormous! The directive to do it quietly and quickly had ultimately failed!

The town of Neustadt, Ontario proudly declares that you were born there on a 50ish style sign leading into town. But the rest of the province feels…well, it’s not fit to print all that blue language, here.

The province of Saskatchewan commemorates you, John G, as their son most proud, honouring you even, with an official Diefenbaker Day. But my dad, also born in the province of Saskatchewan, always referred to you as that know-nothing, small-town, prairie lawyer.

You will forever be vilified by true Canadians.

Not only for canceling the Arrow and the Iroquois, but for destroying any remnants of them as well. While you said you never knew, nor ordered their destruction, someone in your cabinet did and you should have known what was going on, Mr. Joke PM.

Peter Zuuring, author of the wondrous pictorial : The Arrow Scrapbook, notes the real reason for their destruction by the Diefenbaker government:

“"It (The Arrow and Iroquois) was a Liberal project and the Conservative government got rid of it. And they're thinking, `What if the Liberals get back into power and want to resurrect it?'

They didn't want the embarrassment so that's why they tried to eradicate everything to do with the Arrow."

DIEFENBAKER dreamed and schemed to make Canada the breadbasket of the world. Somehow, he never noticed our breadbasket was already full.

Right then and there, but full with advanced aerospace technology!

Canada could have farmed that out to the world, alongside agrarian offerings.

But combine and hay bale, was all you understood.

Jack. Stupid Ass.

And remember Dief could rationalize anything. Years later, he would still think canceling the Arrow and Iroquois was the right thing to do! HE HAD NO BUSINESS SENSE whatsoever!! $379 million had been spent on all Avro related projects to date by the Canadian Government and a deal from the French for $120 million purchase was ready to be signed, but totalitarian John Diefenbaker scuttled it all!!!!

The money was in the machine, the symbols were lining up for jackpot…nope, now's the time, let's just walk away!!!

In the history of Canada I DON'T think there has been anyone more adjectively stupid than this.

Just when Canada was about to reclaim ONE THIRD of our Avro investment…he stopped it all. The RECOUP.

He shoulda' been shot and pizzed on.

Should my political party ever ascend to power, all Diefenbaker monuments and statues will be smashed and properly destroyed for the hypocrisy they represent. All trace of Diefenbaker will be wiped from the national archives, post haste!

AVRO CANADA would be undissolved and work immediately commence on the CF-105 Arrow Mark V overseen by Bombardier Canada.

Canada needs to position itself maturely in the new millennium, taking steps toward independence and becoming self-reliant…it is our destiny—


TRIVIA: Why did ya do that?

"A Future Prime Minister Rescues a Former Prime Minister"

In 1965, while vacationing in Barbados, John Turner (future Prime Minister of Canada [1984] ) noticed that former Prime Minister and then-current Leader of the Opposition John G Diefenbaker, staying at the same hotel, was struggling in the strong surf and undertow.

Turner, being a competitive swimmer during university days, jumped in and pulled Diefenbaker to shore, saving his life.

Again John, why did ya do that?



© Herb Nott
© Newsweek
© SPIR (post-production)
© Paul Cardin

THE AVRO ARROW … Wow, wasn’t she a beauty?

YES, the whole world may have been going supersonic at the time Peter, but not at the speeds the Arrow was capable of.

Nor, with the Arrow's long distance Arctic Circle range and all-weather capability.

And none of the other supersonic fighters were anywhere near the size of the Arrow.

The Arrow was LARGE.

Company literature at the time boasted that the CF-105 Arrow was as big as a WW II bomber. You know, like a Lancaster…

© CBC
© CBC Home Video (The Arrow)

BUY THIS MOVIE! If you're Canadian!!
Available everywhere ON-LINE and maybe even @ Ken's Aviation!

CHEERING For The Arrow…

…well, actually the ARGOS…but in a perfect world…

BLACK FRIDAY and Secret Toronto: Briarcrest

Black Friday + Two Weeks.

Well, I was truly surprised when I discovered the inside of Briarcrest virtually untouched since the Avro days.

Avro STILL in our midst.

AVRO CANADA Inc. purchased this 11 acre English-style tudor estate from Avro President and General Manager Walter N. Deisher who had used it as a personal residence. Walter was let go by Avro to make way for Crawford Gordon Jr., one of Canada’s famous dollar a year boys, once called forth by CD Howe to run the country’s industrial war effort during World War II.

“Crawford, go in there and fix Avro, and fix that damn CF-100!”

Howe’s sentiments, if perhaps, not his exact words.

Gordon Crawford had been Howe’s “Boy Wonder” during the war years and received the coveted OSC award, which was given to only a very few of this elite.

Remember, when Crawford arrived, Avro Canada was in utter disarray. Completely demoralized as an organization. The CF-100 which had been proudly delivered to the RCAF, with so much fanfare only shortly before, months maybe, and had now just been returned to the company by the very same RCAF!

It was quite bad.

The wonky CF-100 examples that were returned had warped wings! Rivets were popping out everywhere.

Stress problems. Only a few short years previous, Sir Roy Dobson had publicly stated that the Lancasters built by Avro Canada (then the crown corporation Victory Aircraft) under license, were better made than the English produced ones!

But we won’t go into it here. That’s another story all in itself.

So here is the living, and meeting room at Briarcrest. Like I said, much like it was back when Crawford Gordon lived here during the final (last gasp) days of Avro.

Lived here?

Crawford, somewhat of a womanizer, had left his wife and needed a place to stay. So he came here, to the solitude, and quiet and refinement of Briarcrest.

Previous to Crawford’s stay, Briarcrest was the Avro executive get-away cottage. Complete with pool, tennis courts, a games room, and hand carved totem poles. Four authentic totem poles. All INSIDE the house, by the way, and located downstairs in the game room!

Inside the tudor style abode is a serious, yet cozy atmosphere. Intricately hand carved woodwork, ancient handmade metallic light switch plates, exotically tiled rooms…oh, I could go on and on.

Not important here.

And yeah, that’s the secret passageway to the right in this picture. It leads up to the meeting room, directly from the games room downstairs! By way of a large block stone hewn corridor!

The Diefenbaker government was to declare the results of their review about the ongoing viability of all Avro Canada related projects on March 31 of 1959. That was the declaration and promise of the Canadian government to Avro Canada. However, Diefenbaker, not listening to reason at all, whether voiced by the Opposition, the GTA community, or Avro management prematurely cancelled the projects in a spiteful move on February 20, 1959 at 11 am in the morning. This caught the company by surprise and was well before the agreed upon review date. It became known as Black Friday. Forever.

And where was Crawford when the Company received the bad news from Ottawa?

By fax I might add.

Home in bed.

Crawford had been a bit out of sorts of late, and had given express orders NOT to be disturbed unless an emergency arose at the office. Well, this was such an emergency.

Fred Smye, Assistant General Manager of Avro Canada Limited, went to Briarcrest and told a drowsy Crawford personally the bad news. News, which was already circulating like wildfire throughout his plant of 14, 000 workers. This was an utter shock to the Avro executive who had been reassuring Avro employees that all was indeed well, and that the Arrow and the Iroquois would go into full production as expected. On that assurance Avro people were buying cars, and buying homes, and having kids…with no hint of the dark days immediately before them.

Crawford Gordon now enraged, rose to the occasion. Bull. China. Shop.

He immediately called the remaining Avro executive to Briarcrest. And it was here, right in this very room, the famous Avro employee dismissal notice was crafted by those very Avro executive, and later that day delivered over the company PA system at 2 pm by J.L. Plant.

That termination notice would make headlines, splashed across Canadian newspapers, in the late evening addition, shocking Canadians everywhere.

Oh, and did ya’ notice?

SOMEBODY BESIDES me, in this GTA city of eight million, knows about Briarcrest’s Avro related days.

I didn’t hang that print, folks!

And so, in honour of that historical connection, a framed print of the CF-105 Avro Arrow being escorted by it’s aeronautical precedent, the CF-100 Canuck, proudly hangs above the Briarcrest fireplace 50 years later, put there by the present owner!

Small wonders never cease—

Oh, and Crawford, well he was let go a few months later. Yes, by the very company he had spawned and nurtured into an national empire and which had quietly became the third largest company in the Dominion of Canada by 1959. Crawford, now disillusioned, quietly moved on, to Montreal.

It has been said that once Crawford was done with a place, he never looked back. Or went back.

But Crawford we had to come here. Even fifty years hence.

We had to return to Briarcrest, if only for a moment, to once again get caught up in that aura of our past Canadian aviation excellence. Avro, the Arrow, and all that could have been…that once was the glorious Avro Canada—

And the anguished story that just won't go away.

© Paul Cardin
© Special Projects In Research

Dirge: ARROW Straight Through The Heart

We hoped it's not too late…

But folks, it's 50 YEARS too late.

For Avro. For Orenda. For Canada. For Canadians.

'nuff said—

HOMEMADE FILM captured from an airing of the Arrow's first flight. A remembrance of the Avro Arrow hosted by the City of Mississauga on Black Friday…50 years hence.

My doctor has NOW officially taken me off suicide watch…since the 50th Anniversary of Black Friday (project cancellation of Canada's Arrow) has passed. He tells me he won't be around for the 75th, but I should once again avail myself of all medical and community supports. As needed.

Alyssa Kane: Sorrow for the Arrow

Alyssa Kane of the University of Connecticut finishes her twirling routine at the International Bowl in Toronto.

It was an impressive twirling performance at the Bowl…and WE KNOW Alyssia must have dedicated her finale to the, then upcoming, 50 Year Anniversary of Black Friday.

How could she not have? Everyone knows how Canadians feel about the Avro Canada debacle. And that as a fledgling nation in the 50s, we NEVER got over the disaster.

Alyssa Kane placed 4th in the College Miss Majorette of America 2008.

BLACK FRIDAY : Here's the Stooge!

YES LITTLE GIRL (far right)…you should be afraid…that's the stooge that cancelled the Arrow. And at this moment, he's running your country!!

Jack. Stupid. Ass.

Check out the eyebrows on that dummy. On that alone not a single Canadian should have voted this guy into office. Then look at that goofy smile.

"Dief" was voted out of office when Canadians realized the full extent of the Avro Canada blunder.

Too late, Canadians, too late.


I am John G. Diefenbaker…

I SAY NO TO: The Arrow!

I SAY NO TO: The Iroquois!

I SAY NO TO: Buying Canadian!

I SAY NO TO: BEING Canadian!

One life summed up.

Yup, February 20, 1959

PM John A. Diefenbaker cancelled the Avro Arrow Project in the Canadian Parliament, in the morning hours, on this date exactly 50 yrears ago.

And Crawford Gordon, President of A. V. Roe Canada and not one to be outdone, laid off every single Avro Canada employee in the afternoon.

All 13, 500 of them!

No aircraft to manufacture…no need for employees!

(Photo Credits: unknown)

BLACK FRIDAY : Almost

THREE ARROWS and parts to complete a total of 37 of the All-Canadian Interceptor.

We could had three squadrons of Arrows!

But then again, 50 years ago, today, was Black Friday.

Yup, February 20, 1959

PM John A. Diefenbaker stood up in the House of Commons (Canadian Parliament), at 11 am, and cancelled the Avro Arrow and Orenda Iroquois Projects on this date exactly 50 yrears ago.

And Crawford Gordon, President of A. V. Roe Canada, not one to be outdone by anybody, especially by a mindless bureaucrat…laid off every Avro Canada employee in the afternoon.

All 13, 500 of them!

No aircraft to manufacture…no need for employees!

(Photo Credits: RCAF, A. V. Roe Canada)

BLACK FRIDAY : Ended

…AVRO CANADA's glorious accomplishments.

50 Years Ago Today

Black Friday - February 20, 1959

PM John A. Diefenbaker cancelled the Avro Arrow Project in the Canadian Parliament in the morning on this date exactly 50 yrears ago.

And Crawford Gordon , President of A. V. Roe Canada laid off every Avro Canada employee in the afternoon.

13, 500 of them!

No aircraft to manufacture…no need for employees!

(Photo Credits: Avro Newsmagazine)

Continental Flight 3407 : ATC Recording, What The Hell Happened?

Last moments of Flight 3407
Transcript of communications with Air Traffic Control
February 13, 2009

Rebecca Shaw, was the first officer (co-pilot) of Continental Airlines Flight 3407, and resided in Maple Valley, Washington. Hers, is the female voice you are hearing in this ATC tape.

Continental Flight 3407 : Dash Down In Buffalo!!!

Continental Plane Crash
February 12, 2009

A Continental Airlines Bombardier Dash 8-Q402 (twin-turbine prop) seen above, in manufacture's paint scheme) carrying 48 people, 44 passengers and 4 crew has crashed in Clarence Centre, New York. One known person was also killed on the ground. FlightAware shows that the flight ended 6.2 miles short of Buffalo Niagara International (KBUF) Runway 32 and crashed five minutes before its expected arrival at 9:35PM.

The Colgan Air Dash 8, operating as Continental Connection was a fifty-two minute flight originating from Newark Liberty International. It crashed on Long Street, destroying the house at the 6038 address (the Wielinski residence), in suburban Buffalo, and there were no commuter survivors.

Karen and daughter, Kimberley Wielinski, were home when the the Q402 crashed into their house. While they survived, Karen's husband Doug, also home at the time, did not.

Shortly before Continental Express Flight 3407 went down in the residential neighbourhood, the pilots reported experiencing mechanical trouble. This was confirmed by Paul Cardin, of Special Projects In Research, who was able to reach area residents for their eye witness testimony.

Lorraine Unverzart, who lives two streets over from the crash site reported that there was massive fires shortly after she heard the aircraft go down. Columns of fire and smoke could be seen reaching forty feet into the sky. Shaken up still, she noted that the aircraft didn't sound right as it flew overhead, and then made a very large "boom" sound when it hit the house located three doors down, and just across the street from her mother and father's residence.

Her mother, Mrs. W. Hoehman located at 6055 Long Street saw the ill-fated aircraft crash into their neighbours home.

Upon impact, the Q400 aircraft blew up and her neighbour's house and the immediate area around the house became engulfed in a fiery inferno. Mrs. Hoehman also noted that while planes are flying overhead all the time, this one caught her attention because it sounded "off". She quickly looked up, and watched in horror as it crashed. She immediately called her daughters, and one, Lorraine, who resides on High Street, which intersects Long, was able to come over with her son, and comfort her mother and father.

Another sister who also lives in town, attempted to reach her parent's residence to attend to her parent's shock, but was turned away, as local police and the fire department had just sealed off the area.

Power has been cut to the neighbourhood, and many Long Street homes have been evacuated because of fire, smoke and other safety concerns. The Hoehmans were unaffected by these power cuts as their home runs off a generator. Neither were they asked to evacuate since they are located downwind from the accident.

Located only about 120 or so feet from the crash, the Hoehman residence became a gathering centre for neighbours to process their grief. Each in turn wondered, and then grew silent as they commiserated about the awful reality of the doomed airliner that crashed with its gear up, and plowing nose first into their neighbour's house.

What kind of plane was it?

How many died?

Did their neighbour survive?

In time, all these questions will be answered.

In the meantime, the Bombardier (Toronto made) Canadian Dash 8-400 Series (Q400) was less than a year old, having been delivered to the airline only a short time ago, in April, of 2008.

This becomes the first Bombardier Q400 accident where loss of life has occurred.

Rest in peace…victims of Flight 3407 ~


UPDATE!!!!!!!! Pilot Error!!

Severe weather conditions and against Continental REGS, the auto-pilot was still engaged when the pilot's should have been flying the airplane.

"Some aviation experts say that relying on the autopilot kept the pilots from sensing the seriousness of the icing conditions, which could have caused the plane to lurch erratically in the 26 seconds before it crashed."



Continental Airlines says friends and family who need information about those on board flight #3407 should call 1-800-621-3263.

Residents who live in Clarence who need information about the crash should call (716) 741-8930.

Last moments of Flight 3407
Transcript of Communications with Air Traffic Control

February 13, 2009

4:38 - ATC: colgan 3407 procede direct ____?

4:58 - ATC: colgan 3407 descend and maintain 6,000

8:39 - ATC: colgan 3407 descend and maintain 5,000

8:40 - 3407: 5,000 for colgan 3407

9:09 - ATC: colgan 3407 descend and maintain 4,000

12:14 - ATC: colgan 3407 descend and maintain 2,300

12:19 - ??? garbled

12:39 - ATC: colgan 3407 turn left heading 330

12:42 - 3407: left heading 330 colgan 3407

14:04 - ATC: colgan 3407 turn left heading 310

14:07 - 3407: left heading 310, colgan 3407

15:08 - ATC: colgan 3407 3 miles from ____ colonel?? left heading 260? maintain 2300 til established localizer and cleared ils runway 2-3

15:17 - 3407: left 260, 2,300 til established and cleared ils 23 approach, colgan 3407

16:02 - ATC: colgan 3407 contact tower 204.5 have a good day

16:08 - 3407: muffled colgan 3407

17:01 - ATC: colgan 3407 approach

17:22 - ATC: colgan 3407, buffalo

17:24 - ATC: colgan 3407, approach

17:33 - ATC: delta 1998, look out ur left side about 5 miles for a dash 8, should be 2300 feet, see anything there?

17:40 - delta 1998: uh negative, delta 1998, we're just in the bottoms and nothing on the TKs

17:48 - ATC: colgan 3407, buffalo

20:12 - ATC: Colgan 3407, buffalo tower, how do you hear?

20:27 - ATC: this is ground communication, i need to talk to someone at least 5 miles northeast, J possibly clearance, that area right there, akron area, either state police or sheriff's department, i need to find if anything's on the ground. this aircraft was 5 miles out and all of a sudden we have no response from that aircraft

20:46 - ???: all i can tell you is that aircraft over the marker and we're not talking to them now

20:52 - ???: k

21:04 - ATC: Delta 1998, you getting any icing where you're at?

21:05 - Delta 1998: uh, we're picking up on the way down - i dont think we're building anymore here, but about uh 6500 down to 3500 maybe?

21:13 - ATC: thank you sir

21:17 - ATC: Delta 1998, there's gonna be a delay, i'm gonna bring you back around, expect a hold over KLUMP 21:22 - Delta 1998: alright we'll expect a hold over KLUMP, delta 1998

21:46 - something: apparently we have an emergency sir, i'll get back to you as soon as i can

23:57 - ATC: for all aircraft, this frequency - we have a dash-8 over the marker that didn't make the airport. he appears about 5 miles away from the airport. delta 1998, i'm gonna bring you in sir, on the approach. um if you could just give me a fire up when you get to 2300 and if you have any problems with the localizer or anything, let me know - however we're showing it all in the green here.

24:22 - 1998: will do

24:45 - ATC: delta 1998, 6 miles from KLUMP maintain 2300 until established on a localizer, clear to ils approach runway 2-3

24:54 - delta 1998: ILS 2-3 and we're still in the imc here, 2300 delta 1998

25:00 - atc: are you getting any kind of icing or anything there?

25:03 - delta 1998: uhh it doesn't appear to be building, we have a 1/2..1/4 inch from the descent that has remained this whole time

25:11 - atc: thank you

25:18 - cactus 1452: whatever: intercept us low for cactus 1452 and we've been picking up ground lights here for the last 10 oh minutes

25:25 - atc: okay, stand by for ??? ice report

25:36 - atc: who was that?

25:39 - cactus 1452: '52 sir, we've been getting ice since about 20 miles south of the airport

25:46 - atc: - cactus 1452 okay, if you can let me know when you get out of the icing, aircraft coming up from the south was reporting that earlier

25:25 - atc: delta 1998, if you could, just disregard the auto land sir, contact 120.5 just let him know if you have any variation in the localizer or anything

26:34 - delta 1998: -5 okay, delta 1998, thanks

27:05 - ???? ...any kind of information you can get, we'd appreciate it

27:12 - ???? sir, right now, 2300 seems pretty clear here

28:05 - atc: cactus 1452, thanks for your help, we appreciate it, contact tower 130.5 28:12 - cactus: ..5 for cactus - did you find colgan?

28:14 - atc: uhhhh unfortunately they said he went down right over the marker KLUMP

29:17 - cactus 1452: tower, cactus 1452 is coming up on the marker, we saw the ground, you guys know whats going on?

29:24 - tower: cactus 1452, buffalo tower 162.14 going right 23, you are clear to land, yes sir, we are aware

29:29 - cactus 1452: k

Arrow in Trouble!!

June 11, 1958.

Malton, Ontario now YYZ.

As you can see the Toronto built CF-105 Interceptor RL 201 is in crash sequence.

"Zura" (Polish-born test pilot, Janusz Zurakowski) is at the controls. Landing gear on the Canadian Arrow were problematic and contributed to the only two Arrow accidents.

This accident occurred because a gear shortening mechanism failed, jamming the landing gear. The Arrow's undercarriage did not fully extend. With the high landing speed, the necessary strong braking on the shorter runway, coupled with the weight of the Arrow, the left undercarriage soon gave way, and then the right, collapsing, as the interceptor left the runway!

"In the fall of 1958 the British magazine; Aviation Studies stated Canada owes it to the free world to put into production the Arrow aircraft, the most advanced interceptor in the Western world."

Never happened.

And, of course, this wasn't the real trouble the Arrow would soon find itself in.

SOON, Avro Canada and the Arrow would be dealing with lackey politicians and an inept prime minister. And it was then, her fate would be sealed–

Photo credit: L Wilkinson or P Brennan
Post-production: SPIR - Paul Cardin

In a Perfect World…

…AVRO Canada would STILL be there…as it is in this Google Map photo of 2006.

PRESENTLY, Google Maps uses a 2006 aerial map of YYZ…and to my horror Avro Canada was still there! Everyone of any importance in the Toronto region knows Avro Canada, all remaining historical buildings were torn down in that year.

Who at Google is trying to kill me with these memories?

How Did I Get This SCREENSHOT From My 3G iPhone?

Remember whatever you are seeing on your iPhone screen, while surfing the net , gaming etc. can be captured or photographed by the iPhone itself!

Press the Home Key down simultaneously with the On/Off/Sleep/Wake Button and Presto! you hear the camera shutter sound and a SCREENPIC has been created. It can be found in the iPhone's Camera Roll Photo Album in the phone itself!

There SHE is.

The SILVER DART.

100 years later.

Replica.

In Hamilton, Ontario.

YHM.

Yes, safe inside the world famous hangar of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, being disassembled as NWAII looks on, to be crated and sent on to Baddeck Bay, Nova Scotia for its 100th Anniversary celebration flight, a mere two weeks from now on February 23, 2009.

What IS the Silver Dart besides being a “Drive” (road) around the inside perimeter of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport?

From the Canadian Encyclopedia:

“The Silver Dart, was the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to fly in Canada; designed and built by the Aerial Experiment Association (Oct 1907-Mar 1909) under Alexander Graham BELL (yeah…the same Canadian guy who invented the telephone), a flight enthusiast since boyhood.

After several successful flights at Hammondsport, NY, early in 1909 the Silver Dart was dismantled, crated and brought to Baddeck Bay, NS, the Bells' Canadian home. The "aerodrome" (Bell's preferred term) had a 14.9 m wingspan and an all-up weight of 390 kg, pilot included.

J.A.D. MCCURDY was the principal designer and pilot; Glenn H. Curtiss developed the water-cooled engine, an advance on the association's earlier experiments. Pulled on230to the ice of Baddeck Bay by horsedrawn sleigh on Feb 23, the silver-winged machine rose on its second attempt after travelling about 30 m, flying at an elevation from 3 to 9 m at roughly 65 km/hr for 0.8 km.

Over 100 of Bell's neighbours witnessed the first flight of a British subject anywhere in the Empire.

The Silver Dart flew more than 200 times before being damaged beyond repair upon landing in the soft sand of Petawawa, Ont, during military trials in early Aug 1909. The engine was later retrieved and restored and is now on display at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa. A full-scale model of the Silver Dart may be found in Ottawa's National Aviation Museum.” (Norman Hillmer)

Former Canadian Space Shuttle astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason flew the newest Silver Dart replica, just a few metres above Hamilton runways, on both Friday and Sunday. Incidentally this replica was built by a group of volunteers from Welland Ontario. And one of those volunteers is incidentally related to J.A.D. McCurdy, the Dart’s original pilot!

Another replica of the Silver Dart crashed in 1959 from flight instability originating from the airplane’s nose. The nose of any version of the Silver Dart has a strong tendency to move up and down uncontrollably, and Bjarni Tryggvason has wind-tunnel tested and engineered some changes from the original aircraft’s design to correct this flaw.

Other minor changes were made to the replica aircraft as well.

Nylon has replaced the original Dart’s silver coloured silk, and oddles of HOCKEY TAPE help keep the ancient design together. Where the reader can see stick framing surrounded by black splotches on all the aircraft’s joints, that is, hockey tape doing its thing!

Real Canadians use hockey tape, NOT duct tape, Mr. Green.

Oh and Bjarni and company…do tell the media and public when you decide to fly your beastie!

We really are interested in any Silver Dart flight…if you only give us a chance!!

I had to drive at breakneck speed, avoid two head-on collisions, and ended up mowing down two unsuspecting old ladies on the outskirts of Mount Hope…just to get to the Museum, and for what? You had already flown the Dart.

The disassembly was fascinating to watch though.

One stick at a time–

50 YEARS AGO…this month…the Arrow…

…was featured in the RAF Flying Review!

The publication noted the chance of cancellation, "the talk" but they didn't take it seriously. They went on to include a 2-page illustrated cutaway of the Canadian CF-105 Arrow, alongside a full page, three sided view of her.

The four page Arrow article, "The Mighty Arrow" noted that Canada's newest interceptor was likely to become the first combat aircraft capable of reaching MACH 3 in level flight!

But then as we all know so painfully, an idiot Prime Minister had his way, and the speed record that was ours for the taking, was never broken.

And the Canadian technological marvel, known as the Arrow, was scrapped.

But in the first part of this month…50 years ago this week…there was still hope…

AND SOON, nigh, a few short weeks from now, in February…we, as Canadians, will mark…not celebrate, the 50th Anniversary of the cancellation of the Avro Arrow CF-105 and the Orenda Iroquois Engine Project.

And the little country that could…didn't.

And from that point on, it all changed for Canada.

We returned to being a consumer, not a producer.

Critics respond that it was just one damn airplane!

Nope.

It was a movement.

A well orchestrated one at that.

There had been the Avro Jetliner (North America's 1st jet airliner), and the CF-100 (NATO's first all weather interceptor).

On deck there was the Arrow, of course, the Avrocar (a working flying saucer) too, the Orenda Iroquois engine (a lighter weight jet engine with 30% more engine thrust than anything else on the military market) and there were secret plans to launch Canada into space exploration.

And France even ordered 300 Iroquois engines from Orenda, before testing had even been completed. France wanted the best for their new fighter jet, the Mirage. And the Iroquois was the best! But the Canadian government killed the engine deal alongside the Arrow.

Later, there would be Bombardier, and de Havilland Canada, both with notable aviation achievements, but it wasn't the same, folks.

Not. At. All.

AVRO CANADA was the first "place" where Canada really excelled technologically, collectively, and INDEPENDENTLY as a nation.

Here, at Derry Road and Airport Road in Malton, the future looked to be full of promise, and our potential for additional achievement seemed to be unlimited. We had competed against those larger and more established nations, the USA, Great Britain and France…and we had finally rubbed shoulders as an equal.

And then when it couldn't get any better for Canada, or our future couldn't be any brighter, a lousy prime minister and a handful of nearsighted bureaucrats, who had long ago surrendered their man-card (© Debbie Schlussel) , threw away a decades worth of extraordinary Canadian prosperity and achievement.

And our next 50 years of promise.

So, there are still some, in Canada now, who actually think the Arrow "thing" wasn't such a big deal.

And that really was so long ago…you know…

These are the very same people who can't see the connection between causation, momentum, and dominance. These blighted types are those who naively, and wrongfully conclude, that America was always that great, world, superpower, we now see before us .

What they don't realize is that America emerged as the global frontrunner, because of just five short years of WW II participation, meeting and besting the challenge placed to them by their Axis foes. A challenge that had threatened their very existence as a free nation, and scared America out of their past isolationism and mediocracy. And America hasn't even had time to look back since.

So we'll never know what Canada could have been.

Our 10 years of excellence and cumulative technological advancement was brought to swift end on Black Friday: February 20, 1959.

Almost 50 years ago now…

With the ruination of Avro Canada by the obscure Canadian federal government of the day, we only know that "our moment" of critical mass and technological momentum, when reward would have compounded reward, conceived new visions, and forged new pathways, propelling us into an exciting and novel Canadian future, was ultimately, and finally lost.

Forever.

And that's it, folks…

Never. Did. Canada. Recover.

The Arrow wasn't just a plane, you dummies. It was our future ~


©CBC
© Brown Recluse Sings!
© SPIR
© Paul Cardin

DISCARDED! Bristol Bolingbroke!!

NO DOUBT about it.

Here, right before my eyes, is a discarded Bolingbroke. Blenheim to the UK crowd.

And so, while the CWH (Canadian Warplane Heritage) scours the earth for even a single legitimate part, here I have, right before me, HALF A BOLINGBROKE!!

HALF!

Welcome to the upside-down world–

As I hear gunplay ringing above my head, and past me, I realize it's time to go.

But hey…the sadness remains.

626 of these were built in Montreal, under license, by Fairchild Aircraft of Canada Ltd.

We were young once, and we shall never be again.

COLD WAR RCAF Sabre, CL-13. Complete with Orenda engines.

More U CONN Cheer!

U Conn…not Yukon, dummy–

Honestly.

Kaitlin Carey, Cheerleader, University of Connecticut.


NCAA 2009 International Bowl Final:

Buffalo Bulls 20 - Connecticut Huskies 38

The Way We Were ::: 1944 ::: CANADA

The GLOSTER METEOR I (pictured above) was the only Allied jet fighter to attain operational status during WW II.

Produced by the British aircraft company Gloster, this fighter jet entered service with the RAF in the summer of 1944. It actually beat the German Me-262 jet fighter (by a few days) to enter operational status thus becoming the first active fighter-jet of WW II.

Because of its high speed capability (585 mph) the Meteor was immediately employed to counterattack German V-1 Rockets that the Third Reich were launching against Britain on a daily basis.

TWO CANADIAN PILOTS flying Meteors for the RAF scored victories early on in this campaign.

August 16th, 1944 Flying Officer W. McKenzie (616 Squadron) shot down a V-1 that he intercepted while on patrol.

Then, on the very next day, Flying Officer Jack R. Ritch (also of the 616) happened upon two RAF Tempests that were attempting to shoot down another V-1. Soon enough they broke off chase and the V-1 continued on toward London, unchallenged.

Jack then pulled his Meteor fighter-jet right up behind the V-1 at a range of about 150 yards astern. A long machine gun burst was fired. The V-1 finally rolled over, proceeding to fly straight into the ground, and exploded, at just before 7 am, four miles southeast of Maidstone, which is only 38 miles from London, England.

This photo of a Gloster Meteor was taken in 1944 by a Canadian gal, and shows keen public interest in the "marvel" of Britain's FIRST JET.

This photo has had only very minor touch-up. Save that for later.


I own the copyright to this photo. All rights reserved.

:: University of Connecticut WINS!

Players from the University of Connecticut pictured HOISTING THE CUP…at the NCAA 2009 International Bowl in Toronto.

If you missed this NCAA event on January 3rd in mighty Toronto…well…you can go again next year. It was a great time…Americans get right into their football and you'll see many generations of college fans declaring their loyalties at the game.

If you're depressed or going through an existential crisis…this isn't the event for you! It's football and it's fun!!

Wait for the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival held annually in the town of Elmira, Ontario during the first week of March.

I repeat, the International Bowl was a great time. It was loud. The fans didn't quietly clap, like at a Jay's game…people actually ENJOYED themselves here!

And I noticed quite a few young Americans also exercising their rights by enjoying their ability to drink legally in Ontario, at a much earlier age, than back home.

The legal drinking age in the province of Ontario is 19.

In the province, next door to Ontario, Quebec…the legal drinking age of 19, remember…is only a suggestion!

NCAA International Bowl Final: Buffalo Bulls 20 - Connecticut Huskies 38

:: University of Connecticut WINS!

…the 2009 International Bowl held at the Rogers Centre in TORONTO on Saturday, January 3rd.

The Huskies STOMPED the Buffalo Bulls before a crowd of 40,184.

International Bowl Final: Buffalo Bulls 20 - Connecticut Huskies 38

And the way U CONN was playing…they coulda' smoked the Buffalo Bills also!

Hey, don't laugh!

Connecticut Running Back DONALD BROWN ran for 261 yards in the game, a career best, and became the 14th major-college player to hit the 2,000+ yard mark in a season.

He's got nothing left to prove at this level.

Don apologized after the game for reneging on his earlier promise to return for his senior year at U Conn. He's moving on to try-out for the NFL.

Hey, NFL tryouts start after…CFL try-outs, Donald…

You know, I'm just sayin'…

Here, U Conn Cheerleader Rachel Rutfield comes over, yet again, to ask me the time.



(kidding)

STILL ........no Arrow.

CANADA POST / POSTES CANADA has produced some great aviation stamps like the one above comemmorating 50 years of CIAS (Toronto) airshows in 1999...but still, no stamp, comemorating the glorious achievement of the Arrow.

And so the betrayal continues...

The Way We Were ::: 1942 ::: CANADA

"The Hurricane Mk 4 of Vintage Wings of Canada is painted in the markings of RAF 6 Squadron, “The Flying Tin Openers”, which operated the Hurry in the “tank- busting” and ground attack role.

Many Canadian pilots flew the cannon-equipped tank-buster variant with 6 Sqn. on operations in North Africa."

Vintage Wings of Canada

CANADIAN PILOTS practiced by flying these "Hurris" only 10 or so feet above the ground. The actual Hurricane used was a Mk IID which was never used as a fighter-plane. They were used for low-level bombing raids against tanks, supply trucks, and large artillery guns (88 mm anti-tank gun).

These HURRICANES were feared by the German Africa Korps because their twin 40 mm cannons could penetrate the very thick armour plating found on their medium to heavy desert tanks.

ALITALIA "flying protected"

ALITALIA in the air over Toronto on September 1, 2008.

On 29 August 2008 the Italian flagship airline, ALITALIA, filed for bankruptcy protection a day after Zoom made its business departure announcement, for similar economic viability reasons.

Who's ZOOMIN' Who?

The "City of Vancouver's" final indignity…to be stuck in the City of Toronto, actually Mississauga, because of sudden airline insolvency! Pictured here confined to the YYZ FEDEX apron.

Sad…Zoom has left the skies forever…

On 29 August 2008 the Italian flagship airline, ALITALIA filed for bankruptcy protection a day after Zoom made its business departure announcement, for similar economic viability reasons.

ALITALIA is still flying and will likely recover; Zoom won't.

From ZOOM Airlines

"Zoom Airlines sincerely regrets to advise its customers that it has suspended operations with effect from 19:00 hrs on Thursday 28 August 2008. Both Zoom Airlines Inc and Zoom Airlines Ltd, the Canadian and UK airlines, have started administration proceedings in their home countries.

Hugh and John Boyle, the founders of Zoom, said tonight: "We deeply regret the fact that we have been forced to suspend all Zoom operations. It is a tragic day for our passengers and more than 600 staff."

"We are desperately sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause passengers and those who have booked flights."

"The suspension of operations is a result of the exceptionally difficult trading conditions which have affected all airlines over the last 12 months. We have worked hard over the last seven years to build up a successful business but have incurred losses in the current year due to the unprecedented increase in the price of aviation fuel and the economic climate. The increase in the price of oil has added around $50 million to our annual operating costs and we could not recover that from passengers who had already booked their flights."

Out Of Pocket?

If your travel arrangements have been made as part of a holiday package originating in the Canada and booked through a holiday company, you may be able to make a claim under the TICO’s Compensation Fund. Please contact TICO at 1-888-451-8426 or (905) 624-6241 or email tico@tico.ca should you have any questions or require further clarification. For information on this, please consult www.tico.on.ca/

If your travel arrangements have been made as part of a holiday package originating in the UK and booked through a holiday company, you may be able to make a claim under the CAA's Air Travel Organiser's Licence scheme. For information on this, please consult the CAA ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have indicated that they will be offering special fares to customers whose travel plans have been affected by Zoom's suspension of flights. Please visit www.ba.com or www.virgin-atlantic.com for full details.

Things Sure Looked Good

SEE: www.wrightdesign.co.uk/portfolio_zoom.html

The Way We Were ::: 1958 ::: CANADA

REFLECTIONS on Contemporary Music…back in the day–

From AVRO Newsmagazine, October 10th, 1958…here's what a random spackling of AVRO Canada employees thought of the "new" music of the late 50s.

THE MAN Who Hated Airplanes

RON, my brother actually hated airplanes.

Bit of an oddball in our family because of that disposition.

"If those damn things (Maritime Command aircraft) weren't landing and taking off day and night..."

But such was life in Greenwood, Nova Scotia in the 50s... at RCAF Station Greenwood.

Here my brother, Ron, and his new American wife Terry, elope, somewhere in Alabama in the late 60s.

The Way We Were ::: 1960 ::: CANADA

The AVROCAR…Canada's Flying Saucer - the World's Only, Ever…

In 1953, US military officials visited AVRO Canada to view Canada’s new fighter-jet, the CF-100 Canuck.

“Jack” Frost, known formerly outside of AVRO Canada as John Frost, Chief Designer of the de Havilland Hornet (basically, a better Mosquito), and Swallow project, who had also worked on the famed Vampire, and had been working on “stuff” at Avro Canada since 1947 wanted to share his SPG work with the visiting USAF and defense “delegation”.

These US defense staff had only come up to see Canada’s newest fighter, but they walked away seeing a hellva’ lot more.

Frost took them over to the Schaeffer Building where the Special Projects Group of AVRO Canada was located.

Here security guards, numerous locked doors, and special pass cards were a way of life. And here the unsuspecting delegates were introduced to Project Y.

Project Y was a wooden mock-up of a flying saucer capable of flying 1,500 mph and climbing vertically.

VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing)!

The Americans were astounded.

Still, they musta' reasoned, the Canadians had accomplished a lot in recent years…Avro Canada had already produced North America’s first jetliner (five years before America’s first, the Boeing’s 707), they had just seen the brand new Canadian jet fighter, and now here, right before their eyes was Canada’s ultra-secretive Project Y.

It was all too much.

But wait Frost continued…there’s more!

So the now, the very interested Americans, were introduced to the Y-2 Project and the Avrocar venture as well.

Again, it was all too much.

But Frost’s gamble paid off…and out came the USAF (and later the US Army's) chequebook. "Jack" had shown the USAF, secret drawings and items, other Avro Canada executive, then in attendance, didn't even know about!

The USAF was so interested in these projects, they later took over all the funding of AVRO Canada’s Special Project Group, and consequently the Y Projects.

So, in February of 1959 when the Arrow related projects (the Avro Arrow I and II and the Orenda Iroquois engine) were cancelled, and all 13,000 AVRO Canada employees were terminated and thrown out of work, Avro’s Special Project Group soldiered on, alone. There the SPG worked now, in those big empty buildings, where the Arrow and the Iroquois were now only a whisper, until March of 1961 when their US funding was finally exhausted.

The USAF formally cancelled the Avrocar and the WS-606A Supersonic VTOL programs, as they were officially known in December 1961.

ABOVE, the Avrocar flies at YYZ, Malton Regional Airport then, sometime in 1960.