Mailed by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope, Ontario, FEBRUARY 2016 A PUBLICATION OF CANADIAN WARPLANE HERITAGE MUSEUM L0R 1W0 David Ippolito – Honourary Colonel Investiture Ceremony

ple located in Canada, the military heritage and became the By Dave Rohrer United States, and Mexico, with key financial contributors to the over 300-million dollars in an - ongoing complete restoration of n December 7, 2015 nual gross revenues. a Grumman Tracker aircraft at David Ippolito, CWH As a successful business the museum which was flown Board of Director, cur - leader in the community David by the Royal Canadian Navy on Orent B-25 pilot and a great sup - has been asked to serve on HMCS Bonaventure and subse - pOorter of the museum, was many Boards of Directors and quently by the Royal Canadian appointed as an Honourary community committees and has Air Force at 880 Squadron in Colonel of the RCAF 8 Wing always been generous in volun - CFB Summerside. Trenton ATESS (Aerospace and teering both his time and re - David will be at the controls Telecommunications Engineer - sources to assist and serve on of this aircraft when it is ready ing Support Squadron). these important initiatives. to fly later this year. David was born and raised in David is currently an active In honour of the 120,000 Burlington, Ontario and after Director of the Canadian War - Bomber Command veterans completing his education joined plane Heritage Museum located who served in WW II which in - the Ippolito Fruit and Produce at the Hamilton International cluded about 40,000 Canadians Company, a family business Airport which is a not-for-profit and the 55,573 airmen includ - started by grandparents in the non-government funded organ - ing 10,659 Canadians who did 1940s. ization and Canada’s largest fly - not return, the museum flew the After the passing of his fa - ing museum. last flying Canadian built Lan - Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Director appointed as Honourary ther in 1996, David along with As a professional pilot who caster to the UK in 2014 to join Colonel of RCAF 8 Wing Trenton. Congratulations to Colonel Ippolito his brother Joel assumed control on this significant accomplishment! holds both an Airline Transport the only other flying Lancaster Photo courtesy Suddenly SeeMore…Productions Inc. of the company and introduced Rating and Commercial Rotary in the world which is owned many new and innovative ad - Wing License, David is current and operated by the RAF Battle vancements in the food produc - on both corporate jet and heli - of Britain Memorial Flight at project, together with his wife entrepreneur, a talented profes - tion, processing and preparation copter aircraft, as well as, being RAF Coningsby. Marilyn provided the seed fund - sional pilot, and an involved business. Over the last 19 years a Senior Captain on the mu - The seven-week tour of the ing for the documentary and community leader, David is also these improvements have re - seum’s B-25 Mitchell Bomber, UK was seen by millions of contacted their personal friend an avid sportsman and enjoys sulted in a local Canadian com - which he displayed this year people and was a true act of re - Morgan Elliot, a highly re - many seasonal sporting activi - pany growing from an operation with the Lancaster at “AirVen - membrance that will likely garded professional in the in - ties and hobbies. that employed 30 people with a ture” in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, never be repeated. As such, dustry to produce the doc- David and his wife, Doctor 10-million dollar annual gross the largest air show in North David immediately understood umentary Reunion of Giants Marilyn Gregus, reside in the revenue to a fully vertically in - America. the importance of capturing this which is now available on DVD local Ancaster area and they tegrated international agricul - Both David and his brother epic journey in a documentary for all to see. have four children, Tyler, Sean, tural and logistics enterprise that Joel are strong supporters of the and when museum funds were In addition to being a com - Greg, and Leah, and a first today employs over 1,000 peo - Canadian Armed Forces and our not available to allocate to this mitted family man, a successful granddaughter, Vaida.

Training Units (OTUs) in Canada. As a Squadron Gunner, he filled in for killed, absent, injured or tour-expired reg - ular gunners for 35 operations. On 13 Sept. ’44 he was permanently assigned to Cy Poissant’s crew, replacing his gunner who, after suffering a breakdown, had left the Squadron. This 25 Nov. ’44 operation was Ole’s 48th. During his six months of operational CWH B-25 experience he had seen 34 Squadron mates Mitchell. killed, three become Prisoners of War and numerous others hospitalized with flak Photo wounds. courtesy Darren His position in the aircraft, with head in Harbar the turret between two .50-calibre machine Photography guns, was flanked by the incredible sound of two 1,700-horsepower engines that did little to distract from the furious flak bar - rages sent up by German gunners with the seemingly sole purpose of killing him. While traversing his turret in search of Luftwaffe and reporting flak bursts, Ole ‘Ole’ Olson during his 22 ops with composed poems to keep his mind from Nevin Filby’s RAAF crew. By David Poissant dwelling on what might happen; he wrote Photo courtesy George Olson them down after returning to base and they later became a book. le’s stomach churned with He had seen, on 08 Sept. ’44, Mitchell new fury; suspended in his VO-B explode upon landing at Dunsfold, mid-upper turret, con - killing the crew just minutes from safety. lack of stantly searching for the enemy lack of O Two days later he penned the poem ‘No figOhters he hoped would not appear, Place to Hide’ that would become the title he was painfully aware of the inten - of his postwar book. sity increasing with each operation. Eighteen-year-old George ‘Ole’ “…There is no cover for you to hide be - mmoorraall Olson earned his Air Gunner qualifi - hind cation at No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery Or a slit trench in which you can hide School, MacDonald, MB 28 Jan. ’44; No safe haven up there for you to find by 07 June ’44, the day after D-Day, Where you could take refuge inside…” he was a ‘Squadron Gunner’ attached “Cy, my stomach’s killing me” Ole said ffiibbrree to 98 Squadron RAF at Dunsfold, Sur - into the intercom. “You better talk to the rey, flying in B-25 Mitchell bombers. Medical Officer when we get back” Cy ad - Due to a shortage of Air Gunners, vised. That raid was on the Marshalling the RCAF/RAF commands had rushed Yards South of Rheydt; the flak was accu - (lmf) Olson and other trained Air Gunners rate, intense; the windshield was shattered. (lmf) directly to operational units, bypassing the usual ‘crewing up’ at Operational • continued on page 3 2 CWH FLIGHTLINES FEBRUARY 2016

UMK theature spereumimere’ osf ReNunioen wof Gsi anBts riefs

November 23, 2015 – While not quite to the same scale as the fabulous Canadian Premiere by Cineplex at 23 theatres across the country, the invitation only UK Theatrical Premiere was no less poignant. Hosted in Woodhall Spa (our base of operations for the 2014 Lancaster UK Tour) at the Cin - ema in the Woods, Veterans fea - tured in the film, Vernon Morgan and James Flowers, Cineplex donates $50,000 to CWHM were in attendance as well as a contingent from the Battle of Cineplex Entertainment has Britain Memorial Flight, Just donated $50,000 to the Canadian Jane and the Canadian Lancaster Warplane Heritage Museum, flight crew. whose Avro Lancaster bomber The following day, there was was featured in a documentary en - a ticketed screening for the gen - titled Reunion of Giants debuting eral public. In attendance for this at select theatres November 11. screening was the Canadian Lan - As depicted in the film, it had caster flight crew. been 50 years since two Avro Lan - Only one Veteran was in at - caster bombers flew in formation. tendance – Harry Bontoft, Lan - The Canadian Warplane Heritage caster wireless operator and his Museum’s Avro Lancaster, known moving speech during the ques - as VeRA, flew from Hamilton, tion and answer session after the Ontario to meet her British coun - film rightfully stole the show! terpart, Thumper – the only other One question that came up surviving flightworthy Lancaster was “when are you coming bomber in the world. back?” Answer: “When Just Jane Cineplex’s $50,000 donation flies!” coincided with a special free Canadian Lancaster flight crew at the UK pre - screening of Reunion of Giants would be available. We’re miere with veteran Lancaster wireless opera - on the big screen at 23 theatres pleased to debut this film to hon - tor Harry Bontoft. across the country this past Re - our our veterans.” membrance Day. “Cineplex is a “The kind and generous sup - proud Canadian company and we port of Cineplex, an outstanding know that our donation to the home grown Canadian company, Canadian Warplane Heritage Mu - is invaluable to the Canadian seum will support the preserva - Warplane Heritage Museum in tion of important artifacts from our mission to honour the service, our country’s history,” said Pat duty and sacrifice of our veterans Marshall, Vice-President, Com - who have served Canada so munications and Investor Rela - proudly. Thank you most sin - tions, Cineplex Entertainment. cerely for this key and vital finan - “Since we announced the Re - cial assistance,” said David G. union of Giants screenings earlier Rohrer, President and CEO, in the summer, we’ve had count - Canadian Warplane Heritage Mu - Veterans featured in the film, Vernon Morgan and James Flow - less inquiries about when tickets seum and Lancaster pilot. ers, with Morgan Elliott, Reunion of Giants producer. CWHM President/CEO David G. Rohrer ad - Photos courtesy of Darren Harbar Photography dresses audience with VeRA crew.

UK author Tom Allett (left) is seen interviewing David G. Rohrer, the main person behind the trip actually taking place. Official UK tour book in the works

While the Canadian Lancaster flight crew were back in England for the Reunion of Giants premiere, they spent a day of their trip con - ducting interviews with author Tom Allett for the official tour book. While the Reunion of Giants tells only one story in 83 minutes, there are so many great stories to be told and many unseen photos to be published from the tour. With a working title of “Once in a Lanc Time”, the official Lancaster UK tour book is scheduled for release Canadian Warplane Heritage Lancaster pilots. David Rohrer and Lancaster veteran James Flowers. in late 2016.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Printed as a supplement to Flightlines COPA Flight for the Canadian Published by Owners and Pilots Association and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. CWH FLIGHTLINES FEBRUARY 2016 3

From the desk of the President and CEO

By David G. Rohrer As I review the 2015 year of activities at the CWH it is ap - parent that as a group our accomplishments last year were quite impressive once again. From the 70th VE Dinner Dance with 101 WW II Veterans in attendance as well as John Mc - Dermott, Ashley MacIssac, Ted Barris, The RHLI Concert Dance Band, to the Lancaster Day last July with 11 Lancaster Veterans present, to an air show with the Darnell’s Jet Truck / B-25 Race to Remembrance Day with our Guest Speaker General Tom Lawson, to the release of the Reunion of Giants documentary, it was a very good year. Consequently as we start anew in 2016 let us all remember how privileged we are to be contributors to this rich Canadian aviation history at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. In 2016 we will see the addition of the Avenger Mk. 3 and George and Jo Olson now live in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Norseman Mk.V aircraft to our flying program, as well as, the Fleet 21 aircraft. Additionally we will continue to add many events and functions at the museum through our catering and • continued from the front page Café business, with new lines of goods and products through Lack of Moral Fibre our internet and retail operations and expanded sources of revenue through our planned giving programs; “Keep’em Fly - Ground crew would count 94 flak they were shamed by the loss of and flying brevet and a posting to ing campaign, Lancaster Support Club activities and growing holes. rank and privileges. a demeaning job in an unpleasant corporate sponsorship and support initiatives. Ole reported his troubles to “Aircrew who were judged to part of the country. All in all we will likely face many of the same challenges the M.O. who, after a long con - have exhibited LMF were given Hostilities-only officers were we have in the past and perhaps some new challenges in versation and examination, deter - no opportunity to redeem them - cashiered and drafted into the 2016, but I know that the same Canadian spirit, ingenuity, mined that Ole’s nerves would selves, many being discharged army as privates. Officers with know how, and determination that we have inherited from our not take another flak barrage. The from the service as expeditiously permanent commissions would rich Canadian aviation pioneers will help us to meet and ex - crew was declared tour-expired. as possible. The calculated use of be ‘invited’ to resign. In all cir - ceed our goals for the new year. When I asked George about stigma gave the policy force, and cumstances, whether officer or With the team we have at the Canadian Warplane Heritage the experience, he told me that the label ‘LMF’ was designed to NCO, their files were marked Museum, I expect 2016 to be another safe, successful, and the medical staff were very un - differentiate cases from psychi - with a large red W for ‘Wa - exciting year, so strap in and hold on – we are about to lift off derstanding; they listened atten - atric diagnoses such as flying verer.’ Those retained for ‘Air - once again for the wild blue yonder! tively, asked a few questions and stress, aeroneurosis, or aviator’s crew Refreshing’ faced three Per Ardua Ad Astra soon told him that his tour was neurasthenia. weeks of parade square bashing, complete. “These disorders, like shell hours of day and night runs, It was not always so in the shock in the First World War, at - courses in airmanship, law, dis - wartime RAF; just a short time tracted popular sympathy and cipline and administration; aircrew to one of a number of were available, as was the best of before, Ole’s problem had a very carried an entitlement to a war physical training and unarmed convalescent centres for psychi - food. Airmen who showed little good chance of being considered pension, which the authorities combat, weaponry, hygiene and atric care: Rauceby, Lincolnshire sign of recovery were sent home ‘Lack of Moral Fibre’, a moniker were keen to avoid. However, the personal sanitation. and Warneclife Hospital, without shame. created to dissuade aircrew from general causes of shell shock and Judgments were handed down Sheffield. The RCAF had their As the air war against Ger - voicing such things. LMF were the same: exposure to, regardless of an airman’s experi - own facility at Hackwood Park, many turned in favour of the Al - In the Journal of Military His - or the immediate prospect of, ence. Men who had completed a Basingstoke. The greatest num - lies, the RAF Senior Command tory, Edgar Jones states in his life-threatening experiences.” tour and reached their breaking ber of cases were sent to the softened their views on stress. paper ‘LMF: The Use of Psychi - The referenced assessment point during a second when they Rockside Hospital at Matlock, The British Commonwealth Air atric Stigma in the Royal Air centres included the ‘Aircrew refused to fly were still consid - Derbyshire. A third recovered Training Plan was supplying air - Force During the Second World Refresher School’ at RAF Nor - ered to be lacking in moral fibre. sufficiently to return to ops. crew at a rate that created excess War’: “Lack of Moral Fibre, an ton in Sheffield, described by au - This shocking lack of logic was The U.S. 8th Air Force took a numbers. There was also, no administrative term rather than a thor Kevin Wilson in his soon changed so that no airman more enlightened view. Airmen doubt, a fear of post war public psychiatric diagnosis, first ap - excellent book Men of Air . For who had completed a tour could showing signs of stress were sent reaction to such harsh treatment peared in an Air Ministry policy NCOs, a quick interview with be considered LMF. to rest homes, usually in requisi - of many gallant men. proposal to deter aircrew from re - their commanding officer was Less heavy-handed command - tioned country houses. Extensive It appears, given the results of porting sick without due cause or followed by a stripping of rank ing officers could send selected sport and amusement facilities a 1945 Air Ministry survey, that simply refusing to fly. First Operational Commanders suggested in March 1940 held a much more enlight - and formally introduced in ened view of nervous ten - April, it was a response to sion than did Senior rising psychiatric casualties Inset Command. Just 4,059 air - from the early operations photo, men and officers had their below: files submitted for classifi - of Bomber and Coastal Courtesy Commands. D. Poissant cation as LMF during the “Facing the threat of in - collection war; and of those 2,726 vasion and presented with were actually branded LMF. a shortage of aircrew, a On 04 Dec. ’44 George group of senior RAF offi - ‘Ole’ Olson, along with cers decided to impose se - RCAF crewmates Cy Pois - vere penalties on those sant and Peter Ryan, who lost the confidence of boarded his last Air Force their operational com - flight (a Dakota) from RAF manders without an exten - Aerodrome B-58 Mels - uating reason. As a general broek to Swanton Morley deterrent, driven by the be - upon completion of Tour, posted to No. 3 Personnel lief the anxiety was conta - Ole’s final crew, pictured, from left: Cy Poissant, Peter Ryan, Fred Bing, and Ole. Fred would be re - gious, the RAF sent those placed (sinus problems) by Trevor Grice (inset). Photo courtesy Peter Ryan collection Reception Centre to begin suspected of LMF to as - the journey home to sessment centres where Canada. 4 CWH FLIGHTLINES FEBRUARY 2016

Of the 12,731 Flying Fortresses built only 12 are still in flying condition.

Photos courtesy Garry Balsdon

N Flying in a B-17... THE protective guns – hence the tle, Lockheed in Burbank, and Characteristics of By Ted Lowrey name “Flying Fortress.” However Douglas in Long Beach. The the B-17 the need for the heavy bombers of much upgraded B-17s E, F and G A Our visual image of a B-17 is ith our CWH Mu - WW II was not yet anticipated; now used four Wright Cyclone very few B- of a B-17 E, or later model. They seum’s ever-so-special the power, the load capacity, and engines: turbo-supercharged, 17s were used for trans - carried an enormous tail that Lancaster bomber as the armament of the B-17 E, the nine-cylinder, single-row config- port, search and air-sea rescue, or started just aft of the radio opera - tWhe centrepiece of our museum, B-17 F, and the B-17 G were still uration, air-cooled, radials, at other purposes. Indeed just re - tor’s position and rose massively aWnd the opportunity it offers for a long way off. Only 134 B-17s, 1,200 horsepower each. Each en - cently our CWH Archives Cura - to the back of the aircraft. It gave people/members to fly in it, we prototype to D model, had been gine had a 30-gallon oil tank. tor, Erin Napier, wrote in our the aircraft a high degree of con - can’t help but be aware of the ex - built by late 1941. During WW II, for long-range Plane Talk about the RCAF ac - trol and stability for bombing istence of other Allied heavy In 1941, when the United flights/raids the fuel capacity was quiring six used, stripped of ar - from high altitudes (If you see a bombers available on a similar States became part of the WW II 3,000 gallons. 12,597 upgraded mament, B-17 Es and Fs, in 1943, picture of a B-17 with a small tail basis as our Lancaster. Allied bombing effort, then two B-17s were built at the three to be used to transport mail to our it’s an early model). In July of 2013 our museum parts of the B-17 story changed western factories. (The last B-17 forces overseas. What else did the late model had as a guest the B-17 Sentimen - quickly. American production was built July 28, 1945). Erin wrote of the positive ef - B-17s have that made them so tal Journey. It was flown to our quantity and speed produced A major part of the B-17 use fect this mail, carried by B-17s, useful to the “Combined Bomber museum for a week’s visit. huge numbers of B-17s. Also im - in WW II was the “Combined would have had on our overseas Offensive” against German tar - Flights were sold in the B-17. provements in the original design Bomber Offensive” – American forces. (I know of this positive ef - gets? It truly was a “fortress”. Within two days a full week’s were implemented to improve the bombers during the day, and fect. My father was stationed in Each successive model carried flights had been booked. aircraft dramatically. British Commonwealth bombers India and Burma in 1944 and more armament for protection When I became aware of a The B-17s were to be built in at night – against German indus - 1945. My mother wrote him eight against enemy fighters. Also B- flight opportunity in 2015 from three factories – Boeing in Seat - trial targets. letters every week). 17s eventually flew in large, the nearby London, Ontario air - close formations so they could port in another B-17 Flying defend each other from enemy Fortress, Yankee Lady, I booked fighter attack. a flight, – and began researching From a pilot’s standpoint they this article. were very stable, and well suited to close formation flying. Also, WW II Heavy Bombers they had the ability to fly above The first thing I looked up was the effective range of German the numbers of Allied heavy anti-aircraft guns (Maximum al - bombers built, and numbers still titude for a B-17 was 35,000 airworthy. The numbers are: feet). • Lancaster – 7,377 built, and Not only were they well- only two still airworthy, with only armed the B-17 could absorb one available for people/member huge damage, and engine loss, flights; and still get back to home base. • Flying Fortress – 12,731 There is a story circulating about built, and 12 still airworthy (10 in a WW II B-17 crewman whose the United States and two in Eu - aircraft made it back to base after rope), some of which are avail - a raid on Germany. Only two en - able for flights; gines were working, and the B-17 • Other WW II Allied bomber sustained 179 battle damage hits. build numbers are B-24 Liberator In 2010 the veteran airman wrote - 18,482; the Halifax - 6,176; and a letter to Boeing, telling them the the B-29 Superfortress - 3,970. story of his B-17, and thanking (1945 records list the cost of them for “. . . making such a good one B-17 as $238,329. For that airplane.” price in 1945 one could buy four Initial B-17 raids against Ger - Mustangs, or almost three Dako - man military and industrial sites – tas). aircraft assembly plants, aircraft engine factories, and ball-bearing B-17, Flying Fortress, history plants – had high losses. Tight Its first flight was July 28, formation flights hadn’t been per - 1935. The first model flew with fected. Aircraft lacked nose pro - four 750-horsepower Pratt and tection from head-on attacks. Whitneys. It was advanced for its B-17 carried an enormous tail that started just aft of the radio operator’s position and rose massively to the back day, especially with its number of of the aircraft. • continued on next page CWH FLIGHTLINES FEBRUARY 2016 5

B-17... then • continued from previous page

Fighter escorts – often P-47 scrap. Again, of the 12,731 Fly - Thunderbolts – didn’t have the ing Fortresses built only 12 are range to accompany bombers to still in flying condition. (The in - their targets, (and so German formation I have is that none of fighters would wait just beyond the 12 flying today actually saw the escorts’ range). As an exam - WW II military service, although ple of loss, in a daylight raid on some are named after B-17s that October 14, 1943, of 291 attack - had a combat record). ing B-17s, 60 were shot down, 5 crashed on return to England, and The B-17; “Yankee Lady” 12 more were scrapped upon re - The restoration of the Yankee turn. One hundred and twenty- Air Museum’s B-17 – the Yankee two bombers needed repair Lady – very closely parallels the before they could fly again. Only restoration of our Canadian War - 33 returned undamaged. plane Heritage Museum’s Lan - Of the 2,900 airmen involved caster – in terms of history, in the raid 650 didn’t return. 300 usage, and contribution of volun - German fighters did incredible teers. Here’s some of the story of damage. the restoration of Yankee Lady. Of the over 12,700 B-17s The B-17 G was made by built, more than 5,000 were lost Lockheed in Burbank, California. in combat. It was delivered to the American However in late 1943, the military July 14, 1945. Like our final B-17 upgrade – the B- Lancaster it was no longer needed 17G – came into service, with for WW II bombing operations. even more defensive armament, By September, 1945, it and other especially in the previously vul - just-built B-17s were placed in nerable nose section. Also the P- storage, in Texas, never having 51 Mustang fighter, with its flown any combat missions. long-range capabilities, could In 1946 it was put back into now provide fighter escort, all American service, for air-sea res - the way to the target and back. cue and other maritime duties. Eventually B-17 loss rates were Guns and turrets were no longer so low that replacement aircraft needed and were removed. Bomb for B-17 squadrons were no capacity was no longer a neces - The B-17 G “Yankee Lady” underwent an extensive rebuild. Photo courtesy Garry Balsdon longer needed. sity; instead it could carry a ton- In comparison with our CWH and-a-half, 27-foot-long, wooden Lancaster, the B-17G was much life boat, that could be air- The B-17 G underwent an ex - been removed were replaced, if It is thought that there was not heavier. It carried a smaller bomb dropped to people in maritime tensive rebuild. Of course the possible with still-obtainable vin - a Yankee Lady flying in WW II load. Also it was less powerful by difficulty. It stayed in that duty main goal was to have an aircraft tage units. service. The name and the nose 400 horsepower per engine. until 1958. that would fly with complete As those who work on our art were created to represent what Rather than the Lancaster In May of 1959 the B-17 was safety. For example every electri - CWH Museum floor would well was typical of many WW II Al - crew of seven, the B-17 carried sold – for $5,997.93 – and used cal wire and all hoses were re - know, much of the restoration lied bombers. a crew of 10, adding a co-pilot for aerial survey work, and later placed with new ones. Two was done by volunteers, whose The Yankee Air Museum B- and two gunners (Unlike a WW as a water-bomber and crop- engines had to be completely re - love of WW II vintage aircraft 17 flies today with a crew of II Lancaster, it really was a two- sprayer. built. gave them reason to donate their three, and an additional 12 en - pilot aircraft, requiring a skilled In June of 1986 it was pur - But a secondary goal was to skills and time to the restoration thusiasts. and active co-pilot assisting the chased, in flying condition, by bring it back as close to “1945 of an exquisite B-17 Flying pilot). the Yankee Air Museum. It was bomber condition” as possible. Fortress. And we all know that when flown to the Willow Run airport Floors and bulkheads that had Its first post-restoration WW II was over fighters and in Michigan. It landed July 2, been changed for its post-war flight was July 13, bombers – those beautiful Lancs, 1986 – and didn’t fly again for usage were moved back to origi - 1995. B-17s, et al, – were cut up for nine years. nal placement. All turrets that had now Flying in a B-17... &

with structural features. I stayed in one lo - By Ted Lowrey cation, close to our entrance door, and close to the And now it was time for Gary and I to drive to waist guns (Every passenger, as they passed the guns, nowing I would be flying in the Yankee Air London, Ontario, and fly, in 2015, in a WW II B-17 G would stop and check the view through the gun sights). Museum B-17, in early August, when I was Flying Fortress. After the flight, as I left the aircraft, I noticed a small given the opportunity on July 23rd to fly in our The London airport is a few kilometers off Highway plaque on the door in memory of the 79,265 B-17 crew CKanadian Warplane Heritage Dakota (as part of our 401; because the road signage is frequent the airport is members who lost their lives during WW II. vKery special Summer Camp Program). I enjoyed the easy to find. When the Yankee Air Museum B-17 It was a delightful flight, well worth the trip to Lon - flight, and the contrast between flying in two quite dif - comes to London it operates out of the Jet Aircraft Mu - don (I did miss our museum’s protocol of giving each ferent aircraft within a few weeks of each other seum, near the edge of the airport property. “passenger” a Certificate of Flight, to be signed by the On the 23rd our Dak was flown by Bill Craig and Now – not during WW II – Yankee Lady flies with pilot and co-pilot). Sten Palbom. a crew of three – pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer. It I have two final thoughts about the location of the Remembering the fact that the B-17 had a reputation carries 12 “passengers.” Cost per person per flight is flights out of London – the Jet Aircraft Museum. for being very stable at high altitudes, (and therefore $450 U.S. A flight has a half-hour of actual flying time. The museum owns, and offers/sells rides in its BAC could fly in close, protective, formations) the flight in A flight will occur if there are as few as six passengers; Jet Provost Mk 4. It flew with a “passenger” when I our Dak offered quite a contrast. As Bill and Sten flew with less than six the museum would lose money. was flying in the B-17. the Dak along the Lake Ontario shoreline east to In 2015, from May to September, Yankee Lady was And, in the corner of the museum is a display dedi - Toronto, around the CN Tower, and back to Hamilton scheduled for 120 “passenger” flights from 11 different cated to Canadian participation in unlimited class hy - International Airport, the ride was rather “bumpy,“ with locations. The Yankee Air Museum flight booking per - droplane racing. the aircraft needing minor direction corrections. son is Dave Wright – available at phone number 1-734- Most people are unaware that one of Canada’s most After the flight I asked Bill Craig if that was typical 483-4030, ext. 236. successful hydroplane racers was band leader Guy of Dakotas, and would the flight in the B-17 be much From start-up to shut-down was 3/4 of an hour; ac - Lombardo. One of his racers is on display – a racer smoother. Bill was quick to explain to me that the tual flight time was a full half-hour. We flew south from built of wood, with an aluminum bottom skin, powered “bumpiness” was a result of mechanical turbulence London out over Lake Erie and back. by a 2,400-horsepower Allison aircraft engine. caused by ground effect weather influences on that par - One difference I noticed between flying in the B-17 The display also made reference to Canada’s most ticular day. He stressed that on a day when none of and flying in our CWH Lancaster was the noise level talented unlimited class hydroplane racer – the late Bob these weather influences are present the Dak is a de - in flight. Our Lanc absolutely requires ear/noise pro - Hayward. Before Bob Hayward raced boats he was a lightfully easy aircraft to fly. It has no bad habits. tection, – the B-17 not so. (Garry Balsdon noted that drag racer. This author raced against Bob Hayward at Bill went on to explain to me that aircraft are more with each B-17 Wright Cyclone engine the exhaust ex - the Kohler drag strip. I came second. stable, (and modern jets more fuel efficient as well), ited through one pipe, at the bottom of the engine. Our flying at higher altitudes – around 10,000 feet or Lanc’s Merlins exhaust directly from each cylinder higher – where they are free of ground effect weather head through very short straight pipes. It was a delightful morning and early afternoon for influences. The B-17’s ride was very smooth, in spite of rather Garry and myself, (in spite of the threatening weather). Bill said that he doubted that the B-17 flight I would inclement weather. One could not help but look out, see Both of us were well received by the Yankee Air Mu - be going on would reach higher altitudes, but he con - the huge and graceful wings, and think that they con - seum people. Garry took some great pictures, especially firmed to me that B-17s, as well as other WW II air - tributed to the smooth flight. when he was given a tour of the interior of Yankee craft, flying at higher altitudes (where oxygen masks Contrasting with our Lanc, which allows easy Lady. I enjoyed my flight in the B-17. And the Jet Air - would be required), would be quite stable, and rela - movement inside the aircraft, provided you can swing craft Museum was interesting; their people treated their tively easy to fly in close formation. over the main spar, the B-17’s interior seems broken up visitors with appreciation for their presence. 6 CWH FLIGHTLINES FEBRUARY 2016 OOuurr nneeww DDaakkoottaa -- FFZZ669922 ‘‘KKwwiicchheerrbbiicchheenn’’ CC--GGRRSSBB

CWHM’s new Douglas C-47 Dakota Mk. III, FZ692.

hile preparing the interior of our new Dakota for conversion from its current configuration Development tWo a more historic look, several signatures wWere discovered behind some panels. One is dated February 27, 1945. We will Office update do further research to see if we can un - cover any more details. Douglas C-47 Dakota Mk. III, FZ692, By Pamela Rickards, Vice President - Operations was built by Douglas in the United States in 1943 and was delivered to the RAF in I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who Several signatures were discovered behind some panels, one is February 1944. The aircraft served with have been thoughtful enough to include us in your wills. In dated Feb. 27, 1945. 233 Squadron at RAF Blakehill Farm recent years we have been the very fortunate beneficiary of until September 1944 when it was trans - several of our members who were kind enough to think of ferred to 437 Squadron RCAF. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and our constant fi - FZ692 was painted olive drab green nancial struggles. all over and shortly before D-Day had the We are planning several special events here at the mu - black and white ‘invasion stripes’ added seum during 2016, including a fundraising concert featur - for identification purposes. ing John McDermott, special aviation days and car shows, The stripes on the rear fuselage cov - to name a few. With the many fundraising events that are ered the ‘5T-UK’ squadron code letters so held here at the museum, I would like to suggest that you the aircraft’s individual letters ‘UK’ were bookmark our website www.warplane.com and visit regu - transcribed onto the nose (This is not, larly to keep up-to-date on the happenings here at Mount therefore, an indication of the aircraft or Hope. unit’s nationality). FZ692 was named ‘Kwicherbichen’ Many of our supporters have helped fund our museum in and this was painted on the port side of a variety of ways, including planned gifts, memorials, in-kind the nose under the cockpit. Just behind gifts and cash donations. If you would like any information the port cockpit window was a block of on planned giving, please do not hesitate to contact me. symbols detailing the ‘ops’ it had flown. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is proud to recog - FZ692 survived the war and recently nize those supporters who have made significant contribu - joined the collection at the Canadian tions to our museum of the past few months and we are Warplane Heritage Museum. pleased to add the following to our donor walls: Memorial Hangar Doors - $1,000 - $4,999 F/O Harry Prior Farr, 434 Bluenose Sqdn., Much Loved! F/O Harland Boyd Akerman, RCAF, For King and Country W/O Gordon A.C. Eby, RCAF flew with RAF 101 Sqdn, DFC Oct.2, 1944 – died 1957 F/S Mark Kerr RAF Volunteer 236 Sqdn., died April 20, 1944 W. David Barnes, Bison Squadron RCAF In Memory of Flt/Sgt Howard “Bud” Watson, Air Gunner 427 Sqdn. W. David Barnes, Bison Squadron, RCAF In Memory of our Uncle Allan McIntost, RCAF 1954 – 1957

Life Members now include: Peter Smith Thomas Savage Clare J. Short James Walters

FZ692 was named ‘Kwicherbichen’ shortly before D-Day. CWH FLIGHTLINES FEBRUARY 2016 7

at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Gift Shop CF-18AF-18A HHornetornet Shhortort SSunderlandunderland MMk.k. IIIIII 2015 RCAF Demo Team, ‘Battle of Britain Anniversary’

EJ134 - 461 Squadron RAAF, 1943 1/72 scale diecast by Corgi 1/72 scale diecast by Hobby Master $329.99 $119.99 (*extra $10 shipping charge due to size)

Noorthrth AmericanAmerican PP-51D-51D MMustangustang Avrovro LancasterLancaster RCAF 424 Sqdn., RCAF 419 Sqdn., KB726 VR-A Mount Hope, ON, 1950 1/72 scale diecast by Corgi $199.99 (*extra $10 shipping charge due to size) 1/48 scale diecast LAST by Hobby Master CHANCE! $109.99 SALE $94.99 Less than 100 left in stock!

Exclusively available from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum de Havilland Tiger Moth, RCAF 8922 de Havilland Canada Chipmunk, RCAF 18035 by Aviation 72 - 1/72 scale diecast by Aviation 72 - 1/72 scale diecast

Limited editions. Month of release and prices TBA.

CANADIAN WARPLANE HERITAGE MUSEUM GIFT SHOP HAMILTON AIRPORT, 9280 AIRPORT RD., MOUNT HOPE, ONTARIO, L0R 1W0 Call today: 905-679-4183 Ext. 232 or Toll Free 1-877-347-3359 Ext. 232 Fax 905-679-4186 E-mail: [email protected] • All prices subject to applicable taxes • Visit us at www.warplane.com 8 CWH FLIGHTLINES FEBRUARY 2016

There are only two Avro Lancasters left flying in the world today and when they joined and flew together, it was... HISTORY IN THE MAKING

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is pleased to present

83 minutes, Colour, Aspect ratio 16:9, PCM Stereo The Official Lancaster and 5.1 surround sound. UK Tour Documentary! It had been 50 years since two Avro Lancaster bombers flew side by side. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Avro Lancaster, VeRA, flew from Hamilton, Ontario to meet her British counterpart, Thumper – the only other surviving flight worthy Lancaster bomber in the world – the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) Lancaster in England.

This much anticipated documentary includes first-hand accounts from the men and women who experienced the war and were connected to the Lancaster. It transports the viewer back in time as they share what it was like during the Lancaster’s glory days. REUNION OF GIANTS documents this historic mission as it unfolds through the eyes of the flight crews, veterans, friends and family. It includes all parts in this new chapter of the bomber's history, as VeRA cross-cross

DVD (NTSC - Region 0) es the Atlantic. $34.99 Blu-ray (Region free) For additional information please visit warplane.com $39.99