VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011 T H E C O M O X VALLEY AIR F O R C E M U S E U M ON PROUD WINGS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

David Stinson INSIDE THIS ISSUE: STINSON VIGNETTE 1 & 3 “From Armour HEIGHts to tHE GolAn HEIGHts AnD SNOWBIRDS VISIT 2 BACk, AnD AGAIn..” loGIstICs PRESIDENT’S 4 MANAGER’S 4 As David and Mary Sue move on to Sidney the gap left after David’s volunteering in the mu- COMING EVENTS 4 seum will be very tough to fill. His work as CVAFMA Secretary/administrator, Collections Management Committee & Library Committee Chair and secretary, and more to boot, have MEMBERSHIP 5 been a major asset to the Museum, and his recent award of CVAFMA life membership is but a token of the gratitude felt by all his colleagues. So, you may ask, what led this man here in the first place? BOARD EXTRACTS 6 From a family involved directly in both world wars, David A B O U T U S 7 was provided some formidable military tracks to follow. The only one of five siblings to pursue a military career, David WW2 EVACUATION 8 ended his high school days strongly disaffected by the aca- MIG 21 FAREWELL 9 demic system. It didn’t fit his view of the world; although, his time spent in army cadets did, so he signed up as an officer F U N F A R E 10 cadet-in-training in Toronto, went to Borden, then to the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps School at Longue Point, Montreal, DISPLAYS UPDATE 11 followed by a tactics course in Kingston, got his commission COLLECTIONS 12 and went off to Petawawa as a supply officer in the . From our discussions of his time with the , I have collected enough WCO’S 12 COMMENDATIONS information with which to write a short book! The highlights of David’s career are:

RECENT EVENTS 13

ART AUCTION 14

ROSELAND (Y2K) 15 UPDATE

ADVERTISEMENTS 16

SPECIAL POINTS

 Goodbye David

 Hello Snowbirds

 An historical war evacuation

 The Mig’s gone

 Quiz & humour

 New displays

and the future

 Commendations What were the most interesting aspects of your postings to the Golan? from 19 Wing “The mobilisation process for my second Golan posting was interesting. I was a senior mem- ber of the staff at Canadian Forces College, Armour Heights, Toronto. Late in April 2003, I  Museum recent agreed to a short notice deployment to the UN Disengagement and Observer Force in the Golan a c t i v i t i e s Heights to be the Chief Logistics Officer in UNDOF HQ, a job I was familiar with from my first

 Spitfire latest (Continued on page 3)

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS SPRING 2011

BACK AT COMOX, WITH MANY FRIENDS - ‘spring has sprung the grass has riz; it’s time for all the Snowbirds biz’

Ken Lin

Ken Lin

CVAFMA 2nd Snowbirds Photo Contest:

1 2 3

Bryan Walwork Kirk Friedrich Gloria Folk

A good number of diverse entries were received, and judges had some trouble picking a clear winner. 1st place was won by Bryan Walwork of Comox for a picture he calls "Storm Clouds". Second place went to Gloria Folk, Courtenay, 3rd place went to Kirk Friederich and an honourable mention to Cathy Coates. Thanks to the sponsors, London Drugs, Labusch Skywear, O K Tire and the Comox Valley Record

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ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

David Stinson...

(Continued from page 1) is patrolled by Austrian ski troops. One of their hobbies is making crosses from the posting there in 1993/94. I was to be on the ground by 1st July, shards of shrapnel which litter the mountain but could not leave the College job until late June! Clearanc- – the cross in the UNDOF display in the es, medicals, PT tests, kit issue, first-aid training, etc, hap- Museum was a gift from my Austrian col- pened in somewhat chaotic bits and pieces and completely leagues at the end of my tour in 2004.” from scratch as I was on extension of service at the time. It Did your Administration and Cana- was a bit rushed, but I arrived at UNDOF in good order. Most dian studies do a lot to drive your in- interesting characteristics of the posting were: terests? 1) The multinational and multicultural nature of military “Not so much – the studies at CMR in teams deployed to our camps, which led to challenges in the 77-78, except for my courses in French-Canadian literature, communication of often opposite ideas and priorities in the job were really an extension of what I had been doing in the mili- we were all doing. Polish, Canadian and Japanese troops were tary, particularly in my procurement work at NDHQ, and of mainly quartered in Camp Ziouani on the Israeli side of the my particular interest in Canadian government and history. Area of Separation (AOS) while the second camp, at Faouar All of it, plus my Staff College education, fitted together.” on the Syrian side of the AOS, was home to Austrians, Slo- Back to an earlier event, please tell me about your vakians, a Japanese detachment and the UNDOF HQ. Military United States Meritorious Service Medal award. staff were drawn from all of the mission countries as well as “This is an award, authorized by the President, which may UN civilian staff from many countries and a sizable number of be made to members of the U.S. armed forces and to Syrian civilians. Civilians lived in Damascus, 60 km east of foreign forces personel to recognize a particular Camp Faouar, and commuted daily. The significant differ- achievement not connected with combat as such or ences in communication skills, work habits and cultures did to recognize valuable service to the U.S. make for some “moments”! I was seconded to HQ, US Army Europe, at Hei- 2) The Golan Heights are highly strategic for Israel. Many delberg, Germany, as the Canada/US Integrated Line of the Golan hills on of Communication (ILOC) officer. The US had agreed the Israeli side, in- to assist Canada with supporting its forces deployed in Germa- cluding the one on ny, a vital need to us as Canada could not then support its de- the left directly op- ployed forces in combat overseas. Canada assigned several posite our Camp officers and NCOs, most from the Logistics Branch with a few Ziouani gate, are from the Medical Branch, to be integrated into appropriate US crowned with masses of highly sensitive electronic, infra-red headquarters in Europe and in the US as expert Canadian mili- and optical sensors. Virtually everything in the open in a 50 tary points of contact for ILOC Agreement implementation. mile radius circle from that hill is under active observation, With most “bugs” worked out of the ILOC procedures by pre- sunbathers included! The infra-red detection capability is so decessors, I was able to spend much time working, literally, as good that the Israelis on that hill reported a fire in the Polish a US Army staff officer, a job that I loved. After a few months camp before the camp fire alarms went off! Another observa- as the only non-US officer in that HQ, the Americans trusted tion point, on Mt Hermon, can allegedly detect anything hot or me to get on with all kinds of logistics support arrangements anything flying, for 100 kilometres into Syria well to the east, on their behalf with the Belgians, the Dutch, the Luxembourg- past Damascus. ers and the British. It was a terrific education in international 3) Israel and Syria are both fascinating countries. Ironical- cooperation which served me well later as a student at Staff ly, given the years of conflict, both have much to offer each College, in my UN tours and as a senior staff member at Staff other. I wonder if they will ever have the chance to do so in College. peace.” At the end of the four year tour, my US superiors very gra- UNDOF, set up after the Oct 1973 Arab/Israeli conflict ciously nominated me for their Meritorious Service Medal. through Henry Kissinger’s “shuttle diplomacy”, patrols a Go- Although there was then a general resistance in the govern- lan Heights separation zone, the western boundary of which is ment against approving US decorations for Canadians, that very similar to the ceasefire line established after the 1967 resistance vanished with the Gulf War in 1990-91 and my conflict. The line is considerably to the east of the 1949 armi- award was approved. I received the medal, with much pride, stice line “border” of Israel, subject of recent discussions be- in 1993.” tween President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Cana- Last Word: da had a sizeable contingent in UNDOF from 1974 until 2006 when it was replaced by India. “The first question was – how did I land at CAFM? By How strategic was Mount Hermon and its water to late 2005, the move finished, the books read, etc., I was look- this conflict? ing for something to do in retirement. After 40 years in the “Mount Hermon (Jabal el-Shaykh), an extinct volcano Regular Force, 18 of which were in air force uniform, with a which consists of much porous rock, gets snowfall like Mt strong interest in Canadian military history and wanting to stay Washington. It is a great sponge, discharging mostly into the connected with military folks, the Museum looked like a good headwaters of the Jordan River. Access place to volunteer. It was a good place for me, indeed. Many to water had little to do directly with the thanks to all of you for your aiding and abetting much good issue in 1967 or 1973, but access to the work in the collections management garden over the past five peak of Mt Hermon was strategically very years and a heartfelt thank you to all of the folks I regularly important. Both Israel and Syria suf- worked with in the Museum in whatever capacity. The con- fered many casualties in both wars nections with all of you truly added value to my time here in fighting to control that spot. The peak, the Comox Valley. 2,314 metres (7,600 ft.) up the mountain, Best wishes to you all,” David.

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS SPRING 2011

THE PRESIDENT'S Well, summer is here at last with the lawn a greenish hue, rather than that untimely frost of recent mornings! Lots of us will now be giving thought to summer vacations so, to fill in the gaps, Jon will PODIUM be looking for volunteers to do the not so odd extra shifts as they arise. Our garage sale went very well on May 21st, with over $900 of revenue, thanks to tons of work by the few, with much variety in all the surplus supplies provided by you and other generous follow- ers of the museum. That, together with the equally successful Art Auction, delivered and operated almost solely by Jon yielding over $8,000, have met three of our critical aims, i.e. i) provision of NPF funds for continued running of our museum; ii) the creation of much needed space in our stor- age area; and iii) our proud delivery of donated supplies to the Food Bank. I’m pleased to advise those who could not attend that our AGM was very successful, and a great thank you goes to all departments for a job well done. In addition, if you think we can do something better or do something we have not done before, please get in touch with Jon or one of the Directors. As you may already know David and Mary Sue Stinson have now left Comox and moved to Sid- ney to be closer to their family. They will certainly be missed. So, as you might expect, we are now challenged with a considerable secretarial capacity shortage and, for which, plans are actively afoot to fill those mighty shoes. Mel has taken over the Chair of the Collection Management Com- mittee and I know his team are anxious to continue the work with him. We will look forward to this, at last, better weather and seeing you enjoy all the summer events. Don.

MANAGER ‘N DIRECTOR’ S

Regulars at the Museum will know artifacts and resources, then with their that we have completed a major reno- hands built and installed the display. vation of the Museum this winter, and They would have been, quite rightly, in every case we now offer an im- very proud of their efforts. proved visitor experience over the pre- This Museum has a long and vious displays. proud history, and I have always felt Naturally, as we prepared to install that we are stewards, carrying "the the new displays we had to dismantle the old ones, and some baton", passed to us from our prede- may think that as we took them down we were glad to be cessors and to be handed over in due course to our replace- "getting rid of that junk". That is not at all accurate, while we ments. I always say that this Museum is a humanist muse- were certainly glad to be upgrading the displays, at the same um, one about people, and for sure it is about those that time it gave us an opportunity to reflect on those that have served and created our Air Force history, but it is also about gone before us. those that served over the years to preserve, display and in- As I stood on a ladder dismantling a display I could well terpret our history here in our Museum. imagine and empathise with the person that installed it years Our new displays sit firmly on the excellent foundation ago. Like us, they had an idea, drew up a concept, assembled they created, for which we are very grateful. Jon & John

Date COMING EVENTS

1 Jul: CAFM participates in Courtenay Canada Day Parade with heritage vehicles.

1 Jul: CVAFMA Booth Canada Day - Lewis Park

TBD Aug : Don Smith returns to deliver new display sheets and review further improvement work.

TBD Aug: CAFM participates in Comox Nautical Days Parade with heritage vehicles.

TBD Sep: Battle of Britain display in Museum

19 Sep: Battle of Britain Ceremonies at Heritage Air Park

Heritage Stone Dedication Ceremony (will depend on numbers of people who have donated to TBD Sep: have a stone placed)

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ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

MEMBERS’ CORNER

A BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER:

☼ Mr. C. Cowan, a re-joining previous member.

Advantages to membership of the Association are in:  A voting member of the Comox Valley Air Force Museum Association (CVAFMA).  Being part of a community-focused organization.  Opportunity to become one of the Association Di-  Broadening your network of contacts and new friends. rectors.  Enjoyment of membership activities and social func-  Direct learning about Canada’s role in military avia- tion. tions.  Discounts at the Air Force Museum Gift Shop.  An opportunity to develop new skills.  Reciprocal membership to other museums.  Involvement in a wide range of museum activities.

 Polite Reminder: Membership is now due for the year 2011/12. Your membership is as important to us as it is to you and enables this work to continue. If you haven’t done so, please drop by and view all the new displays and improvements. The fee remains at $10.00 and timely renewals are very much appreciated.

 AT THE RECENT AGM WE AMENDED THE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP COST FROM $250 TO $100. IF YOU NEED TO NEVER AGAIN KEEP YOUR MEMBERSHIP UP-TO-DATE, CONTACT BILL.

 ALSO PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP THE MUSEUM ADVISED OF ANY CHANGE IN YOUR ADDRESS OR EMAIL ADDRESS. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOU.

 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. BILL CUELL, MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR. (250.339.0671)

notice

Our Board is urgently seeking a person to take on the recording of its minutes at monthly board meetings.

“The Record will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” WINSTON CHURCHILL

 It means about 2 hrs. per month at the meeting, then tyqing up brief minutes and emailing it to board members.

 There`s no pay, but our undying gratitude . Please contact Don Manley.

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ON PROUD WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

RECENT CVAFMA BOARD MEETING EXTRACTS

ACCEPTANCES: Many donations of interesting military memorabilia have been received for our use, distribution or revenue generation.

The RCAF Association Trust donated a cheque for $1379.02, the proceeds of donations collected at the Air Force Association of Canada AGM at 888 Wing in Oct 2010 – a warm thank-you note has gone to the Trust chairman.

Tours: The first of six expected Air Cadet group visits took place Apr 5th. These visits will happen regularly on Tuesdays. The visi- tors on 05 Apr made a donation of $200 – very good of them to do so.

19 Wing Commendations: The Commander 19 Wing recently presented a Wing Commander’s Commendation to the team which re-assembled the CH-113 Labrador for placement in the Air Park. A second commendation was presented to the volunteers in general. Both have been well earned.

Vote of Thanks to the Secretary: Mike Spooner moved a Board vote of thanks to David Stinson for his successful efforts to im- prove CVAFMA administration over the past four years. Carried. MEMBERS: Renewals are underway. We presently have 53 regular members and 23 life and honourary members. New membership cards will in future be issued only on request.

Fees. Regular fee is $10 p.a, and we now offer life memberships for just $100, as decided at the last board meeting. FUNDRAISING: Snowbirds photograph contest is now complete, thanks to Ken’s hard work. It generated much goodwill, exposure and a revenue of almost $300.

Heritage Stones: Orders are arriving and the touch-up painting for damaged stones, to refresh the markings are well advanced, thanks to Lynda. She has found that better sealing against future deterioration will be key to preventing repeats of this activity.

Gaming Funding: The Community Gaming Grant application has been submitted and, in light of our Premier’s recent decision, we are optimistic that this system may soon return to what has been normal over the last few years. DISPLAYS: Heritage Aircraft: The MiG-21 has been shipped to Ottawa. See the “Going, going, gone..” article in this issue.

The VU33 display in the museum is currently undergoing renovation. Final design is awaiting Don Smith's August visit. The Voodoo remains a work-in-progress at 7 Hangar.

The CH-113 Labrador and the H-21 Piasecki are due back in the Air Park at anytime in June.

Main Gallery Display Development: The next set of panels, background for VU 33, 442 Sqn and the Air Demonstration Team displays, are now in development.

Vampire Display: Progressing well. ‘Snowbirds’ Tutor at new Info Centre nr. Hwy 19: Aerial photos of site now taken for engineers to complete site selection. EVENTS: Art Auction and Garage Sale: Both successfully completed with excellent participation of volunteers and public. BUILDINGS: 19 Wing Base Development Plan. The long term plan for 19 Wing includes the Museum staying in Bldg 11 and eventually occu- pying all of the building. The Wing Engineers have evaluated the building, consider it to be sound [Bldg 11 will be 70 years old in 2012.] and will continue to support it. Other aspects of the development plan will be worked out over the next months.

CVAFMA Executive Board

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ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

CVAFMA Executive 2011—12

President Don Manley Membership Bill Cuell Director at Large Dave Mellin Director at Large Rodney Jones Vice President Bob Mortimer Bingo Coordinator Herb Lightfoot Director at Large Terry Chester Secretary Vacant Fund Raising Val Kaehler Observer John Low Treasurer Mike Spooner Director at Large Mike Hendren Observer Jon Ambler

Newsletter Editor Rodney Jones

Contact Information

Museum Director John Low, Capt. 19 Wing Heritage Officer Program Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Jon Ambler Gift Shop Manager Ken Oxley

Comox Air Force Museum 19 Wing Comox, Lazo BC V0R 2K0 (Vancouver Island)

Phone/Fax: 250-339-8162 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca Spitfire/Y2K Project Website: www.y2kspitfire.com OPENING TIMES: Museum, Library and Gift Shop Tuesdays to Sundays: 10 am - 4 pm. Spitfire Hangar Saturdays: 11 am - 2 pm. Other days: Must report to museum for tour guide.

Heritage Airpark May - September: 10 am - 4 pm

COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES As always, thanks to those who contribute articles and other material to the newsletter. There must be many members out there who have something to submit of interest to the rest of us, whether a photo, story, or some- thing relevant to what we do and who we are. If so, please have no second thoughts about sending it to us. Contact us at [email protected] or leave a message at the Museum. Visit www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca or drop by the museum to find out more about current activities. To join our Association, please download the application on our website under Volunteer, leave a phone message at the Museum, or drop by and fill out an application. For only $10 annually, some of the benefits you receive include our newsletter, discounts in the gift shop, and a voice in the organization. If you are currently receiving this newsletter by mail, please forward your email address to receive a high quality issue via the Internet. Ed.

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ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

AN HISTORICAL SNIPPE T WARTIME CIVILIAN EVACUATION As we watch TV and see disasters all over the world, together with masses of refugees in exodus, the be set up. Done for each school local authorities appear to be able to set up temporary shel- going to a different location ters but never quite adequately. There is always something would, even today, be a logisti- missing, be it shelter, food, water or toilets. Regrettably, cal nightmare. people complain and ask why preparations fell short. Can I was one of those children, so an authority be prepared for everything all the time? Could I can talk about it from that our government have perfected plans to evacuate Canadian viewpoint. During the summer citizens from anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice? It seems a lot to ask. we had practiced This is a assembling at the personal school with our suit- account of one cases and gas government’s masks. So, on Sep- plan that tember 1st, two days worked well, before the war start- particularly ed, we assembled and went by bus to High Street Kensing- considering the ton subway station in west London where we boarded a numbers in- train to north London, transferred to a Great West Railway volved. It was train to Bath in the west of the evacuation of children from large cities in the United England. We got off the train Kingdom in anticipation of the mass bombings that were and went to a church hall expected during the Second World War. where we were given a meal. Britain knew what happened in the First World War, when Then on to buses to be trans- she was subjected to air raids directed at urban popula- ported to a quaint little village tions. Germany ultimately made 103 raids and caused called Chew Magna. In its nominal damage and casualties. It was decided that, church hall, which was our should they be threatened more seriously, they must be one room school, we were prepared. Thus, in December 1924, a committee was set “Hello Mr. Chips” billeted around the village up to study the problem and by 30 March 1925, a firm and our journey was over. We had no group was ready. desks and sat on the “..we had practiced It is interesting to note that, floor with each grade in a assembling at the at this time, Germany was not different part of the school with our considered to be the threat room, as on the prairies. suitcases and gas and a general term for the sus- It went well and if you masks.” pected Russia, was used. It was anticipated that, in the first 72 hours, 225 tons of HE would be dropped and for each ton there would be 50 casualties, which would amount to 11,250 injured. Something had to be done to reduce that number and prior evacuation was considered to be the best multiply my trip by the num- plan. As it turned out, the calculations were wrong and the ber of schools involved you amount of HE dropped hardly reached that figure. can imagine the planning So, let us look at the logistics of moving over 1 million that was necessary. All in children including their teachers in 3 days. First was to col- all, it was a great success, lect them together in but with a plan of this magni- their schools, then tude, somewhere there must move them to the have been more than the country, feed them en odd hiccup. route and billet them I think this plan worked so well as the evacuation had when they arrived at been made well in advance of the anticipated problem oc- their destinations. curring. Thus, there was time to prepare; but, once a catas- Their hosts had to be trophe has happened there are too many unforeseen prob- paid and premises lems that can occur and disrupt previous plans. where their schools could operate had to photos by Ben Wicks “The Day they took the Children” Don Manley

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 ON PROUD WINGS SPRING 2011

GOING, GOING, GONE.. FAREWELL, FISHBED!

On her way again, this time to Ottawa.

If anyone is wondering where the MIG 21 has gone, the answer is… it has finally left our air park, where it has spent the last dozen years or so happily corroding, to find a new home at the Canada Aviation and Space Muse- um (CASM) in Ottawa. There it will eventually be refurbished to its former Cold War glory. In between snowstorms last December, it was towed out of the park and relocated in 7 Hangar to await disassembly flying back to Trenton from Yellowknife via Comox with prior to shipment to CASM. It was available space. The bad news was that it would happen on disassembled at the end of February 2. the Easter weekend! Originally slated to go out on Easter in the Wash Hangar by hearty volun- Monday, in typical military fashion, things changed and on teers led by Rob Roy and Herb Light- Easter Sunday at noon we were informed that the plane foot, who had also been there to wel- would land at 15:30 and take off at 18:30 that same day. To come it when it initially came from our collective astonishment, it did happen as announced! The C-177 is quite an amazing aircraft, and let me just say that the Movements crews from both here and Trenton did a

Czechoslovakia thir- teen years ago. They were helped by a couple of Reservists and some nice guys from Heavy Equipment and Movements who got in the way as much as possible. After six days of aches and pains, the disassembly was finally complete and Wing Movements then strapped, packaged and weighed all the pieces in preparation for air ship- highly professional and speedy turnaround. ment to Ottawa. Thus ends the MIG-21’s story as far as Comox is con- Everything then cerned. Last heard, it was waiting in Ottawa to begin the long awaited a CC-177 refurbishment project. Hopefully it has found a kinder and Globemaster III from gentler enclosed home. A big thank you goes out to all the Trenton to be tasked military, civilian and volunteer personnel who participated in with the move, since it its move throughout all stages, from planing to delivery. was the only thing big

enough to take it down WO Mike Barnucz East. On very short notice, CAFM Deputy Director we found out that one was

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ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

F U N F A R E

Spotters’ QUIZ Lighter than Air Previous Issue: 2.. 1. While taxiing at a London Airport, the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United 727... An irate female controller lashed out at the US Air crew, screaming: "US Air 2771, where the hell are you going? I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxiway! You turned right Congratulations Brent on Delta! Stop right there. I know it's We got more details from Brent Robertson than you could throw a stick at, Good! Perhaps son Stewart had much to do with it too! When difficult for you to tell the differ- these guys move to the island, in the next few years, we look forward to ence between C and D, but get it the action; meanwhile, thanks for your donation, Brent. Now, for those answers: right!" Continuing her rage to the red-faced 1. is the Johns Multiplane, 1919; and crew, she shouted hysterically: You stay 2. is the Curtiss XP-55 Ascender, 1943. right there and don't move till I tell you to! Expect progressive taxi in- This issue’s: structions in about half an hour, and I 2. want you to go exactly where I tell Just one item to answer for this time. This picture just appeared in you, when I tell you, and how I tell my in-tray with no name, but a suggestion for use in this quiz. So , it is you! You got that, US Air 2771?" "Yes, assumes that s/he doesn’t know the answer either! ma'am," the humbled crew responded.

Thus, the mission, what is this, when and why? Already, an eager Tension in every cockpit out around investigative crew in the library has been baffled by it. Gatwick was definitely running high until an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking: "Wasn't I married to you once?"

1. How many kills had an RCAF ―Acey-Deucy‖ been credited with?

2. Which RCAF aircraft gave out what was known as the ―Moose Call‖ from its varia- ble exhaust nozzle? Please send your answers by the end of summer to [email protected] or phone Rodney at 250-650-0166. $10 of hard-earned CVAFMA funds will go to the most accurate. 3. What is the technical term for an air- A tie would be settled by pulling the winning entry from a hat. sickness bag?.

4. What does ETOPS mean in the aviation “In a twin-engine aircraft, the purpose of the second industry? engine is to supply the pilot with enough power to fly to 5. What strange aircraft preceded the Boeing 747 with a nose-hump? the scene of the crash.” Anonymous See answers on page 14.

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ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

To do: Checkout Display Improvements and Future Plans

A walk-through with Jon:  To work out something At present: completely new for the Snowbirds, taking up  We have removed 50% of the the whole wall. fluorescent lights, replacing  Complete rearrange- them with LED lighting. This ments in the open area uses a lot less power and you after the Snowbirds get immediate whiter light when display, with the Voo- the motion switches are tripped. doo ejection seat, Avro  Also replaced are most of the Arrow and the Diorama displays. wooden display cases with more relevantly lo-  An “operation” to fully ar- cated clear plastic ones allowing more light and ticulate a mannequin has been labelling onto the artefacts. prepared for the ejection seat.  In these cases we are remov-  The CFB Comox display, ing unnecessary artefacts and re- next to the Diorama of the base, arranged the remainder. The idea will be a resurgence of its Cold being to go from an “all-you –can War context and operations. -eat” buffet to some “Haute Cui-  One of our home Squadrons, sine” presentations. We think VU33, will soon have a this will improve a visitor’s flow large 10’ x 10’ display panel, of thoughts and information. broken into two halves to repre-  The overall flow of all displays sent its navy squadron role, and is designed to maintain that flow then its utility squadron role as we move through the WW1 to here at CFB Comox. The VU33 WW2 to BCATP to the Pacific colours in the library will be Coast war to the Comox base moved to here. construction and far be-  Around the corner, we are re- yond. newing our 442 Squadron display, by restoring  This linear format is the linear history of the Squad- broken by the occasional ron to cover: lateral path to logical off-  442 in the Second World shoots on specific people War, and events.  442 at Sea Island,  For all the displays, we  442 today in Comox with, keep a critical eye on our next to it:- mission: “to collect, pre- The SAR- serve, exhibit and interpret the history..” of our  collections. TECH on a plinth about 6 inches up, a  The POW display now little higher than he is now. needs to be enhanced with The SARTECH bay will an improved backdrop  and space for more infor- be a gentle curve all the way mation we have recently around, with a Don Smith received. backdrop of shoreline, hills or forest, and Moving along, we have  The first-aid gear in a small display be- the Cold War, NORAD -  complete side it. with siren box and UN and Non-  Info on the school of Search and Rescue. UN peace-keeping displays.  Lastly, the new LED For the Future: lighting has set off par- ticularly well the 407 Squadron paintings dis- played on the walls of the  Our next Don Smith work video theatre, each with is: its own light. This really helps exhibiting these artworks.

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ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

COLLECTIONS DONATIONS

A unique donation was made to our museum this past It is not known if this prisoner survived the month. We received this beautifully carved cigarette case war. from Roland Waringer, a gift to his Grandfather by a French prisoner from the PoW camp at Mauthausen. The Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camp was located in Austria and purported A letter that accompanied the donation told how to be the worst of the worst Camps operated by prisoners would pass through his Grandfather's vil- the German SS. The camp served the German lage of Ennsdorf, to and from their work as wood War Machine in the manufacture of munitions cutters for the camp. and in the later stages of the war the ME 262 fight- er jet and the V 2 rocket. His grandfather was a shoemaker and would repair and sometimes make shoes for the prisoners. In return for this and Tens of thousands of European prisoners were tortured and food he gave them, some wood was left behind for the villag- starved to death in this camp. Thousands of others faced ers with the co-operation of their guards. “extermination by labour” worked to death in the adjacent stone quarries. As punishment they were forced to carrying 25 The French prisoner who carved this cigarette case may -50 kg blocks of stone up the 186 “Steps of Death”. Many have considered himself thousands of others met their end in Gas Chambers and Gas one of the more fortunate Vans. inmates. He was part of a group that worked On the 5th May 1945 a Red Cross worker in the area guid- outside of the Camp that ed a Platoon of the 11th Armored Division U.S. Third Army appeared to be more hu- led by S/Sgt. Al Kosiek to the camp and its liberation. manely treated by their guards. Mel Birnie

WING COMMANDER’S COMMENDATIONS

―These volunteers are to be commended for their dedica- tion to preserving the history and heritage of 19 Wing .. and work on this iconic aircraft.‖

―Their commitment and unselfish dedication to Air Force history and heritage is to be commended.‖

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS SPRING 2011

CLIPS FROM RECENT EV ENTS AND GOINGS ON

Annual 19 Wing SISIP Volunteer Recognition Celebration

Heritage Stones Refinishing, by Lynda

Cumberland Heritage Fair - Communications

Squadron display Construction Information Session VU33

Beautification Building 11 DANGER Elves at Work: Inventory Time Garage Sale

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS SPRING 2011

CAFM FUNDRAISER SILE N T A R T AUCTION: RESULTS!

After much preparation, the tions. The art was offered CAFM Art Auction fundraiser for sale through a one-day was conducted on 14 May silent auction, with reserve 2011 by the Jon Ambler, ably bids clearly stated. assisted by Robert Lesage and The sale ran from 1000- Allison Hetman and others. 1500 on Saturday 14 May, The sale was well advertised by web page, links, e- mails, signs and posters, and word of mouth: no money was spent on adver- tising. The Museum offered 20 pieces of art, of which 18 during the Museum’s were World War Two aviation combat art, for sale regular open hours, by “silent auction”. Nine of the pieces are fully which also resulted in framed and matted, while the remainder are un- many Museum visi- framed. tors. All the framed Of note, the two unframed items and all prints of but one un- the Mar- framed print tin Mars were sold. were This event “late additions”. This art was donated with the turned a variety full expec- of donated tation that items into over $8,000.00: a big success! Of our the Muse- customers, the two greatest buyers were Chris um would Buckham (over $3,000!) and Mike Johnson (over use the art $2,000!), several Museum volunteers picked up to generate pieces as well, including Melissa, Bill, Mel, Mike funds for Forbes and Rob Roy. our opera- Jon

Answers: 1. None. An AC 2 was an Aircraftman 2nd Class. 2. The CF-104, from its J-79 engine. 3. An Emesis Bag. 4. Extended-range Twin-engined Opera- tional Performance Standards. 5. The ATL-98 Carvair air ferry.

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS SPRING 2011

THE ROSELAND (Y2K) S PITFIRE PROJECT — UPDATE

First, you might be puzzled by is issued! It took well over a the new title of this article, well, we year to review all of the previous no longer refer to the project as just documentation, ensure it was in Y2K, but as the Roseland Spitfire compliance with TC regulations (Y2K). Our Spitfire has been and would survive an audit. Just dedicated to F/L Arnie Roseland, to make Kaven’s life more diffi- as he was the person, after all, who cult, we changed the computer actually flew Y2K and had at least based management system twice two “kills” in her. That fits nicely while he was doing it! All of the with ’s inventory, parts ordering and policy of naming their aircraft after receiving and work order man- people who are significant in Cana- agement is computer-based now dian aviation history. For example, their Corsair is named so it’s a lot easier to keep control of this process. after Robert Hampton Grey V.C., the Kitty Hawk after Stocky Visitors to the hangar who were in last year will certainly Edwards and their Lysander after Cliff Stewart etc.. The oth- wonder what we’ve been doing, since sometimes we seem to er name change around here is that of the company that does be going “backwards”. Well, this whole process requires that the engineering work on the Spitfire. VWoC have created a we “undo” some of the previous work so it can be properly new company, Vintech Aero Inc. (west), to oversee the pro- inspected and documented. Accordingly, we will soon be duction and maintenance of stripping off that temporary paint job so we can conduct those all of their aircraft, so our final inspections, but over the summer as the engine bearer engineers now come under returns from Gatineau and the en- that umbrella. As you may be gine arrives, we’ll see some visible aware, VWoC is now a fully progress. Then the work on the recognized charitable organi- cowlings etc. can commence. The zation that does fundraising Wing assemblies are expected late for all of its projects, they this fall, and some considerable have been slowly weaned off work will then be required on of that previously bottomless pit of money that funded all of them, as we want to install fuel their previous efforts and now must stand on their own. We tanks in the gun bays. I had previously thought that installing have been assured that funding for our Spitfire is guaranteed real machine guns would have been useful in determining, for and, as promised, she will certainly “fly again” here in example, who gets landing prior- Comox. To date, they have invested over $1.2 million in the ity at busy airports, but for some project, with more to come. reason Transport Canada frowns Life is still very busy around the Spit Hanger; Ken & on such behavior. Dean just returned from a trip to the UK where they inspected 19 Wing have come through the wing, ailerons for us and will be conducting and flap production some building improvements and did some shop- over the summer to help us ping for some work on and show the aircraft properly. They will be up- more esoteric bits grading the power supply to the building and putting some of this aircraft. more plumbing in so we can have better facilities in the There are many building. Later on, we will be required to “spin” the air- competing groups who are craft 90 degrees as we pin the Wings on for final fit, so looking for these increasingly rare items, so being on-site to some minor building improvements will be required at that actually pick them up is really necessary. In the land of over- stage as well. cooked vegetables there is a resurgent interest now in these war birds, so we have to get what we can right now. We are The engine, a Packard Merlin 266, is being overhauled by anticipating increased production activity this summer as the- Factory 51 in California and should arrive here in Comox by se parts start to flow in, so we have hired another engineer to September 2011. The Prop blades are being produced by GT help us out. Henry is now part of the team here and you’ll Propeller in Italy and Vintech Aero Inc. is supplying most of recognize him as the guy with a piece of landing gear perma- the hub parts. nently attached to his hip. Kaven has almost wrestled the “paper monster” to the ground, being fully aware that So that’s enough for this issue. Come and visit us some time, but please go and ask at the Museum first! Transport Canada requires that the weight of paper generated must at least equal the weight of the aircraft, or else no CofA The Roseland Spitfire Team

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ONON PROUD PROUD WINGS WINGS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011

NOTICES G I F T S H O P AT THE COMOX AIR FORCE MUSEUM UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS Anyone interested in Aviation will cherish a gift from our collection of hundreds of items.

Something for any budget, any age.

Toys, models, clothing, mugs, hats, books, models, clocks, decals, posters, patches, pins etc.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM – P.M.

[Located outside the gate at CFB Comox at Ryan Road and Military Row]

250-339-8162 www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca

Heritage Stones For Sale $155.00 ea, with tax receipt