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The Canadian Aviation   Historical Society July 2023 e–Newsletter  CAHS 2023 Convention at Kingston A successful and most rewarding 2023 CAHS Convention took place at Kingston in June.   This year's convention featured 12 expert speakers as well as a tour of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton and the National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC), including behind-the-scene guided tours in and around both operational and historic RCAF aircraft. Attendees also enjoyed socializing with each other in-person during the opening meet-and-greet, the breaks and lunches, as well as the marvellous banquet.   We hope that you enjoy the flash back to a great event and that you are tempted to join us for next year's convention. See more of our CFB Trenton and NAFMC tours… Learn more about the 2023 Convention presentations… Planning is underway for the 2024 National Convention of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. Help us select a location in western Canada by completing this form, even if you're not planning to attend, but especially if you are. Join the CAHS – Information for New Members… Renew or Extend Your Membership Here… Browse our Shop… Looking for a specific Journal or Article? Click the button above, then click on the little magnifying glass to begin your search. Donate any Amount… Click the button above or, if you have a smartphone, simply point its camera app at the on-screen QR code to donate via mobile. From the Desk of the Journal Editor Covers, feature title pages, and scale drawings centre spread images for CAHS Journal Volume 58 No 2. Click/tap on any image to see larger images on our web site). After some rework that involved adding material to two of this issue's feature articles, Journal 58-2 is just about ready to go to press. Features include: British Air Ministry Winter Trials in Canada – 3: The Westland Wapiti (Vincent); Wooden Wings Over the Wilderness 9 (Seaborn, includes the second of four sheets of Fokker Super Universal scale drawings); Sidney Cotton and His Aerial Adventures in Newfoundland, Part 2 (Singfield); Floatplane on Ice: An Unconventional Beech 18 Operation. This issue will go to press immediately after final proofreading is completed through the coming week. The printer can then take up to two weeks (but one week was quoted if we deliver the print production files on or before 11 August). I will provide an update on the subsequent mailing house/Canada Post processing progress in August's newsletter.   We're also busy finishing the in-progress layouts for Journals 58-3 and 58-4 with a view to going to press again in late August. Terry Higgins, Creative Director, Website Administrator, CAHS Journal Managing Editor and Graphics Director, Canadian Aviation Historical Society From the Desk of the Treasurer The CAHS is featuring three items for sale in the Treasurer's Section this month. There has been reader interest in acquiring more copies of Dominique Prinet's book Flying to the Extremes. Use the link with the thumbnail below to purchase your copy at the discounted rate of $21 each (plus $6 s/h to Canadian addresses). There may also be an opportunity to purchase copies of Dominque's book in French, but we need to order a minimum number of copies to receive a discount. If you would like to express interest in a French edition, please email the Treasurer.   We are also featuring a new children's book about Lilian Bland, the first woman to design, build, and fly her own airplane, who eventually made Quatsino Sound, BC, her home. We are able to sell this book at the discounted rate of $15 each (plus $6 s/h to Canadian addresses).   We have also designed a sticker that you can affix to your car window to advertise your support for the Canadian Aviation Historical Society; these are selling for $7 each (this includes s/h).   And don't forget that the CAHS 2023 Aviation Artists' Calendar is on clearance sale for $10 each (this includes s/h). The CAHS really appreciates your interest in our fundraising products, and we are honoured to be able to help promote Canadian aviation authors and artists in the process too.    Thank you. Cordially, Dr. Rachel Lea Heide, National Treasurer, Canadian Aviation Historical Society Flying to Extremes by Dominique Prinet Recalling some of the most memorable escapades ever conducted in the Canadian Arctic with bush planes, Flying to Extremes takes place in the late 1960s and early 1970s from a base at Yellowknife, in the heart of the Northwest Territories. Illustrated throughout with colour photographs. Click the "Buy Now" link below to learn more.   Get yours for just $21.00 (GST included) plus $6.00 shipping per copy in Canada.   The publisher's retail price is $24.95 plus shipping and GST. Buy now... The Story of Lilian Bland: An Amazing Aviatrix The CAHS is pleased to feature this new book about the amazing life story of Lilian Bland, the first woman ever to design, build, and fly her own airplane, beautifully illustrated to inspire young readers. This delightful picture book celebrates the life of Lilian Bland, remembered both in England and in her adopted home of Quatsino Sound, on Vancouver Island, for her many achievements - especially her ground-breaking achievements in aviation.   Retailing for $19.95 + tax, the CAHS is selling the book as a fund-raiser at a discount rate of $15 (plus $6 shipping in Canada).  Buy now... CAHS Sticker for Car Window  We have created a sticker that you can affix to a car window to advertise your support for the CAHS. The adhesive is on the back, and the sticker background is clear.  Size is approximately 4" x 4".   $7 each with shipping and handling included.   Buy now... CAHS 2023 Aviation Art Calendar $5 a copy (plus $5 shipping in Canada).  Visit the calendar's web page for an overview of this year's art and artists… Only 7 copies left! Order yours here now... CAHS Shop... Our Society is very thankful for the support of our Corporate Members, Museum Members, Individual Donors, and from the proceeds generated by the time-limited Special Offer items in our e-shop. Aviation News and Events 1941 crash of the Flagship Erie recalled in a riveting new play   Lawrence Station: The Crash of American Airlines Flagship Erie, is a play about the life stories that were instantly altered by the Flagship Erie’s final flight.   by Gord McNulty, CAHS Vice President     Read More Greenwood Military Aviation Museum For the first time, the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum is going to be offering full-time tours to visitors.  Read more… In Memoriam Paul Manson’s Passing With a heavy heart, the CAHS shares the news of the passing of General (ret’d) Paul Manson. General Manson, known for his unwavering passion for military aviation, dedicated his life to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). After completing his education at Royal Roads, the Royal Military College, and Queen’s University, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering, he embarked on a remarkable flying career. His piloting expertise spanned various aircraft, including Harvards, CF-100 Canuck, F-86 Sabre, CF-101 Voodoo, and CF-104 Starfighter (shown above). With time, he assumed numerous command and staff positions, ultimately reaching the prestigious rank of Chief of the Defence Staff in the Canadian Forces. Following his retirement from the military, he continued his impactful service by assuming leadership roles in the aerospace industry and making notable contributions to the Canadian War Museum. General Manson’s exceptional achievements have been recognized through numerous accolades and honours, a testament to his unparalleled service, leadership, and significant contributions to Canadian aviation. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.   To read Paul Manson’s obituary, please click here.  Canadian Aviation Moments Here are the questions and answers to this month's Canadian Aviation Moments: Question 1:  What was distinctive about all Canadian B flights of the 210th naval squadron during the First World War? Why were they seen as formidable?   Source: Canada’s Fighting Airmen, pg. 76-77 (Drew)   Question 2:  What was the estimated cost of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in its final form?   Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 43 (Dunmore)   Question 3:  Why was the raid on Berlin on 22/23 November 1943 the last night the Short Sterling Bombers were used by the Main Force of RAF Bomber Command to bomb Germany?   Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 271 (Bashow) Spoiler alert -  the answers to this month's questions follow. Skip the rest of this section and come back later if you wish to guess/research the answers first. Good luck and have fun! ANSWER 1: “Following the lead given by Richthofen in the colouring of his machines, the pilots of “B” flight, who were all Canadians had painted their triplanes a dead black and had christened them with appropriate names. Its personnel on June 24, 1917, was as follows: Flight Lieutenant Raymond Collishaw flying “Black Maria,” with twenty-three victories; Flight Sub-Lieutenant Ellis Reid, of Toronto, flying “Black Roger,” with eighteen victories; Flight Sub-Lieutenant J. E. Sharman, of Winnipeg, flying “Black Death,” with eleven victories; Flight Sub-Lieutenant J.E. Nash, of Hamilton, flying “Black Sheep,” with eight victories; and Flight Sub-Lieutenant M. Alexander of Toronto, flying “Black Prince,” with six victories. This flight of five young Canadians, all in their early twenties, was one of the most formidable fighting units on the Western Front with a total of sixty-six German planes to their credit. On the same part of the front was Jagdstaffel 11 commanded by Baron Richthofen, and almost daily they met patrols of the brilliantly coloured Albatrosses, many of the best German pilots falling in battle under their deadly guns. Collinshaw’s machines became as well known to the Germans as Richthofen’s to the British.” Source: Canada’s Fighting Airmen, pg. 76-77 (Drew)   ANSWER 2: “The estimated cost of the air training plan in its final form amounted to rather more than $600 million. This budget allowed for funds to last until March 31, 1943, by which time, it was hoped, the war would be over. Britain would contribute aircraft and parts to the tune of $185 million, leaving a balance of more than $420 million. It was proposed that Canada contribute in excess of $66 million in the form of initial and elementary training for Canadian and British pupils. The remainder, some $350 million, would be divided among the three dominions: $287,179,331 for Canada, $40,170,918 for Australia, and $28,774,913 for New Zealand, based upon the numbers of trainees the nations were expected to contribute.”   Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 43 (Dunmore)   ANSWER 3: “After a three-day stand-down caused by poor weather, Berlin was attacked in strength again on 22/23 November by the greatest force sent to the capital so far: 469 Lancasters, 234 Halifaxes, 50 Stirlings and 11 Mosquitos. Number 6 Group contributed 110 crews to the operation. Again, the city was completely obscured by cloud, and weather grounded many of the night fighters, which allowed the force to make a relatively straight-in, straight-out route to the target without incurring many casualties. A total of twenty-six bombers were lost, most from flak, and 434 Squadron lost two more crews, its eleventh and twelfth in a month. Ten percent of the participating Stirlings were downed, and these losses represented the proverbial “last straw” for the aircraft. Since August, 109 of them had been felled on raids to Germany, for an average loss rate of 6.4 percent. Along with their other liabilities, their bomb load was simply not as good as the Lancasters or even the Halifaxes, and this was the last night Stirlings were used by the Main Force to bomb Germany.”    Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 271 (Bashow) Chapter News Select a chapter to discover what they have been up to since the last newsletter. Many of our Chapters remain very active on Zoom with presentations every bit as good as they would be if we did not have pandemic restrictions to deal with! Special Thanks To Our Supporters In addition to its members, contributors, and newsletter subscribers, the CAHS is thankful for the ongoing support of its Corporate Members, Museum Members, and Partner Organizations, as well as the many individuals and organizations whose financial donations are so generously given.   If you would like to become a Corporate Member or Museum Member - or if you know an organization that might like to join - we are always happy to receive new applications. Please use the hyperlinks above to learn more about our corporate members and partner organizations.  Corporate Members: Corporate Partners: Aviaeology Publishing / SkyGrid Studio CANAV Books Northern Lights Awards / Elsie MacGill Foundation The RCAF Association Vintage Wings of Canada   Museum Members: Alberta Aviation Museum Billy Bishop Home and Museum Bomber Command Museum of Canada Botwood Flying Boat Museum British Columbia Aviation Museum Calgary Mosquito Society Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre Canadian Historical Aircraft Association The Canadian Museum of Flight Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Comox Air Force Museum First In Last Out Great War Flying Museum The Hangar Flight Museum Harvard Historical Aviation Society Montreal Aviation Museum National Air Force Museum Quebec Aerospace Museum Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada Shearwater Aviation Museum Western Development Museum Follow us on Facebook and Twitter e-Newsletter Archive If you have changed your mailing or e-mail address, please get in touch to keep us up to date. Contact the Membership Administrator here. To enquire about membership payment records, contact the Treasurer here.   Click here to renew immediately online, or to join as a new member. If you would like to register or renew by mail, printable forms are also available in the bottom area of this page on our site.   If you have any aviation history-related news or events to share, please contact our newsletter editor here.    Please feel free to forward to friends and family members, or encourage them to sign up on our website to receive the newsletter directly for FREE.    We hope that you enjoy receiving this monthly newsletter and find the contents informative and enjoyable. If you no longer wish to receive it for any reason, please use the unsubscribe option below to have your email address removed immediately from the mailing list. The Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) P.O. Box 2700 • Station D • Ottawa • Ontario • K1P 5W7 visit us at www.cahs.com The CAHS is incorporated as a Canadian Registered Charity under a Federal Charter with the business registration number 118829589 RR001

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