Upbeat RCAFA News from Sault Ste. Marie

Story by Gord McNulty
July 2026

432 (Algoma) Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association (RCAFA) hosted a highly successful 74th Ontario Group Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Sault Ste. Marie, ON, 15-17 May 2026.

A colourful, well-illustrated AGM booklet made a really positive impression from the start. Vintage RCAF photos from the booklet are presented below.

The legendary Golden Hawks in action. © 432 (Algoma) Wing

David Farnsworth, Capt. (Ret’d) CD, RCAFA Director of Finance and Kit Shop Co-ordinator, gave an encouraging report. He noted the RCAFA’s new board of directors is working well. The Trust Fund is doing well financially, has received a bequest of $6,000 and is now $10,000 to $15,000 in the black.

Canadair Sabres in formation. © 432 (Algoma) Wing

The Association has been gifted rights to reproduce and sell the aviation logos of companies. It made $2,000 to $3,000 from the annual Air Force Day on the Hill in Ottawa this year. The RCAF Foundation contributed $20,000 for the major transition of Airforce magazine from print to the cost-saving digital format, which will begin to break even.

The RCAFA is no longer paying rent, with closure of the former office in Ottawa. A free meeting space and boardroom for Board and Trustee meetings is now being provided on Queen Street in the capital by a corporation.

David also noted the Association has strengthened its ties with the RCAF, as it is now the only place to research the history of the air force and its huge data base. The kit shop is well worth checking out. New polo shirts, both attractive and comfortable, were a big hit at the AGM. David’s contact information is:

RCAF Association
222 Queen, Suite 1502
Ottawa, ON K1P 5V9
David Farnsworth
Kit Shop

The Canadair Argus served well as a formidable anti-submarine aircraft for the RCAF. © 432 (Algoma) Wing

David also mentioned the Association’s planned hosting of an Auction, hoping to raise $50,000 to offset operating costs and possibly deter any increase in membership dues in the near future. A number of business and corporate sponsors have come on board to date. Regular members who wish to make a voluntary donation of $20 will be entered in a draw for RCAFA kit shop items.

Quarter-scale model of Curtiss HS-2L flying boat displayed at Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre on 17 May 2026. © Gord McNulty

A tour of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (CBHC) provided an opportunity to see a quarter-scale model of the famous Curtiss HS-2L flying boat (H-boat). The impressive model has a wingspan of 18 feet, nine inches, and measures nine feet, 7 inches in length, and four feet in height. It was built by Jean-Philippe Morin of Quebec and took 2,200 hours to put together.

The Ontario Provincial Air Service used the H-boats for forest fire surveillance, a small degree of fire suppression, and aerial surveys of forests until they were declared obsolete in the early 1930s. This intricately detailed model, introduced to the CBHC in 2024, is an important addition to the collection.

Although it was overcast, a Killarney Air Services DHC-2 Beaver, C-GOXI, stood out on the dock. Fortunately, there was a small gap in the fencing around the ramp, and I managed a clear photo of the classic bushplane with a long lens.