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1995 Fall & Winter Newsletter
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2000 Attend Manna Commemoration -
One of the largest crowds ever to attend a Society Function turned out for the July 22/95 Operation Manna commemoration. A good portion of those present were Dutch Canadians from all over southern Alberta.
The noon luncheon was packed with the maximum 330 persons and many people had to be turned away. However, the main event was held outdoors and much of what took place at the luncheon was repeated for the benefit of the overflow crowd. The weatherman co-operated with one of the finest days of the whole summer.
In attendance were several very prominent members of Calgary's Dutch Community. Two of these were Meika Hollenback and Nick Helwerda, who had been the narrators at a tremendous performance of the Dutch Canadian Choir in Calgary a few weeks before. They again narrated an overview of what the Dutch people went through during WWII.
In particular they mentioned the hard winter of 1944-45 when food was so limited that the Dutch people used 140 million tulip bulbs for food. Even then thousands died of starvation. The food dropped by Operation Manna Lancasters and other aircraft helped save the lives of countless other Dutch people.
Meika and Nick reiteratied that the people of the Netherlands would never forget the Canadians who liberated their country.
Other Dutch VIPs who spoke during the day were: Dutch Consul, Mr. G.A. Van Wielengen, Vice Consul, Ms. Marian Slott; President of the Dutch Canadian Club, Mr. Wim Jolles; Irene Bakker, Netherlands Investment Company, Marie Eggermont, born two days before Operation Manna.
Also participating were: Keith Shepard, Bomber Command Assoc. of Canada, George Begg, Vancouver Air Crew Association; Ernie Milligan, former PFF; and Dick Penner.
Our ex-Lanc pilot Joe English, along with Willemina Oosterhuis, a Nanton resident and a former member of the Dutch Underground during WWII, unveiled a painting entitled, "Operation Manna." The painting, by aviation artist John Rutherford, had been commissioned by the Society.
The war medals of Squadron Leader Mac MacCaffery DFC AFC were unveiled as well as a display paying tribute to the crew of a Halifax from 408 Sqd.
A four engine Aurora long-range reconnaissance aircraft from CFB Comox, Vancouver Island, (407 Sqd.) flew over. This squadron used to fly the Nanton Lancaster in the 1950s.
Other aircraft participated in the flypast. These included a Tiger Moth flown by owner Gordon Jones of High River and three Harvards flown by members of the Conroy family of Airdrie, AB, who were sponsored by Nanton Home Hardware, Don Bowhay of Airdrie, and Magwood Motors. A Pitts Special aircraft, built, owned and flown by Gerald Deines, High River, AB, did aerobatics just to the north of town.
Culminating the festivities, a simulated food drop took place. Alex Bahlsen, of the High River Flight Centre, flew over in a Cessna 180 parachuting 100 miniature loaves of bread, and candies, to the awestruck crowd.
Manna for the multitudes!
Lanc Tail Feathers & Engine Worked On -
During the summer months our Lancaster got some needed attention. Both elevators now have the wooden ribs installed and the port elevator is covered with fabric as original.
The initial stages of this project were completed by a crew consisting of our AME member Ron Jackson and our SAIT, AME student employees, Debbie Israel and Jeff Winger. Under Ron's direction the ribs were fabricated, using a few very derelict originals for patterns. Debbie and Jeff did most of the installation as well as cleaning up and priming the metal elevator frame.
Our friend and longtime member, Harold Branton, from Trail, B.C., came one Saturday in July and with Debbie helping they covered and "doped" the port elevator. Some more work is still needed to complete this, but it looks great"
The Whitfields were here for over a week in July. Their son Peter spent most of his time working on the Lanc's starboard inner engine. Our goal is to have this engine running in the next couple of years. Peter has installed all the missing components and completed nearly all the connections. To have an engine running a lot of things have to happen. A major item being the installation of four more rollup doors, so the Lanc can be rolled outside.
As well as helping Peter with the engine Paul installed new rudder counter weights, which had been made in Sarnia, Ontario, for the Society. All four of these are now on the rudders.
Louise busied herself at numerous tasks. The Whitfields spent their last day putting shop stored Lanc parts into one exclusive storage area.
THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR HELP!!
A Bomb for the Museum - by former F/O R.J. Clift
On the night of April 27-28, 1944, Lancaster Mark II EQ-K, "King" of 408 Squadron, with pilot F/L Hales and crew aboard on a raid on Friedricshafen, developed a ruptured cross feed fuel line, resulting in extensive leakage on the floor behind the main spar. By opening the cross feed valve and feeding all engines off the starboard tanks the wreckage was reduced and the crew pressed on.
Immediately after releasing our bomb load, the aircraft was showered with incendiaries from above resulting in the nose perspex, as well as the perspex over the pilot, being shattered. All maps and loose articles were sucked out through the roof. Of the seven other hits to the aircraft, only one entered the fuselage. It stuck in the floor near the mid-upper gunner who swept it out the hole in the belly, burring the polm out of his glove while doing so.
The aircraft went into a dive, but the captain soon regained control and a hasty decision was made to try for home rather than the short route to Switzerland. On the breezy return journey we jettisoned any loose articles we could. We limped into Tangmere on the south coast of England, having nearly exhausted our fuel supply (2050 Imp gal. in 7 hours 31 min. flying time indicates the amount of lost fuel). On closer examination of the aircraft next a.m., an unexploded 4-pound incendiary was found lodged behind the bomb sight computer box, severing the camera leads, rendering that inoperable. The incendiary bomb was defused and kept by the writer.
The engineering section at Tangmere cut the cross fuel line and inserted a wooden plug in the open end. This allowed us to return to Linton on Ouse that afternoon in our battered but not broken K. King. (A unique way to celebrate my mother's birthday, April 28.)
Ex F/O R.J. Clift, B.A. is formerly from Melfort, Sask., now of Kelowna, B.C.
During November, three of the Society's directors attended the annual meeting of the Canadian Aeronautical Preservation Association in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. This organization is made up of aviation museums from across Canada. Numerous matters of common interest were discussed and it was important for the Society to renew old acquaintances and make new ones.
We were particularly interested in the advice and ideas presented by the curator and restoration director of the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa. We were brought up to date by the executive director of Canadian Warplane Heritage, regarding their new museum building near Hamilton, Ontario. This $9,000,000 building will open in early 1996.
There was also a presentation by Allan Jackson who is well along with his project of building a full size, taxiable replica of the Avro Arrow. Allan was in our museum November 4 and had his photographs of the "Arrow" in its framework stage with him. The nose section is completed and is on display at the Reynolds - Albert museum.
The Society is pleased to have been elected treasurer of CAPA for the following year. Pres. Dan Fox accepted this portfolio.
Our delegation found many good ideas from touring through the Reynolds - Albert museum, some of which can be incorporated into our display areas with little expense. Byron Reynolds was an excellent host and a most knowledgeable tour guide.
The 1996 CAPA annual meeting will be held next fall in the new facility of Warplane Heritage in Hamilton, Ontario. The Society hopes to send someone to this meeting.
Baz'z Biography Published -
At a ceremony in 1990, the Nanton Lancaster Bomber was dedicated to S/L Ian Bazalgette VC DFC, an Alberta-born Lancaster pilot and recipient of the Commonwealth's highest award for bravery.
With the cooperation of Baz's crew members, relatives, and friends, much information about S/L Bazalgette has been accumulated and the Society will soon have a book available which describes the career of this exemplary RAF officer. The publishing costs will be partially paid for by Royal Canadian Legion Branches #1 and #238.
It is expected that the book will prove to be a valuable promotional and merchandise item, but most importantly we hope the biography will be a worthy tribute to a Canadian hero whose story is not as well known as it should be. The Society plans on making the book available, at no cost, to various public and school libraries in the province as well as to other aviation museums in Canada and the U.K.
On June 7/95 the museum was visited by 150 former WWII aircrew who were attending the 50th anniversary of the closing of the High River, AB, Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS).
Organizer Gordon Jones of High River, an instructor at the wartime base arranged the visit and the noon lunch of beef on a bun, served by the Nanton Lions Club. Gordon is still flying and instructing 50 years later!
The former trainees and their wartime instructors arrived at intervals during the late morning to tour the museum. As usual the tour through the Lancaster brought the most comments and a few tears as well, as the visitors reminisced.
Of course the BCATP aircraft and memorabilia were of major interest. Lots of training experiences were again retold. The Lions Club outdid themselves with an excellent meal.
We extend our THANKS to Gordon Jones and the other organizers for including our museum as part of their reunion agenda.
Fernie B.C. Couple Donate Print -
Jean Chester and husband Bill of Fernie, B.C., recently donated a framed print of a Lancaster with an inlet photo of a wartime Lancaster and maintenance crew. This was donated in honor of Jean's late brother, Edward Webster, who was one of crew in the photo.
Edward spent the war years in Canada. He maintained training aircraft, at one time working on Lancasters, but it is not known when or where. For a while he was stationed at the #31 EFTS base, De Winton, AB.
The Society is pleased to receive this excellent display for inclusion with our other Lancaster memorabilia. Thanks, Jean and Bill.
A Note From The Secretary Treasurer -
As many of our members are aware, our Society is recognized as a registered charitable organization by Revenue Canada. When a cash donation is made, the donor receives an official receipt from the Society entitling him/her to a federal tax credit equal to 17% for the first $200 donated, the remainder of the total donation receives a 29% federal tax credit.
When the provincial tax credit is added on to the above, it can be seen that the first $200 will save you about 25 cents on the dollar while the excess will save you closer to 45 cents on the dollar.
With a few exceptions, a donator of foods to the museum can be issued a tax-deductible receipt for the fair market value of the goods donated. For items with a potential value in excess of $1000 an appraisal may be required.
We are pleased to report that the museum has had another very successful year. It appears that we will probably have a record number of visitors and our average donation per visitor increased by 20%.
The Society continues to believe that admission to the museum should be by donation. We feel that we have an important story to tell at the Nanton Lancaster Air Museum and we want to reach as many people as possible. We appreciate the fact that many people seem to enjoy just dropping in for a visit when they are in the area and we certainly do not wish to discourage this by charging an admission fee. We would be interested in any comments which our members may have about this policy.
Lanc Navigator From Saskatchewan -
The museum was recently honoured by a visit from Walter and Evelyn Nelson from Glentworth, Saskatchewan. Walter is a former wartime Lancaster navigator. Visiting along with the Nelsons were Rolly and Mable Jalbert of Lethbridge, AB.
The reason for the Nelson's visit came about after your museum curator had read an article in the Assiniboia (Sask.) Times. This article was by Walter Nelson, telling about having attended the 50th anniversary VE Day celebrations in Holland. In this article he mentioned his disappointment that the flypast did not have a Lancaster bomber participating. We wrote to Walter, sending information about the Nanton Lancaster and inviting the Nelsons to visit the museum.
We are very happy to have met the Nelsons and the Jalberts. We hope they enjoyed their visit here. Walter and Evelyn Nelson are now Square Footer Members.
F/O William Reid VC - by Paul Whitfield
Earlier this year my son Peter and I had the pleasure of meeting Flight Lieutenant William Reid VC, RAFVR in Toronto.
On the night of 3-4 of November 1943, a raid was carried out on Dusseldorf. F/L Reid of No. 61 Squadron flying LM 360/QR-O was attacked. First by a BF109 1106 night fighter which severely damaged the rear turret and wounded Reid in the head, shoulder and hands, and then by a Fockewolf FW190 single seater. This second attack killed the navigator and mortally wounded the wireless operator, damaged the mid-upper turret, elevator trim tabs, and put the oxygen systems as well as the intercom out of action. The pilot received further wounds and the cockpit canopy was badly damaged.
Despite his injured arm the flight engineer, using a portable bottle, gave oxygen to his captain who having memorized the course to the target, decided to press on and bomb. In the nose of the aircraft the bomb aimer, unaware of his dead and wounded comrades, carried on with his duties and dropped his bombs accurately over the target (as confirmed by the photo flash picture brought home).
Reid set course for home, navigating by the moon and pole star, brought the crippled Lancaster back over Holland. Occasionally, he lapsed into semi consciousness due to loss of blood and lack of oxygen (which was now exhausted). Assisted by his flight engineer and bomb aimer, he avoided enemy flak over Holland.
He managed to get the crippled Lancaster to the Norfolk coast, making an emergency landing at the American base a Shipdham near East Dereham. At the last moment the undercarriage collapsed but with no further injury to the crew.
Not only was Reid awarded the supreme decoration for Valor, but F/E Sergeant James William Norris, won the conspicuous Gallantry Medal, while the rear gunner was awarded the DFC. The Lancaster was repaired and later joined 50 Squadron only to be written off a year later.
A very interesting conversation was enjoyed with Bill Reid, informing him about the "Nanton Lancaster" and our members' efforts to bring F2-T to its original condition in memory of S/L Leader Bazelgette VC DFC.
We had great ploasure in presenting Bill with a copy of our Newsletter and a Nanton cap, which he said he would wear at his local golf course, St. Andrews.
The Society now has a 1942 6x6 crash truck in storage, awaiting restoration. This wartime vehicle has a history of being used in the area. It was used at the Vulcan #19 SFTS base and possibly also at Pearce. After the war it was purchased by the Town of Nanton for use by the fire department.
It served as the department's main fire truck for several years. When a new fire truck was eventually purchased, "Old Bumpy," as it was affectionately referred to, was passed on to the Municipal District of Willow Creek.
The truck was finally retired from service and eventually stored at the Charles Leeds ranch near Claresholm. The Leeds family collect and restore antique tractors, autos, etc.
Magwwod Motors, of Nanton, hauled Old Bumpy to town. The Nanton Fire Dept. will be assisting with restoration.
We extend a grateful THANKS to the following for their help in making sure the truck is preserved along with our other BCATP items: Magwood Motors, the Leeds family, the Municipal District of Willow Creek and M.D. Councillor Evan Berger.
Airspeed Oxford Project -
Over the past four years the Society has been accumulating the remains of a number of Airspeed Oxford aircraft. This British designed and built, twin-engined aircraft was used in the BCATP in Canada an dother parts of the Commonwealth during WWII.
The Oxford, or "Ox Box" as it was sometimes referred to, was constructed mainly of wood, with metal fittings, and fabric cover. In Canada after the war, many were purchased by farmers and others from the War Assets Corp. for $50 to $100. The hydraulics, wheels etc., were used and the airframe, in most cases, was left to rot away.
Altogether some 8,586 Oxfords were built, 50 years later not many are left. According to a recent publication, only six Oxfords are to be found in museums around the world. Some substantial remains are held by other museums, including ourselves and the Calgary Aero Space Museum (CASM). George Ryning, with CASM, has accumulated most of the drawings for the Oxford.
In the past two years a flurry of activity has resulted in many derelict Ox Box remains being picked up across the prairie provinces. At least five museums (and one private collector) here and in England are in the process of trying to find enough parts to recreate this airplane for static display. All involved appear willing to cooperate on this undertaking by exchanging information and surplus parts.
Recently due to the help of a new NLS member in Saskatchewan, our Society has added considerably to its Oxford parts inventory. Our THANKS go out to Karl Bazin, Swift Current, Sask., for his help.
S/L "MAC" McCaffery DFC AFC -
"Mac" McCaffery, a navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force, completed 33 operations with No. 15 Squadron Royal Air Force flying in Stirlings. He was then appointed to No. 7 Pathfinder Squadron as Station Navigation Officer serving until the end of 1943.
Following his repatriation to Canada, S/L McCaffery was appointed Chief Navigation Instructor for #5 OTU at Boundary Bay, British Columbia, where crews were being trained for the war in the Pacific.
S/L McCaffery's Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Force Cross were presented to the Society by his sister, Mrs. Beryl Pelletier, of Lethbridge, Alberta, and Hal Yates, president of the Vancouver Aircrew Association, on behalf of the family at our Operation Manna Commemoration. They have been placed in the NLS Museum's "Pathfinders" display.
Society Member To Fly With The Snowbirds -
A native of Nanton will be a pilot with the Canadian Armed Force's renowned precision aerobatic team for the next two years.
Captain Dan Robinson is the son of Tink and Judy Robinson of Nanton and the grandson of Howie Armstrong, one of the three local citizens responsible for acquiring the Lancaster Bomber in 1960 and donationg it to the town.<
An instructor with the CAF for the past several years, Capt. Robinson flew with a formation of four Tutor jets at our official opening in 1992 and led a second flypast at our Salute to the Pathfinders event in 1994.
The Society extends congratulations to Dan Robinson for this great achievement!
Anson Restoration - by Rob & Pat Pedersen
As we work on Annie it never fails to amaze us just how many pieces it takes to make an airplane. It is very easy to get lost among all of the rivets and screws and in between the stringers and formers. What is even more impressive however, is the engineering that goes into creating one of these. As we are redesigning a piece from what is left after some 50 years of weather, it is very easy to picture Roy Chadwick working late at night. We can see him leaning over his drafting table putting the last touches to his design of the Anson or perhaps even the Lancaster. As we recreate what he created so long ago, we are striving to reproduce it as exactly as possible.
Annie now has two of her side rails nearly completed. As we did not have any drawings to go by, we made a test pattern right on the fuselage based on what old pieces we could remove from our stored Anson remains. From this we created a new drawing and a new set of rails. The rails yet need to be covered with plywood and then varnished and painted before they are installed o the fuselage.
One interesting problem was that there was such a difference between fuselages and assembly techniques that nothing matched. In the case of the side rails, a series of blocks were produced to mount the outer longerons on. The blocks were drilled to match the original blocks removed off one airframe. When the rail was placed on our Annie, 7284, it was discovered that the mounting holes were so far out that even with a very big hammer it wasn't going to fit. So new blocks had to be created.
Best wishes for the holiday season.
A new and enthusiastic 'Square Footer' member in Saskatchewan has donated a 1941 Dodge, fuel tender truck (gas bowser?) to our museum. This truck has had very little modification since being used on #39 SFTS at Swift Current, Sask. during wartime. Also, the engine runs! With a tune-up, brake fix, a paint job, etc., it will be like new again.
The only items missing on the fuel tender are the hose reels (and hoses), hose booms, and the castings that would have held the booms. The booms themselves will be fairly easy to duplicate if we can find photos of them. We will need to find castings if possible. Anyone out there know where these, and/or hose reels, might be found?
This donation came about due to the Society releasing two derelict WWII trucks to Karl Bazin's brother of the Moose Jaw Dragoons Museum. These trucks had been set aside for the NLS museum's use by the Oakman family of Stewart Valley, Sask., but never hauled. Ernie and Agnes Oakman donated the Fleet Fawn and Cornell aircraft which are two of our major displays. Our grateful THANKS to Karl Bazin and family for this donation.
Our Fairchild Cornell #14424 hasn't had a lot of attention this year. However, its starhoard wing looks great. This is due to the static restoration done by Don O'Hearne and his Vintage Aircraft Restorers (VAR) who work at the Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Don borrowed the wing last winter to make drawings to build wings for two static Cornells that they are restoring. They partially dismantled the wing to make rib measurements, etc. Before returning the wing they repaired, covered and painted it. Robert and Anne Meyer, of Lumsden, Sask., returned the wing to us last spring when they passed through Nanton on an antique car trading trip.
Greg Morrison, one of our 1994 AME shop students has restored the throttle quadrants for the Cornell to airworthy status. Greg has his own Cornell project and now lives in Nanton and works at High River Aviation Services.
Our grateful THANKS are extended to Don O'Hearne and Vintage Aircraft Restorers, Robert and Anne Meyer, and Greg Morrison for their great help.
Progress was made in the Boly restoration this past summer. The SAIT students employed in the shop spent some of their first days removing interior components from the cabin section. This was in preparation for eventual removal of the battered foreward portion of the fuselage and instaling of the cabin section received from the B.C. Aviation Museum (BCAM).
Due to the work on the Fleet Fawn, the Boly project was discontinued for the latter part of the summer. However, the BCAM cabin was stripped of paint and some repairs made. We hope to spend much more time on the Boly in the summer of 1996.
The project accumulated some more small parts and a Mercury engine (still to be hauled) from BCAM. This engine is in exchange for our 5-cylinder Le Blond cutaway radial. Turret and undercarriage parts also were received from our friends at Sidney.
Of course this project still needs a wing center-section and outboard wings. We have had some contacts recently who may be able to help find a center-section. Our grateful THANKS to Stan Henderson, Stoney Jackson, and all at BCAM for their help.
Periodically in the last couple of months the museum has been the site of a Hollywood-like film session.
Students from SAIT's Camera, Television Studio and Radio Studies program have been filming a video about the museum and the history it portrays. It will highlight the Lancaster Bomber and the efforts of those who served during WWII. Also included are BCATP activities and the history of Lancaster FM159 and the NLS.
The Society will own the video when completed and use it for promotional purposes and for sale in the gift shop. The cost of having this video made will be $2,500 which is funded by an Alberta Museums Association grant. A similar video done by private industry would likely cost in the neighborhood of $15,000.
NLS member Brent Armstrong has been the guiding force in coordination with the SAIT group. It was Brent's idea originally to approach SAIT.
On Sunday, October 15, the crew did some of the final filming. Camera person Carla Larson found herself suspended from the town's lift truck boom as she filmed local "actors" Joe English, Maggie Bozyk, and Curtis Blake. Joe plays the part of a grandfather (who flew in the war) taking his grandchildren to the museum. The grandchildren are played by Maggie and Curtis, who are local school children. Joe English, an ex-Lanc pilot, had a "ball" doing this "movie!"
It is hoped the video will be completed before spring for use in the museum.
The Society appreciates the support of the Alberta Museums Association in their funding of this video and SAIT for the production of this needed museum promotion.
Display Honors Halifax Crew -
Former crew members of a Halifax bomber, shot down over Germany during WWII, attended the NLS, July 22, event. One of the crew, George Anderson, of Shroud, Ontario, donated a display, which was unveiled at the outdoor ceremony.
The three piece display honors the crew member killed and tells the story of how Rudy Roman bailed out and surrendered to a German soldier, who later shot him and left him for dead. This soldier was later tried at the War Crimes Trials and convicted. A transcript of the trial is included.
Ex-crew members and others attending as well as George and Doris Anderson were, Halifax pilot Frank Smart, and Rudy and Angel Roman.
Fleet Fawn Restoration - by Bob Evans
The restoration of Fleet Fawn #264 made great progress this past summer. This was due to funding ($2000) from the Lethbridge Foundation to restore the fuselage and components. Also contributing was the Government of Canada summer employment for students program. These funds enabled us to employ two AME students for more than three months.
The museum's summer shop employees, SAIT first year AME students, Debbie Israel and Jeff Winger, spent five weeks working mainly on this project. They first removed the original fabric in one piece and removed all fittings from the fuselage. Positions of fittings were recorded by drawings and video camera.
Richard Ostrum, owner/operator of a local welding shop, sand blasted the tubular fuselage frame and undercarriage parts. Seibens Industries prime painted the components. Debbie and Jeff cleaned and primed all the fittings. They also primed and spray painted the cowling and cockpit sheet metal parts.
It had been hoped that the completed skeleton wings would be trial fitted to the fuselage before Debbie and Jeff had to return to SAIT for their final year of studies. However, time ran out on us. Hopefully we can do this in the coming winter months. The project is missing one set of interplane struts which are now being fabricated by our licensed AME member, Ron Jackson. When these are complete the trial assembly can take place.
The Society has again applied to the Lethbridge Foundation for additional funding for the next phase of restoration which includes the purchase of fabric and materials to cover the aircraft. These costs will include paying someone to supervise the fabric work.
We would like to extend of grateful THANKS to the Lethbridge Foundation for its past funding of this project and also to Seibens Industries and Richard Ostrum for their help and donations.
Birds, Bottles, Bra's, & Bruises -
During the Whitfield family's annual working holiday to the museum, Mrs Whitfield (Louise) was cleaning bird nests out of the bomb bay doors of the Lancaster, when some "interesting artifacts" were found!
She removed a very old pop bottle and a "bra" as well as several old bird nests. This also resulted in bruised and scraped arms. Hence, the title above!
With a membership of about 1,100, we are from time to time saddened to hear of the passing of one of our members. Since our last newsletter, three of our Square-footer Club members, Greg Urch of Sherwood Park, Cam Campbell of Carstairs, and Jack Smith of Nanton, have passed away.
Lifetime member, Mrs. Mildred Richardson, has passed away as well. Mrs. Richardson was NLS President Dan Fox's grandmother. We thank the families of these former members for directing donations in their memory to the Society. Plaques will be placed in the museum acknowledging these donations.
Col. Paul Douglas Scanlan, DFC, CD
The Society was informed on May 18, 1995 of Col. Scanlan's passing by his wife Marie.
Col. Paul Scanlan had a distinguished Airforce career. He enlisted in 1942 and after training at #6 EFTS, Prince Albert, Sask. Later he graduated from #4 AOS and was commissioned as pilot officer. He flew 32 bombing operations in Halifax bombers. During his tour he was aworded the DFC. Col. Scanlan continued on with a military career until 1965. He was a member and supporter of our Society.
We extend our sincere condulences to Marie Scanlan and family.
The Nanton Lancaster Society extends deepest sympathy
to the families and friends of these former members and supporters.
May God Bless.
I feel rejuvenated! Recently our Curator Bob Evans, Secretary-treasurer Dave Birrell, and myself attended the 1995 Canadian Aeronautical Preservation Association conference in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. It was held at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum, a beautiful facility which has to be seen to be believed. Adjacent tot he museum is the aviation component - housing over 20 restored airworthy aircraft (with another 80 in reserve!)
The meetings were attended by representatives from air museums across Canada. They all had one common interest, to preserve vintage aircraft so future generations may enjoy them.
Probably the most gratifying experience at the conference was being treated as an equal and peer by such renowned colleagues as Chris Terry, Director of the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa, and Byron Reynolds of the Reynolds Museum. Obviously the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum has earned credibility at the national level.
Other events have invigorated me for another year of presidential duties. Our Volunteer Appreciation Night on October 14 was well attended and enjoyed by all. Planning for next summer's event is underway. The theme will be "Heroes and Heroines we have Known" a tribute to WWII men and women.
Presently a crew of students from SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) is shooting a video about the museum. Their youthful exuberance is refreshing.
As you can see my job is never dull. I guess that is why I keep coming back for more!
Dan Fox
Curator / Editor's Desk -
Another busy summer is behind us and plans for next year are already being made. Our visitor numbers for 1995 exceed those of previous years, which is most rewarding.
Some new displays came on stream during the summer and have enhanced the museum and resulted in longer stays by visitors.
Operation Manna Commemoration Day (reported herein) topped all previous year's events for attendance. Next year's event will honour both the men and women who served in the RCAF/RAF in all capacities.
As your museum's volunteer curator, I continue to enjoy watching over the growth of this facility and its collection. It's also scary at times when you anticipate the changes that must come about to accommodate this growth. For myself, however, it is mos uplifting to be part of a group of volunteers, who continue to meed these challenges with creative and futuristic thinking.
The expansion of the building is now our prime concern. Fund raising has started. In the next while we will be putting this in high gear. Anyone who might like to help with fund raising is more than welcome to become part of that effort. Please contact us if interested.
We try to keep collections to items mainly related to Bomber Command (main theme) and those of the BCATP (the secondary theme.) We believe this has been the reason for our success to date. there are exceptions to this policy of course. More Bomber Command memorabilia continues to be donated.
Donations of BCATP components during 1995 have added major items to the collection and made others feasible. Additional parts for the Airspeed Oxford and Tiger Moth make these two projects feasible. A total of seven training aircraft and three support vehicle projects are now on display or in storage. Artifacts from "The Plan" are a major part of the total museum collection.
Larry Wright reports that the Calgary Chapter's Lancaster retracting undercarriage display is coming along and will be in the museum for the 1996 tourist season.
We look forward to your future visits. The museum will add other attractions next year. Do come again, or if you haven't been here yet, plan on coming in 1996.
Bob Evans
Bomber Command Museum of Canada