by Val | Jun 25, 2017 | Aircraft, Books, Collections, Library Display, Links, News & Events, Posts
One of the most common questions asked of us is, “What happened with the Spitfire?” We’re now happy to report that Vintage Wings sent an update: “Last week, Spitfire TE294, the Roseland Spitfire, made its first flight after nearly two decades of steady progress. Click on this link to enjoy the official photos and video of the event.” If you have a thirst for all things Spitfire, check out these books and others that can be found in our Museum’s Library: Jeremy Flack wrote Spitfire. The inside cover reads, “The Supermarine Spitfire is the most famous of all British fighters. Designed by Reginald J. Mitchell at a time when all serving RAF fighter aircraft were canvas-covered biplanes, the prototype first flew on 5 March 1936. Over 20,000 Spitfires were to be produced in over 40 variants and it was used as a fighter, in the ground-attack and photo-reconnaissance roles and even - as the Seafire - from aircraft carriers. By the early 1960s, just a handful of Spitfires remained in flying condition and it was the making of the film The Battle of Britain which was to turn the tide on the extinction of airworthy Spitfires. Today nearly 50 can be seen flying including those of the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight… Birth of a Legend - The Spitfire was written by Jeffrey Quill. Quill’s book celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Spitfire’s first flight with this volume. “The achievements of the fighter pilots ensured that the Spitfire became a legend in its own time. No other aircraft has ever enjoyed quite the same charisma nor engendered the...
by Val | Jun 20, 2017 | Collections, Links, News & Events, Posts
Last month, we introduced a new series: the Wickenby Register Newsletter. The newsletters were printed twice yearly; they include information about 12 Squadron RAF, memories of service men and women, the occasional recipe, stories of times past… But perhaps the thing that spoke to both Mel and me was the inclusion of a poem on the back of each issue. Noel Coward‘s poem, written in 1943 ~ I’d also like to share a recipe for “Kidneys Garibaldi”. It was introduced with the words, “This article will, hopefully, stimulate those among our number who lay claim to some degree of expertise in the grub-stakes department…” Let us know what you think of the footnote! ...
by Val | Jun 13, 2017 | Aircraft, Books, Collections, Library Display, News & Events, Periodicals, Posts
Did you know that our Museum Library has over 8500 books? Our collection is used by our visitors, by folks coming into the Museum to do research, by volunteers, and by those of you looking for titles related to topics of interest. If you’re not able to come into the Museum personally, perhaps your community library would have these titles, or perhaps you might like to purchase them from your favourite bookstore in order to have them in your home library. The titles I’m sharing with you this time are focussed on the Lancaster: Written by Leo McKinstry, who also wrote Spitfire: Portrait of a Legend, Lancaster: The Second World War’s Greatest Bomber has a close look at the place of the Lancaster in air history. “The Lancaster and the Spitfire were the RAF’s two weapons of victory in the Second World War. But without the bomber, Britain would never have been able to take the fight to the German homeland. Lancaster highlights the scale of the plane’s achievements, including the famous Dambusters attacks, and how it transformed the effectiveness of Bomber Command. With the first-hand accounts from surviving pilots, engineers and ground crews, this is a compelling saga which cements the plane’s special place in our history.” FM159, The Lucky Lancaster was authored by Dave Birrell. This is “one of 7377 Avro Lancasters built to wage war against the Nazis…now one of only four taxiable Lancasters in the world. It has flown widely over the Pacific, the Atlantic, and to the northern-most point in Canada; has been only weeks away from being scrapped; was towed by a truck...
by Val | Jun 5, 2017 | Collections, News & Events, Posts
Many of Al Wilson‘s cartoons relate to specific happenings from about 1958 - 1974, especially in the Comox area. We know you’re enjoying this series, and are happy to share this June Edition with you! ...
by Val | May 28, 2017 | Aircraft, Books, Collections, Library Display, News & Events, Posts
Bush flying refers to aircraft operations carried out in the bush. Bush flying involves operations in rough terrain where there are often no prepared landing strips or runways, frequently necessitating that bush planes be equipped with abnormally large tires, floats or skis. Our Museum Library has a number of books related to bush pilots. If you live locally, come in and have a look at the table display; if you have an interest in the topic, but don’t live near our Museum, you might want to see if these titles are available in your community library: Pilots of the Purple Twilight is written by Philip Godsell. The author begins his story “with the Junker that crash landed at Fort Simpson in 1921 and follows the lives of Canada’s first bush flyers, taking readers on a ride through the first three decades of bush flying…” Included are stories of “lost planes and lost men, mercy flights, hermits and fur traders, prospectors and mounties, as well as the myth of the tropical medicine valley of the Nahannis.” Peter Boer wrote Bush Pilots ~ Canada’s Wilderness Daredevils. He recounts stories of adventurers who put their lives in danger to “bring supplies and civilization to isolated Canadian communities. Some of these include: Wop May, a WWI ace who traded fire with the infamous Red Baron delivers emergency serum to an isolated village. Jack Caldwell was unable to pull out of a spin on a test flight and jumped out of his plane, becoming the first Canadian pilot to parachute to safety. Chuck McAvoy mysteriously disappeared in a remote corner...
by Val | May 24, 2017 | Aircraft, Collections, Exhibits, Links, News & Events, Photo Archives, Posts
You might recall a previous post in which I shared the unveiling of the K.O. Moore exhibit in our Main Gallery. Wing Commander K.O. Moore DSO was certainly a hero of World War Two, earning an immediate Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the US Silver Star by destroying two U-Boats in a 22 minute span. The combat took place at night as he and his No 224 Squadron RAF crew, in a Very Long Range Liberator, were tasked with keeping NAZI U-Boats away from the D Day invasion fleet. The U-Boats put up a hail of machine gun and cannon fire that he had to fly right through to complete his attack; he did so without flinching or failing. His crew sent the enemy contact message: ‘ saw two subs, sunk same’! He survived the war and went on to become an important RCAF leader in the post-War period. Recently, Dave O’Malley wrote the amazing story for Vintage Wings of Canada. I thought you might like to read it on the Vintage Wings of Canada website. Special thanks to Dave for his permission to share! We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did here at the...
The CAFM commemorates the role and history of 19 Wing (CFB/RCAF/RAF), documenting significant achievements in West Coast Military Aviation History.
Founded in 1982 as part of the Air Force Indoctrination School, CAFM was accredited as a stand-alone Canadian Forces Museum and officially opened its doors to the public on 12 September 1987.