Newsletter

October 2024 Newsletter

Date: October 18, 2024

Dear Members and Friends of the Museum,
People that have visited us at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum in 2024 have enjoyed the many ways that we have honoured and celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the RCAF with the many successful events that we held during the summer months. We will continue to place an emphasis on the RCAF during the remainder of the 2024 with our events in November and December.

Volunteer of the Month: Vern Gwin
Thanksgiving is over now, but our gratitude never stops. We have been fortunate to have Vern Gwin with us, especially lately with the increased number of events we have hosted. Vern has a wealth of experience and is a trusted name in aviation. Having worked many airshows such as the well-known Canada Remembers International Air Show “Tribute to Heroes” in Saskatoon that honored and remembered those who served in the Canadian Armed Forces, he is a valued member of our event team. He has helped with many important ramp services such as carefully moving vintage aircraft, marshalling, security, and crowd control. Thank you, Vern, for sharing your passion, wisdom, knowledge, and insight. We are proud to have you with us.

Vern is on the far left enjoying some quality time with some of our fellow “Air Show” buddies when the Snow Birds visited us last summer.

A Big Thank You to Harvey Kroll and Our Supporters!
We are thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of our recent fundraising raffle, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Harvey Kroll, owner and operator of Hatchet Lake Lodge, for generously donating the incredible grand prize. Thanks to your support, we raised over $40,000 in ticket sales, surpassing our original goal of $30,000! Your support helps us continue to build our public education plan through aircraft restorations, school programs, exhibits and exciting events.

Special thanks also go to the Saskatchewan Aviation Council and the Canadian Aviation Historical Society for helping spread the word about this raffle through their newsletters.

September 30^th: Ticket sales stopped at 1:00 PM local time, and the electronic raffle system produced our winners at 3:00 PM local time. Here are the winners:

Grand Prize Winner: An all-expense-paid fishing trip for two at Hatchet Lake Lodge, valued at $16,960, goes to Doug Best of Regina. Doug is already making plans to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Second Prize Winner: A Tiger Moth Tour Flight over Saskatoon goes to Tom Gibson of Warman.
50/50 Raffle Winner: Jeff Kwasny of Saskatoon wins $5,310 from the total pot of $10,620.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you to everyone who participated by purchasing tickets, sharing the news, and supporting this exciting experience.

Once again, a big thank you to Harvey Kroll of Hatchet Lake Lodge for his support and generosity!

Points North Air DC-3 Restoration Project Update: C-FCQT
“This is going to be our crown jewel,” said the late Don Macpherson about DC-3 C-FCQT in October 2015. The story of this aircraft is rich with history, and we’re excited to share an update on its restoration progress.

The Douglas C-47A-35-DL, serial number 9813, now known as the Points North Air DC-3 C-FCQT, was built at the Douglas Long Beach, California plant in June 1943, following construction that began in 1942. The aircraft entered service as a C-47 with the United States Army Air Force on July 5, 1943, bearing the serial number 42-23951. It was then delivered to the 40th Troop Carrier Squadron, Fifth Air Force, in Brisbane, Australia, on August 20, 1943. During its military career in World War II, the aircraft was named “Lynda Jeanne.”

“It went to Australia and dropped paratroopers into the Solomon Islands against the Japanese. There are probably a few bullet holes that have been well patched and painted over. But it has quite the history,” Don Macpherson once remarked.

After the war, the CQT began its civilian career, flying for various airlines, including Qantas. It also saw service in Africa, Ireland, and England. At one point, it was registered on the British Aircraft Register as G-ATBE, with this designation still visible on the starboard wing.

The aircraft was brought to Canada in 1970 and registered as CF-CQT. Following an accident, it sat derelict for a time before being restored in Winnipeg and re-registered as C-FCQT. In January 1994, Joe McBryan purchased the aircraft, selling it six months later to Points North Air Services, where it served as a freighter across Northern Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. After accumulating nearly 50,000 flight hours, the aircraft was retired and eventually donated by Points North to the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum.

It’s incredible to see the progress made on this aircraft that survived World War II and civilian service. The transformation from its dismantling at Points Noth Landing, and transport to Saskatoon is a story all by itself that will be shared at a later date. Now reassembled with partial new paint, decals, and restored flight control surfaces—really showcases the dedication and expertise of everyone involved. The collaborative efforts, including the Points North Group’s contributions, have clearly played a vital role in preserving this historic aircraft.

With the flight deck work set for the upcoming winter and more to come next summer, this restoration will be a remarkable accomplishment, preserving a significant piece of aviation history for generations to come. It’s great to see this legacy come back to life thanks to the museum’s efforts and the many supporters.

The picture below left is prior to transporting the aircraft from Points North Landing in 2015 with wings and engines removed. Below right shows the aircraft as it is today 9 years later, reassembled with new white paint and decals, as well as fully restored fabric flight control surfaces.

Sponsor Highlight: Saskatoon Airport Authority.
“It is never lost on the Saskatoon Airport Authority the importance of what you and your team (volunteers) do to promote interest in the history and future of Canadian (Saskatchewan) aviation.” Stephen Maybury, President and CEO, Saskatoon Airport Authority, October 2024.

The Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport serves the greater Saskatoon region. Owned by Transport Canada and operated by the Saskatoon Airport Authority, YXE provides essential airport facilities, including the terminal building and related infrastructure, to support ongoing commercial air service. This encompasses runways, air terminal buildings, baggage handling facilities, check-in counters, and spaces for government inspections and various ancillary activities.

As a crucial part of Saskatoon’s airport infrastructure, the Airport Authority is deeply committed to ensuring airport safety and security. The Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, located on Apron V at the airport, benefits from a strong working relationship with the Authority. While safety and security are always a top priority, our collaboration has led to many inspiring experiences.

One of the most memorable moments occurred on July 18, when the Mynarski Lancaster from Hamilton made a brief visit to the museum for a fuel stop. The Airport Authority facilitated a special close-up viewing of the aircraft landing for 102-year-old RCAF veteran and Lancaster pilot, Reg Harrison. After the Lancaster touched down, Reg, riding with YXE personnel, escorted the aircraft to Apron V. Upon arrival, photos were taken to honor Reg, our local RCAF hero and Honourable Snowbird, in front of the Lancaster. This event allowed many of us to connect with the history of World War II through the eyes of a man who had served as a Lancaster pilot.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Saskatoon Airport Authority and are proud to acknowledge their continued role as a key sponsor for our Aviation Weekend fundraising event held in August. Thank you YXE!

Now for some exciting upcoming events!

Veterans Week 2024 Women in the RCAF Learning Day November 07, 2024
We are happy to be working in collaboration with Veteran Affairs Canada for this inspiring education day for young women. There will be women veteran speakers, tours, and an opportunity to be seated at the flight controls of our World War II Tiger Moth aircraft. Reg Harrison, who flew Lancaster aircraft in WW II, has been confirmed to be with us as well. The museum will be closed to the public for this youth-focused private event.

An Evening with Reg “Crash” Harrison and Deana Driver
November 19^th at 6:00 PM
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to meet and spend time with World War II veteran and Lancaster Bomber pilot, Reg “Crash” Harrison. Reg survived four crashes and flew numerous missions to Germany during the war. After suffering injuries, he became one of the few Canadians inducted into the famed wartime “Guinea Pig Club” following reconstructive skin graft surgery. He was later named an “Honorary Snowbird” by Canada’s renowned aerobatics display team.

Reg Harrison’s remarkable stories of survival, courage, and resilience will captivate and educate audiences of all ages, from teens to seniors. Joining him will be Deana Driver, who helped bring Reg’s incredible journey to life in his book.

This special fundraising event is a unique chance to hear firsthand accounts of Reg’s World War II experiences, engage in conversation with him, and purchase a copy of his book. Tickets are only $15 per person, and books will be available for an additional cost. Space may be limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon! Stay tuned and follow us on our website, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Santa’s Vintage Flight: Open Cockpit Experience with Santa November 30, 2024
Another exciting open-cockpit day event with an added bonus! How about a picture with Santa in a World War II Tiger Moth? Here’s your chance to create a truly unique Christmas card! Join us for a special holiday event where you can snap a one-of-a-kind photo with Santa in an open cockpit.

You can also enjoy a hot dog, sit in a helicopter, try out some flight simulators, and learn about one of Canada’s greatest contributions to World War II. Plus, explore a variety of other aircraft indoors at the museum. Price will be $15 per person and children under 3 years old are free. Hot dogs and drinks are extra.

For further details, be sure to follow us on our website, Facebook, and Instagram. Tickets will be limited in quantity and available for purchase starting in November.

GivingTuesday: December 03, 2024: Celebrated globally, GivingTuesday is now one of the top giving days of the year!
With your support, we’ve been able to maintain and fly iconic aircraft like our Tiger Moth, a true centerpiece of the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum. But there’s still so much more to accomplish! One of our top priorities is expanding our educational outreach, from local schools, Air Cadet Squadrons, and public education programs to ensure that future generations are inspired by Saskatchewan’s rich aviation heritage.

Our aircraft simulators (Tracker, Helicopter, King Air 100, and X-Plane Computers) offer an engaging, hands-on experience that not only brings aviation history to life but also encourages young minds to pursue careers in aviation. Alongside these educational efforts, we need your help to continue restoring and preserving historic aircraft such as the Points North Air DC-3, Noorduyn Norseman, and Avro Anson MK I.

Can you help us meet a goal? Our Board of Directors is deeply committed to our museum, with many members making monthly and occasional lump-sum donations to support essential projects and equipment. This GivingTuesday, we are setting a goal to match the contributions that our Board of Directors have made throughout 2024, and we invite you to join us in reaching it.

Click the on the link to get started. https://saskaviation.ca/one-time-and-monthly-donations/

Your donation will help us preserve aviation history and fuel the educational programs that inspire tomorrow’s pilots. Thank you for supporting the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum’s mission to educate, inspire, and keep history alive!

Thank you everyone for your support!