September 2024 Newsletter
Date:
September 10, 2024
Dear Members and Friends of the Museum,
This year, we’ve dedicated our events to celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). As we continue this focus, our September newsletter will feature more exciting RCAF-related content such as a brief history of the RCAF, and some information about the de Havilland Chipmunk that we are highlighting. We’ll also provide a brief recap of the highlights from our recent Aviation Days weekend, which took place on August 24th and 25th.
First, we are delighted to spotlight our Volunteer of the Month.
Volunteer of the Month: Sean Bridgette has been a valued member of our volunteer team for several years, consistently playing a key role in organizing some of our largest and most successful events. One of his standout skills is ramp management, where he expertly coordinates crowd control, ensures safety, and orchestrates the precise parking of aircraft on display. What many don’t know is that Sean’s aviation journey began as an Air Cadet, eventually leading him to a distinguished career in the RCAF. During his time in service, Sean flew a variety of aircraft, most notably as a CF-18 pilot. Now retired from the military, Sean continues to fuel his passion for aviation by volunteering with us.
In this picture, Sean is seen in action during our recent Aviation Days event, ensuring everything runs smoothly. We are truly fortunate to have Sean on our team. Thank you, Sean, for your dedication and hard work at the museum!
A special thank you to all who participated to make such a fun and educational event. We thank our volunteers, visiting exhibitors, and sponsors.
Pancake Breakfast: A popular new addition to this year’s event was the Pancake Breakfast, prepared by the dedicated team from Saskatchewan Air Ambulance. Proceeds from the breakfast went toward supporting MS research, and the community response was overwhelmingly positive. We’re excited to see this tradition continue next year!
A special thank you to Saskatchewan Air Ambulance for not only serving up a fantastic breakfast but also participating in the event with one of their Lifeguard Emergency Medevac King Airs on display. Their involvement added a special touch to the weekend, and we look forward to their continued participation.
Vintage Aircraft Fly-Bys at 9:00 AM Saturday and Sunday: Guests enjoyed their breakfast each morning, they were treated to a spectacular display of vintage aircraft fly-bys over Apron V, right in front of the hangar doors. Leading the formation was Doug Tomlinson in his beautifully restored Chipmunk, followed closely by Gord Lowe in his 1943 Boeing Stearman, trailing a mesmerizing stream of artificial smoke. Completing the trio was Blaine Beavan, flying the museum’s very own 1942 Tiger Moth.
The fly-bys provided an unforgettable start to the day, showcasing not only the beauty of these historic aircraft but also the dedication required to keep them in flying condition. As vintage warbird owners ourselves, we deeply appreciate the commitment and resources it takes to maintain these remarkable machines.
Pictured below: Doug Tomlinson with his RCAF Chipmunk and Gord Lowe with his Stearman.
Rise Air was with us again this year with an ATR-42 500 and a King Air. The ATR was a very popular with people as there were a few ATR Captains on hand doing tours of the aircraft and allowing people to sit up front with the switches and flight instruments illuminated. This made for a very special Open Cockpit Experience. See picture below.
STARS Air Ambulance: Many people were seen having fun talking with crew as well as observing some arrivals and departures of the helicopter as it hover-taxied for some operational duties. See picture below
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology brought in a UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) Helicopter that participated in the Vietnam War. This exciting exhibit was supervised by Saskatchewan Polytechnical Program Head Reed Willison to make an inspiring display for future pilots. As you can see, kids of all ages were interested in this one. See below
We had great support from the Saskatoon Airport with both a Sponsorship from the Saskatoon Airport Authority and event participation by Protec Fire Services (Saskatoon Airport Fire Department). Fire fighters and their emergency response vehicles were on site both days to add to the show. Many people climbed into the trucks and asked a lot of questions. We were very fortunate to have them with us this year. See below.
RCMP with Pilatus PC-12 Aircraft – People were greeted by Jordan Driedger, and RCMP Pilatus PC-12 Captain where they were shown around the aircraft. An RCMP Recruiter was also on site to answer questions about what it’s like to work for the RCMP, and how to pursue a careerwith them. See below
Great times at the Aviation Days Event! There’s something truly magical about getting up close with both historic and modern aircraft. Attendees were thrilled to explore antique planes and helicopters with fascinating histories from World War II and Vietnam. Kids of all ages had a blast climbing into fire trucks and checking out the gear. A standout moment was sitting in the cockpit of an ATR-42 500 airliner and chatting with the Captains—something rare in today’s world of tight security! With thrilling vintage aircraft fly-bys, diverse exhibits, and daily chances to win a free flight, the event was full of excitement and discoveries.
A huge thank you to all our Event Participants for helping us grow our aviation community and inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. Here’s a shout-out to most of our visiting participants and what they contributed: Thanks so much to the following event participants!
Saskatchewan Polytechnical – on site Booth and personnel.
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology – Bell UH-1 “Huey” Helicopter and Beechcraft Baron.
Millenium Aviation – C-172, Booth, and 2Discovery Flight Draws.
Mitchinson Flight Centre – C-310, Cessna 172, and Discovery Flight draws.
RCMP – Pilatus PC-12
Protec Fire Services – Fire Trucks
Saskatchewan Air Ambulance – King Air Lifeguard Medevac Aircraft and Pancake Breakfast
SPSA: Saskatchewan Government – represented by the museum’s Tracker exhibit
Rise Air – ATR-42, Beechcraft King Air, and personnel to provide an “Open Cockpit Experience”
STARS Air Ambulance – Airbus H145 helicopters with custom medical interior, and personnel on standby
COPA 10 – Amy Riis and General Aviation aircraft and enthusiasts
Amphibious C185 and 2006 Ford GT – Marc Paquette
Boeing Stearman – Fly-bys and Open Cockpit Experience provided by Gord Lowe
De Havilland Chipmunk – Doug Tomlinson fly-bys and static display provided by
Golden Era Aviation – Beech 18
Blaine Beavan – Bouncy Castle
Smileyface facepainting
602 Lynx Wing – Beer Garden
RCAF 
Anniversary: A Brief synopsis of the history of the RCAF
Anniversary: A Brief synopsis of the history of the RCAF1920–1968: The Canadian Air Force, established in 1920 as a successor to the World War I era force, initially focused on civilian tasks like forestry and surveying. In 1923, it became part of the Department of National Defence, and by 1924, it was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Though its growth was slow due to budget cuts, the RCAF became a military force by the late 1930s. During World War II, the RCAF expanded dramatically, becoming the fourth largest Allied air force. It operated in Europe, the North Atlantic, and Asia, and focused on home defense.
Post-war, the RCAF downsized but grew again due to Cold War tensions, joining NATO in 1949 and establishing No. 1 Air Division in Europe. The RCAF also helped transport troops during the Korean War and operated radar lines across Canada to monitor Soviet threats. In 1957, NORAD was formed with the U.S., and coastal defense and peacekeeping became key focuses in the 1950s and 60s.
1968–present: In 1968, the RCAF was merged with the Canadian Army and Navy to form the unified Canadian Forces. RCAF units continued operations in NATO and NORAD, and contributed to various peacekeeping missions. In the 1990s and 2000s, it participated in operations in the Gulf War, Yugoslavia, and Afghanistan. In 2011, the RCAF’s name was restored to better reflect Canada’s military heritage
September Event: Open Cockpit Day Family BBQ Fundraiser September 21st | 10 AM – 2 PM
Join us for a day of family fun at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the RCAF with our Open Cockpit Day! This is your chance to sit at the flight controls of a beautifully restored, flight-ready RCAF de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk. Get a mission briefing and discover what it was like to train as a pilot in the RCAF!
Explore even more legendary aircraft, including:
- de Havilland Tracker – a tactical fire attack aircraft with folding wings!
- Bell 206B Helicopter
- Our active C-47/DC-3 Restoration Project
Plus, test your flying skills with our interactive flight simulators and experience the thrill of aviation firsthand!
🎟️ Admission: $15 per person (includes a delicious hamburger meal).
RCAF Aircraft Spotlight: The 1956 de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a quintessential post-World War II trainer aircraft that stands out for its blend of innovation and performance. On September 21, you can have an opportunity to sit inside this antique military trainer and get a Mission Briefing. For now, here’s a look at its development, production, and design:
Following World War II, there was a strong desire in Canada to leverage its expanded aircraft manufacturing industry. de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd saw an opportunity to develop a new trainer aircraft that would replace the aging de Havilland Tiger Moth.
The project was led by Wsiewołod Jakimiuk, a Polish engineer, who designed the Chipmunk as a cantilever monoplane. This design featured an enclosed cockpit with a rear-sliding canopy, improved aerodynamics, and spin prevention features like strakes and stall breaker strips.
The first prototype, CF-DIO-X, flew on May 22, 1946, piloted by Pat Fillingham. It was initially equipped with a 145 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major IC engine.
- Canadian Production: de Havilland Canada produced 217 Chipmunks at its Downsview factory between the 1940s and 1950s. Later Canadian models featured a bubble canopy for improved visibility. Over were 1000 produced in the UK, and 66 in Portugal.
Aircraft Configuration: By 1950 the Chipmunk had replaced the Tiger Moth. The Chipmunk was carefully designed to overcome most of the problems of the Tiger Moth. The Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engine aircraft with a low-mounted wing. It features a conventional tailwheel landing gear arrangement and a fabric-covered fuselage. The cockpit has a clear perspex canopy that provides excellent visibility. The layout includes controls for both the student pilot and instructor.
Performance and Flight Features
- Flight Characteristics: The Chipmunk is known for its gentle handling and responsiveness. It was initially semi-aerobatic but later versions were fully aerobatic.
- Construction: The aircraft uses a stress-skinned alloy for its airframe, allowing for thinner, more performance-oriented wings and increased durability.
- Additional Features: Hand-operated single-slotted wing flaps
- Anti-spin strakes and disc brakes
- Lightweight alloy propeller
- Engine-driven vacuum pump for cockpit instruments
- Electric and Coffman cartridge starters
- Cockpit lighting and onboard radio system
1956 RCAF Chipmunk: The Chipmunk at our museum has a notable service history. Here are some highlights of the Chipmunk’s role in elementary military flight training across various Canadian air stations before its transition to civilian ownership.
- It was first used by the Primary Flying Training School at RCAF Station Centralia, Ontario during Course 5904 in the summer of 1959, training both Canadian and Dutch students.
- After its service at Centralia, the aircraft was moved to CFB Borden, Ontario, following the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Later, it was transferred to 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School at CFB Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on July 1, 1970.
- After being retired from active military service, it was given a civilian registration as CF-OBB.
- The aircraft was eventually acquired by Tom Coates, who purchased it for restoration on 24 May 2001.
– Highlighting a sponsor: The Saskatchewan Aviation Museum is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the rich aviation history of our province. We primarily achieve this by showcasing aircraft in their specialized forms, each telling its own story. Through these exhibits, the organizations and individuals who have shaped our aviation legacy come to light. This month, we are proud to directly highlight an organization whose contributions have been profoundly significant to the aviation industry in Saskatchewan. We will explore other organizations in future newsletters.
Cameco was a sponsor of our 2024 Aviation Days Event in August, and it’s important to acknowledge their impact on our province. As one of the world’s largest uranium producers, Cameco has significant, though indirect, ties to aviation through its mining activities in Saskatchewan. Here’s how:
- Geographical Accessibility: Cameco’s mining operations in remote northern Saskatchewan, like the Athabasca Basin, rely on aviation due to limited ground transport. Helicopters and aircraft transport personnel, equipment, and supplies to these sites.
- Logistics and Transportation: Aviation is crucial for Cameco’s supply chain, providing timely delivery of essential supplies such as drilling equipment and fuel in areas with limited or no road access.
- Emergency Response: Aviation supports emergency response with services like Saskatchewan Air Ambulance and STARS, ensuring worker safety through medical evacuations and rapid emergency response.
- Economic Impact: Cameco’s activities help develop regional aviation infrastructure, supporting local air transport businesses like charter services and maintenance facilities.
- Technological Integration: Aerial surveys with fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters assist in detecting mineral deposits by measuring data from the air.
- Environmental Monitoring: Aviation is used for environmental assessments, wildlife monitoring, and land reclamation to ensure compliance with regulations and reduce the ecological footprint of mining.
- Community Connectivity: Aviation links Cameco’s operations with indigenous and local communities in northern Saskatchewan, facilitating consultations, economic opportunities, and local business support.
In summary, Cameco’s operations are closely tied to aviation for exploration, logistics, transportation, environmental management, and community relations in remote Saskatchewan. Their reliance on aviation highlights the broader connection between natural resource industries and regional development. Companies like West Wind Aviation (no longer operating), Rise Air and more, have significantly benefitted from charters by Cameco.
Thank you, Cameco, for supporting our 2024 Aviation Days event.
Thank You to all of the Official Sponsors of the 2024 Saskatchewan Aviation Museum Aviation Days 2024: We are honoured to have the following companies support our Event. Sponsorship is crucial for aviation museum fundraising events as it provides essential financial support and resources, enabling the museum to organize and host successful events. Sponsors contribute funds that cover event costs, such as venue rental, promotional materials, and operational expenses, ensuring a high-quality, engaging, and immersive learning experience for attendees. This partnership not only enhances the event’s reach and impact but also fosters community engagement and support for the museum’s mission to preserve and celebrate aviation history.
Last Chance to win the Hatchet Lake Lodge Fishing Trip Raffle! Draw date Sept 30, 2024.
Click on the link https://saskaviation.ca/hatchet-lake-lodge-raffle/ to buy.
A Memorable Summer: The past few months at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum have been incredibly eventful, filled with memorable milestones that we will cherish for years to come. We’re proud to have exceeded many of our goals this past summer, and this success wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of our event participants, generous donors, dedicated sponsors, hardworking employees, and tireless volunteers. Your contributions have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to our mission. Thank you for helping us reach new heights!
See you at the Hangar!
Sincerely,
Brian Eikel
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Aviation Museum
306-341-4973
[email protected]
