DC-3 Recovery Project

Yesterday marked an important milestone for the Saskatchewan Aviation Historical Society and the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Center.  The DC-3, CF-CQT, was transported by flatbed truck, from Points North to Saskatoon, where it will undergo an extensive restoration, before being put on display at the new aviation museum.

The aircraft was built at the Douglas Long Beach plant as a Douglas C-47A-35-DL and delivered to the USAAF 1943.  Allocated U.S. serial number 42-23951, the aircraft named 'Lynda Jean' and flew out of Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines carrying infantry troops into combat areas of the Pacific islands throughout World War 2. After the war, it then served with airline carrier all over the world before coming to Canada in 1970.  The aircraft saw service in British Columbia and also flew with Buffalo Airways in 1994 before being acquired by Point North here in Saskatchewan, where it finished its flying career in 1996.

Huge thank you goes out to Northern Resource Trucking.  NRT provided the trucks, trailers and crews, which transported the DC-3 to Saskatoon.  

Full history of the aircraft can be found here.

http://www.skahs.com/Douglas-DC3-Dakota.html

Photos by SKAHS Member-Colin Kunkel

Chipmunk CF-OBB Update

Story and photos by SkAHS member

Colin Kunkel

Well, work continues on Chipmunk CF-OBB.  Fuel tanks were filled and checked for leaks and thankfully, none were found.  Cockpit instrumentation is installed, as is the engine.

So, today, CF-OBB was rolled outside, as it was time to fire up the engine and bring the Chipmunk back to life.

As with anything kind of a restoration, nothing works right the first try.  After some sputtering starts, the engine cranked over and after a few run-ups, some fine tuning is still needed as the engine is running rich at the moment.

With that, the aircraft was rolled back into the hangar and we'll try again tomorrow to iron out the kinks and have the Chipmunk purring like a kitten.

Snowbirds 2014 Year End Show

After 5 months on the road, performing at air shows all over North America, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds returned home for one final show, to close out their 2014 season.

Windy conditions were present on show day, but the skies were clear.  In addition to the Snowbirds performance, a gathering, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CT-114 Tutor, was being held at 15 Wing Moose Jaw over the same weekend.  Former Snowbirds, as well as other pilots and technicians, who flew and worked on the Tutor, were also in attendance.  I had the opportunity to even meet a pilot who served with the Golden Centennaires aerobatic team in 1967.  John Swallow flew as Gold 3, inner left wing, with the team.  The Centennaires flew 100 shows in 1967, celebrating Canada's Centennial, before being disbanded at years end.  The Centennaires had laid the groundwork though, for the team that eventually became the Snowbirds.

Flypast marking 50 Years for the CT-114

Prior to the Snowbirds performance, 3 flypasts were performed by CT-155 Hawks, CT-156 Harvard IIs and finally, 2 CT-114 Tutors, one wearing markings of the Snowbirds, while the other was still in its "Big 2" training paint scheme.

Then, the main attraction took to the air.  The Snowbirds put on a rock solid performance, despite the windy conditions, as friends and family members looked on.  After their final performance, family and friends had a chance to meet with the pilots and technicians, and get up close to the aircraft.  For some on the team, this would be their last performance as a Snowbird.  As in years past, new team members will come on board for the 2015 season, and the new team will start training in November, before hitting the road next summer.

Once again, I want to thank the Snowbirds Public Affairs Officer, Captain Thomas Edelson, for granting me access to the show.  Captain Edelson has allowed me to capture images at these shows for the past few years, and without his assistance, these photo shoots would not happen.  I truly hope to continue to capture these shows for years to come.

All photos by Colin Kunkel-SkAHS

Chipmunk Restoration Update

Work continues on our second Chipmunk, CF-OBB.  The majority of the aircraft has been painted in its signature, overall yellow paint scheme, as well as having all major markings applied.  To date, the wings, horizontal stabilizers and landing gear have been added.  Work continues on all of the movable flying surfaces, cowl sections and cockpit.

All photos by Colin Kunkel-SkAHS

A shot of CF-OAA

Snowbirds Open 2014 Season at home.

On May 9, 2014, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds, opened their 2014 air show season with a performance in front of friends and family at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK.  With new "Boss", Major Patrick Gobiel leading, the team took to the skies over 15 Wing, and delivered their usual, first-rate performance.  2014 marks the 90th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and this is the theme that the team is flying under for the summer.

Many thanks to Captain Thomas Edelson, Snowbirds Public Affairs Officer, for granting media access to the show.

All photos by Colin Kunkel-SkAHS