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Hi to "The NetLetter" … FYI, Click Here for CANAV’s new spring 2017 list of aviation books. All the best ... Larry Milberry |
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Gretchen Dawson sends us this memory regarding the "Sentimental Journey" of CF-TCC I was very involved when I heard about the plans from a few pilot friends, re the finding of and resurrection of CF-TCC - the L10A, from 1938/39 era on... I was after Air Canada to have "original" stewardesses from that era - who were members of Canadian Maple Wings Association (who we had found), who originally flew in that aircraft. Eventually I received a call from Air Canada, "would I please give them the names of several of these wonderful, healthy, approximately 75 year old ladies, to contact?" I gave them 10 - 12 names and they had 8 of them able and more than willing to participate!!! Their memoirs of the leg they worked on that incredible publicity trip is recorded in personal letters to me and in the booklet I've made mention of, along with their pictures. I know Ted Morris was really responsible for the idea in the first place, followed with Ken Meek and Lillian Rayson as orchestrators. Mr. Claude Taylor told me after, "Gretchen, we couldn't buy the publicity by having those early ladies on board in replicas of their original uniforms! Thank you for pushing ahead with your 'dream'!" This photo was taken at Vancouver on arrival in May 1986.
I've just hung up from talking with her. She tells me that not only was Rosanne wearing "my" 1960-64 winter uniform, but Eva was wearing Ruth Heenan's 1939 uniform made for her for the "Sentimental Journey" trip - "leg she worked." Ruth was a larger lady back in 1986, and Eva had to use several safety pins on the skirt to keep it up. I note Joan Racey is also wearing the uniform that saw the longest service from the mid '50's through to 1964 (11 years). Eva is in her late '90's (96/97?), and is still a "green coater" out at YVR and has been for over 25 years now. She is incredible, I tell her Canadian Maple Wings Association is all her fault for hiring me!! She's a very special lady and dear friend all these years, in my life. When we were going to hang up the phone, she said to me: "Thanks for checking in!" Gretchen. |
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Reader Feedback on the BAC One-Eleven story in NetLetter # 1364 |
| Great picture of the BAC One Eleven aircraft CF-QBN. I used to work on this at Heathrow when it flew for British Eagle in the sixties as G-ATPH. It came straight from the factory. We operated a small fleet of BAC 1-11's seven in all. Now many years later I run the Eagle Group of Companies Archives. Always look forward to the NetLetter. Many thanks.
Regards |
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I recall the two Quebecair BAC 1-11's very well. Prior to coming to Canada in 1969, I worked for Sperry Gyroscope in Bracknell. I was the engineer assigned to work with BAC in fitting the FDR system into these two aircraft for their ferry flight to Canada. The recorder was made by Penny and Giles, and Sperry supplied their SADAS for the electronics. This was the first installation of the new P&G recorder which used a stainless steel tape rather than the acetate type. I liaised with the BAC engineer at Weybridge, and helped install the system in the aircraft. The world is indeed small when it comes to Aviation. Thanks for the memory, |
