Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Great things developed for Trans-Canada Air Lines early after WWII.

New aircraft like the DC-3 and North Star were the biggest change, allowing for a much expanded route structure.

So the well-worn fleet of Lockheeds was sold. This basic ·advert· tells the story. No doubt the planes went at give-away prices. Toronto-based buyers alone included Imperial Oil, which took CF-TDB.

BA Oil took CF-TCH and CF-TDE, Massey Harris farm equipment company in Toronto took CF-TDG and Noranda Mines bought CF-TCU. For their new role as corporate planes, the basic old TCA Lockheeds were gutted, then rebuilt with swish interiors.

(Source: Larry Milberry/CANAV Books)

The Candy Drop Mission – Berlin airlift.

With the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift coming up in June, a small group of volunteers has been assembling a fleet of vintage aircraft to re-create the famed Candy Bomber Mission originated by Gail Halvorsen in 1948.

The "Berlin Candy Bomber" or "Uncle Wiggly Wings" gained fame for dropping candy to German children during the Berlin airlift. 

Although the airlift began in 1948, it carried on until 1949 so the commemoration will occur next year, in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. 

Thus far organizers Peter Braun, Thomas Keller and Jörg Siebert have commitments from 35 aircraft operators, with airplanes coming from all over the world.

(Source: avweb.com)

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