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In NetLetter #1374, we had an article regarding the "The Perfect Adventure" from Hugh MacCallum, and the PBY Catalina Canso which had planned to fly across Canada. The article asked for any feedback from our readers. Hugh has sent us this information - Hugh notes that in some instances he cut & pasted their notes and paraphrased in others. |
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George & Noreen Brien “...before AC, as a teen age radio operator working at the Pine Tree radar site at Hopedale, NL. 55°27′59″N 060°13′47″W. He said that when the ice left the harbour, MCA-Maritime Central Airways did the resupply with Cansos from CYYR (Goose Bay)." |
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Charlie Burtch “...in 1958 with CPA where the Canso operated Prince Rupert to Sandspit daily. The Canso would connect with the DC-6B at Sandspit for passengers destined Vancouver. Of course at that time Prince Rupert did not have a runway. We also operated a bus from Prince Rupert to Terrace airport for additional pax demand. YPR a/p built in 1961." Hugh notes: (I put W. J. Cameron in touch with Charlie. I was in email conversation with both on the same day). |
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William Cameron "...1955 -66 CPA’s YPR Radio operator-agent dispatcher. Then mgt positions worldwide with CPAL." Now at 88 - a fountain of info re: Cansos -especially CPA’s Cansos. Also active with CAHS." |
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Ken Clarke "...nothing specific, xcept he knows about Martin Mars & various water bomber outfits in Alberta & NWT. " |
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Alan Evans "...flew in the Canadian N.W and Arctic. In 1976 flew the last Catalina to take to the skies in Southern Africa." Hugh notes - He sent me many photos of Sunderlands, Catalinas at South African WWII Indian Ocean bases. |
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Doug Fulton “ in 1958 flying support for a mining exploration crew about 100 miles SW of Wabush, Labrador. A Canso operated by either Northern Wings or Wheeler Airways delivered fuel to our camp. Fermont, Quebec in same general vicinity - the city living in a protective wall." |
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Mike Nash "He worked for either CPA or PWA at Prince George a/p. Currently a news writer, many aviation articles." |
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Chris Templeton “Your name was given to me by Charlie Burtch on July 25th, 2017 regarding your experience with the RCAF, in particular - the CANSO. Charlie forwarded your story of the med evac (14 yr old boy & blasting cap) from Prince Rupert in RCAF Canso 11041 based at Sea Island." |
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Bernie McCormack chips in with this memory - My recollection of the Canso and the PBY was that the US original was a boat only and the Canso was a (Canadian designed) amphibious. (wheels). Bernie, I had better do a little more research. Original production model - PBY-1 Sept. '36 to June '37, 60 built. Named after Catalina Island. (California South coast). PBY 5A 1941-1945 Ongoing modifications including Hydraulically actuated, retractable tricycle landing gear 802 built. Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso. A version of the PBY-5A Catalina, this aircraft was built in 1944 for the Royal Canadian Air Force. PBV-1A Canadian Vickers built version of the PBY-5A, 380 built including 150 to the Canadian Air Force and the rest to the USAAF as the OA-10A. Total Canadian built Catalinas/Cansos - 620 |
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Stuart Russell has sent this information to complement that which was in NetLetter #1385 - Thanks for the updates. Always full of interesting stories.
She was the first of six PWA painted aircraft and many leased ones as well. The photo shows CF-PWO at YZF during the spring of 1968. |
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Thanks Stuart |
