US Diplomat Was Investigated for Spying as a Kid Because He Kept Writing Boeing Asking for Photos
(Found at www.flightaware.com)
Note: Since I know that many of our readers are aviation enthusiasts or more bluntly put "aviation nuts" , I thought you may be able to relate to this story.
By most standards, Robert F. Dorr lived the most all-American, patriotic life anyone possibly could. He served in the Air Force, he was a diplomat with the State Department from the 1960s to the 1980s, and he went on to be a successful author and TV pundit about military affairs. But as a teenager, Dorr was investigated by the FBI for potential espionage. His crime? He kept writing to Boeing asking for photos of their planes.
Dorr died in June 2016 from a brain tumor at the age of 76, and will be remembered for his writings on military history. But his newly released FBI file, obtained by Gizmodo through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, is actually quite humorous in retrospect, given his interests. Back in the 1950s, when he was still just a kid, the Pentagon and the FBI were concerned that he might be a spy.
When he was 14 years old, Dorr wrote multiple letters to companies like Boeing, asking for 8x10 glossy photos of their latest planes (see letter below). His devotion was like that of a fan enamoured with his favorite singer. But the FBI was alerted to this unusual activity and opened an investigation.
For the full story please click here.
Robert Dorr in 2003
Maritime Central Airways
MCA was founded by Carl Burke from PEI and Josiah Anderson from Moncton, NB in 1941 operating in the Maritime provinces as well as Newfoundland and Labrador (before joining confederation).
Beginning with a fleet of only two aircraft, a Boeing 247 and a Fairchild 24, the fleet would later grow to include six DC-3’s, 3 DC-4’s, one DC-6 and a Vickers Viscount. By 1953, MCA was the third largest airline in Canada after TCA and CP. Nordair actually began life as a subsidiary of MCA in 1957 and would evolve into a major carrier on its own by the 1960’s. MCA was acquired by Eastern Provincial Airlines in 1963.
It is always such a pleasant surprize to find that historical aircraft have been preserved for our enjoyment. The original Boeing 247D operated by MCA was delivered to Pacific Air Transport in July of 1933 and would later be transferred to the United Airlines fleet when that airline reorganized in 1934.
Registration NC13347 would be acquired by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940 and deployed in support of the war effort. In 1941 it was acquired to launch MCA and re-registered under CF-BTB. I have not been able to confirm the circumstances by which the aircraft was aquired by the RCAF and then MCA. Does anyone have any details to pass along?
In 1945 it began a series of leases to various airlines operating in North and South America until it was acquired by the Museum of Flight Foundation of Seattle, Washington where it has been preserved in UAL livery under its original registration NC13347.
I also found that one of the DC-3’s has been preserved at the Aero Space Museum in Calgary, Alberta. RZJets shows the aircraft originally delivered to the United States Air Force and then later acquired by MCA under registration CF-BZI some time around 1956. It would then serve Inter-Provincial Pipelines of Edmonton until being acquired by Northwest Territorial Airways Limited and was a part of the Buffalo Airways fleet for the TV series Ice Pilots NWT.
Pictured: Douglas DC-4 Registration CF-MCB 
Sources and additional information:
MCA at Wikipedia
MCA at WorldHistory.Biz
MCA fleet at RZJets.net
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Neil Burton has sent us this information –
Photo is courtesy of Mrs. Smuland, widow of late A.W. (Al) Smuland (1928-2005). Al was a Pacific Western Airlines pilot on Fulton Field (Kamloops Airport) from 1955 to the early 1960's. Photo: Photographer, reception committee, location and year all unknown. Image not located in Vancouver Sun, nor Victoria Daily Colonist during period of Royal tour. |
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 Click Here to read the full story submittted by Mr. Burton. |
Our cartoon by Frank Freeland is from the "Between Ourselves" magazine issued February 1955.
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Arrow Airways Limited timetable effective November 1st, 1939. From collection of Bjorn Larsson. |
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PARK ‘N’ FLY. Aeroplan partner, Park 'N Fly, is offering all active and retired Air Canada employees an opportunity to save 25 percent when parking at all Park 'N Fly airport facilities across Canada. For a list of airport parking facilities, visit the Park 'N Fly Web site. To take advantage of this discount, present your Air Canada identification card, business card, or a letter confirming employment. You must use this current code at exit: 31737 *** *** This current code is subject to change and expiry date depending on the airport facility used. |
