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Gentlemen,
Was Agnew was no eccentric like Ernie Simmons. Wes was an astute businessman and entrepreneur.
An RCAF flying intructor during WWII at one of Manitoba's Commonwealth Air Training Plan bases, post-war Wes continued his flying in a Tiger Moth.
In 1946, the Canadian Governmet sold off all the CATP bases, equipment and aircraft in across Canada sales. Famers across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta bought these war suprlus aircraft and hauled them back to their property.
Back in the early 1970s when the Warbird movement was gaining strength, Wes surmised correctly, that there would be a market for these WWII aircraft, albeit, training aircraft. He scoured Manitoba and Saskatchewan for Bolingborkes and Lysanders and other surplus engines, equipment, etc.
He was indeed an astute businessman. For an intial investment of around $300, he bought three Bolingbrokes, and later sold all three in a package to an American investor for $21,000. Now that is an excellent profit margin. Even better, he located several Lysanders near Moss Bank, Saskatchewan and hauled these back to his farm. He sold several to the USA and UK, but kept one. For an investment of around $500 for all the Lysanders, he later sold one for near $100,000. Now that is an even better profit margin.
The Warbid movement is indebted to Wes Agnew for his business of buying and selling these airframes, and indirectly, preserving these with private individuals and museums.
Therefore, Wes Agnew was not eccentric like Ernie Simmons. Wes was an astute businessman and entrepreneur.
Yours very truly,
Norman Malayney
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