CMF's Fleet FE-80 Canuck Restoration

[daveymac82c]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Even though I'm not able to make it out to the Canadian Museum of Flight at Langley Airport, BC. I check up on things on their website and came across an update on the Fleet Canuck restoration:

http://www.canadianflight.org/content/fleet-80

I can't wait until she's done. There's a chance I'll get to fly her... one day.

Peace,

David M

[lotus49]

Great progress and project.

Do you know the history of this Fleet Canuck? I was wondering if it is one of the Fleet Canucks operated by Bob Gilmour, who ran Meadows Aero at Pitt Meadows back in the 80`s.

I learned to fly with Bob in those Canucks, and it would be cool to know one is still flying.

It would be great fun to fly a Fleet Canuck again, are they going to rent it out? or sell rides?

[daveymac82c]

Hi Lotus49,

I am pretty certain that this Canuck is not one of Bob's. We did get a pair of damaged wings from him that were used in the restoration as the ones that came with the original airframe were seriously damaged.

This Canuck actually came out of Alberta, but I can't remember where.


As for Bob, I've got about 8 hours with him in DQE which he still flew until recently. With the need for a Mode C Transponder to fly at Pitt Meadows, he's not sure whether there's enough interest to fly with him, and take that expense, or to simply retire. I've been meaning to get back up in the Canuck with him because he really is a great flying instructor. They certainly don't make them like him anymore.

Anyways, the CMF's Canuck will be operated in flying condition along with our fleet consisting of our Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, Waco AQC, Waco INF, Harvard, SE5a (replica) and P-51 (replica). We have a members day where you can donate a reasonable amount to be able to go for a ride. It's a great day of flying and I can't wait for this years to come around. As for renting out the Canuck, I don't think that is in the plan. There is a possibility, and this is only from overhearing people talk of ideas while the plane is being restored, to use the Canuck as a club type airplane to keep our members current year round, but that would probably mean higher levels of insurance and may very well be too expensive to keep up. Like I said, that's just hangar talk, and not in any way a true plan.

Thanks for your interest in our Canuck. You'll be happy to know that there's a good 8-10 Canucks in the Vancouver area. There was a fly in a few years back that saw 6 of them I believe.

Peace,

David M

[Dave Hadfield]

Quite a few air-to-air photos of the ECAF Cauck here http://www.airic.ca/html/ecafcanuck.html



Dave

[daveymac82c]

Now that's a beauty!

Thanks for sharing those pictures!

Peace,

David M

[Canso42]

Daveymac, I'd like to see pix of those two Wacos. Post here or email me at Ratch4@yahoo.com.

blue skies & tailwinds

[daveymac82c]

Here's a little update on the Fleet Canuck. I'm not totally sure, but I get the feeling she'll be flying by the end of the summer, and if not maybe sometime in the fall.

Here's a link to the restoration updates page of the CMF's website:

http://www.canadianflight.org/content/fleet-80 (It's got pictures!!!)

I hope you enjoy.

Peace,

David