Grumman Avenger firebombers Inquiry
Tue Aug 31, 2004 11:52 am
I friend mentioned to me that he remember seeing 4 Grumman Avenger firebombers near Bon Echo Lake Ontario. (a couple hrs north west of Ottawa) The location was a strip about 10 miles south of the lake. Does anyone remember hearing of these aircraft or what might have become of them? I have seen the Avengers flown in New Brunswick but not sure about these...
Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:20 pm
Planning your weekend Andrew? 
Mike
Mike
Always...
Tue Aug 31, 2004 2:06 pm
Trying to hide from my employeer... 
I do like a good mystery...
I do like a good mystery...
Tue Aug 31, 2004 10:02 pm
Hi Andrew--
How long ago was this? There were at least two companies in Ontario that operated TBMs on (mainly) cropspraying/forestry work, but they would have been gone by the mid-80s. Norfolk Aerial Spray had about six TBMs based at Delhi ON (but they often ventured to the east coast), while Hicks & Lawrence Ltd. of St.Thomas ON had at least four TBMs in the 70s, with two of them still based at St.Thomas as late as fall 1981. (Those two were some of the worst-looking Avengers I've ever seen...which means that in a strange way they looked great!) If your report dates from before about 1982, I'd guess the TBMs were Norfolk's or H&L's or a mix of the two. (If they looked especially motley they were likely H&L! BTW H&L still exists, operating striking black, yellow and white PZL ag-birds). If the sighting was more recent it'd have to have been some of FPL's stuff.
S.
How long ago was this? There were at least two companies in Ontario that operated TBMs on (mainly) cropspraying/forestry work, but they would have been gone by the mid-80s. Norfolk Aerial Spray had about six TBMs based at Delhi ON (but they often ventured to the east coast), while Hicks & Lawrence Ltd. of St.Thomas ON had at least four TBMs in the 70s, with two of them still based at St.Thomas as late as fall 1981. (Those two were some of the worst-looking Avengers I've ever seen...which means that in a strange way they looked great!) If your report dates from before about 1982, I'd guess the TBMs were Norfolk's or H&L's or a mix of the two. (If they looked especially motley they were likely H&L! BTW H&L still exists, operating striking black, yellow and white PZL ag-birds). If the sighting was more recent it'd have to have been some of FPL's stuff.
S.
Wed Sep 01, 2004 6:48 am
Steve,
Yes these Avengers would have been seen at least 15yr+ ago..so maybe they Norfolk's or H&L's...any idea as what happened to these aircraft...?
Andrew
Yes these Avengers would have been seen at least 15yr+ ago..so maybe they Norfolk's or H&L's...any idea as what happened to these aircraft...?
Andrew