Vintage Wings of Canada, Status of the Wing
Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:25 pm
Vintage Wings of Canada, Status of the Wing
2 April 2008
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The snow is finally melting in Ottawa after a long winter. Spring is in the air and thoughts and minds are turning to the flying season. Vintage Wings of Canada is busy preparing for the activities of the upcoming year with annuals under way and progress being made with the various projects.
Hurricane Mk XII, RCAF s/n 5447, c/n 46002, c/r C-GGAJ
The volunteers and staff at Vintage Wings are quite pleased to have two Hurricanes in the hangar at Gatineau. Mk IV KZ321 gets most of the attention as it is the flier which makes appearances at the air shows and open house events, but the Mk XII project is progressing. Project manager John Aitken summarizes the progress, “Work is taking place on several fronts of which only two, wing centre section repairs and fuselage general systems reworking, are visible at Gatineau. Large portions of the work have been farmed out to other facilities. The vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the main landing gear legs, centre fuel tank, and tail wheel assembly are in England with ARC and Hawker Restorations. The engine is being over hauled at Factory 51 in California. As well the wing outer panels plus flight control surfaces are being worked on in St. Catherines, Ontario.”
Problems with the wing box delayed the original plans for the Hurricane to fly in 2008. Corrosion was found on the spar and therefore this critical section needed to be repaired. Aitken continues, “The wing centre section was completely dismantled before Christmas and the spar end fittings were sent out for NDT inspection and cadmium plating. The NDT testing revealed only one small problem with one of the fittings and that was repaired. The cadmium plating, however, took more time to accomplish than was expected due to questions about the material the end fittings were constructed from and how best to accomplish the plating. These questions were answered and the cadmium plating was completed in February. The fittings were returned in late February. In the meantime most of the other structural components joining the two spars were stripped, inspected, repaired, primed and repainted. As of the end of February these parts were ready for reassembly. As of the first week of March work on the centre section had recommenced in the hangar at Gatineau. Reassembly is expected to take approximately 2 months.” This is just the reassembly of the spar section, after which it must of course be re-mated to the fuselage before reassembly of the airframe can really start in earnest. Unfortunately the crew’s original plans to have the Hurricane flying fall 2008 have been dropped for a more realistic target of the summer of 2009.
Swordfish Mk IV, RCN s/n HS554, c/n F/BS35270A, c/r C-GEVS
…and…
Lysander Mk IIIa, RCAF s/ 2365, c/n 1206, c/r C-FVZZ
Whi
While surveying progress in the hangar, Tim Leslie provided the following update for the Swordfish and Lysander. “For both the Lysander and the Swordfish, the engines are over in England. Unfortunately we are up against the engine shop’s schedules. They will get to them when they get to them.” One of the delays has been components, particularly the valves for the Pegasus for the Swordfish. “The issue is with the sodium filled values. Rolls Royce holds the STC which is the type certificate for the engine and they are insisting it be built to original specifications.” As for the airframes, little remains to be completed. Once the engines are returned to Vintage Wings they will be hung and the two big birds will be ready to fly.
Kittyhawk Mk IV, RAAF s/n A29-414, c/n 28589
The Kittyhawk is not yet in the hangar in Gatineau, but rather it is undergoing restoration with Pioneer Aero in New Zealand. Dave Hadfield visited Pioneer Aero last January to inspect progress made and he commented “The fuselage is generally complete. The empennage is attached. The instrument panel is in. The engine is hung, though the connections not yet run. The wings are making steady progress in the jigs being built one piece at a time. They are the 5-spar wings which explain the aircraft's Second World War ruggedness. All the parts are there, or are being fabricated. Once the wings are finished, it's really just a matter of assembly and control runs.” It is estimated the airframe will be painted at Pioneer in April or May with an expected arrival at Vintage Wings in August or September. Hadfield continues, “The test pilot will be John Lamont, of Wanaka. Pioneer is a very good operation. This will be their 9th or 10th P-40, and the staff and management really know their stuff. Believe me, I asked a lot of questions!”
Sabre 5, RCAF s/n 23314, c/n 1104, c/r N8687D
Tim Leslie is a very busy person. He balances a career, family and a second career at Vintage Wings which consumes every spare second he has. Tim graciously gave a few minutes of his spare time to provide an update of the Hawk One project. “A few years ago when this project was in the initial planning stages, I found that I just didn’t have the time to manage it. Steve Will stepped up and said he wanted to take on the Sabre project and he asked for 6 months to see how far he could progress with it.” It went so well Vintage Wings went ahead with the acquisition of the Sabre and a separate organization from Vintage Wings has been formed formerly known as “Hawk One”. “Vintage Wings of Canada has committed itself to provide Hawk One with a serviceable Sabre. The project is now managed by Steve Will, former Snowbird lead and Lieutenant Colonel in the military. Steve has a large team working with him including five pilots; Steve, Paul Kissman, Chris Hadfield, myself and Dan Dempsey another former Snowbird lead. He has another team of 20 to 30 people including two coordinators, both of which are ex-Snowbird coordinators. Marks Work Warehouse has come on board, and they are supplying the flight suits which replicate the original blue Golden Hawk flight suits.” Future operations of the Vintage Wings Sabre are quite exciting. “Pending Air Force approval there are plans for Hawk One to fly with the Snowbirds. Assuming the same approval is provided, it will also take part in a heritage flight with a CF-18 in a 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada commemorative paint scheme and with a Tutor in Golden Centennaires colours.” Currently the Sabre is undergoing an inspection and repair phase with the first flight expected in the June/July timeframe. “The Schedule is for Paul Kissman to fly the Sabre to Cold Lake on October 1st to be painted in Golden Hawk colours and return to Ottawa at the end of October.” One of the primary purposes of Hawk One is for it to appear at the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada at Baddeck, Nova Scotia. This will also be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Golden Hawks which were formed to recognize the 50th anniversary of the first powered flight. “On February the 23rd 2009, the 100th anniversary of the first flight, Chris will take the Sabre to Baddeck and do the fly-past there.” Hawk One will also appear at a number of shows across the country in 2009 including Abbotsford, Moose Jaw, Toronto, Ottawa (July 1st) and Moncton.
Looking Forward
As Vintage Wings gains experience they have been forming relationships with other aviation minded groups. Tim Leslie comments, “We are really becoming more hand-in-hand with the Canada Aviation Museum, the Canadian Warplane Heritage and the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group. We are really working well with organizations whose hopes, dreams and aims are congruent with ours. We are very pleased with how things are unfolding that way.” The hangar at Vintage Wings could be described as “stuffed”, but is the rapid growth of the past two years to come to a sudden halt? Not so. “We are looking at other acquisitions. We have no intentions to level off, Vintage Wings is not slowing down. We are excited about the prospect of what we are looking at and we are looking to acquire airframes important to our Canadian aviation heritage.”
Although Vintage Wings clearly has a long term vision, there is no need to lose sight of the short term. If you wish to view the collection you can arrange a group tour ahead of time by contacting Carolyn Leslie via the website. There will also be two open house events at the hangar during the summer, plus Vintage Wings will be attending a few air shows including the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Weekend, the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group’s Geneseo Air Show and the Classic Air Rallye in Ottawa.
Mike Henniger
2 April 2008
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The snow is finally melting in Ottawa after a long winter. Spring is in the air and thoughts and minds are turning to the flying season. Vintage Wings of Canada is busy preparing for the activities of the upcoming year with annuals under way and progress being made with the various projects.
Hurricane Mk XII, RCAF s/n 5447, c/n 46002, c/r C-GGAJ
The volunteers and staff at Vintage Wings are quite pleased to have two Hurricanes in the hangar at Gatineau. Mk IV KZ321 gets most of the attention as it is the flier which makes appearances at the air shows and open house events, but the Mk XII project is progressing. Project manager John Aitken summarizes the progress, “Work is taking place on several fronts of which only two, wing centre section repairs and fuselage general systems reworking, are visible at Gatineau. Large portions of the work have been farmed out to other facilities. The vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the main landing gear legs, centre fuel tank, and tail wheel assembly are in England with ARC and Hawker Restorations. The engine is being over hauled at Factory 51 in California. As well the wing outer panels plus flight control surfaces are being worked on in St. Catherines, Ontario.”
Problems with the wing box delayed the original plans for the Hurricane to fly in 2008. Corrosion was found on the spar and therefore this critical section needed to be repaired. Aitken continues, “The wing centre section was completely dismantled before Christmas and the spar end fittings were sent out for NDT inspection and cadmium plating. The NDT testing revealed only one small problem with one of the fittings and that was repaired. The cadmium plating, however, took more time to accomplish than was expected due to questions about the material the end fittings were constructed from and how best to accomplish the plating. These questions were answered and the cadmium plating was completed in February. The fittings were returned in late February. In the meantime most of the other structural components joining the two spars were stripped, inspected, repaired, primed and repainted. As of the end of February these parts were ready for reassembly. As of the first week of March work on the centre section had recommenced in the hangar at Gatineau. Reassembly is expected to take approximately 2 months.” This is just the reassembly of the spar section, after which it must of course be re-mated to the fuselage before reassembly of the airframe can really start in earnest. Unfortunately the crew’s original plans to have the Hurricane flying fall 2008 have been dropped for a more realistic target of the summer of 2009.
Swordfish Mk IV, RCN s/n HS554, c/n F/BS35270A, c/r C-GEVS
…and…
Lysander Mk IIIa, RCAF s/ 2365, c/n 1206, c/r C-FVZZ
Whi
While surveying progress in the hangar, Tim Leslie provided the following update for the Swordfish and Lysander. “For both the Lysander and the Swordfish, the engines are over in England. Unfortunately we are up against the engine shop’s schedules. They will get to them when they get to them.” One of the delays has been components, particularly the valves for the Pegasus for the Swordfish. “The issue is with the sodium filled values. Rolls Royce holds the STC which is the type certificate for the engine and they are insisting it be built to original specifications.” As for the airframes, little remains to be completed. Once the engines are returned to Vintage Wings they will be hung and the two big birds will be ready to fly.
Kittyhawk Mk IV, RAAF s/n A29-414, c/n 28589
The Kittyhawk is not yet in the hangar in Gatineau, but rather it is undergoing restoration with Pioneer Aero in New Zealand. Dave Hadfield visited Pioneer Aero last January to inspect progress made and he commented “The fuselage is generally complete. The empennage is attached. The instrument panel is in. The engine is hung, though the connections not yet run. The wings are making steady progress in the jigs being built one piece at a time. They are the 5-spar wings which explain the aircraft's Second World War ruggedness. All the parts are there, or are being fabricated. Once the wings are finished, it's really just a matter of assembly and control runs.” It is estimated the airframe will be painted at Pioneer in April or May with an expected arrival at Vintage Wings in August or September. Hadfield continues, “The test pilot will be John Lamont, of Wanaka. Pioneer is a very good operation. This will be their 9th or 10th P-40, and the staff and management really know their stuff. Believe me, I asked a lot of questions!”
Sabre 5, RCAF s/n 23314, c/n 1104, c/r N8687D
Tim Leslie is a very busy person. He balances a career, family and a second career at Vintage Wings which consumes every spare second he has. Tim graciously gave a few minutes of his spare time to provide an update of the Hawk One project. “A few years ago when this project was in the initial planning stages, I found that I just didn’t have the time to manage it. Steve Will stepped up and said he wanted to take on the Sabre project and he asked for 6 months to see how far he could progress with it.” It went so well Vintage Wings went ahead with the acquisition of the Sabre and a separate organization from Vintage Wings has been formed formerly known as “Hawk One”. “Vintage Wings of Canada has committed itself to provide Hawk One with a serviceable Sabre. The project is now managed by Steve Will, former Snowbird lead and Lieutenant Colonel in the military. Steve has a large team working with him including five pilots; Steve, Paul Kissman, Chris Hadfield, myself and Dan Dempsey another former Snowbird lead. He has another team of 20 to 30 people including two coordinators, both of which are ex-Snowbird coordinators. Marks Work Warehouse has come on board, and they are supplying the flight suits which replicate the original blue Golden Hawk flight suits.” Future operations of the Vintage Wings Sabre are quite exciting. “Pending Air Force approval there are plans for Hawk One to fly with the Snowbirds. Assuming the same approval is provided, it will also take part in a heritage flight with a CF-18 in a 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada commemorative paint scheme and with a Tutor in Golden Centennaires colours.” Currently the Sabre is undergoing an inspection and repair phase with the first flight expected in the June/July timeframe. “The Schedule is for Paul Kissman to fly the Sabre to Cold Lake on October 1st to be painted in Golden Hawk colours and return to Ottawa at the end of October.” One of the primary purposes of Hawk One is for it to appear at the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada at Baddeck, Nova Scotia. This will also be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Golden Hawks which were formed to recognize the 50th anniversary of the first powered flight. “On February the 23rd 2009, the 100th anniversary of the first flight, Chris will take the Sabre to Baddeck and do the fly-past there.” Hawk One will also appear at a number of shows across the country in 2009 including Abbotsford, Moose Jaw, Toronto, Ottawa (July 1st) and Moncton.
Looking Forward
As Vintage Wings gains experience they have been forming relationships with other aviation minded groups. Tim Leslie comments, “We are really becoming more hand-in-hand with the Canada Aviation Museum, the Canadian Warplane Heritage and the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group. We are really working well with organizations whose hopes, dreams and aims are congruent with ours. We are very pleased with how things are unfolding that way.” The hangar at Vintage Wings could be described as “stuffed”, but is the rapid growth of the past two years to come to a sudden halt? Not so. “We are looking at other acquisitions. We have no intentions to level off, Vintage Wings is not slowing down. We are excited about the prospect of what we are looking at and we are looking to acquire airframes important to our Canadian aviation heritage.”
Although Vintage Wings clearly has a long term vision, there is no need to lose sight of the short term. If you wish to view the collection you can arrange a group tour ahead of time by contacting Carolyn Leslie via the website. There will also be two open house events at the hangar during the summer, plus Vintage Wings will be attending a few air shows including the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Weekend, the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group’s Geneseo Air Show and the Classic Air Rallye in Ottawa.
Mike Henniger
Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:55 pm
Wow,
That's going to be quite the collection when it's all together!!!
-David
That's going to be quite the collection when it's all together!!!
-David
Re: Vintage Wings of Canada, Status of the Wing
Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:26 pm
mrhenniger wrote: “We are looking at other acquisitions. We have no intentions to level off, Vintage Wings is not slowing down. We are excited about the prospect of what we are looking at and we are looking to acquire airframes important to our Canadian aviation heritage.”
Awesome, thanks for the update! This sentence is particularly intriguing. I have a solution. Why doesn't Vintage Wings buy the Mossie at the Calgary Aerospace Museum which has been mired in controversy as of late? They could restore it and keep the plane in Canada. This would be a win-win situation for everyone involved. The Calgary Museum would get their money for the Hurricane restoration, the Mossie would stay in Canada, and Vintage Wings would get a very historic Canadian aircraft which would help foster it's goal of preserving Canadian avation history.
What's not to like about this proposal?
Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:50 pm
Mike, thanks for a very comprehensive update.
Rob
Rob
Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:51 pm
Like most who walk into the hangar I have to pinch myself to make sure its real. The most amazing place for any aircraft lover. But more important the opportunity to meet people who share the same passion for aviation.
Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:31 am
Hi Mike
Have you some date about the two open house?
If not, I can suggest somes that will fit with my days off of work
Thanks for the update
J-F St-Pierre
Have you some date about the two open house?
If not, I can suggest somes that will fit with my days off of work
Thanks for the update
J-F St-Pierre
Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:36 am
J-F St-Pierre wrote:Have you some date about the two open house?
I think they are firming-up the dates this week. I'll post here when I get them.
Mike
Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:10 pm
Yes please post the days for the open houses once they become avail....
Andrew
Andrew
Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:25 am
The open house dates are June 7th and September 20th.
Mike
Mike
Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:39 am
See you June 7!
Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:24 pm
Thanks a lot Mike.
I should be there btoh time.
J-F St-Pierre
I should be there btoh time.
J-F St-Pierre
Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:23 pm
Thanks for the info Mike !
I'll try to make it again with NCJ...
I'll try to make it again with NCJ...
Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:03 pm
Greg et al--
I hope to be there June 7 as well...ideally will arrive at the wheel of my Hamilton-built 1962 Studebaker Lark.
S.
I hope to be there June 7 as well...ideally will arrive at the wheel of my Hamilton-built 1962 Studebaker Lark.
S.
Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:30 pm
Excellent I will be there for sure also....
Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:31 am
Mike,
Well there be any special visitors to Vintage Wings of Canada this Saturday for their first open house of 2008?
Andrew
Well there be any special visitors to Vintage Wings of Canada this Saturday for their first open house of 2008?
Andrew