With recent posts about CF-DRD’s fundraising for restoration it brought to my attention two other displays of Norseman on pylons in Canada. Fittingly, all three are on floats and in communities that are still gateways for northern aviation. DRD was the first to go up in 1992, but looking beyond Red Lake have you seen CF-HPY or “CF-BHS”?

A project spearheaded by Joe McBryan’s Buffalo Airways and the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton culminated with a celebration on September 25, 2004 when this Mk V, N29-52 took its place alongside Kingsway NW in front of the museum. In turn, the museum is located at the now defunct Blatchford Field airport which has a rich history of pioneering aviation and as the “Gateway to the North”. Inside the building is immaculate Norseman CF-EIH, a Mk IV and the museum is well worth a visit.

CF-HPY carries the Buffalo Airways title and green colour but was never flown by them. Also, the aircraft is mounted in a steep nose high attitude as seen by the slanted horizon in the photo.

Next, in 2008 a component of the Thompson Spirit Way attraction in Thompson, Manitoba was unveiled as a tribute to Lambair and all the pilots of the north.

The white building on the far side of the Burntwood River used to belong to Lambair, an airline with a long history in northern Manitoba and beyond from 1935 to 1981. The bush plane is purposefully positioned to depict a take off from the river and points to Lambair headquarters in The Pas, Manitoba. Photo © Volker Beckmann.

NOTE – Many casual observers and even Norseman fans mistake this display for the actual CF-BHS and this is a testament to the amazing job done by all involved. This replica was made from several Norseman wrecks and fabricated wings. BHS was a Mk V, serial N29-7 registered to Lamb Airways in October 1945.

From the old Canadian Aviation Safety Board comes a report dated October 11, 1989 when the aircraft was operated by C & M Airways. As the pilot taxied the float-equipped aircraft away from the shore, he saw smoke and found the aircraft on fire. He beached the aircraft which was almost totally consumed. All research indicates the remnants of serial N29-7 remain near Prowse Island in Cree Lake, Saskatchewan.

Wearing Lambair colours, the Norseman greets visitors after they cross the bridge when coming from the airport – CYTH.                                            Photo © Volker Beckmann.

For more information on the Aviation Tribute and the Thompson Spirit Way go to; http://thompsonspiritway.ca/take-the-walk/aviation/

In the ‘Norseman Capital of the World’ a part of the community’s identity and heritage has sat peacefully on a pedestal for nearly 26 years.  CF-DRD, a Mk VI Norseman was officially reincarnated on July 25, 1992 at the inaugural festival as a permanent display dedicated by Robert H. Noorduyn, son of the Norseman designer.

Last July a seemingly strange timing of almost exactly 25 years later saw a violent hailstorm hit serial 831 that punctured all over the fabric skin of the airframe leaving internal structures exposed to damaging moisture.  Records show the last time DRD actually flew was in 1981, but even as a static monument the integrity of the bush plane must be re-established for safety and longevity.

Thanks to Dwight Barnes for submitting this awesome pic of DRD!

The Municipality of Red Lake insurance amount is significantly less than initial repair cost estimates and the Save Our DRD Norseman Campaign has started fundraising to cover the balance.  The goal is to restore the aircraft properly so it can remain a proud community icon for the next 25 years and by then it will be on approach for its 100th birthday!

See Save Our DRD on this website for more fundraising details and for more history of DRD, click below or paste the following link into your web browser:

http://norsemanfestival.on.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Rebuilding-DRD.pdf

The apparent re-emergence of a Norseman presence in the Province of Quebec continues.

CF-JEC, a Mk VI, serial 469 has been purchased by Olivier Lemieux for his company Services GFE Inc. The aircraft will be based at La Motte in the Abitibi area to support mining exploration.  As the Norseman bush plane serial 1 (CF-AYO) was designed, built and first flown on floats at Montreal, Quebec it is symbolic to have one flying again based in the province after some 25 years of absence.  Additionally, this role is a return to roots considering Norseman for hire today are almost exclusively used for fishing and hunting resort tourism, a use almost unheard of in the 1930’s.

Northland Aircraft Service at Ignace, Ontario is getting JEC ready for service again and around next August the floatplane should be splashing down at its new home base!

This impressive photo of JEC taken by Mr. Liam Lang in 1983 was used for a beer bottle label by Bush Pilot Brewing.

http://www.bushpilotbrewing.com/Norseman.html

JEC stored at Ignace, Ontario in October of 2016.  Note the metalized fuselage.

For the 2018 Norseman Festival we could see a couple shiny, restored Norseman – one in the air and the other “flying” low on its perch.

CF-ZMX, Serial 669 is in Park Rapids, Minnesota this winter undergoing a complete recovering of fabric and the plan is to keep the green and yellow colours.  This aircraft led the pack at last years bush plane flyby and hopefully it will be ready to do the same come next July.

As for Red Lake’s CF-DRD work continues on plans that will likely require a removal from the pedestal in Norseman Heritage Park and more permanent repairs that will enable this important piece of history to survive for many additional years.  Again, hopefully this will be accomplished for the 2018 celebrations.

Chimo Air’s two Norseman, CF-JIN and CF-KAO are still facing uncertain headwinds.  The company itself appears to be undergoing a transition and sadly the Norseman may not be a part of the future.  Thus, if Howey bay loses these two classic bush planes there is the distinct possibility that the number of Norseman in the flyby could decrease again.  For perspective, if we could time travel to 1968 and tell bush pilots of the day these airplanes will be in service 50 years from now, do you think any of them would have agreed with you?!  Remember, this was the space age and the race to put a human on the moon was on!