There’s Three to See
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/