Pedestal DRD 2.0, Calling all Norseman enthusiasts!

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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

BCAM and DRE

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If any aviation museum in the world can claim a theme related to the Norseman the title goes to the British Columbia Aviation Museum at the southeast part of Victoria International Airport – CYYJ.

For starters the museum restored and flew their own Norseman after completion in August of 2003.  Flight insurance costs now keep the aircraft on static display although it could fly again one day.  Delivered to the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in June 1944, serial 538 designated as a UC-64A used major components in the restoration process from another Mk VI, serial 131 and thus has its current Canadian civil registration CF-DRE.

DRE is also featured in the museum’s logo and a huge example adorns the building as visitors access the site via Norseman Rd!  It is painted in Royal Canadian Air Force colours of 2480/AG-R, a Mk IV that was stationed at Patricia Bay (now CYYJ) during the later part of World War II.

The official newsletter of the museum is called The Norseman News and a significant collection of aviation art can be viewed in the Norseman Room.  If you are travelling through CYYJ and have a few hours, take a stroll along the paved airport perimeter pathway and check out this museum that made the Norseman a centrepiece!