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Canadian tour – Highlight 1 – there are men on Mars!

As we left our hotel at Courtenay, Vancouver Island, on 11 August, we spotted a forest fire far up in the hills. Gradually we discerned a Martin Mars circling and dropping water on it. Thay day we had arranged to fly in a chartered Beech 18 from the Campbell River, so with mounting excitement we boarded the rented bus and departed north.
We decided to go in the unique Seawing single-fin version (1) rather than the twin-fin “ordinary” version (2). Up we went, to cruise at 5500 ft past the snow-capped peaks (3), on the way to the Mars base at Sproat Lake. We passed the fire (4) on the way, and all 9 of us in the cramped cabin were busy with our cameras (5). Meanwhile the pilot was talking to the Mars operators and arranged to arrive at Sproat Lake just as Philippine Mars took off (6). She gradually came up to meet us (7) and we flew side-by-side as she dipped down again (8) to take on her massive water load (9). Naturally her take-off was a bit slower fully loaded (10), but our Beech was going flat out all the time!
Part 2 follows shortly!

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By: ALBERT ROSS - 11th October 2004 at 23:20

Hi Albert Ross

The reason there’s been nothing done on the Cranweel in 10 years is because our intension is to show the kind of construction that was used way back then. Resently though the Board has been toying with having restoration cover half of it and leave the rest bare 😮

Gerry

Oh thanks for that, I was beginning to think you guys were slacking! Seriously though, that’s a good idea, as the RAF Museum at Hendon have done that to their Bristol Fighter and Westland Wallace – one side covered and one side open. Since my visit and article, I am truly in awe at the work you have put in and I really take my hat off to you guys! 😉

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By: Papa Lima - 11th October 2004 at 23:05

At least the cockpit is now almost complete, and there’s an engine on the front! So you and your colleagues haven’t been entirely idle, Gerry!

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By: Gerry H - 11th October 2004 at 20:41

Cranwell @ Alberta Aviation Museum

Hi Albert Ross

The reason there’s been nothing done on the Cranweel in 10 years is because our intension is to show the kind of construction that was used way back then. Resently though the Board has been toying with having restoration cover half of it and leave the rest bare 😮

Gerry

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By: ALBERT ROSS - 11th October 2004 at 17:56

Before sarcasm sets in, I would like to point out that the trip was arranged and paid for before I was suddenly made redundant without warning. I then just had to grin and bear it!

No offence, just jealously! You obviously deserved that trip and made a good job of it. Hope you get sorted out soon.

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By: Papa Lima - 11th October 2004 at 17:47

Before sarcasm sets in, I would like to point out that the trip was arranged and paid for before I was suddenly made redundant without warning. I then just had to grin and bear it!

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By: ALBERT ROSS - 11th October 2004 at 17:44

Here she was in August – Albert, you’re gradually stealing my thunder – I want to put threads up for these museums later!
However if you find me a different job than sitting around writing captions and posting threads, I’ll forgive you – I’m unemployed and desperately seeking work, no kidding!

Sorry! Looks like they have done very little to the CLA.4 in ten years, but I’ll forgive them after seeing the Mossie and Anson! Wish I was unemployed – then perhaps I could afford to go on a fantastic Canadian trip as that! 🙁

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By: Papa Lima - 10th October 2004 at 23:32

Cranwell C.L.A.4

Here she was in August – Albert, you’re gradually stealing my thunder – I want to put threads up for these museums later!
However if you find me a different job than sitting around writing captions and posting threads, I’ll forgive you – I’m unemployed and desperately seeking work, no kidding!

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By: ALBERT ROSS - 10th October 2004 at 23:05

Alberta Aviation Museum

If that’s the same Anson, that is absolutely incredible! Here is my photo of it in 1993, as well as how the Mosquito looked. I wrote a two-page article in the July 1993 issue of “Aeroplane Monthly” on this fledgling museum and asked for volunteers and donations…looks like it worked! Also, here is the Cranfield CLA.4 – is this finished and on display??

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By: Papa Lima - 10th October 2004 at 22:29

Anson in the Alberta Aviation Museum

Perhaps you mean this one, Albert – I’m not ready with the captions yet!

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By: turbo_NZ - 10th October 2004 at 22:28

Awesome pics, Papa Lima.
That Mars is just spectacular !!!

Cheers
TNZ

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By: ALBERT ROSS - 10th October 2004 at 22:20

Certainly did! Here are the Mosquito, Norseman and the Ventura rebuild (Ventura Memorial Flight Association project), progressing slowly but surely.

I can’t believe how much hard work has been put into that Mossie in the Alberta Aviation Museum I was there in 1993 and it was just a wooden fuselage hulk, stripped down to bare wood with the wings stored elsewhere.
Outside were two wrecks of all-yellow RCAF Ansons. Were they still there, or are they doing anything with them?

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By: ALBERT ROSS - 10th October 2004 at 22:17

Canadian trip

What A fabulous trip Peter. I read somewhere that the Martin Mars had been retired…obviously not! Many thanks for sharing.

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By: Mark12 - 1st September 2004 at 23:03

Whitleyfreak, I’ll start a different thread for the museum at Sidney, there was a rather important visitor the day we were there!

We have already seen her. 😉

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By: Papa Lima - 1st September 2004 at 22:34

Whitleyfreak, I’ll start a different thread for the museum at Sidney, there was a rather important visitor the day we were there!

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By: Papa Lima - 1st September 2004 at 22:12

Edmonton, Alberta Aviation Museum

Certainly did! Here are the Mosquito, Norseman and the Ventura rebuild (Ventura Memorial Flight Association project), progressing slowly but surely.

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By: Whitleyfreak - 1st September 2004 at 22:07

Nice picks Papa Lima,

Did you get to visit the aircraft museum at the Sidney Airport just west of Victoria?

Cheers,

Todd

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By: Gerry H - 1st September 2004 at 21:50

Hi PL

I see you got as far as Red Deer is there any chance you got up to Edmonton (1.5 hours north of RD) and the Alberta Aviation Museum?

Gerry

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By: merlin70 - 1st September 2004 at 21:20

Off you go. Back to the land of Trolls and Trollops. ‘Twill soon be winter and you’ll need some happy mammories to get you though ’til Spring.

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By: mmitch - 1st September 2004 at 20:56

Are they rosy cheeks or are you blushing? 😀
mmitch.

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By: Papa Lima - 1st September 2004 at 20:39

Get close to a waitress at Hooters, Vancouver, perhaps!
(At some risk of having my thread deleted!)

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