NAFM Canada/RCAFM Museum Restoration Projects

Yes, Peter, we are talking to Nanton. Nanton suggested that we go to Calgary and get copies of their drawings rather than getting copies of the Nanton set.

We are awaiting the cost from Calgary to copy everything and ship it to us.

Regarding propellors: there were three there today, two fixed pitch wood and one variable pitch with wooden blades, I suspect that it was not from an Anson unless it was a Mk V.

There is just not the enthusiasm to restore an Anson that there was to restore a Halifax! Progress is slow and the number of volunteers is significantly less.

The two fixed pitch props are most likely made by S & S
The variable pitch will be a Hoover Hydromatic prop , I have two in my collection. I have seen pics of them on Ansons but I think they were not as common
The early Ansons also used pixed pitch metal Fairy Reed props of which I have 3 of in my collection.

Also I confirm that Harvard 3270 was the one that Ken Gamble and I had .
When Ken passed , I sold it to a guy from Fla. but he decided to sell it because he coiuld not get it home.
We ended up dealing for him and thru further deals it ended up at Trenton.:)
I still have some original parts from it and offered them to the Museum a few times but they never got back to me:confused:

The museum’s latest project….

Lockheed Hudson Mk VI FK466 was recently moved from the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum in Bedford, Nova Scotia.

I had a chance to work on Ernie’s Auster at Mountainview for a few weeks in the early 90’s as part of a high school class project. We stripped the airframe of some components and did a few other things.

I think we probably made more of a mess than anything!

I should point out that the restoration of the Auster was not a Trenton Restoration Shop project. The Auster was the personal aircraft of Ernie Sutton and he restored it and donated it to the Museum.

Ernie was the manager of the Air Cadet Glider organization maintenance shop, based at Mountainview. Ernie was responsible for the fabric work on the Halifax.

The Trenton Restoration shop has done some work on the wooden propellor which had started to rot.

Personally I believe that all fabric covered aircraft should be stored indoors all year!

Very nice restoration on the Auster Mike!

A few shots of the Auster in the museum’s restoration shop.

Sure Darrell give me a shout!

Andrew, I don’t think the shop has any official weekend hours, but there usually seems to be a member of the restoration crew on hand for visitors. I’ve had the best luck on Sundays late in the morning.

The Auster also in the shop. Much better inside than spending the winter with the Chippie under the wings of the Argus! Hopefully they will put it on display inside with the Annie and Harvard.

Great to see these pics – thanks Mike

Roger Smith.

Great pics Mike…. So is the restoration area that houses the Anson and Harvard now open to the Public on weekends. I was thinking of planning a trip to Trenton in Mid March and seeing the restoration area would be a great bonus.

Andrew

Thats the late Ken Gambles Harvard which sat out alongside highway 6 south of the 401, a mainstay along that stretch of road for 40 plus years! weather has taken its toll on the airframe,a nice addition to the museum, of course the beloved “Annie” doesn t get the credit its due as well, backbone of the BCATP for sure. Boeing and Canada Car made the bulk of the airframes and also to mention the many sub-assembly companies that contributed to the complete products, General Electric, Cockshutt, Massey-Harris to name a couple and many of the small furniture businesses with woodworks, quite a story in itself of the manufacture of these beauties, excellent pictures Mike, I should have a couple of 303s soon for my Boly turret that will make a nice display, Mike I will give you a shout next time I go to the museum, cheers Darrell

Thanks for the update Mike

They are doing fantastic work on the Anson! It is like watching a production build from the 1940s!

The museum’s latest project……

Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIB RCAF 3270

Don’t they dare to drop something heavy on NA337, they would be in serious trouble when I get my hands on them.:cool:

Cees

The proposed completion date for this phase is mid July.

Mike
Any idea how long they intend to keep it closed?
Steve

Just a quick note, the new expansion area which houses the Hali is now closed to the public. They have commenced work on phase 2 of the museum expansion project which includes pouring the concrete floor and interior fit-out. The Halifax will be covered for protection.

The main museum area and restoration shop are still open to the public.

I want to say mmmm… I want to say wow… basically I’m speachless – that is truly one amazing piece of work… my compliments to all involved… what a true labour of love and amazing to see in real-life colour – seeing this is like having a window into the past.

Only yesterday my Dad said to me ‘we have to make another visit to Trenton soon’… (even though his brother lives in Trenton, Dad’s still focused on seeing the completed Hali)

Another photo update from latest visit to the museum shop last Sunday.

Dear Old Annie!

The Anson was about a 1936 acquisition by the RAF. It was the first monoplane acquired by the RAF and the first RAF aircraft with a retractable undercarriage.

In Britain the Annie was used for coastal patrol, but not for long, as it was overtaken by progress.

The Anson in Canada was used strictly as a training aircraft, some for pilot training and some for Nav and wireless training. The training of gunners was soon dropped as the basic manually operated turret and handheld weapon in the Anson had bore no resemblance to any other turret in use at the time, most of which were power operated.

We are about to do some skinning of tail surfaces and we are mystified as to how the 1.5mm (1/16″) ply skin was terminated at the leading and trailing edges. We have a streamlined solid wood leading edge and similar trailing edge. Common sense would dictate that the exposed edge of the ply should not be exposed to the airflow, but the drawings we have do not indicate that any recess was called for in the leading or trailing edges in which to terminate the ply. Anyone out there with any experience or access to any information on the subject?

Dear Old Annie!

The Anson was about a 1936 acquisition by the RAF. It was the first monoplane acquired by the RAF and the first RAF aircraft with a retractable undercarriage.

In Britain the Annie was used for coastal patrol, but not for long, as it was overtaken by progress.

The Anson in Canada was used strictly as a training aircraft, some for pilot training and some for Nav and wireless training. The training of gunners was soon dropped as the basic manually operated turret and handheld weapon in the Anson had bore no resemblance to any other turret in use at the time, most of which were power operated.

We are about to do some skinning of tail surfaces and we are mystified as to how the 1.5mm (I/16″) ply skin was terminated at the leading and trailing edges. We have a streamlined solid wood leading edge and similar trailing edge. Common sense would dictate that the exposed edge of the ply should not be exposed to the airflow, but the drawings we have do not indicate that any recess was called for in the leading or trailing edges in which to terminate the ply. Anyone out there with any experience or access to any information on the subject?