Why???? I thought it was a flyer?

Harry’s restoration had been over a considerable number of years when VWoC acquired it. VWoC wanted it as authentic as possible and there was a corrosion issue discovered in the spar. Safety is of paramount concern with VWoC and Mike’s aircraft are all first rate restorations. The Russell MK XII is limited to low g manouvers because of the spar issue as well.

That’s right Dave it is a different aircraft, the VWoC Lysander is also in target towing colours but is to be refinished as a camo’d aircraft. Attempts are being made to trade for the correct rear seat to make it more authentic. Just to confuse the issue even more the first flight of the CWH Lysander was made by Rob Erdos who also flies for VWoC, mainly he flies their Hurricane Mk IV. It was hoped we might see the two of them fly together this year, perhaps at the Sept. 19th open house.

To bad they couldn’t get the Yukon and a C119 in RCAF colours from Greybull sure would add to the transport collection.

I believe this one is scheduled to be delivered to Vintage Wings of Canada. It will be finished in the markings of RCAF 260 Squadron honouring Stocky Edwards – Canada’s highest scoring living World War II fighter ace.

Still a way to go, the wings are being worked on should be ready for recovering shortly.
I have been priviliged to meet Howard and Peta at the Vintage Wings open house where they both pitch in with the rest of us boffins!

This photo of 213 at Torbay shows the blue cheatline.

I had posted this on an earlier thread but have always had an interest in this. My father flew with “Skeets” and often told me stories of their time together.

“Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Spitfire pilot Keith ‘Skeets’ Ogilvie waited shivering in the cold and dark of a March night in 1944 to make his bid for freedom from Stalag Luft 111 in Sagan, 6 kilometres southeast of Berlin.

Snow still crusted the ground, and the temperature was below freezing. The pilot’s nerves were on edge as he watched the prisoners ahead of him shuffle through the tunnel, code-named “Harry”, one of three escape tunnels designed by Canadian Flight Lieutenant Wally Floody. The prisoners passed in front of Skeets… 71, 72, 73… He remembered that Floody had been unexpectedly transferred to another camp the previous night, and his thoughts drifted for a moment…74, 75…

Number 75! It was his turn! He crouched down and inched his way slowly through the dark, dank tunnel, trying desperately to control his breathing. Empty jam tins had been telescoped together and periodically positioned along the tunnel to make ventilation pipes. As he emerged from the tunnel, a shout stopped him cold. The German guards had seen the steam rising from the escape hole outside the wire. Gunfire shattered the night. In a sudden moment, Skeets’s hopes and dreams were dashed.

The flying ace was recaptured almost immediately, as were 71 of the 75 escapees. Soon after, 50 of the would-be escapees were executed by firing squad in nearby woods. Skeets Ogilvie’s name was not on that list of 50, and he went through life wondering why he had been spared.

Keith ‘Skeets” Ogilvie was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). After the war, he stayed in the RCAF and served as a squadron leader in Trenton, Centralia, Rockcliffe, and Downsview. He retired in April 1996 and passed away May 6, 1998.”