In my post above, I forgot to add the dates that VP441 was at Blackpool. It arrived on 26 June 1970. No definite date for its departure is recorded but thought likely to be around mid-/late-72.

Thanks for all the info in your post above Lauriebe. I returned to Plymouth to live in the summer of 1963, so that’s when I must have seen the Seafire in poor shape. (I worked for a short while at the Bush TV plant at that time)

Lee:
There you have a double confirmation for 335 Sqn, Ernesettle.
Regards
Bill

The ex-TCA aircraft in Victoria, B.C. is housed inside a hangar. It is part of the collection of the local museum at YYJ. I toured it last year and was amazed how they had restored the interior and cockpit for viewing.

Thanks for the info. Glad to see that it is inside. I visited that museum in 2006 and the Viscount was outside along with a B-26 water bomber and I think a Beech 18. At that time the Museum of Flight in Seattle were trying to acquire the Viscount.
Regards
Bill

Super pics. What carrier is that in pic 10 please ?

It would be HMS Albion or Bulwark after conversion to a helicopter carrier.

Great pictures! I have a copy of the rocket firing Sea Vixen that I think was from a set I purchased at the FAA museum 20 odd years ago.

Bill

Maybe a source for your questions in #1
http://s530.photobucket.com/user/drm2m/media/mm082_fc_web-1.jpg.html

Martin[/QUOTE]

Another good book on Air OP in Canada is:
“Canada’s Flying Gunners” by Lt Col. DL. Fromow

Bill

By the open framing of the canopies I think they both Harvard Mk4’s that were built in the 1950’s in Canada.
Bill

The Canadian Auster squadrons were 664 from March 1945 and 665 from late April 45. 665 was disbanded on 10 July 1945 and replaced with 666 Sqn. Also present (from early 1945) was 662 Squadron RAF.
The Canadian units all flew Auster IV’s or V’s.
Regards
Bill

Fixed wing aircraft repaired at RNAY Fleetlands were towed from the plant initially to the Gosport airfield (HMS Siskin). After Siskin closed in the early ’50’s the repaired machines were towed to Lee-on-Solent, via a newly constructed towing road to the airfield through a fire gate near Stubbington. Wyverns, Sea Hawks, Scimitars etc were all taken for flight testing towed their own wheels.

Bill

He was a regular participant with Cliff Robertson’s Spit at Hamilton, London and Toronto airshows in the 70’s and 80’s. Saw him many times. Great performer in a lovely aircraft, much missed (both!)
RIP Gerry
Thanks for posting
Bill