Story and photos by Dr. John Blatherwick In 1974, I was signing a passport for my friend from the navy who was a teacher. He said he was looking for somebody to take a group of grade 10 to 12 students to Moscow and Leningrad over the Spring Break. The person taking them would go […]
Great Lakes Airlines – Aircraft Photo History Photos and Research by Dr. John Blatherwick Great Lakes Airlines was formed to provide executive transport for the Homes-Blunt Company of Sarnia. Most of the traffic was to Toronto and back utilizing light twin engine aircraft. Two DC-3s were purchased in 1967 to supplement the company’s Cessna 310 […]
Canadian Coast Guard – Aircraft Photo History Photos by Dr. John Blatherwick Then Canadian Coast Guard operates an aviation department with both a fixed wing and helicopter fleet to service lighthouses and the agency’s on patrol ice breaker ships that typically operate in Canada’s Northern arctic region. Bell Jet Rangers and Alouettes make up the […]
Skycraft Air Transort – Photo History By Henry Tenby with photos by Dr. John Blatherwick Skycraft Air Transport was based in Oshawa, Ontario and was active between 1979 and 1984, and their operation was largely in support of the automotive manufacturing industry in the region. Skycraft Air Transport was based in Oshawa to support its […]
Air Spray – Aircraft Fleet History Photos by Dr. John Blatherwick Air Spray Ltd. was founded by the late Don Hamilton back in 1954 as a crop spraying operation based in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. In early years is also performed aerial mosquito spraying on contract with the City of Edmonton in 1956. Back in the 1950s, […]
Conifair Aviation – Aircraft Fleet History By Dr. John Blatherwick: Conifair Aviation was formed in 1979 to perform aerial spraying and operates from St. Jean, just outside of Montreal. Initially, the airline operated two Lockheed 749A Constellations, with five DC-4s added between 1981 and 1985, and three DC-6s added in 1983. By the late 1980s […]
NRC – Energy Mines Resources Government of Canada – Aircraft Fleet History Photos by Dr. John Blatherwick: The Department of Energy, Mines and Resources is a flight department owned by the Government of Canada to undertake survey, sensing and transport related duties related to Canada’s vast exploration industries. Based from hangars and office facilities at […]
Air Ontario – Great Lakes Airlines Airline History written by Dr. John Blatherwick Great Lakes Airlines was formed in January, 1961, to provide executive transport for the Homes-Blunt Company of Sarnia. Most of the traffic was to Toronto and back utilizing light twin engine aircraft. Two DC-3s were purchased in 1967 to supplement the company’s […]
North Cariboo Flying Service – Aircraft Fleet History Photos by Dr. John Blatherwick: North Cariboo Flying Service dates its history back into the 1970s when a former Finnair Convair 440 was acquired for passenger charter work. The aircraft was a frequent resident at Vancouver and by the early to mid 1980s a Convair 640 was […]
Kelowna Flightcraft – Aircraft Fleet History Photos by Dr. John Blatherwick: Kelowna Flightcraft was founded back in the 1970s by Barry Lapointe and Jim Rogers as a small courier carrier airline that operated corporate jets and turboprops on various contract routes across Canada. Based in Kelowna, BC, the airline famously operated IAI Jet Commenders as […]