Dad flies in a B-17 -- after 53 years

[Dave Hadfield]

Roger Hadfield used to fly a B-17 for Kenting aviation, 1960-61. They were taking hi-res high-altitude photos for maps, forcing the Fort up to 33,000+ feet (METO power for the first hour) and pressure-breathing oxygen for up to 11-hour missions. In his flights they mapped a large part of the Arctic, plus later Venezuela.

Recently he was granted the privilege of another leg, riding with the crew of Sentimental Journey from CWH in Hamilton to Gatineau airport (near Ottawa). And they were kind enough to let him sit left seat for a while.

Now..,.



Then....



Good thing he still has it on his license!

Dave

Last edited by Dave Hadfield on Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[DH82EH]

Hey Dave,
Your dad looks great in the left seat of a fort again.
I spent many a Geneseo airshow with he and your mom. Really enjoyed listening to his tales.
I'm not alone in saying what enjoyable people your folks are.

I'm headed to Geneseo again, in formation with Bob Murphy and his Tiger. Should be great fun.
Maybe we'll fly by your folks place on the way home!

Say hi to them for me.

Andy

[Dave Hadfield]

Then....



Now....


Lapprand photo

Last edited by Dave Hadfield on Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Dave Hadfield]

Hey Andy! Mom and Dad always say to pass on a hello from them, and they are very pleased that you got the Tiger rebuilt and have soloed on it.

As for Robin and I, we had planned originally for Geneseo, but I was late getting my old ketch moved up north, and THIS WEEK SHE GOES IN THE WATER -- the ketch that is, not Robin (or at least not intentionally). First time in 3 years.

[Dave Hadfield]

The purpose of the visit is to raise awareness of the airport within the community of Gatineau, and the effort reflects the energy and guidance of Holly Bridges and the Manager, Gaston Cloutier, with the generous support of Michael Potter, founder of Vintage Wings of Canada.

The aircraft is parked at the VWoC hangar for the next few days. Tours and flights can be arranged.

There was a great media scrum upon arrival. Dad was interviewed extensively.


Lapprand photo


Lapprand photo

A large photo appeared today in the Toronto Star...




Lapprand photo

I only wish I could have been there! Unfortunately I had Simulator in YYZ, and couldn't make it.

Dave

[Dave Hadfield]

Roger is greeted by Michael Potter, the man who has sparked-off so many aviation events in Canada.

The B-17's Skipper is behind, I believe.



Dave

Last edited by Dave Hadfield on Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[DH82EH]

Oh, the things a Hadfield has to suffer

Roger is beaming!

Andy

[AIRIC]

What a great experience for Roger. I’m sure the flight brought back many memories. Sure do miss seeing hi fly the Stampe at Geneseo.

[Chris Brame]

Great story! Any chance you might bring him down to the Mighty Eighth AF museum to check out his old mount, 44-83814 - the former ?

[Dave Homewood]

Great stuff! Good on him!

[Robbie Stuart]

That's great Dave! I am happy for him!
Take Care
Robbie

[Dave Hadfield]

Chris,

It's possible that Dad could get down to Savannah to see CF-HBP. He had been in communication with them before, but he has only started using a computer and email recently, so he and the museum are probably not in touch directly.

He's not all that keen on travel, as I see it, but I wouldn't rule it out.

Dave

[Michel Lemieux]

What a coincidence Dave!!!!!

Sentimental Journey is in St-Hubert for a few day and I spoke briefly with the pilot and he told me about his experience with your dad and his flight from Hamilton to Gatineau.

Cheers

Small world...since I NEVER expected to see a B-17 in Quebec as I passed there by fliuke.

Michel

[Michel Lemieux]

BTW...

You really just look like your dad.

Cheers