Vintage Wings of Canada Wings Over Gatineau

[Fleet16b]

Can't make Trenton this year unfortunately, my old stomping grounds, but am ground Crew when we launch the Corsair to Trenton Friday morning. Hopefully everything goes Ok. Was involved when we rebuilt the main spar on our Finch was parts man at the time, also tried to locate a canopy for it. Thought Blake had a lead on one not sure if it came through. I am seeing things move more positively at VWoC having been involved from the start its been interesting to say the least. Will be interesting to see what develops.

As a Finch owner and the "go to Finch/Kinner guy" in Canada , I helped VWC obtain the aircraft.
During the restoration , they reached out to me weekly for advice and technical info.
Also, helped Blake by providing leads for a canopy which he purchased for the VWC Finch and checked out a pilot or two.
VWC elected to not install the canopies as they felt that an open cockpit ride would attract more revenue.
While I understand that to an extent, this is exactly the kind of thing that draws criticism in the form of not representing their aircraft correctly which in turn educates the future generations inaccurately. This kind of thing unravels all that other Museums and groups are striving to achieve.
Hopefully they will one day get back on track but their future is not very secure at this point.

[K225]

Gee Cam that's not what I see at all, as a tour guide I have shown hundreds of Air Cadets through the hangar during the past months, young people from all over Ontario and Quebec. All very enthusiastic about aviation and the rich military history we have here in Canada. I've shown visitors from all over the world, Australian, New Zealand, British, and US, the most recent was a tour of six pilots from Swiss Air . Two of these pilots had recently done airtime in a two seat Spitfire. They particularly enjoyed the restoration work being done on the Spit 9, Hurricane, and Fury and spent considerable time talking with the restorers. The fact that there are often flights of one or more of warbird's is a plus. A recent memorial service drew visitors from all the military legations in Ottawa to honour William Stephenson, the man called intrepid. To see a South Korean Air Force General as enthusiastic as any kid with the chance to get up close to the Sabre cockpit makes us realize how lucky we are. The Corsair is always a favorite just the raw power it generates is amazing whether a young cadet or veteran Israeli Air Force ace who I recently showed around. Any of my fellow tour guides will tell you similar stories, they are all very well versed in Canadian Aviation History and many of them are actual participants in that history. We are very blessed to have this facility thanks to Mike Potter's reaffirmed commitment and all the dedicated volunteers and staff.

[Fleet16b]

Gee Cam that's not what I see at all, as a tour guide I have shown hundreds of Air Cadets through the hangar during the past months, young people from all over Ontario and Quebec. All very enthusiastic about aviation and the rich military history we have here in Canada. I've shown visitors from all over the world, Australian, New Zealand, British, and US, the most recent was a tour of six pilots from Swiss Air . Two of these pilots had recently done airtime in a two seat Spitfire. They particularly enjoyed the restoration work being done on the Spit 9, Hurricane, and Fury and spent considerable time talking with the restorers. The fact that there are often flights of one or more of warbird's is a plus. A recent memorial service drew visitors from all the military legations in Ottawa to honour William Stephenson, the man called intrepid. To see a South Korean Air Force General as enthusiastic as any kid with the chance to get up close to the Sabre cockpit makes us realize how lucky we are. The Corsair is always a favorite just the raw power it generates is amazing whether a young cadet or veteran Israeli Air Force ace who I recently showed around. Any of my fellow tour guides will tell you similar stories, they are all very well versed in Canadian Aviation History and many of them are actual participants in that history. We are very blessed to have this facility thanks to Mike Potter's reaffirmed commitment and all the dedicated volunteers and staff.

K225
I am not trying to beat on VWC buy in fact support them .
PM Sent