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Canadian Fireflies etc...

Posted by JDK on Wed Jun 04, 2003 05:44:58 PM

In reply top For Canadian's, Ottawa Firefly information posted by Michel Lemieux on Tue Jun 03, 2003 11:12:44 AM

Interesting. While I understand the sentiments, there's a bit of a bias and a few points glossed over or not added. The new Curator of the Canadian Aviation Museum is Anthony Smyth; and he's ben in post less than 2 years, and will have a different policy to the previous curator. I interviewed him in May last year, and thought him very switched on. Worth approaching again?

I'd like to know more about the 'Russian aircraft of no interest to Canadians'. Part of the strength of the Canadian collection is its diversity. I rather like the fact that the RAAF Museum in Aus has a British Walrus, the RAF Museum has an Aussie Seagull V, and the two RAAF Point Cook MF Shorthorn survivors are in Australia and Canada. Citizens of the world, like me! There are way too few Russian a/c in the west; and Canada does have a few Fireflies, including one which flies from Hamilton. I'd like more too, but let's be realistic.

Any national collection has a backlog of restoration projects which is huge, and (usually) very few restorers to rebuild it. However the CanAv restorations are world class, though, yes, I'd like to see fliers. The idea is they'll get to it in due course. -hem- however, enough of the right sort of pressure and they might swap it or allow volunteer labour. After all they are getting this new hanger space will encourage some changes...

There's 1 Mk.I in Thailand, and another at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, both 'possible fliers' with enough money; though I can't see the UK machine flying given it's mixed ownership (Skyfame - Duxford - FAAM)

Shearwater have a very interesting (unique?) policy, of restoring an aircraft to airworthy condition, then flying it to PROVE it (unlike, say Champlin) and then grounding it for preservation. Not what I'd do, but an excelent compromise I'd say. As I understand this, the Swordfish has flown once (and that's it folks!) and the Firefly will fly once too. For info have a look at the Stringbag feature (including John Beattie's account of flying the Shearwater Stringbag) I presented in Warbirds Worldwide 29. I'll be having a look at the Shearwater Firefly myself soon I hope.

Better for the website author to put his energies into helping 'live' restoration projects, like Shearwater / CWH than beating CanAv Museum for doing what it's there for - preserving. However, let's get them flying gets my vote too.
James Kightly

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