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Neil's current Blog
October & September 2008 WEB SITE BLOG (sometimes more than Beavers!) Currently visitor/visitors on the website.
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Thursday 30 October 2008 Last night I changed my screensaver. Thanks to Fred Barnes for the super shot of Lake Hood. Grabbed it from my USA Vistas page. I made my first visit there from Scotland, way back in 1966. Walked my feet off going round the two ponds...no car! Two Beavers only back then. But an active Goose!
Pretty good month for adding Beavers to the website. Fifty added at this point, one more tomorrow. Wednesday 29 October 2008 For those of you near Seattle at the end of November (28-30), here's an event for you. Arwen will be at the Museum of Flight with "The Immortal Beaver" presentation. You can buy your own DVD there also.
Tuesday 28 October 2008 First snowflakes! Yikes! Saturday 25 October 2008 When I see the 25th, I think of Christmas, part of being a Goldsmith for all those years. Nice to know I have no deadlines in that area to meet anymore! Raining heavily here today, possibility of snow just across the lake in upstate New York! Today I am working on historic visitor logs for Prestwick Airport in Scotland. I knew when I wrote those movements down, I would eventually get around to work on them. Well it's time, fifty years after seeing the aircraft! It seems like only yesterday. Thursday 23 October 2008 Just added two Australian Beavers. VH-PCF (1348) was allocated VH-CZH but appears not to be carrying it. I was happy to hear that the first Calendars have arrived safely in Australia. Good job Canada Post/Postes Canada! Tuesday 21 October 2008 I know two people called Danielle, and they are both writers! One is my wife Danie and the other is Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail whom I think you should know more about, especially since she is writing about a subect we all share an interest in!
I would suggest you bookmark her website and watch for future announcements about her upcoming book - The Story of Laurentian Air Services Monday 20 October 2008 Monday rolls around again. I noticed we had a visitor from Cameroon Today I'm playing catch-up with several Beavers being added. Friday 17 October 2008 Yesterday my website had a huge number of visitors. I mean HUGE! A certain search engine/web site called Stumbleupon.Com sent some 1,000 plus visitors! Hope they enjoyed finding the website and they will come back for some more fun. Wednesday 15 October 2008 You may have noticed the slight change in the World map on the main page. You can choose any continent now. Quite the "Fan" base. Here is a snapshot of the last 1,000 visitors taken this evening. Now, it would be nice to have each Beaver location marked on a World Map. A project for another day!
Monday 13 October 2008 Thanksgiving Day here in Canada, so I'm scarce.
Here is a link to an interview with Viking's Dave Curtis about the DHC-6-400 done at NBAA on AvWeb to keep you entertained. I have many images of Beavers to add to the website, quite a back-log in fact . . . so please be patient if yours has not yet appeared. Saturday 11 October 2008 Over the top came D-AIGD A343 "DLH438" FL380 heading from EDDF Frankfurt to KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth, a ten hour twenty minute flight. Here she is over Kingston, Ontario at 12:50 EDT.
Photo: Neil Aird © 11 October 2008 Friday 10 October 2008 While taking a break from my "Shipping Department" duties - I thought I'd see if I could find "Olivia".
"Where's Olivia?"
Image: 14:20EDT As you can see I found her, on the descent into KRCM - Warrensburg, Missouri., after a 2:45 hour flight from 3M8 - North Pickins Airport, Reform, Alabama.
Photo: Airnav.Com Thursday 09 October 2008 I have started shipping the Calendars. First two off to Anchorage, an appropriate destination. Made my first massive postage stamp purchase at Canada Post/Postes Canada - Bear, Moose, Deer, Walrus, Wild Horse, Falcon, Dragonfly - all adorn the stamps! If you collect, enjoy, if you don't, pass them along to someone who does! Wednesday 08 October 2008 The 2009 de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Calendars arrived today!! Thanks to Dave Allan and the crew at Allan Graphics for a tremendous job yet again. We are ten days earlier than last year! Our man in the field, George Trussell caught up with "Viktoria" at the NBAA Convention. Thanks George for the images.
Photos: George Trussell © 07 October 2008 Tuesday 07 October 2008 Just received word today of the passing of Howard L. Setzer, an ex US Army Aviator. Howard supplied many images to this website, and was an active correspondent and participant in the DHC-2 Yahoo Group. He joined on 20 December 2002 and wrote this short intro at that time: Just another new member, introducing myself: Howard Setzer, living in Clifton, Virginia, USA. I am a retired U.S. Army aviator; I graduated from the Army's flight school in 1957, flying the Cessna L-19 Birddog - but I really learned how to fly some two years later, flying the DeHavilland L-20 "Beaver" in Korea.
Howard will be missed by us all. He gave many "wise e-mails" on the Group, sharing his vast knowledge on the L-20A/U-6A Beaver. These can still be found on the Group, just search "Howard Setzer" and soak up the information.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Blue skies forever Howard from your network of "Beaver Chums". Monday 06 October 2008 The road to recovery! Got these rather "sad" pictures of C-FMPC (1300) courtesy of Bernard Filiatrault, sent to him by Jack Van Norman thanks to Doug Beaumont! Anyway, we have a record of the recovery by VIH's sturdy Kamov KA-32A11BC C-FIGR ([31585]8707/05) which brought her back, right side up, in dead clam conditions, to Dease. I'll add a page later to the website. Here's a couple to start with.
Photos: via Doug Beaumont © 23 September 2008 Happy to report that she is now safely back with Viking at their Sidney facility on Vancouver Island. Saturday 04 October 2008 TV Time again. I can always tell by the increase in e-mails! I just pulled up my Stats Page and checked when "The Immortal Beaver" last showed on History Channel (Canada) . . yes, it was the 29th September. Hence the spike !
Next showing is Monday 13th October at 10:00EDT. Finger on the pulse as usual here. My good friend Alexis Antonakis has his computer send me automatic reports of Beaver activity around North America. This morning I got this one: Reg:C-GODH C/S: Date:2008-10-03 Time:20:42:06 GMT (16:42 EDT) Source:Orlando - FL, USA Type:DHC2 Alt:----- So we know "Olivia" made it safely to Orlando. Have fun in the sun my friend. Hope someone is taking snaps of you? Friday 03 October 2008 This morning I had the pleasure of the company of Captain David Graham, ACA A319/320/321 driver from Edmonton. Enjoyed his visit, and anticipate adding some super images from the early part of his career when he flew piston and turbine Beavers. I look forward to your next visit to "Beaver Lodge" David. 02 October 2008
Photo: Viking © 13:54 PDT 01 October 2008 CONGRATULATIONS TO VIKING on the recent first flight of their de Havilland DHC-6-400 Twin Otter C-FDHT "Viktoria". Well done everyone! October 1st is a day to remember.
Photo: Viking © 2008
Photo: Viking © 13:44 PDT 01 October 2008
Photo: Details to follow © 01 October 2008 Read about it here in Victoria's Times-Colonist. C-FDHT has just left CYYJ for Orlando, Florida, to participate in the NBAA Convention. My special friend, de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Mk.III "Olivia" C-GODH (979) went along as "Escort".
Photo: John W. Olafson © 15 September 2008 Today I added some more images to the R. A. (Eddy) Edwards collection, spurred by finding this negative in the collection of yours truly enjoying a quiet moment with G-BOAF at Yeovilton Naval Air Station. Note the high security fence, a simpler time.
Photo: R. A. Edwards © Wednesday 01 October 2008 Tim McGraw sent me his story "Just Plain Floats" which I have added to the "Beaver Tales" section of the website. Here's a snap of Chris the pilot in the adventure!
Photo: Tim McGraw © 1990 As promised - A teaser - I can take orders/payment now, but Calendar will not be shipped before mid - October. Be first! Starts with December 2008.
Calendar: Neil Aird © 2009 Tuesday 30 September 2008 Last day of September and I start my preparations for October on the website. Nice images in this morning from Bavaria of the Andreas Bischel R/C Beaver. I'll add a page for that beauty, as I know this site is used by many modellers from around the world. Ian Macintosh has sent me my month end stats. Thanks again Ian. I see the number of images has reached a wopping 7,075. Today I got another package from John Kimberley - this I will call "Beavers without Wings". Thanks so much John for your generous donation of your slides to DHC-2.COM. Adding them will show that Beavers are not always in good shape, in one piece etc. I am not lacking in interesting slides to add. Some grand images arrived also arrived electronically from Bill Blight. Here is a sample. Thanks Bill. Anyone know which Beaver this is? Associated Airways of Edmonton machine. Photo taken 54 years ago!
Photo: Bill Blight © 1964 Monday 29 September 2008 Final tweaking on the Calendar done at the printers, and now it's off to press. I will post a preview on October 1st. Today's mail also brought 10 more slides from John Kimberley added to the Archives. Thanks to recent donations from "viewers like you". Sunday 28 September 2008 Well Tim McGraw replied to a request from the webmaster. Here's a story. Thanks Tim. The Plane Crash, Tim McGraw © 2008 Saturday 27 September 2008 Another day and another interesting contact. Tim McGraw, ex Kenmore AME 1977-78 contacted me with this very inetersting link to a Youtube Video he put together from his days in Belem, Brazil looking after N9313Z (441). The movie in question was "At Play in the Fields of the Lord". I'm hoping Tim can supply some still images for the website. Thanks for your e-mail Tim!
Video screen captures: Tim McGraw © 1990 When looking at that, I saw another fine video of it in action . . door off, and cruising around the Amazon Basin. It has the title "Angel Falls" (Cachoeira Dos Anjos).
Truly great aerial sequences. Angel Falls are in Venezuela. Friday 26 September 2008 Well, today I have to zip in and collect the Calendar proofs from Pat Bothwell at Allan Graphics, exciting. She helped me by adding one higher quality image that arrived a little late. I had a nice email recently from José Gómez-Serrano requesting permission to make a copy of my website. He managed to make a complete working copy so that he can enjoy it at leisure rather than on-line. Never knew you could do that. It might help some of you. He uses Linux and mentioned it took a while to set up, but it works. Some interesting stats that Josego provided. The DHC-2.COM web site has 11,986 files; 1,403,544 KBytes; 8,346 jpeg files; and 306 html files! The website to use is : http://www.httrack.com Wednesday 24 September 2008 Today, one of our four granddaughters turns 7. So, Beaver production stopped for a card from GrandpaNeil.
Card © 2008 GrandpaNeil
Photos: Neil Aird/Anthony Aird © 24 September 2008 Big day here at "Beaver Lodge" - The Calendar goes off to Allan Graphics. Hope I have it all in order. Anthony helped me package it up for them. Preview of contents very soon. It's hard to look at the tiny flash card and think that all that work is in there . . well, I hope it is. I'll find out soon! I think youi will be happy with the selecton. Tuesday 23 September 2008
Great items recently from Belgium, archival photos and details of U-6A activities at Société Anonyme Belge et Constructions Aéronautiques (SABCA), courtesy of Charles Mali. Many thanks Charles. This lets us represent this important era.
Photos: SABCA hangar facilities © SABCA - Charles Mali Collection Another image of 58-1997 (1322) supplied by James Atwater assistant curator at Fort Eustis. Thanks to Dennis Newell for requesting it for the website.
Photo: via James Atwater © September 2008 • Fort Eustis - US Army Transport Museum. Monday 22 September 2008 Here is a preview of the 2009 Calendar. Not taking orders just yet. Proof reading now.
Cover photo: Rich Hulina © 2008 Yesterday, while I was working away on the cover of the Calendar with Anthony. Outside, the noise of a chain-saw, above which I heard a certain "voice" . . that of an R-985. A quick look around and Ant spotted it . . I just saw it vanish in the trees, a quick grab for the camera and I hopped on my desk and waited for a glimpse through a space in other trees . . click . . then she was gone! Fuzzy shot, but hey. . it's a Beaver. I did not recognize it - presumed it might be C-FLSD from Ottawa region? Blue tail.
Nothing on radio. Time was 17:14 EDT. Danielle later returned from the market with the car after another good day of fund-raising for Calcutta Rescue Canada. Do I go for a search ? No, finish cover. At 18:00 I again heard that "roar" no visual, but C-FLSD (900) called in. Departing to the north. Looks like a new paint job to me. Saturday 20 September 2008 Well along in the 2009 Calendar production, with some one-on-one coaching from Anthony, my Graphic Designer son. My main trouble is that I forget everything (almost) between calendars!! He will help me in two more sessions, the final will be next week, as it will be off to the printers to get to the proof stage. I anticipate actual printing week of October 20th. Aircaft featured this year are - in order of appearance: C-GDTB; C-FICK; C-FASA; N610LC; PH-DHC/S-9; C-GAQJ; N4957; N30CC; N2513N; C-FETN; N67DN; C-GEWG; C-FFHP; C-FIDM; N5CC; VH-AQU: (Go on - test your collective memories!) Wednesday 17 September 2008 Sad to see what happened to the RCMP Turbine Beaver C-FMPC (1300) at Level Lake, BC. Glad all egressed safely. These things do happen. I'm sure with a careful recovery, she will soon be "good as new", albeit after a hefty contribution of Canadian Tax Dollars.
Photos: Bruce McNaughton of BC Yukon Air © 14 September 2008 • via RCMP Air Division Tuesday 16 September 2008 The Aird household has been busy with Australian visitors. Always a pleasure to entertain fine folk from Oz!
Dave O'Malley of Vintage Wings Canada penned this article for their website, documenting the recent visit to Rockcliffe by the travelling Beavers. Dave does great work for that website, and the graphics he produces for it, well, just superb!
Photos: Neil Aird © 08 September 2008 - Graphic Design: Dave O'Malley © 2008 Thursday 11 September 2008 Well folks, the Blog is back. I hope I can get into the swing of things again, as many items of interest have missed being recorded. I might go back and post some events/thank you messages etc. Summer mode has prevented additions. I am getting into the 2009 DHC-2.COM Calendar production now, which will reduce my input to the website. Deadlines have to be met. I'll start September with my quick Beaver hunt. That was, as you may know, on Monday 8th, to meet up with the Travelling Duo, N2SF (329) and N67DN (799) and their owner/drivers. I had been invited to the dinner at Toronto on the Tuesday (which was a great event by all accounts) but decided to drive to Rockcliffe Seaplane dock/Ottawa instead to have a low key, one-on-one meeting and photo opportunity. I was not sure if anyone would be there to record their departure. As it turned out, I was the only one with a camera, and only one seaplane pilot shared the quiet (!) departure under perfect conditions. N67DN will grace the calendar, I was worried I would not make the cut this year!!
Photo: Eric Thiermann © 08 September 2008
Photo: Neil Aird © 08 September 2008 Along with greeting the GAAA's Mark and Doug, I had the pleasure of meeting Eric, Robbi, Norma and Dan. They all too soon left the Ottawa River and continued to Constance Lake for a "gas 'n go" and then journey on via the 1,000 islands to Toronto, which is well documented in their blog. Here is a departure image from Toronto Island yesterday morning. Kudos to Ken Swartz and his TAM team, for arranging great things for the travellers. A visit I'm sure they will long cherish. Weather was also not too shabby!
Photo: Kenneth I. Swartz © 10 September 2008 |
a new country added to our list.
