30 December 2007

I thought I'd end the year with an evocative image from our photographer friend Chip Porter. Thanks Chip for all your wonderful images of Beavers and the World around them.

27 December 2007

Been quite busy being GrandpaNeil today and yesterday.

On the Beaver front - I have some super RCMP DHC-2 images by Bill Sawchuk to add. Bill will be providing many delightful Beaver shots over the next few months, as time permits. Fantastic work Bill - our thanks!!

24 December 2007

Just hung the festive decorations for our family dinner tomorrow. Quiet a change from Danie's Indian Bazaar "look" over the recent three weeks. Lot's of funds raised for Calcutta Rescue Canada and onward to India help others less fortunate.

Let me wish you all the very best of the Holiday Season from our house. No Beavers for a few days, taking a break. Back soon.

21 December 2007

Something for the ho-ho-holidays, Ralph just let me know that a new Beaver jig-saw puzzle is ready.

N6LU (908) a photo by © René Juncker.

20 December 2007

William Jesse checked in to see how C-FLOR (1450) is progressing at Victoria Air Maintenance. Here's today's snap. Thanks WJ.

Photo: William Jesse © 20 December 2007

My friend Mark Blok (DHC-2.COM patron) has an active website for Atlantic Aircraft Salvage now. You can catch it from here.

19 December 2007

I'm working away at an addition to Eddie's Picture Section, adding a selection of Hercules aircraft, the participants to the 40th Anniversary Celebrations at the RIAT, RAF Fairford, 27 -31 July 1994. Not all up yet, but they will all be here soon. A change from Beavers.

Photo: 996 C-130H (4496) Grupo 10 Chilean Air Force - R. A. Edwards © 27 July 1994

One of the neat things about sending my calendars all over the world, is the comments I receive back. One line that caught my eye, which I will relay to Canada Post, was this from Wayne Grant in NZ. Mailed 12/12 arrived there seven days later.

>> Was amazed that your calendar got here so quickly as I ordered another aviation calendar from California the same day I ordered yours and was told not to expect delivery until the New Year. Obviously the Goose flies faster than the Eagle.

>>

I kept an eye (pun intended) for the AN225 last night, but snowy clouds obscured the sky, it must have been an impressive take off from Trenton as after dark here it is very "light" with the snow and low clouds reflecting light, I could imagine all that blowing snow being kicked up! He returned along the same inward track he used. I kept my pals at Prestwick aware of his departure and read an e-mail this morning where the writer could hear him running up his six engines prior to departure onward to Tbilisi (UGGG).

18 December 2007

Just in from Ken Hurford. Lots of construction going on, and difficult angle for a photograph, but it is a shot for the record. Thanks Ken. By the way, Ken took the October 2008 image used in the DHC-2.COM Calendar.

Photo: UR-82060 An225 - Ken Hurford © 18 December 2007

Had good report from Hospital today, efficient quick service. Much relieved I am. Return for a followup in New Year. Not going to drive after all those eyedrops, bright lights and prodding, still snowing here also. Should have snaps for the blog later as a couple of people have driven to see the AN225 UR-82060 at CFB Trenton.

Interesting image below of an anon U-6A in Viet Nam. Taken by Robert Brackenhoff. Thanks to Thor Johnson for finding it on the web.

Photo: Robert Brackenhoff © c 1970

17 December 2007

Spent two hours in Hotel Dieu Emergency today, I think all my shovelling and ice chipping took a toll. Had an eye problem in the late afternoon (flashing lights) which seemed to abate. But today I decided after consulting with my Doc to head to the Hospital where I was attended to by a young Doctor (I knew him as a medical student, many years ago). I have an appointment at 08:00 tomorrow with the Opthamology Dept for a more thorough check. So maybe a little light on Beavers today and also will I miss out on a road trip to CFB Trenton tomorrow to see the AN225, which is at Prestwick just now. She leaves Trenton on Thursday. Weather today is perfect with a clear blue cloudless sky and -10C. Damn.

Calendars were a success again this year, all gone! . . . I might be able to procure few from Frameworks if they have any left.

13 December 2007

Had a bit of a run on the Calendars today, last minute shoppers. Getting almost to single digits now. Better grab some myself for family members. I have a few (5) with covers that have blemishes on the glazing . . so will let them go at bargain price when all others have gone. Nothing wrong with the innards! Postage is the main expense for my overseas customers!

Thanks to Robin A. Walker again, we are able to notch up another new ! US Army Beaver.

09 December 2007

Technology and skills improve over the years. Today I scanned a slide I purchased and compared it to one I scanned several years ago. Both were taken by Ken Swartz. The one I got came via an auctioned ALPS Collection item. I rescanned and used my improved scanning retouching skills, and here you can compare the results. The slides, I might add were of equal quality, taken thirty years ago!

First scan

Second scan

Both photos: Kenneth I Swartz © 04 December 1977

07 December 2007

Every day brings new delights. Last night I had a great e-mail from George Thompson in New Zealand. He sent a bunch of scans of Kiwi Beavers for us to enjoy, so I have started working on them.

05 December 2007

If time permits, I will gradually add the details that I have of the "missing Beavers", those I do not yet have pictures of. Take this one as an example - c/n 830 which appears to be making an appearance!

03 December 2007

Another nine military L-20A/U-6A images in from Robin Walker's extensive collection. Great stuff yet again, many thanks from us all!

More calendars going out, need sled dogs to get me to the Post Office today.

My son Anthony went to Ottawa and Hull on the weekend and got some shots of the Beaver installation. Thanks Ant!

"For identification, "Beaver 123" - please waggle your wings"

1,692 basswood Beavers

Artist: FRANK SHEBAGEGET

Photos: Anthony Aird © 02 December 2007

03 December 2007

Pete and Larry had their work cut ot again today at the Tyee Spit. Here is Captain Pete Killin at work preparing C-FIGF. Beaver drivers have to do everything it seems.

Photo: Larry Langford © 02 December 2007

This is the photo sent in by Peter Reardon from Australia, of the wing strut attachments, mentioned recently in the DHC-2 Yahoo Group. Thanks Peter.

Photo: Peter Reardon © 2007

Did you know that you can spot a Beaver on the water from from about 52,000 feet? Here's an example from Google Earth. It helps if it is taking off from the water!

and from 3,400 feet.

Google Earth ©

I did actually spot two Beavers once from FL350 en route to Cairns, they were at a resort in the Whitsundays - I knew where to look.