History of Transportation, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
History of Transportation, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
On October 7th 1999, at 7 pm, the Vintage Aircraft Restorers conducted a dedication ceremony for the Fleet-Fairchild PT-26A Cornell.
The Museum's Cornell
Records for a typical Fairchild Cornell (PT26) document an aircraft that was built at Fleet Aircraft Ltd., Fort Erie, Ontario and delivered to the RCAF March 31, 1943. It served as a training aircraft at #15 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS), Regina, Saskatchewan and #23 EFTS Davidson and Yorkton, Saskatchewan for the duration of the Second World War. It was struck off strength April 22, 1947 and sold by War Assets with a total of 1277 flying hours logged.
The aircraft restored by the Vintage Aircraft Restorers was acquired by Russ Bischop of Yorkton and then by Bob Meyer of Lumsden. It was donated to the Vintage Aircraft Restorers in 1993, with restoration commencing November 1993 and completed in May 1999.
Cornells were used in Saskatchewan under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) at Caron, Assiniboia, Regina, Davidson, Yorkton and Prince Albert.
The Vintage Aircraft Restorers
The Vintage Aircraft Restorers are a group of volunteers committed to the preservation of Saskatchewan's Aviation Heritage and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Under the direction of Don O'Hearne they have worked diligently over the past 18 years to interpret the BCATP through the restoration of a Cessna Crane aircraft, a ca.1940 Link Trainer, MKI Avro Anson, enlargement of the BCATP gallery, wall displays and aircraft models, and now the completion of a Fairchild Cornell. Their excellent workmanship and obvious commitment to these projects are evident in the exhibits on display in the Moose Jaw Western Development Museum.
The Dedication Ceremony
A selected photo chronology of the proceedings
- all photos from WDM archives
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Opening remarks, Russ Ferguson, Master of Ceremonies |
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Moose Jaw Mayor Ray Boughen |
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Col. Oullette, Wing Commander 15 Wing, Moose Jaw |
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MLA Glenn Hagel |
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Roger Macklin introducing Don O'Hearne |
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Don O'Hearne, leader of the Vintage Aircraft Restorers |
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Don O'Hearne |
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This dedication came during the WDM's 50th anniversary year. |
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Certificates of appreciation were handed to those who assisted with the project. |
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Katherine Fitton, WDM branch Manager, congratulates Don O'Hearne. |
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Katherine Fitton beside the Cornell. |
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The Vintage Aircraft Restorers receive their souvenir Cornell caps. |
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The guests have a closer look at the Cornell. |
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E. E. Johnson (left) who flew a Cornell, and Ken Munroe, who also was a Cornell pilot. |
