Bomber Command Museum Archived Newsletters
![]() Halifax LW170 as it was last seen after ditching. ![]() A Halifax bomber at a British airfield during WWII, Being loaded up with bombs. It is not a well known fact, but most Canadians flew in Halifax bombers while serving with Bomber Command. It was well liked by it's crews. |
To raise a WWII Halifax bomber from the cold depths of the Atlantic and transport it to the NLS Air Museum seems impossible; some would call it a "pipe dream." Karl Kjarsgaard, a good friend of the museum and a Air Canada, Boeing 767 pilot, says "this is do-able." Karl is not new to the world of under-water recovery of WWII vintage aircraft. CFB Trenton, Ontario, is presently restoring the Halifax bomber that Karl and his group recovered from the depths of a Norwegian lake. He was also a main participant in arranging for the recovery of the remains of a Halifax from a Belgian bog, that found the remains of three airmen who had been interred with the aircraft when it crashed during WWII. The latest recovery effort is to find and lift Halifax LW170, which was attached to 6 Group, Canada's section of Bomber Command. 6 Group was commanded by Canadians and crewed by RCAF personnel. LW170 had flown 28 operations with mainly Canadian crews, and was on a meteorological flight near the Hebrides when it was ditched due to a major fuel leak. The crew was rescued and the aircraft floated for several hours before it sank in an estimated 1.6 kilometres of water. As the project leader Karl says, "This is a historic aircraft that was flown by Canadians, with battle history-Canadian history!" He has located some of the former aircrew (and/or families) who flew in LW170 and hopes to involve them in future ceremonies when the Halifax is delivered to the Nanton Air Museum. Karl is presently attempting to raise funds for a sophisticated (sonar) search this coming summer which will cost about $130,000. He estimates that the total project will cost in the neighborhood of $600,000. A nearly full page article in the March 8/04 Calgary Herald by columnist David Bly, alerted readers of this need. Another article was printed in the Richmond, Virginia, Times-Dispatch newspaper on March 14/04. This was a result of Karl Kjarsgaard's visit with the family of a former American aircrew member who flew in Halifax LW170. This article also enlarged on the recovery project and its funding needs. When Karl first approached the Nanton Lancaster Society with this project, the board of directors did agree to accept the Halifax once it was recovered. At that time it seemed a bit like a wishful dream. With the recent publicity, the project has now become a reality. Knowing Karl Kjarsgaard's dedication to similar projects in the past, we now realize- this is really going to happen! The condition of the WWII bomber when found will be the only determining factor as to whether the project goes ahead. Our instincts say it's going to happen - a Halifax in the NLS Air Museum in Nanton, Alberta! |
![]() An artists concept of what the Memorial Wall will look like when completed. |
![]() Proposed Memorial centrepiece. |
![]() Peter Engbrecht CGM, CD on aircraft. [ Photo courtesy of the Commonwealth Air Training Museum, at Brandon, Manitoba ] |
The gun turret of a Bomber Command aircraft during World War II was the coldest, loneliest place in the sky and one of the most dangerous. 20,000 air gunners' lost their lives. This summer our special event will focus on the contribution of the air gunners to the successes of Bomber Command. The completion of the restoration of our Bristol Blenheim turret will complement the three Fraser-Nash Lancaster turrets and the Martin 250 currently on display. This impressive collection of five gun turrets will be the backdrop to our salute to the individuals who manned them in the cold, dark, and dangerous skies sixty years ago. We are hoping that as many ex-air gunners as possible will be joining us on August 14th, 2004 to be honoured on behalf of the tens of thousands of their comrades who fought inthe night skies over enemy territory. |
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The Frazer/Nash rear turret from Lanc FM159 is now in the shop for cosmetic restoration. The intention is to repair the canopy frame and install the side Plexiglas before reinstalling it on the aircraft. While it is missing the gun mounts, we may be able to fabricate these and add four replica guns to complete it as a static display. Does anyone out there know where we might find gun mounts and hand controls for this turret type? If so, please let us know. |
The photos below will give the reader some idea as to the restoration effort now being concentrated on the Yale wing-center section. Note the jig which was built up last fall to hold the assembly rigid. Parts are removed for either repair or to expose other components needing repair or closer inspection for airworthy certification. Most of the work is being done by AME Greg Morrison and helper Bob Long (local Mobil Oil Co. manager). Restoring the Yale to airworthy status would not be feasible but for the volunteer work by Greg and Bob. At this time we have no estimated time-line when this restoration will be completed. Some parts will need to be sent out to a certified aircraft metal working shop for forming. However, it is hoped that by this time next year this will be completed and restoration of one of the outboard wings will be underway. |
![]() Yale centre-section in the jig, with Bob Long (behind) and Greg Morrison in front making a repair. |
![]() AME Greg Morrison gives a lesson in covering the Lancaster port elevator with fabric. Brian Hind and Gordon Neu (in the forground) watch and learn. |
The photo below shows progress has been made in restoring the Lancaster's elevators. These two control surfaces should be back on the aircraft this summer. Under the direction of AME Greg Morrison, Bill Hauck and Gordon Neu, both from High River, have the port elevator in the last stages of restoration. The fabric on the starboard elevator was competed during 2003 and awaits only the last application of "dope" and paint. Both elevators will have the final dope applied and be painted just prior to being reinstalled on the Lancaster. Still to be overhauled are the trim tabs for both elevators. Renewing these control surfaces is just one more step in the on-going restoration of Lancaster FM159 to its original wartime configuration. Other volunteers are working toward having the first Merlin engine running in 2005. |
![]() Fabric ready to be shrunk and then rib stitched Starboard elevator in the background is completed and awaiting final coat of "dope" and paint. |
![]() Greg (R) giving a lesson in tying rib stitch knots to Bill Hauck and Gordon Neu. Port elevator in foreground with fabric shrunk and doped, ready for the monotonous rib stitching to be completed. New volunteers, Cindy and Jim Wright, are now helping with rib stitching as well! |
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The Lancaster restoration crew, pictured above, have spent the better part of the past year and a half working toward having the #3 Merlin engine running. They have traced and renewed all the wiring for both inboard engines and are presently checking and replacing the old fuel lines that connect to the #3 engine. The goal is to have this engine ready to run for the Society's annual August 2005 event. This "bringing to life" of one of Lancaster FM159's Merlin engines, will be well advertised to the public. We are expecting a large attendance. This will be the first running of an engine on the old bomber since 1960, when it was flown from Fort MacLeod, to the BCATP base at Vulcan to be scrapped. Its purchase at that time for a tourist attraction at Nanton, was the start of the museum we have today. The Lancaster restoration crew, (L to R) consisting of volunteers; AME Greg Morrison, AME John Phillips, Merrill Honeyman, and Fred Hollowell. |
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![]() The oven for heating Plexiglas. |
![]() Dan Fox shows off one of the first molded pieces for the Bristol turret - canopy. It's still cooling off! |
![]() This photo shows how it's not a one-man job to get the heated acrylic on the mold and pressed into place. We've learned a few things since these photos were taken. |
![]() The freshly molded "glass" being fitted to the Bristol turret. John Maze assists Charlie Cobb in this endevour. |
![]() Charie Cobb (L) and John Maze with the restored Bristol gun turret. |
![]() Alvin Berger and Albert Fox work on parts for the Lanc rear turret. |
![]() The Anson Crew in front of Annie. From L to R, Charles Logie, Hugh Logie, Harry Volk, and project leader Rob Pedersen. |
![]() The old and the new - interior door that closes off the air gunners area in the fuselage, held by Harry Volk and Rob Pedersen. |
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Electrician Al Wittich installs one of the low energy fluorescent tubes in a fixture in the museum's front gallery. These tubes are encased in a special plastic sleeve, which reduces the ultra-violet rays. |
Someone thought the Society needed a mascot. Calgary volunteer Charlie Cobb brought him in. There being some likeness, the gorilla was dubbed "charlie with a small c." No confusion around here! Above, President Dan Fox tries to keep "charlie with a small c" from falling out of his chair. Note the beer can! When you visit the museum, be aware that "charlie" could be sitting ni the cockpit of one of the airplanes or in one of the WWII trucks! And please, don't get him started on the booze! |
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Lancaster FM159 as it appeared when first towed to Nanton in 1960. There appears to be a vintage car club visiting the engine-less wartime bomber. |
This picture was taken in 1991, the day before Lancaster FM159 was moved inside the new museum hangar. It had rained after volunteers had taken it down from the pedestals, on which it had been mounted for thirty years, in preparation for moving it the next day. |
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![]() Don & Hazel Callahan |
![]() Edna Norman - Georgie McWilliams |
![]() Baldur & Aimee Johnson |
![]() Fred Smith |
![]() Keith & Pat Phillips |
![]() Pat Melvin & Ethel Caldwell |
![]() Jim Wiersma |
![]() Shirley Armstrong |
![]() Bert & Dorothy White |