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All Metal Norseman
In Canadian Aviator’s latest Tales From the Lakeview, Bob Grant had little success convincing old-time pilots that CF-UUD was a MK VIII Norseman. It’s a shame because this truly was an innovative concept for the venerable freighter. Metalizing Norseman in Canada was started in Redditt with the rebuilding of CF-SAN. Ontario Central Airlines replaced the fabric belly with aluminium as this area that was prone to ice damage. Next, when CF KVB was rebuilt, the sides back to the cargo door were done in metal. As Bob describes in his article, a mysterious pilot flew away with the airplane and it turned up in Canada, owned by Bud Mallory, who operated it in Fort Francis, ON. When Barney Lamm, who also owned OCA, acquired Canadian Voyager Airlines, this unique aircraft came to Redditt where Ed Hanratty had Rollie Hammerstadt give it a thorough going over. The airplane didn’t preform that well, and during his inspection, Rollie found the entire structure had a slight down bend. The conclusion both engineers reached, was that at some time during its life prior to Ursell metalizing it, the aircraft had flipped over on its back. Rather than strip the skin and straighten the frame, they opted to start from scratch.Another fuselage, CF-OBE was selected and plans laid out to completely replace all the fabric with metal and use UUD’s wings. After replacing the metal stabilizer, but leaving the vertical fin intact, UUD was given a pair of good wooden wings and later sold to Dave Harvey, who operated it out of Red Lake for years. It was the only Norseman ever to have the big door as seen in the photo below taken by Charlie Ursell in Texas, and well described by Bob in his article. CF-OBE, which became the only all metal Norseman rebuilt in Canada, never had anything but standard size cargo doors, although they were one piece. UUD bounced from pillar to post until Glen Crandall bought it, restored it, and has it in a private antique collection, in Panoka, Alta.Incidently, I would highly recommend you subscribe Canadian AviatorSend your comments to Ed Zaruk
Posted on 5/7/2009
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How Tough is a Norseman?
CF-AYO was the first Norseman aircraft manufactured by Noorduyn Aviation. This Mk I prototype first flew in November of 1935. Built for tough bush work it was sold the following January after a brief period of testing, to Dominion Skyways Limited.During the summer of 1941, and with RCAF approval, Warner Brothers Pictures negotiated the use of AYO for the movie, Captains of the Clouds. The link will take you to a scene that was shot August 2, 1941. DND Photo Brenda Marshall watches as the Black Norseman, with wings and tail painted a Technicolor-compatible orange, and re-lettered HGO, lands in the lake. Director Michael Curtiz wanted some spectacular splash and bounce for Jimmy Cagney’s landing and the video is the final take. Warner’s pilot, Jerry Philips literally drove the plane into the water so hard it bounced four times, catching the stabiliser in the process.Two reports were filed on the incident. One stated that, other than the damaged elevator, there was a broken lower left pontoon fitting. That, and a buckle in the left float. Damage to the elevator was repaired and the fitting was wrapped with metal. The airplane was flown for 30 more hours to finish the movie shoot. Later, it turned out that both floats had buckled at the front spreader bar, the back spreader was bent. Both wing struts were bowed and later had to be replaced. When word of the incident got out, Department of Transport, obviously slighted by the violations, stepped in and mandated the aircraft be sent to Noorduyn in Montreal for a complete dismantling before it would issue a new Certificate of Airworthiness. Noorduyn’s bill for parts and a thorough inspection came to $1,212.60. Norseman airplanes would continue to take similar, although not as severe punishment, month after month as they flew Canada’s north country on floats and skis.The fact that after all their years of rough service, there are still a couple dozen flying, half in commercial service, not only is it a tribute to Robert Noorduyn, but has also earned this bush plane the title, “A Canadian Legend.” Send your comments to: EdZaruk@live.com
Posted on 3/31/2009
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External Loads
Norseman aircraft have been know to carry almost anything from baby bears to millionaires. If it wouldn’t fit inside the cabin, then it was carried outside sitting on the float and tied to the wing strut. This picture of Chimo Air’s Norseman KAO seen here taking off from their base in Cockenour, (Red Lake,) Ontario, is typical of loads carried for tourist outfitters. Boats and canoes, lashed to the outside of the plane, are still a common sight. Almost anything that would fit along, or between the floats was carried, although coiled plastic pipe was not one of them. Need a piano moved, the Norseman could handle it. During the construction of the Mid-Canada line, Ontario Central Airlines moved twenty foot telephone poles by removing the rear doors, sticking the butts in the cabin, two to a side, and tying the tops, slipped over the strut outboard of the brace.Perhaps the most unusual external load is described by Bob Grant in his book Great Northern Bush Planes describes a flight from To Cumberland House with a load of hung over party-goers. The Norseman’s unusual tendency to pull to the left. After landing, the reason was all to clear, an unwanted passenger clinging to the outside of the air plane. With today’s bureaucracy, such externals wouldn’t fly, but years ago, when the call came to move the unmovable by air, usually it was seen strapped to the outside of a Norseman.Send your comments to EdZaruk@livecom
Posted on 3/14/2009
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A Legend is Created
JACK LAMB was one of the bush pilots who opened up the vast wilderness known as Canada. Many were the Native men and women Jack flew in his Norseman. All became his friends. With Jack's passing on January 11th, our country's folklore can now elevate him to the status of a true legend.Please follow this link and read the entire article. It's a Nice Day For Flying
Posted on 2/15/2009
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Falklands Islands Norseman
The Falklands Islands Dependency Survey in 1949 ordered one of the last Norseman MK V’s built and had it shipped to Deception Island in the Antarctic. Here it was assembled and made ready to rescue eleven men who were stranded at their base on Stonington Island.Flying Officer Peter St. Louis of the Royal Canadian Air Force was to fly the plane if the supply ship, John Biscoe could not break through the ice at Stonington which had trapped the men there for three years.At the height of the Antarctic summer in 1949/50 St. Louis made two successful flights, landing amid shifting ice floes, to remove the five men who had been stranded the longest. He was “delighted with the Norseman’s behaviour under polar conditions.” This comes as no surprise to Canadian pilots who flew the plane regularly in severe winter conditions. Later the John Bisco would rescue the remaining men.VP-FAD commenced service with the Falkland Islands Air Service in 1950. It flew steady for three years providing service to remote settlements in the Falkland Islands. In August 1953 it was written off due to severe corrosion and reported scuttled in Stanley harbour.The complete account of Norseman VP-FAD in the Antarctic can be read in the book White Horizon.Send your comments to: mailto:EdZaruk@live,com Visit my Archives to view all my Norseman Blogs
Posted on 12/26/2008
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