SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST:
Joel Clarkston me- Joel Clarkston me- Joel Clarkston me- Joel Clarkston me-
morial gate morial gate morial gate morial gate
Battle of Britain Battle of Britain Battle of Britain Battle of Britain
celebrations celebrations celebrations celebrations
442 Squadron 442 Squadron 442 Squadron 442 Squadron
tour tour tour tour
Big cash donation Big cash donation Big cash donation Big cash donation
The last three The last three The last three The last three
months months months months
Events to come Events to come Events to come Events to come
J O E L C L A R K S T O N J O E L C L A R K S T O N J O E L C L A R K S T O N J O E L C L A R K S T O N
D E D I C A T I O N D E D I C A T I O N D E D I C A T I O N D E D I C A T I O N
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T H E MA N A G E R S T H E MA N A G E R S T H E MA N A G E R S T H E MA N A G E R S 5 55 5
C O L L E C T I O N S C O L L E C T I O N S C O L L E C T I O N S C O L L E C T I O N S 6 66 6
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Q U A R T E R Q U A R T E R Q U A R T E R Q U A R T E R B A C K B A C K B A C K B A C K 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
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I NS I DE THI S
I S S UE :
O N P R O U D W I N G S
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T H E C OM OX T H E C OM OX T H E C OM OX T H E C OM OX
V A L L E Y A I R V A L L E Y A I R V A L L E Y A I R V A L L E Y A I R
F O R C E F O R C E F O R C E F O R C E
M U S E U M M U S E U M M U S E U M M U S E U M
A S S OC I A T I O N A S S OC I A T I O N A S S OC I A T I O N A S S OC I A T I O N
The museums library houses many
books about military heroes and stories of their
flying exploits. One glance at the centerpiece on
the conference table, and you are caught up by the
statue of a pilot in full flying gear, his parachute
still strapped to his back and standing at an angle
with outstretched arms. The story behind this tilted
stance is unique.
Whenever pilots get together for a social
event, as they do at 888 Wing - and any other Air
Force Mess - this pose is frequently seen as their
passion for flying surfaces. Once more, pilots re-
live memories dear to them. Getting caught up in
the moment, they spread their arms and bend over
to demonstrate the angle of a plane as it soars
away. The right hand is the story teller the left
hand his adversary in air to air combat.
This sculpture of Joel, who is perma-
nently in his storytelling stance, captures the
imagination. It stirs up quiet emotions and a desire
to be part of the action. It also makes one want
to find a good book or movie and become part
of the flying experience.
In recognition of Maj Clarkstons contribution to the Comox Air Force Museum and its
volunteer Association, the new Gate at the Air Park was officially opened and dedicated to the
memory of Joel Clarkston (approved by the Directorate of History and heritage), on 21st Septem-
ber, 2008. The full transcript of the Presidents speech, in his honour, follows:
1. Maj Clarkston was appointed Commandant, Air Force Indoctrination School (AFIS) in
MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E


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MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E C O N T . .
1994. AFIS was also "the home" of the Comox Air
Force Museum (CAFM). Maj Clarkston became the
Chair of the CAFM executive in July 1994.
2. In late 1994, be led the acquisition for the CAFM of a
unique collection of hundreds of books, dozens of model
aircraft and thousands of photographs and periodicals
from the estate of Geoffrey Rowe in Victoria. This task
also included:
a. arranging a professional appraisal of the collection
for development of the required income tax receipt
for the estate;
b. organizing Museum renovations to properly store
and display all of the material; and
c. executing the project to officially name the CAFM
book collection as the Geoffrey Rowe Memorial
Library.
The CAFM Library is now the largest collection of
air force and aviation books and related materials in
British Columbia.
3. In 1995, when Royal Roads Military College closed,
Joel led the successful bid to acquire the CF-101 Voo-
doo aircraft, then located at the Co1lege, transport it
from Victoria to Comox, restore it in the colours of 409
Squadron and place it in the CAFM Heritage Air Park.
4. In late 1995, being an
avid builder and flyer of
radio-controlled model
aircraft, he
proposed the establish-
ment of a radio-controlled
model aircraft competi-
tion for north Vancouver
Island. The first meet,
held in the summer of
1996 at CFB Comox, was
a notable success. The
competition, now spon-
sored by CAFM in Joel's
memory, has become an
annual event at 19
Wing, drawing dozens of competitors and hundreds of
spectators over its two-day run.
5. During his term as CAFM Chairman, from July 1994
until early 2001, Joel led successful projects to acquire a
CF-I04 Starfighter, a Mig-21 FISHBED fighter, a CT-
133, a CT-114 Tutor trainer aircraft and a very rare ex-
RCAF H-21 Piasecki helicopter for the air park. The
latter acquisition included all arrangements for transfer
of another CF-104 from disposal assets at Trenton to the
Air Museum in Surrey, BC, its exchange there for the H-
21, movement of the helicopter to Comox, its restoration
to display status in RCAF colours and placement in the
air park.
6. In 1991, he led a bid for the Lancaster bomber then be-
ing removed from display on the Toronto waterfront
because of the deterioration of the aircraft. The bid was
lost to the Toronto Aerospace Museum by only one
vote.
7. In 1999, he organized the proposal which led to the
CAFM acquiring a DH-l00 DeHavilland Vampire from
a collector in the United States in exchange for a CT-I14
Tutor.
8. Also, in 1999, he led the acquisition of the remains of a
WW II Supermarine Spitfire aircraft (ex. RAF, ex-
SAAF) from a gentleman in Vancouver, developed the
plan for its restoration to flying status, arranged for crea-
tion of a building to shelter the project and made a suc-
cessful bid for a Canada Millennium grant of $200,000
to fund the first stages of the restoration work. The
Y2K Spitfire Project continues today.
9. For many years, beginning in the late 1980s, CAFM
derived a significant part of its annual financial require-
ments through access to funding from BC government-
controlled gaming activities in the Comox Valley. Most
importantly, this funding paid the salary of the Curator.
By mid-l999, it became clear that con-
tinuation of this funding was very
much in jeopardy. CAFM, as an
agency of the Crown, in the right of
Canada, was not a non-profit organiza-
tion of the kind preferred by the BC
government to receive gaming funds to
support public programs in the com-
munity. Maj Clarkston, in the space of
a very few weeks, conducted all of the
necessary staff work with provincial
agencies at Victoria, which led to the
issue in September 1999 of a provin-
cial charter to the Comox Valley Air
Force Museum Association


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The newest addition to the Heritage Air Park is not an airplane but a formal entrance Gateway
dedicated to Major Joel Clarkston. Joel made a lasting contribution to the Museum and the Asso-
ciation which he founded and will be remembered with a bronze plaque that was unveiled on Sept
21
st
by Joels family at an emotional ceremony. The Association can take a lot of pride in the
funding of the Gateway and the placing of the plaque commemorating Joel.
Operation Shredder is our next event with Bill Cuell and Don Manley doing the organizing.
Watch for more information on the Where and When, and save your documents that need shred-
ding.
December is the time for a little fun, so mark Tuesday December 9
th
on your calendars for the
Museum Christmas party. This year Frank Steven will take on the organizing duties from Harlin
Price. Looking for a great time.
If all this wasnt keeping us busy enough, the Board members , with Mike Spooner chairing,
are planning a major fundraiser for April 2009 to celebrate the Centennial of Flight in Canada.
Stay tuned for more information as this will be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Dont forget, one of the best ways you can support the Museum is to invest in a Heritage Stone. Not only do you
get a permanent record, etched in marble, of your personal history but you get a tax receipt for the whole contri-
bution. Makes a great Birthday, Anniversary or Christmas gift.
Have a great Fall Mike Hendren
THE PRESDENTS
PODIUM

MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N MA J J O E L C L A R K S T O N ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E ME MO R I A L G A T E C O N T . .
(CVAFMA). For CAFM, the CVAFMA is the formally
established Friends of the Museum organization con-
templated by CFP 266. Canadian Forces Museums - Op-
erations and Administration. Chartered and operating
under the BC Societies Act, CVAFMA is sufficiently
distant" from the federal government interests to meet all
provincial requirements as a suitable receiver of gaming
funds to support its programs. It is the organizational
"home for all CAFM volunteers, conducts all external
fundraising activities and advertising in support of
CAFM, provides the Assistant Manager/Curator, under
contract, and Provides monetary backing for CAFM ac-
tivities not otherwise financed by public or non-public
funds. Following retirement from the CF in 2002, Joel
Clarkston became a Director of CVAFMA and continued
his support of the Museum through this connection until
his untimely death in September, 2003.
10. Hundreds of men and women have been involved with the
CAFM, in one way or another.
from its humble beginnings in 1982 as a single room of
memorabilia in the original AFIS
building, through its growth to status as a fully accredited
CF Museum in 1987, to the
remarkable set of collections of military aircraft vehicles
memorabilia, artwork. Photographs, books, electronic
records and
the facilities,
which com-
prise the
Museum
today.
Among all
of those con-
tributors to
CAFM de-
velopment,
past and
present, Ma-
jor Joel
Clarkston
stands out as
one of whom it may truly be said at CAFM, If you seek
his legacy, look around you.

Mike Hendren and Loretta Wetmore
With Mike & Jon, Joel and Marys children: L With Mike & Jon, Joel and Marys children: L With Mike & Jon, Joel and Marys children: L With Mike & Jon, Joel and Marys children: L- -- -R R R R
I N T E R E S T I N G WE B S I T E S : I N T E R E S T I N G WE B S I T E S : I N T E R E S T I N G WE B S I T E S : I N T E R E S T I N G WE B S I T E S :
This database contains approximately 28,000 index cards and 34 photograph albums of aviators who were issued with their flying
licences (certificates) by the Royal Aero Club from 1910-1950 Open with Ctrl+click, Click Whats New at Ancestry Whats New at Ancestry Whats New at Ancestry Whats New at Ancestry &scroll down at:
www.ancestry.co.uk


The Griffin Pub The Griffin Pub The Griffin Pub The Griffin Pub
& Liquor & Liquor & Liquor & Liquor
Store Store Store Store
Pub Open 11 am Liquor Store open 9 am
1185 Kilmorley Rd, Comox 250-339-4466
Fri night: Live Band
Sat night: Name that Tune
Sun: Brunch
Large Sunny Patio Large Sunny Patio Large Sunny Patio Large Sunny Patio
Lunch & Dinner Specials Lunch & Dinner Specials Lunch & Dinner Specials Lunch & Dinner Specials
Page 4
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S P I T F I R E P R O J E C T S P I T F I R E P R O J E C T S P I T F I R E P R O J E C T S P I T F I R E P R O J E C T U P D U P D U P D U P D A T E A T E A T E A T E
Partnership Announcement Expected Soon!
The much anticipated announcement regarding the
partnership that will assure the successful completion of the
Museums Spitfire to flight is now (we hope) just weeks away.
I guess we can partly attribute the announcements delay to mak-
ing sure that all the ts are crossed and the is dotted; but also,
the recent fall election announcement has rescheduled the deci-
sion-making progress for a month or two. Meanwhile, work has
continued- at a slower rate on the Spitfire since the last newslet-
ter and some progress has been realized.
Terry Chester and Bonn Svensson have now traveled
to England to complete arrangements to start the wing construc-
tion and to sort out some details with respect to various other
parts that are required to complete the Spitfire to an airworthy
status. The Spitfire will be completed and first flown in Comox.
The restoration shop has been completely cleaned up
and some renovations have been completed in preparation for a
vigorous construction phase once the details are finalized. A
new computer has been
added, new shop tables have
been constructed to accom-
modate new engineering staff
who will work alongside
Bonn.
Mike Forbes has
been busy on the home-front
disassembling and cleaning
existing wing parts from the original wing bits that have been in
storage on the base, those parts that
are usable will be blended into the
new assembly during construction.




Bonn has recently completed the trim
tabs, the seat frame and is now making
the actual seat.

If youre interested in dropping into the hangar to see first hand
the work that has been completed on Canadas most significant
aviation project, make sure you check with the museum to con-
firm what hours the restoration hangar is open, it is usually open
for a few hours each
weekend.
Pat Murphy, Y2-K Spitfire Volunteer


D I R E C T O R S D I A L O G U E D I R E C T O R S D I A L O G U E D I R E C T O R S D I A L O G U E D I R E C T O R S D I A L O G U E
After three months I am well settled in and loving it!

Since the last newsletter we have been very busy: the high number of visitors has kept the Volun-
teers hopping! We had a luncheon to thank not only the Volunteers but also the Engineers and Roads &
Grounds Staff.

We are in the middle of preparing for the Battle of Britain: this year the gallery is configured with art depicting the Bat-
tle, the library has a diorama and we will show the movie on both 20 and 21 Sept at 1900. Let's think about the next event, in-
corporating what we learned from doing this one.

I am really encouraged by the energy and drive of all the Volunteers, and particularly appreciate when they observe and
report on minor flaws. This attention to detail, sense of ownership and initiative ensures that we keep our Museum in top condi-
tion: keep it up! Jon Ambler
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MA N A G E ME N T MA T T E R S MA N A G E ME N T MA T T E R S MA N A G E ME N T MA T T E R S MA N A G E ME N T MA T T E R S
You've heard of Team Canada. Well, I am going to starting referring to our group as "Team CAFM".
The Team has been hard at it since the last newsletter. Part of "Team CAFM" are the units of 19 Wing.
We have excellent relations with these units, and they help us to accomplish our mission. One such example is
our relationship with the Construction Engineering Flight (CEF) formerly know as AEF. We have relied on them
- over and over again - to help us with our big projects; notably, the library, the annex, and the Heritage Gate.
This year, they are working hard doing a substantial number of projects for us.
If you have taken a flight from the Comox Airport recently, you will have noticed the "Visit the Comox Air Force Mu-
seum" sign in the Air Park. This sign was painted by 19 Air Maintenance Squadron and installed by the CEF. They have re-
painted the "Comox Air Force Museum" sign on our building, so now it stands out in bright red, blue and white colours. They
are also working on a number of other projects that should be finished soon, to include flag poles by the Heritage Gate and con-
crete pads for the aircraft to rest on. Another of the units we work closely with is Airfield and Works (formerly known as Roads
and Grounds). They take care of our Air Park and the area around our Museum. They planted the hedge along the fence behind
the Heritage Stones, landscaped the area around the Heritage Gate, and installed the paths.
Of course, no newsletter is complete without an acknowledgement of our Team of Volunteers. We had two record-
breaking months this summer. In July, we had the best donation deposit, and in August we had our best sales month, in the his-
tory of the Museum. This is a measure of our success, and it is all due to the hard work of our volunteers in the Museum. The
reports from Rob Roy (and, of course, the amount of money he is spending) indicate that the truck project is progressing well.
Thanks to the Association, the Vehicle Team was able to purchase new tires for the truck. It won't be long before it starts to look
like a truck again. The Heritage Aircraft Team plans to move the Dakota back into the Air Park soon. It might even be there by
the time you read this newsletter. It will be missing its control surfaces, because they still have to be primed and covered with
fabric. The next aircraft they will be working on will be the Voodoo. Talking of Voodoos... 19 AMS has taken on the project of
painting the Voodoo gate guard, so one can see that this "Team CAFM" involves a lot of people.
Don Smith is planning to visit the Museum in October. When he comes, he will be bringing the next set of graphic/text
panels that will finish the first "hall". Another part of our Team, the CVAFMA board of directors, is working on the next big
fundraising project, but I will let Mike Hendren tell you about that. The Spitfire is just waiting the approval of the CDS, and then
it will be formally handed over to Vintage Wings of Canada. Pat Murphy will bring you up to date on this project.
As I mentioned at our latest BBQ, the newest team within the Team is Jon and I. Jon has been here three months now, and
I know you will all agree that he has been a great addition to our Team. In his short time he has certainly helped in progressing
the Museum to the next level. Well I am off to England tomorrow, so I will see you all when I get back.
Thank you, Team - you make it happen. Capt John Low


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The Library of the Comox Air Force Museum has
grown from a few hundred initial donations to the Air Force
Indoctrination School (AFIS), into almost 8000 hardcover
volumes and nearly 20,000 magazines. In 1994 the Estate of
Geoffrey Rowe donated an astounding 2500 hardcover books
and over 5000 magazines. From that point on we have con-
tinually grown into a well-known research library on topics
relating to aircraft, air force, and west coast aviation.

Over the first half of 2008, our donations totalled
400 books and magazines. These donors include: A.J. Mal-
landaine; Mr/Mrs W.R. Ridley; Mike Stambois; George
Stecko; Gary Wiess; Don Franks; Russ Hellberg; Stonewall
Jackson; Ms Iona Campagnolo; Peter Dawson; John De-
Coursey; Mary Hawes; John Butler and Wayne Hay.

Mr. A.J. (John) Mallandaine has
been a consistent donor to the library for
almost the entire 20 years we have been in
existence. This year alone he has donated
178 books and magazines.

Although we are a research only library and do
not lend out our books, we have many visitors each week
searching for family information. In most cases we are able
to find pieces of history on their family and give them the
address needed to contact Personnel Records in Ottawa
where copies of military records are kept.
Allison
C O L L E C T I O N S C O R N E R C O L L E C T I O N S C O R N E R C O L L E C T I O N S C O R N E R C O L L E C T I O N S C O R N E R
Page 6
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Allison Hetman
Librarian
! ! V O L U N T E E R H E L P WA N T E D ! ! ! ! V O L U N T E E R H E L P WA N T E D ! ! ! ! V O L U N T E E R H E L P WA N T E D ! ! ! ! V O L U N T E E R H E L P WA N T E D ! !
Photographs our hidden treasure

The Comox Air Force Museum holds tens of thousands of photographs in its collections. Some are organized into albums,
a few are on CD-ROMs, but most remain more or less forgotten and sit in boxes or envelopes. These photographs are a wonderful
resource but they get only limited use because searching for particular subjects is tedious, dependent upon browsing among the
photographs that are in albums which have titles.
The ultimate goal is to have in our library a complete digital collection of photographs, with backup files, that is fully
searchable by title, general subject, location, and keywords. The photographs would be fully accessible, to be used for research, or
browsed for fun. In addition, we could seek assistance in properly identifying the subjects in the countless photos that have no
titles.
There is no doubt this is a big project but it can be done and we have made a start. For more than a year, during my one
afternoon each week in the library, I have been learning about software, reading about cataloguing and experimenting. When puz-
zled by the options available I sought advice from the Courtenay public library. Their advice led me to software called Greenstone,
which was developed in New Zealand. It is open source software and has been adopted by many libraries, large and small, in many
countries. Its purpose is to facilitate the digitization of document and photograph collections so they can be shared on computers
in a library and via a website.
A lot of time has gone into determining what cataloguing facts had to be attached to each photograph and I had help in
doing so from David Stinson and Robert Lesage. Thirteen facts have been selected to be recorded for each CAFM photograph.
These facts, or tags, meet Canadian archives guidelines and they are close to the default settings within the Greenstone software
it was not too complicated to set Greenstone to use our tags for each picture.
Now the next steps are underway, scanning and numbering the photographs, making sure all those in one album are put
into one file. Later each album file will be stored on a high quality read-only CD. Our summer student Carrina is working on the
scanning. We had a bit of confusion over numbers but got that sorted out and have uploaded our first file into Greenstone, ready
for keying in the facts for each photograph, details like the title or subject, where and when it was taken, the size, when the mu-
seum acquired it and its reference number..
I need help and would be delighted to hear from anyone who likes to look at old photographs and is willing to do a bit of
keyboarding at the library computer. This is the sort of work that can be done anytime, and for any length of time you can work for
twenty minutes or a couple of hours. Learning what needs to be done wont take long.
Please e-mail me at wren284@yahoo.ca, or leave a note for me at the library desk.
Sherry Irvine
Library volunteer



F U N F A R E F U N F A R E F U N F A R E F U N F A R E
Spotters QUIZ
1. 1. 1. 1. What was the nickname given to the CF What was the nickname given to the CF What was the nickname given to the CF What was the nickname given to the CF- -- -104, 104, 104, 104,
excluding excluding excluding excluding: One : One : One : One- -- -oh oh oh oh- -- -Four and Widowmaker? Four and Widowmaker? Four and Widowmaker? Four and Widowmaker?
2. 2. 2. 2. What is the NATO techs slang for a millimetre, as What is the NATO techs slang for a millimetre, as What is the NATO techs slang for a millimetre, as What is the NATO techs slang for a millimetre, as
used in caliber sizes? used in caliber sizes? used in caliber sizes? used in caliber sizes?
3. 3. 3. 3. What was the 1950s RCAF code name for the What was the 1950s RCAF code name for the What was the 1950s RCAF code name for the What was the 1950s RCAF code name for the
highest degree of combat readiness? highest degree of combat readiness? highest degree of combat readiness? highest degree of combat readiness?
4. 4. 4. 4. What is the meaning of Tee What is the meaning of Tee What is the meaning of Tee What is the meaning of Tee- -- -Dubs? Dubs? Dubs? Dubs?
5. 5. 5. 5. What nickname did Allied prisoners of war during What nickname did Allied prisoners of war during What nickname did Allied prisoners of war during What nickname did Allied prisoners of war during
WW2 give themselves? WW2 give themselves? WW2 give themselves? WW2 give themselves?
6. 6. 6. 6. What RCAF aircraft was known as the Stoof ? What RCAF aircraft was known as the Stoof ? What RCAF aircraft was known as the Stoof ? What RCAF aircraft was known as the Stoof ?
7. 7. 7. 7. What did insiders call the Canadair built F What did insiders call the Canadair built F What did insiders call the Canadair built F What did insiders call the Canadair built F- -- -86? 86? 86? 86?
V O L U ME 3 , I S S U E 4
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2. 2. 2. 2.
A short while before setting off to hike over the Devonish and
Cornish moors, meadows and mines, Capt John Low pulled from a hat
the winner to last issues quiz, and:
. . . .
One other correct entry was received, that from Val
Kaehler our previous multiple winner. So, the Chal-
lenge has been met and your newsletter team appreci-
ates the tenacity and skill of all attempts in searching
out these intentionally tricky solutions. If not yet successful, we urge all
you budding spotters out there to come forward and submit entries.
Last issues answers were: Photo 1. Liore et Oliver LeO 451 French
medium bomber; and Photo 2. front starboard pitot tube on the Snow-
birds Canadair CT-114 Tutor in the Air Park.
With that, this issues two quiz images are: this issues two quiz images are: this issues two quiz images are: this issues two quiz images are:




No clues for this one but #2 is to be found somewhere on museum prop-
erty:
Geoff Plant
1. 1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2. 2.
For this issue, please send your answers, on or before 30th November, to
rhj@interbaun.com or phone Rodney at 250-650-0166, after 20th Octo-
ber. The winner of the $10 of hard-earned CVAFMA funds, based on an
accurate identification of the image, will be chosen and notified in Decem-
ber.
A tie will be settled by pulling the winning entry from a hat.
Heard on ABC Airlines just after a very hard landing
in Salt Lake City: The flight attendant came on the
intercom and said, "That was quite a bump and I
knows what ya'll are thinking.
Wall I'm here to tell you it warn't the airline's fault,
it warn't the pilot's fault and it warn't the flight atten-
dant's fault.....it were the asphalt.
Humour on Landings
An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he
had hammered his ship into the runway really hard.
The airline had a policy which required the first
officer to stand at the door while the passengers
exited, give a smile, and a "Thanks for flying XYZ
airline." He said that in light of his bad landing, he
had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye,
thinking that someone would have a smart
comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except
for this little old lady walking with a cane. She said,
"Sonny, mind If 1 ask you a question?" "Why no
Ma'am," said the pilot, "What Is it?
" The little old lady said, "Did we land or were we
shot down?"


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O N P R O U D W I N G S
V O L U N T E E R S T O U R O F 4 4 2 S Q N V O L U N T E E R S T O U R O F 4 4 2 S Q N V O L U N T E E R S T O U R O F 4 4 2 S Q N V O L U N T E E R S T O U R O F 4 4 2 S Q N
GOD, QUEEN AND HEART:
(Motto of the Noble Search and Rescue)

VOLUNTEERS TOUR 442 SQUADRON
Once a fighter squadron, now doing search and res-
cue (SAR), 442 Squadron impressed us all. Our guide, Cap-
tain Adrian
Bishop told us
that after
World War II,
many fighter
squadrons
changed roles.
There wasnt
the money to
support them
in peace time.
Today, after decades supporting local communities,
the duty cases of 442 Sqn. sum up to 250 per year, with thou-
sands more calls coming through where no action has to be
taken.
In those graceful gliders you see in the air over the
base? Those are pilots in training for, perhaps, the more sub-
stantial Buffalo, a forty-one year old plane that was recently
due to be replaced by newer fixed wing aircraft. Canadas
role in Afghanistan changed all that when the allocated funds
were diverted for the C-17 Globemaster IIIs acquisitions in-
stead.
We learned that while the Hercules can carry larger
loads than the Buffalo, the C-17 carries much more again.
But, the Buffalo has the special ability to get into tighter areas
and can generally fly for up to five hours before having to
refuel.
The two prime aircraft used by 442 are the Cormo-
rant and the Buffalo. The latter principally supplies retrieval
and medivac assistance.
The Buffalo will typi-
cally provide the Cormo-
rant with communica-
tions support, watch over
its operations and be
available for back up.
With all that activity
maintenance is paramount.
Some parts are tested after
200 hours of use. Engines,
every 50 hours. There are
200 SAR members, twenty of
them female. Two pilots and
one navigator, with a Captain
as Aircraft Commander, crew
each aircraft, which carries the Search and Rescue Techni-
cians (SARTEC) to the emergency scene, such as a crashed
aircraft.
In an emergency event an Emergency Landing Trans-
mission (ELT) distress signal is sent out and relayed to the
Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) in Victoria, via the
National JRCC base in Trenton. The signal is relayed, as de-
picted in the diagram below. Typically, up to 1000 distress
signals can be re-
ceived by Trenton
in a day. Two ELT
signal receptions
are all that are
needed to fix an
emergency loca-
tion. Instantane-
ously, two things
happen. Firstly, the
signal is relayed to
the nearest RCC
and, secondly, a
decision is made on
which aircraft to send out.


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O N P R O U D W I N G S
V O L U N T E E R S T O U R O F 4 4 2 S Q N V O L U N T E E R S T O U R O F 4 4 2 S Q N V O L U N T E E R S T O U R O F 4 4 2 S Q N V O L U N T E E R S T O U R O F 4 4 2 S Q N C O N T . . .
False alarms often arise with ELTs going off in error,
for example, if left switched on during maintenance or repair
operations. 442 Squadron has done a lot to ensure that ELTs
are turned off when not needed.
On a search, it is often very hard to find downed
planes and its passengers. The reason is that critical eyesight
deterorates after hours of searching. Spotting a bright shiny
object that catches the sun is one thing teams scout for, but
conditions often do not allow such opportunities. An example
of this was, recently, when SARTECs were just twenty feet
away from a crash site, but just couldnt see anything until
they were almost on top of it.
We advise people flying planes to stay with the air-
craft, said Adrian, because if we find the plane, but they
have wandered off, we have to do two things instead of one.
He further advised that, if you must leave but can write a mes-
sage in sand or snow, that is very useful to the SARTECs.
What also works well to attract attention in daytime sunlight
is, if you have a DVD or CD on board, to use it as a helio-
graph and reflect the light towards the searchers. It is an awe-
somely effective technique. In case you are ever in a
situation of this kind of distress know this: when the ELT
goes off, there is an immediate initiation for search. There
will be a first pass at 1500 feet, three miles on either side. On
the second pass the Buffalo will drop down to 1000 feet and
on the third; 500 feet.
Captain Bishop gave us an example of last Octobers
incident in Kamloops where a pilot went missing. Twenty to
thirty planes were deployed. Private folks also got involved.
It seems like we had half the air force out on that one
It turned out, the Kamloops pilot had no flight plan and no
radio contact. The question then comes up: How much did it
cost Search and Rescue for what could be seen as an inade-
quately trained pilots mistake? Adrian informed us that there
are no such judgments by the SAR groups. The call comes in,
the crews go out. The theme here is: Service to All. There is a
good ending to this story, however. Because of the local ef-
fort, folks were able to tell SAR that the pilot liked to fly in
certain places - and sure enough - that is where they found
him.
The Cormorant, that big yellow and red helicopter
you often see overhead around here, is a mighty 15 ton
unit. Its night light they call the Night Sun has a 30 million
candle-power strength that can blister and ignite grass at fifty
feet.
The Cor-
morant can turn
at 180 degrees,
but not 360. This
beast of power
can ascend at 30
degrees and
down at 90 with
salt water safety
inflation bags in
the rear that take 2 seconds to inflate. Bubble windows
allow crew and volunteers to see up, straight down and side-
ways.
Ice and snow are no-
bodys favorite, least of all a
pilot in search and rescue. Ice
on the wing is precarious, but
with this $37million baby, a
camera tells the pilot how
much is accumulating and
what the ice is doing.
There are five wire
cutters at the front, situated on
the nose and above and below
the canopy.
By the way: the black
box recorder in news reports?
Its not black, its orange.
So, next time you see these impressive soldiers of
the air the phrase, Per Ardua ad Astra - Through adversity
to the Stars - might hold more meaning. For this reporter, the
most telling fact of 442 Squadron is that they sometimes an-
swer the most impossible of emergency calls for the missing
and the missed, people, one of us may even know.
Air Force Volunteers are encouraged by 442 Sqn to
apply and be trained. They can contact 442 Sqn at:
http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/19wing/squadron/442_e.asp



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O N P R O U D W I N G S
Virginia Ferrari David Wetmore Bob Mortimer
ME MB E R S H I P ME MB E R S H I P ME MB E R S H I P ME MB E R S H I P
A BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:
Answers: 1. Zip; 2. Mike-Mike; 3. Zulu Alert; 4. Khaki air force uniform,
an abbreviation for Tropical Wear or Tropical Worsteds; 5. Kriegie; 6.
Grumman Tracker; 7. Sword.
Some advantages of membership to the Association are: Some advantages of membership to the Association are: Some advantages of membership to the Association are: Some advantages of membership to the Association are:
Being part of a community-focused organization
Broadening your network of contacts and making new
friends
Learning first hand about Canadas role in military aviation
An opportunity to develop new skills
Involvement in a wide range of museum activities
A voting member of the Comox Valley Air Force Museum
Association (CVAFMA)
Opportunity to become one of the Association Directors
Enjoyment of membership activities and social functions
Receive a discount at the Air Force Museum Gift Shop.
MO R E O N D O N A T I O N S R E C E I V E D L D O N A T I O N S R E C E I V E D L D O N A T I O N S R E C E I V E D L D O N A T I O N S R E C E I V E D L A T E L Y A T E L Y A T E L Y A T E L Y
A $500 anonymous donation was made by visitors from
Qualicum Beach/Parksville, who dropped into the Museum late
on the afternoon of Friday, 8 August. They looked around a
bit, met Jon Ambler and said they were here to see the Spit-
fire. It was about 3:00 PM, Jon suggested they should move
quickly to the Spitfire hangar to see it before it closed. The
men said thank you, pressed a donation cheque into Jon's hand
and quickly headed down the road. Jon looked at the cheque,
noticed the amount, called Terry Chester at the hangar and
suggested that such kindness deserved a gold-plated re-
sponse. Terry relates that the tour of the Spitfire activity went
on for about two hours and the visitors got answers to their
many questions! Leaving the museum before they had time to
sign the guestbook, we are now just honoured for their interest
and generosity - this is the largest private donation to date in
2008 to either the Museum or the Association.
E R R A T A E R R A T A E R R A T A E R R A T A
True to the spirit of their covert operations, Skunkworks managed to hide two volunteers from our eagle-eyed reporter and, so, got
missed from the last issues Volunteers Vignette. The Editor apologizes profusely for not having known or checked that we had missed
the two members: : : : Ted Dennis and Jack MacCloud. Ted Dennis and Jack MacCloud. Ted Dennis and Jack MacCloud. Ted Dennis and Jack MacCloud. Bad luck guys, your cover is, at last, blown! Ed.


Q U A R T E R Q U A R T E R Q U A R T E R Q U A R T E R - -- - B A C K B A C K B A C K B A C K R E V I E W R E V I E W R E V I E W R E V I E W ( T H E P A S T T H R E E MO N T H S )
Page 11
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O N P R O U D W I N G S
B A T T L E O F B R I T A I N C E B A T T L E O F B R I T A I N C E B A T T L E O F B R I T A I N C E B A T T L E O F B R I T A I N C E L E B R A T I O N L E B R A T I O N L E B R A T I O N L E B R A T I O N
R A I S I N G U P R A I S I N G U P R A I S I N G U P R A I S I N G U P
R E X P O R E X P O R E X P O R E X P O
P R E MI E R C A F M F I L M N I G H T : P R E MI E R C A F M F I L M N I G H T : P R E MI E R C A F M F I L M N I G H T : P R E MI E R C A F M F I L M N I G H T :
B A T T L E O F B R I T A I N B A T T L E O F B R I T A I N B A T T L E O F B R I T A I N B A T T L E O F B R I T A I N


President President President President Mike Hendren
Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Frank Steven
Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary David Stinson
Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer Treasurer Mike Spooner
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O N P R O U D W I N G S
CVAFMA Executive 2007 CVAFMA Executive 2007 CVAFMA Executive 2007 CVAFMA Executive 2007- -- -08 08 08 08
Membership Membership Membership Membership Bill Cuell
Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Director at Large Don Manley
Bingo Coordinator Bingo Coordinator Bingo Coordinator Bingo Coordinator Herb Lightfoot
Fund Raising Fund Raising Fund Raising Fund Raising Terry Chester
Ex Ex Ex Ex- -- -Officio Officio Officio Officio John Low
Ex Ex Ex Ex- -- -Officio Officio Officio Officio Jon Ambler
Newsletter Publisher/Editor Newsletter Publisher/Editor Newsletter Publisher/Editor Newsletter Publisher/Editor Rodney Jones
Museum Director Museum Director Museum Director Museum Director John Low, Capt. 19 Wing Heritage Officer
Program Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Program Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Program Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Program Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Jon Ambler
Gift Shop Manager Gift Shop Manager Gift Shop Manager Gift Shop Manager Noreen Purdy
Contact Information Contact Information Contact Information Contact Information
COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES
As always, many thanks to those who have contributed articles and other material to this newsletter. If there are any other
members out there who may a bee in their bonnets to submit, whether it be a photo, story, or just something relevant to
what we do and who we are, please do not hesitate in sending it to us.
Contact us at info@comoxairforcemuseum.ca or leave a message at the Museum. Visit www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca or
drop by the museum to find out more about current activities, as well as checking the next page of this newsletter!
To join our Association, download the application on our website under Volunteer, leave a phone message at the
Museum, or drop by and fill out an application. For only $10 annually, some of the benefits you receive include our
newsletter, discounts in the gift shop, and a voice in the organization. See the benefits of membership on page 10.
If you are currently receiving this newsletter by mail, please forward your email address to receive a high quality
issue via the Internet.

Ed.
Phone/Fax Phone/Fax Phone/Fax Phone/Fax: 250-339-8162
E EE E- -- -mail mail mail mail: info@comoxairforcemuseum.ca info@comoxairforcemuseum.ca info@comoxairforcemuseum.ca info@comoxairforcemuseum.ca
Website Website Website Website: www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca www.comoxairforcemuseum.ca
Spitfire/Y2K Project Website Spitfire/Y2K Project Website Spitfire/Y2K Project Website Spitfire/Y2K Project Website: www.y2kspitfire.com www.y2kspitfire.com www.y2kspitfire.com www.y2kspitfire.com
OPENING TIMES: OPENING TIMES: OPENING TIMES: OPENING TIMES: Museum, Library and Gift Shop 10am - 4pm daily
Spitfire Hangar Saturdays 10am-3pm
Heritage Airpark May-September - 10am - 4pm
Comox Air Force Museum Comox Air Force Museum Comox Air Force Museum Comox Air Force Museum
19 Wing Comox, Lazo BC V0R 2K0 (Vancouver Island)
Assistant Editor Assistant Editor Assistant Editor Assistant Editor Sulaika (Suki) M. Levasseur


C O MI N G E V E N T S C O MI N G E V E N T S C O MI N G E V E N T S C O MI N G E V E N T S
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Date Date Date Date Event Event Event Event
21 Oct: CVAFMA CVAFMA CVAFMA CVAFMA Board Meeting Board Meeting Board Meeting Board Meeting
7 - 11 Nov 08: Remembrance Day Display Remembrance Day Display Remembrance Day Display Remembrance Day Display in the Driftwood Mall.
09 Dec 08 (Tue): Christmas Party Christmas Party Christmas Party Christmas Party
TBD Dec 08: Christmas Luncheon Christmas Luncheon Christmas Luncheon Christmas Luncheon at Museum at Museum at Museum at Museum, 11:30am. Bring a plate of goodies for the table.
2009: 100 Years of Flight in Canada Celebrations 100 Years of Flight in Canada Celebrations 100 Years of Flight in Canada Celebrations 100 Years of Flight in Canada Celebrations
Jan - Jun: Bingo Bingo Bingo Bingo
TBD Jan 09 (Sat):
DW Mall Volunteer Fair DW Mall Volunteer Fair DW Mall Volunteer Fair DW Mall Volunteer Fair (Volunteers required to set up, take down and man our table
and display) (Theme: 100 Years of Powdered Flight in Canada)
TBD Feb 09: Cumberland Heritage Fair Cumberland Heritage Fair Cumberland Heritage Fair Cumberland Heritage Fair (Theme: 100 Years of Powered Flight in Canada)
TBD Apr 09:
100 Years of Powered Flight - Canadian Forces Canadian Forces Canadian Forces Canadian Forces Snowbird Visit and Autograph Session Snowbird Visit and Autograph Session Snowbird Visit and Autograph Session Snowbird Visit and Autograph Session
at Museum
TBD Apr 09:
School District 71 Heritage Fair School District 71 Heritage Fair School District 71 Heritage Fair School District 71 Heritage Fair at 19 Wing Fitness and Community Centre (Theme:
100 Years of Powered Flight in Canada)
TBD Apr 09:
CVAFMA Annual General Meeting CVAFMA Annual General Meeting CVAFMA Annual General Meeting CVAFMA Annual General Meeting 7 PM at the Comox Air Force Museum in the thea-
tre.
18 May 09: CAFM participates in Cumberland Parade with Heritage Vehicles Cumberland Parade with Heritage Vehicles Cumberland Parade with Heritage Vehicles Cumberland Parade with Heritage Vehicles.
TBD May 09: Garage Sale Garage Sale Garage Sale Garage Sale (9 AM to 2 PM) (set up at 8 AM)
01 Jun 09: Canadian Forces Day. Canadian Forces Day. Canadian Forces Day. Canadian Forces Day.
07 Jun 09: Heritage Stones Heritage Stones Heritage Stones Heritage Stones and Lancaster Cairn Dedication Ceremony.
TBD Jun 09:
RC Aircraft Event RC Aircraft Event RC Aircraft Event RC Aircraft Event, 8 AM to 4 PM both days, enter via Tee Pee Park/Air Force Beach
gate.
1 Jul 09: CAFM participates in Courtenay Courtenay Courtenay Courtenay Canada Day Parade Canada Day Parade Canada Day Parade Canada Day Parade with heritage vehicle with heritage vehicle with heritage vehicle with heritage vehicles.
TBD Aug 09: CAFM participates in Comox Nautical Days Parade with heritage vehicles Comox Nautical Days Parade with heritage vehicles Comox Nautical Days Parade with heritage vehicles Comox Nautical Days Parade with heritage vehicles.