Our 100th Anniversary Book Project + Pre-Publication Offer

Volume 1 of CANAV's 100th Anniversary tribute to Canadian aviation (1909-2009) is now at the book designer. This extra-special title will be a treasure for all with an interest in Canada's wonderful heritage in the air. This will be a book that you'll be spending a lot of time with and ... if you're in the aviation biz, a premier gift item when it comes to impressing the heck out of aviation-minded employees, customers, suppliers, retirees and other VIPs.

With the working title "Aviation in Canada: The Pioneer Years", Volume 1 covers various eras from ballooning in the 1850s on to powered airplane flight culminating in Baddeck. All the efforts of Alexander Graham Bell and the Aerial Experiment Association are reviewed, e.g. Baldwin's first powered flight at Hammondsport, NY in 1908, and McCurdy's historic flight in the Silver Dart at Baddeck in 1909. Then comes a flood of developments. Baldwin and McCurdy demonstrate their airplanes to the military at Camp Petawawa, other Canadians get "the flying bug", the first great aviation meets take place at Montreal and Toronto in 1910, then the airplane gradually makes its way to cities and towns all across Canada.

The wartime chapters (1914-18) deliver in-depth coverage of the rapid advances engendered by world conflict at the dawn of modern aviation. They also emphasize the carnage wrought in and from the air, and the raw heroism that became frighteningly "normal" (Canada's three iconic Victoria Cross airmen are testimony to this). Special emphases are given to the great Royal Flying Corps (Canada) air training plan of 1917-18, and to Canada's nascent aeronautical industry which, with exactly zero experience, would produce nearly 3000 airplanes for the war effort in less than 2 years.

The book features more than 100 WWI airmen, most of whom have remained in the shadows over the generations. Besides all the true heroics, the wartime chapters tell many a heartbreaking story -- this first great air war was not a pretty thing. Aspiring young pilots die while training at Camp Borden and Camp Mohawk, whole Zeppelin crews are sent plunging to certain doom by Canadian- manned planes, bomber crews ditch hopelessly at night, and airmen leap without parachutes from flaming planes so they can have "clean" deaths.

Volume 1 ends with the return to peace. Squadrons disband, factories close, airmen go home to resume normal lives, at least as far as that is possible. The last few pages lay the groundwork for Volume 2 – the rise of commercial aviation and the RCAF through the 1920s-30s.

Altogether, Volume 1 will knock you out with its written coverage (100,000 words), then with its treasury of 100s of beautifully reproduced photos, many never before seen in any Canadian book. This is going to be a book for any aviation connoisseur or Canadiana buff. Who knows -- it may even influence one or two among "our dumbest generation" to take a moment away from their flight simulator games and chat lines!

Volume 1 is expected off the press in mid-October. It will be 9 x 12 inches, 160 pages and $45 (plus shipping and GST for a total of $55.65). If you're familiar with CANAV's efforts over the past 27 years, you'll know what to expect -- no short cuts are being taken to bring you a magnificent historical treasure chest. And … in the process your pocket will not have been picked by CANAV via the Canada Council, etc. Talk about a deal!

Pre-publication offer - terms are valid to September 1, 2008. Regular pricing applies therafter.

Pre-paid advance orders (Canada only) are now being accepted at $40.00 per book all-inclusive (book, shipping, GST). So you save $15.65 per book.

For orders of 10+ the pre-publication price per book is $35.00 all inclusive. So you save $20.65 per book. Jump in on this ASAP if you'll be needing books for Christmas gifts, etc.

US and overseas orders pre-publication prices as above, but contact me to get a price on the shipping.

Submit your orders with payment by cheque to CANAV Books, 51 Balsam Ave., Toronto M4E 3B6. Remind me if you want your books autographed.

Volume 2 will follow early in the New Year and cover the Interwar Era 1919-39. It is our hope, then, to continue volume by volume into the modern era, finishing some time in 2010, unless your author tips over or is kidnapped by aliens.

Good reading to one and all!

Larry Milberry, publisher
larry@canavbooks.com

CANAV SPECIAL OFFER (Canada and USA only)

Here's a chance to add some real punch to your aviation library, or to pick up some major bargains for gift-giving.

Special #1 ... Order Air Transport in Canada (reg. $155.00) at the special rate of $130.00 and receive a free copy of De Havilland in Canada (reg. $45.00). Total cost (Canada) $130.00 + $12.50 shipping + 7.12 GST= $149.62. (USA $130.00 + $25.00 shipping = $155.00)

Special #2 ... Order Canada's Air Force at War and Peace (reg. $224.00). All 3 spectacular volumes (1000+ pages) at the special rate of $195.00 and receive a free copy of Fighter Squadron (reg. $75.00). Total cost (Canada) $195.00 + $12.50 shipping + $10.37 GST = $217.87 (USA $195.00 + $30.00 shipping = $225.00) ... See "Ordering" for payment info.

Here is a great review of Canada's Air Forces on Exchange that appeared recently in Combat Aircraft:

Canada's Air Forces of Exchange Errata

  p.7/col.2 read Victoria Cross
  p.45/col.2 for Atlanta read Atlantic City
  p.47/col.2 for Anchorage read Fairbanks
  p.54 for credit read Balogh
  p.66 in caption delete "it"
  p.195 James had no kills in Korea
  p.198 top caption for F-89D read F-89J (bigger tip tanks)

Don't miss this one! Former Snowbird Lead, Dan Dempsey, has revised his world-class book A Tradition of Excellence: Canada's Airshow Team Heritage. By far the grandest, most in-depth and magnificently-produced Canadian aviation book ever published, this is a treasure that deserves a place of honour in any aviation fan's library. Full coverage 1918 to 2007 of such great Canadian teams as the Siskins of 1930, the Blue Devils of 1950, such later teams as Gray Ghosts, Golden Hawks and Golden Centennaires, and today's Snowbirds. Many other teams fly across the pages of this astounding publication, whether Canadian or such visitors from abroad as the Red Arrows, Frecci Tricolori, Blue Angels or Thunderbirds. Airshow planes covered include everything from the WWI Fokker D.VII to the Siskin, Seafire, Harvard, Mustang, Vampire, Banshee, Sabre, T-33, CF-100, CF-101, CF-104, Tutor, Musketeer, CF-5, CF-18, Kiowa, even the Argus, Neptune, Tracker and Sea King! Many warbirds (Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, etc.) and other civilian types also pop up as you turn the pages of this masterpiece. Stunning original paintings by the great Peter Mossman and other artists complement the photos, many of which are from the lenses of the world's top aviation photographers. With 1000s of photos and weighing 4 kg, you'll need a sturdy coffee table for this beauty, but you'll revel in every page. Publishing perfectionist that he is, author Dempsey has been sure to include a full appendix, bibliography and index. 766pp, hc, 9.5x12 in. $125.00 CANAV Price $110.00 + $8.50 shipping + GST. (USA US$135pp, Overseas US$165.00pp)

Slightly Used Treasures: An assortment of used books is now available here: Used Books

Grumman Mallard: The Enduring Classic

Reviewed by Robert Merrick in COPA Flight Magazine, Summer 2006

Many years ago, large flying boats seemed to promise an answer to the vexing problem of carrying thousands of passengers relatively quickly across the world's oceans. Many people in widely scattered areas worked on the problem. Among those visionaries was a man called Leroy Randle Grumman, who is today remembered as the man whose company built all those tank-like fighters for the United States Navy during WWII.

But, in his earlier days, Grumman developed amphibious flying boats. His vision didn't really extend to trans-oceanic travel for the masses, but he saw that amphibious flying boats had the potential to move small crowds of people from aerodrome A to Lake B, river C and on to aerodrome D. He worked with an outfit called Loening, whose specialty, judging from pictorial evidence, seemed to be, well, ugly float planes. Loening went the way of many companies in the Depression years and Grumman formed his own company specializing in ugly aeroplanes, one of them being the Duck, of which 645 were inflicted upon the world.

Even in the Depression years, there was a demand for amphibious aircraft that would carry eight to ten people in relative comfort to fishing camps, mine sites and many other exotic or developmental sites. Thus was born the Grumman Goose. Then, as now, there was an aversion to carrying extra seats around the sky, so could Grumman build something a little smaller? Grumman indeed could, and the Widgeon was born.

After the war, the United States Air Force took flight, and assumed responsibility for aviation search-and-rescue (SAR) in the U.S.A. An amphibian was thought to be the ideal SAR aircraft. Grumman was asked to build that, and thus, the SA-16 Albatross took flight. Some members of the business and "general aviation" communities expressed interest in the aircraft "if only it wasn't so big". Well, subtract a few bits here and a few bits there and what you have left over is bigger than a Goose and smaller than an Albatross -- the Grumman Mallard.

All of this, and much, much more is explained in fascinating detail by aviation authors Fred W. Hotson and Matthew E. Rodina, Jr. Hotson, you'll recall, earlier brought us the meticulously researched story of de Havilland in Canada. In an endearing little book called Grumman Mallard, Hotson and Rodina take us back to aviation's adolescence to describe a family of amphibians, many of which worked in Canada for years.

Their collaboration resulted in a fine account that, ahem, covers the waterfront frequented by a versatile aircraft that could be a luxury transport or a hard working trash hauler delivering cargo to some very difficult spots.

The history is thorough, but relatively easy to follow. Fifty-nine Mallards were built, and most of them went through several owners and numerous registrations during their years of service. This could have made for confusing reading, but in the text Hotson and Rodina adopted the practice of always referring to a specific aircraft by the manufacturer's serial number. Thus, the first one off the line is always referred to as J1, regardless of the registration it was wearing at a given time. It's a practice that speeds understanding and makes the reader's task easier.

The Mallard fleet has quite a history, and it is engagingly explained in this well-researched book that has many anecdotal accounts to offer. Hotson and Rodina talked to many Mallard pilots, got letters from many more, delved through piles of moldering records and came up with a book that will enchant many long-ago amphibian pilots and their descendants.

Is it a words-only book that relies solely on the written word to deliver it's message? No, it most emphatically is not. Starting with the front and back dust covers, the photography is marvellous and serves to remind us of the many magnificent destinations open to amphibians. And it's not just the stunning colour or B&W pictures. There are schematics, line drawings, maps and other illustrations to enhance the well-written text.

About a third of the Mallards produced, along with some of the Widgeons, "Geese" and "Albatri" served in Canada for varying lengths of time. Many of them did so on the west coast, where they built an enviable record while serving the many small communities that, in those days of steamships, were quite isolated.

This is not to imply that the steamship service was crummy, but when was the last time you saw a coastal steamer booting along at 150 knots? Aircraft, particularly amphibious aircraft, were a godsend for the people living in the small, remote communities.

The Mallard, Goose, Widgeon and the RCAF's Albatross could all be found on the west coast in the forties, fifties and sixties, delivering supplies, rushing people to medical care in larger centres, and making it possible for people to enjoy some of the "quality of life" that people associate with major centres.

But, aging aircraft, much like aging people have a tendency to gravitate to warmer climes, and so it is with amphibians. Such aircraft are just perfect for taking people from the southern U.S. mainland to the many islands that are scattered around that section of the continent, and there is a nice chunk of the book devoted to the characters and companies that make that happen.

There is one ominous cloud on the horizon, though. On December 19, 2005, one of the dwindling number of Mallards was taking off from the waters near Miami, Fla. A wing failed, the aircraft crashed and all aboard perished.

What will that mean for the remainder of the fleet? Will the proud record of reliable service end there? Or will someone come up with a fix that will allow these delightful workhorses to continue providing aerial transportation for those who live on remote islands, but still need to get back to "civilization" from time to time?

Hotson and Rodina have written a nostalgic book that gives us a look back at what some people believe was a kinder, gentler world where the pace was slower and there was time, for those so inclined, to take the time to "smell the roses." Often, those roses were in out-of-the-way places only accessible by amphibious aircraft, and Hotson and Rodina have given us a splendid written and photographic account of an era that they helped create. They've also included a nice index, a glossary and an appendix that briefly outlines the history of each Mallard. The book is a true keepsake that float pilots will be proud to have in their libraries.

The Wilf White Propliner Collection is CANAV's latest publication. Like The Leslie Corness Propliner Collection, this publication is a photo collection from the CANAV archives. See the Booklist for ordering information.

100th Anniversary Project

Coming up sooner than we think is 2009, the 100th anniversary of powered, heavier-than-air flight in Canada, and a year that will see the grandest celebrations yet of the nation's flying heritage. All this will revive memories of 1909 at Baddeck, Nova Scotia, then of 1959, when Canada got high on the 50th anniversary with such fabulous happenings as coast-to-coast shows by the RCAF Golden Hawks.

With this in mind, what could be a better time for CANAV Books to announce its own plans for "the 100th". CANAV will get several important titles out in the lead-up to 2009, but its biggest plans are to publish A Century of Flight: Aviation in Canada 1909 – 2009. This grand encyclopedia will be the finest, most complete single volume ever dedicated to the topic. Not since Frank Ellis' 1954 Canada's Flying Heritage of 1954 and my own 1979 Aviation in Canada will there have been anything comparable.

A Century of Flight will cover all the main themes with which you are familiar -- the rise of commercial aviation from the HS-2L to the "777", Canada at war in the air, the industry from Silver Dart to Global Express, flying for fun, corporate aviation, rotary flight, etc. There will be all the good history that you've enjoyed over the years, with masses of new, material -- a treasure of a book for the real aficionado. Our only problem will be keeping the project reigned in, so that it doesn't become another Air Transport in Canada! Nonetheless, expect the usual from CANAV with this one.

A Century of Flight is a bit of a chance for you readers to help directly with an important project. For one thing, if you have any dormant aviation photos, whether prints or slides, black-and-white or colour, please mail them along to me. Subject matter can be people, planes or places, ordinary stuff taken by old-timers decades ago, format can range from tiny b/w snapshots to colour slides, official company/air force 8x10s, more recent snapshots, whatever. Pre-WWII/pre-1960 photos are especially sought. Almost any sort of dusty old aviation documents (reports, maps, logs, etc.) also are of interest. Before mailing anything, do what you can to identify subjects by name, location, time-frame, but if you don't have a clue, send the pictures anyway.

So don't trash any old material -- it may help in building this project. You'd be amazed at how much material like this ends in the landfill every day, so invest in a few postage stamps and mail it to the "CANAV landfill" before its too late: Larry Milberry, CANAV Books, 51 Balsam Ave., Toronto, Canada M4E 3B6.

Please specify if you absolutely must have your material returned, since logistics will be a reality and CANAV still is a 1-man operation. Once A Century of Flight is published, I plan to place all such material in some appropriate Canadian archive or museum.

CANAV periodically will give you "howgozit" updates for this vast project, so tune in here once in a while.

Chugging Along ... The Exchange Postings Project

For about a decade I have been researching the topic of RCAF/CanForces exchange postings, an important topic that has never seriously been addressed. Having by now done about 200 interviews and gathered all the photos, my research is done.

Publishing the exchanges book has seemed "do-able" at times, but then the project gets delayed due to dollar realities. Books are expensive to produce, especially for a small publisher such as CANAV which avoids government grants in favour of publishing the old fashioned way -- hard work and faith in the book selling process. So far so good after 27 books.

Finally, the exchanges book seems near, although plans for something typically "CANAV" keep getting pared to a more modest production. Why so? Books, in general, also are getting harder to sell. Naturally, CANAV has a small core of loyal supporters who can't wait for the next book to roll off the bindery, but then there all the other "supporters", those who complain about some supposed paucity of good Canadian aviation publishing, then spout all the excuses for not buying a book or, even more pitiful, why they deserve a free book! Any and all of these fair-weather readers wouldn't miss the small change required to buy a book. Proudly, however, they give their reasons: "I get all my aviation knowledge off the web ... Books are too expensive ... I don't have any more room for even one more book ... My wife'll kill me if I show up with another book... I'm getting too old for books."

The last excuse is really a laugh. What! Too old to enjoy a lovely new book, to learn something new, to be amazed, even for just one last time? Failing all else, could these fellows not buy a book to donate to the local public or school library, thereby really doing something useful with their pocket change. God forbid, eh! (One of my favourite "loser" stories is about the flier - lets call him Homer - who once boasted to me, "I've never bought a book in my life, and I'm not going to spoil my perfect record now." Imagine making such a moronic boast!)

All the best!

Larry Milberry, publisher

News of the world! See John Wegg's new review of The Leslie Corness Propliner Collection in In The Press. See the Reader Reactions for other comments.

Today brings two updates:

• The Leslie Corness Propliner Collection has been added to the Publications page.
• There is a 441 Squadron Update on the Fighter Squadron page.

Thunderbirds for Peace and The Unknown Navy: Great new prices for these Canadiana gems. See the New and Revived section.

In 1982 Karl Hayes produced one of the most useful books in Canadian aviation history, De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter. Before long this 144-page treasure was out of print and people were vying for used copies. Now, Karl has re-released this amazing piece of in-depth research and it is now no less than 830 pages with 300 superb photos. Believe me, you need this mastrerpiece if you have the remotest interest in aviation history. And the great thing about it all is that the book is now on a handy CD-ROM. Order right away from: Karl E. Hayes, Crakaig, Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Enclose $28 (Cdn), postage covered. If necessary, contact the man himself.

There are two new entries under In The Press.

The first is the 1999 story, "In the Aftermath of Hurricane Mitch" by Larry Milberry from Aircraft Illustrated. This story features Canada's military Disaster Assistance Relief Team (DART) in action.

The second is a recent review of Fighter Squadron, which appeared in the January, 2005, issue of Combat Aircraft. (Anyone wishing to subscribe should contact subs@ianallanpub.co.uk or check out their web site.)

Reviews of Fighter Squadron have started coming in, and the first is now posted in the Press Section and also under the Publications entry.

There are a few corrections for Fighter Squadron.

The photos from the Toronto and Ottawa book launches, and the production at Friesens, now have captions.

Fighter Squadron: 441 Squadron from Hurricanes to Hornets

At Long Last - Launching the Book

Years in the making, CANAV's history of 441 Squadron finally made it off the press in July 2004. The job was done by Friesen Printers of Altona, Manitoba (photos), the book reaching CANAV on July 23. Two book launches quickly took place, the first on the 24th in Toronto (RCL Branch 527 Downsview), the second in Ottawa on the 27th (RCL Branch 593 Bells Corner).

At the Toronto launch (photos) the squadron was represented by wartime members Bob Hayes (125-Hurricanes) and Sid Bregman (441-Spitfires), and Hornet pilots Dave Burton and Kurt Saladana. The Sabre era was ably represented by John L. Den Ouden of 410 Sqn, while the Starfighter era was covered by Rae Simpson of 439 Sqn (441 where were you?). Otherwise, CANAV's usual crowd of book launch supporters, many with attendance records going back 20+ years, joined in on the fun.

For Ottawa (photos) a much bigger gang showed, including 441 COs Ross Betts, Bruce Burgess, Paul Manson and Marc Ouellet. Others from the Sabre and Starfighter eras attended, and Bob Hayes again showed. Here are a few souvenir photos from our launches.

CANAV Books Announces the 441 Squadron History Fighter Squadron Book Launch Party

On Saturday 24 July Larry will be kicking off the book in Toronto at the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Downsview from 1500 to 2100. The branch (tel. 416-633-0345) is easy to find. From the intersection of Allan Road and Sheppard Ave. W. at Downsview airport one need only go east on Sheppard a stone's throw to the fire hall, then turn north on a cul-de-sac. The Legion is at the top of that street.

On Tuesday 27 July it's the same skit in Ottawa. We'll be at the Bell's Corners Legion. Take the Richmond Rd. exit off the Queensway. The branch is at 4026 Richmond Rd. (tel. 613-829-4609). Same hours 1500 to 2100.

Last night Larry was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. Check out the Hall of Fame.