Gift Shop Manager Dave MacMahon reports that the shop is well stocked and looking forward to a busy season. Among the new features is a display of nicely prebuilt donated models that are being offered for sale. They are well displayed in several cabinets in the shop. These make fine display items. The shop also has a large supply of plastic model kits many of which are older models not easily available. There are many other items of aviation and Museum interest.

We again thank Michael White for his taking on responsibility for the operation of the Museum during the month of September when summer staff are not available.

We also thank Ron Cunningham and Don Hirtle for their support of Michael when large tour groups were involved.

MEMBERSHIP
The Museum expresses its appreciation to all who have shown their support through the payment of membership fees and have in any way supported the development and operation of the Museum. We may have missed acknowledging some Membership payments and, if so, we apologize and will ensure that any missed acknowledgements will be resolved shortly.

Many challenges face your Museum as we move ahead not the least of which is the possibility, which we hope will not develop, that the Visitor Information Center operated by the Halifax Regional Municipality may not be continued in 2011. This could be a result of budget difficulties as being experienced by many jurisdictions.

To all who have supported the Museum in any way in 2010 we offer our sincere thanks and wish all our members and supporters a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as we move into 2011.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
ACAM’s annual general meeting was held on September 26th followed by a BBQ. Items of concern were discussed and the following Board Members were elected.

Mike Garvey, Charles Baxter, Brian Chappell, Reg Clarke, Jim Johnston Dave Wilson, Joe Macdonald QC,  Michael White, Gary McMahon,  Ron Cunningham, Jim McCombe, Wayne Cochrane, Dave McMahon

Chairman Mike Garvey informed the Board that he wished to step down after serving in this  position since 2003.

Chairman Mike Garvey addresses the meeting During his term of office Mike concentrated on the administrative side of the Museum with very considerable success. He also managed to resolve a number of concerns particularly as related to the Museum’s all important relations with the Halifax Regional Municipality and the Province of Nova Scotia.
During his term Mike was able to promote resolution of serious problems of building condition which threatened the future of the Museum. These required replacement of a major section of the roof and wall structure of one section of the former Provincial Tourist Information building. Many other improvements were achieved including major upgrades to the water supply system.

These required major actions on the part of the Province as building owners along with very considerable involvement of Museum members. The former Information building, a critical part of the Museum facility, houses the Silver Dart Gallery, the Gift Shop, archives, and administrative offices. Mike’s contributions to the advancement of the Museum are much appreciated as is his continued presence on the Board

After a successful year, a few of us (wish there were more) are planning and preparing for the coming season. Dr John Christie is preparing an exhibit that will commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Battle of Britain which will be the occasion for a grand opening ceremony. I hope that anyone that can make a contribution to that very worthwhile effort will come forward.

As you are all aware our relationship with the HRM Visitor Information Centre is vital to our summer visitor flow. HRM is currently conducting an analysis of the value of these centres.  We are determined to do our utmost to retain a centre at the Museum.  I anticipate some bumps along the road but we will persevere.

As you may have already noticed, our web site under the direction of Michael White has been upgraded considerably. This will be a major benefit in attracting visitors and, we hope, add to our membership. Thanks to the efforts of some very dedicated members ACAM is going from strength to strength.  I again appeal to anyone who may have some spare time to come forward. Your help is needed and it will be a worthwhile experience.”
Mike Garvey

MUSEUM PROJECT PROGRESS

While all of these events were underway much was also being accomplished by our dedicated Museum volunteers on the many projects underway. To give them full justice they will be reported on, with photos, in the Winter edition of our Newsletter

Among these were:

• Raising aircraft on jacks to  unload tires
• Continued restoration of the  Cessna L-19
• Completion and delivery to  the  Museum of the Piper PA-38  Tomahawk as restored  in   Fredericton
• Continued restoration of the  Jetstar interior
• A remote control aircraft model to demonstrate flying control actions
• Painting of the CF-101 Voodoo on external display
• Many incidental, but vital, improvements in Museum displays

MUSEUM PHOTOS

We were extremely pleased to have a  virtually complete photo record of our many displays presented to the Museum.  The photos were extremely professionally done thanks to the work of Jennifer McKinnon. Jennifer is the cousin of Colin Wilmshurst who is the prime mover of our L-19 restoration project .

Jennifer trying out the cockpit of the Avenger

(Photo – Colin Wilmshurst)

It is planned that many of these photos will appear in the Museum Website and will appear in the Newsletters as various displays are discussed.

Jennifer – please accept our sincere thanks for a job so very well done.

See our full Newsletter in pdf format here

We have also added a Facebook site for the many pictures and images we have gathered over the years

As we finished up the T-33 cockpit move, Piercey’s arrived with the boom truck of building supplies for this win- ter’s project. We were fortunate enough to have all the supplies boomed into both buildings, saving us a lot of mov- ing. Once the boom truck was finished, both buildings were closed up for the

Report and Photos by: Rob MacIlreith

A further step in the Harvard Restoration was made over Easter weekend. The Harvard wings were painted at Provincial Western Star late Friday afternoon and returned to the Museum around noon on Saturday. Upon arrival the wings were installed on the Harvard. This is the first time since the Harvard’s arrival at the Museum that both wings have been on at the same time. With the installation of the wings, the look and size of the Harvard has taken on a totally new shape. Thanks to Danny McLaughlin for organizing both the transportation of the wings and their painting. Members involved include: Danny McLaughlin, Ken Brown, Pat Smith, Barry Rodenhiser, Dave McMahon, Bill Leeming and Rob MacIlreith.

Thanks to all the other members that pitched in to unload and install the wings when they arrived at the Museum. Also, thanks to Provincial Western Star for the use of their paint facility and thanks to Fraser Percy for painting the wings. Currently Crew Chief Bill Leeming and Ron Cunningham are working on the landing light covers and installing other completed components on the aircraft. Visitors to the Museum will see a much more complete Harvard, parked in a slightly different location, this year compared to last.

Eventually the restored Harvard will form the center of a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) exhibit at the Museum. In fact, we are currently looking for volunteers to help with the research work on the BCATP exhibit. The Museum Executive would like to see a completed exhibit in place for the 2002 Season. If you might be interested in helping with the research of this piece of history we would like to hear from you.

ACAM’s Harvard Mk II

The Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum was fortunate enough to recieve a Harvard Mk II from the Canadian Aviation Musuem, in Ottawa, on a ten year loan. While on loan to the Museum, the Harvard is to be cleaned up and restored for static display. The Harvard arrived at ACAM in the summer of 1996, courtesy of Owen Davis Trucking in Lower Sackville. The aircraft was in fair shape, however much restoration work has been done and still more is required.

A small team of members began restoration at once, beginning with the cockpit and it’s vast greenhouse canopy and proceeding on to the engine. Work proceeded on the old bird under the leadership of the late Doug Ordinal. With Doug’s passing in the summer of 2000, the role of crew chief was turned over to Bill Leeming. By Feb 2001, the fuselage was ready for painting and Operation “Harvard” was carried out

After months of corrosion control and prep work the Harvard fuselage was removed from the Museum painted and returned to the Museum during the weekend of Jan 13th. The aircraft was transported by Atlantic Tiltload Ltd. and painted at the Provincial Western Star paint facility in Dartmouth. The wings will be painted at a later date and markings will be reapplied in the spring. A hearty congratulation goes out to Crew Chief Bill Leeming and Ron Cunningham who have spent plenty of hours on the corrosion control and preparation for painting after Doug Ordinal’s passing. Also, a big thank you goes out to Danny McLaughlin, who organized both transportation and the painting at Provincial Western Star.

The following Museum members were involved with the move and masking efforts during the weekend of the operation: Danny MacLaughlin, Danny Price, Bruce Paul, Barry Rodenhiser, Bill Leeming, Dave McMahon, Ken Brown, Pat Smith and Dave Powell.

Special Thanks To:
The Painters: Fraser Percy, Greg Rogers
Provincial Western Star: David Lockhart
Atlantic Tilt Load: Darren Butcher
Driver who picked up the Harvard: Paul Kiddson
Delivery Driver: Darren Tone

Again, ACAM wishes to thank those people and organizations that help make it possible for us to preserve aviation history in Atlantic Canada. Without that ongoing community support our organization would not exist. Your professionalism and generosity is appreciated.