The CMS is a proud member of:
March 7, 2010
This week's decision is saddening, but not wholely unexpected. In a time when everyone is up in arms over $25-million foot bridges, City Council is paying extra close attention
to non-eccential expendatures. The battle isn't lost but City Council isn't going to hand over a substancial pile of cash either.
Now its up to the Calgary Mosquito Society to show that we're serious in having these planes restored.
To maintain our CMS in the Media page, we'd like to ask readers to forward any newspaper clipping they come across. Thanks.
On a brighter note, Dave Lefurgey and Air Force magazine have been gratious enough to allow us to reprint an article Dave prepared about his late uncle, David Niven (available
through the Stories page). Many people talk about the excellent work done by the RAF in pioneering high altitude photo reconnaissance during the Second World War, but it was Niven,
a native Calgarian, whose pioneering work was absorbed into the RAF. It makes for a facinating read, and proves once again that fact is far more interesting than fiction. I've also
learned that Dave is preparing a rather large book on his uncle's top secret pre-war and wartime work.
And finally, we've added another photo of Spartan's Mosquito, CF-HMQ.
March 3, 2010
IT SEEMS THAT FEARS ABOUT SPENDING and the upcoming civic election in October won the day and the committee of council decided to make no decision. Instead they
agreed to issue an "Expression of Interest", so that we, and any other interested parties, can let council know what we would do with the airplanes. The administration recommendation
to fund the restorations never made it to a vote. This issue will next go before the commitee of city council in December 2010 - after the election.
As chairman, Alderman McIver played a neutral role. Our thanks to Aldermen Mar and Hawkesworth for wanting to make a decision today and for their supportive positions. Alderman Lowe
introduced the motion to issue the Expression of Interest. Peter Vacher, the English collector who has been trying to buy our Mosquito for the past six years, still has advocates
here pressing his case to buy the airplane. The committee was unwilling even to slam the door on that possibility.
Over twenty people showed up to support our interests today -a gratifiying turn out. Thank you very much to all who sat through five and half hours of debate. Its a grueling
business. Special mention and thanks to those who spoke on our behalf with some very articulate and passionate presentations, including David Dunsmore, Peter Cromer, Barry Davidson,
Tim Wall, David Pocock and Robert Roe. Look for some familiar faces on the evening news.
On the positive side, city administrative staff did a very nice job of presenting the case to restore both airplanes. We were also very pleased to hear representatives of the Aero
Space Museum declare their support of the recommendation. Despite the support of 88% of Calgarians who answered the city questionnaire last January and the city's own Heritage
Authority all recommending that both airplanes be kept and restored, it was not enough to get the committee to even vote on the motion.
As someone once said, "Those who enjoy hotdogs and respect the law, should never see either being made."
OUR EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE until we win. Next general meeting is Thursday March 18, 7:00 p.m. at the Phoenix Foundation, #1, 2821 - 3 Ave. N.E. Apparently we have
more work to do.
Until then, my personal 'thank you' to all who took the time to contact the aldermen. If you enrolled the support and assistance of any friends an family, please convey our thanks to
them as well. We didn't get what we wanted yet, but we didn't lose any ground either.
Thank you,
Richard de Boer
March 2, 2010
Mosquito Nibble.
Please take a moment to write to, or phone the decision makers: You can reach all the aldermen at alderweb@calgary.ca If it is not working, or if
you want to target the committee members who will be voting on Wednesday morning, you can find their contact information at
this link. You need not live in
Calgary to have a say in this.
Come to the meeting on Wednesday. If you can't make it, please send friends and family. They need not be members - just williing to support your interests. Its at 9:30 a.m. in the
Engineering Traditions room, basement of old City Hall. Just ask a commissionaire when you get there. Members of the public are allowed to speak at the meeting. Do so if you wish.
Remember our purpose: RETAIN, RESTORE, HONOUR and EDUCATE. Filling the room will make a huge positive impression. Please.
Thank you.
Richard de Boer
March 1, 2010
Read Mosquito Bytes #20 to find out what's going on at City Hall, and how you can help. This is extremely important as the meeting will be THIS WEDNESDAY (March 3). Tell a
friend, tell your family, tell a stranger, help get the word out.
Norm Avery has also released a book about Spartan Air Service. Information is included in Mosquito Bytes #20 and on the "Learn More" page. Congratulations on the book Norm.
February 15, 2010
Financials. Elections. Accomplishments. Future, etc. And yes, finally NEWS from the City! The Mosquito issue is on their March agenda.
After the business portion of the meeting we will have the pleasure of hearing from Patrick Anderson, a wartime Mosquito navigator with 410 Squadron. From October 1944 through to the
end of the war in Europe, Patrick chalked up 23 combat missions on Mosquito nightfighters while based in France and Holland. We hope you can make it; its been a quite a year! Perhaps
a little celebrating is in order as Feburary 20th marks our official first anniversary.
Hope to see you on the 17th. Thank you for your interest and support.
Richard de Boer
Mosquito Bytes #19 is now online. As the newsletter says, its time for General Elections.
January 19, 2010
Mosquito Bytes #18 is now online.
December 14, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #17 is now online.
October 27, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #16 is now online.
August 15, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #15 is now online.
July 13, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #14 is now online.
June 11, 2009
Thanks to CMS member Ramona Fodchuk and her graphics artist friend, the Calgary Mosquito Society has a logo - you can see it in the new banners along the tops of the pages. A huge
thanks for giving the society a professional logo. Look for it at all of our upcoming events.
June 2, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #13 is now online.
May 28, 2009
Apparently The Calgary Sun also had a short article regarding the Mosquito on May 23. It too is available via "The CMS in the Media" page.
As Bob Bolivar keeps pointing out its spelt C-O-L-O-M-B-I-A, not C-o-l-u-m-b-i-a. I've gone through the website and should have caught all of my geography mistakes. I may be slow,
but eventually I do get around to things.
Don't forget, this is the first round of summer time public appearances for the Calgary Mosquito Society. Saturday will be at the Nanton Lancaster Museum in Nanton, AB. Sunday will
be in Springbank, AB at the COPA cross-Canada air rally, which the CMS is co-sponsoring. Come on out and help spread the word.
Speaking of spreading the word, several CMS members were present for yesterday's City Council meeting. According to Richard de Boer the discussion was quite positive this time. A
Mosquito Bytes will follow after this weekend. In the meantime, have a read through the "Report on Public Consultation - Airplanes".
May 25, 2009
The Calgary Herald had a short article regarding the Mosquito on May 23. It can be read via "The CMS in the Media" page.
Two additional photos of Spartan's Mosquito CF-HMN have been added to the "In Pictures" gallery.
Some computer babble... For those of you using new versions of MS Internet Explorer, FireFox and other non-MicroSoft web browsers, I'd like to appologize for the troublesome
appearance of the website since the last update. Unfortunately its one of the problems associated with preparing all the code for this website by hand. Thankfully, a CMS member who
is well versed in using website design software has volunteered to assist, and we should hopefully have a website that is fully functioning regardless of what browser you're using.
Until then, please continue to be patient.
May 18, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #12 is now online.
May 8, 2009
Happy 64th anniversary of VE-Day. As we've mentioned before, CMS President Richar dde Boer will be giving a FREE presentation tonight at the main branch of the Calgary Public
Library at 7pm. The topic will be "F-for-Freddie" Calgary's VE-Day tragedy. See the poster for more details.
All the checking and rechecking that was brought upon by our recent hacking episode led me to redesign much of the website. The biggest change is in the form of the stories, which
are now downloadable (and easily printed) PDF booklets.
Although the effects of the hacker have all been removed, I'll continue to recommend that you take a little time to download a maliware finding software, like
Malwarebytes, and run a complete scan on your computer.
April 28, 2009
Will all this computer fun never end? I've continued to make sure that all of the corrupted malware files have been removed from the server. I believe they're gone, but I
HIGHLY recommend that you take a little time to download a maliware finding software, like Malwarebytes, and run a
complete scan on your computer.
In part because of the hacking, I've gone ahead and made some changes to the website.
April 22, 2009
SUPER IMPORTANT COMPUTER NEWS!!!
I was informed at the general meeting this evening that Google had classified our website as one that could potentially harm your computer. Unfortunately this is true. We've been
hacked. However, I believe that I've removed the offending files - several hundred advertisements for pharmaceuticals. Maybe this explains why my email has been getting filled with
incredible news about increasing my manhood. Take a few minutes and run a spyware and virus scan on your computer to make sure you haven't picked something up.
Richard de Boer's "F for Freddie" story is now avialable to read via the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito history page. Or you could click right here.
Speaking of "F for Freddie," Richard will be doing a FREE presentation on the subject at the main branch of the Calgary Public Library on May 8, at 7pm. Check out the poster, print
it and share it with everyone you know. Make sure you attend too.
Finally, take a moment to discover the professional associations that the CMS is now a member of. Their logos, and links to their websites can be found on the left of this page.
April 21, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #11 is now available.
April 14, 2009
Its been a long night - and a big update.
Thanks to everyone for reminding us that Bob Zeiman was a 'camera operator' and not a 'navigator' as I wrongly wrote back on the March 16 update. The change has been made. Sorry Bob.
The CMS, and our concern for the Mosquito has made it back into the news, with the Calgary Sun's Metro newspaper. Take a look.
Allan MacNutt, former pilot with Spartan Air Services and Survair has provided the CMS with 43 photographs from his personal collection. They include everything from Spartan's
Fairchild Husky to Super Cansos and Aero Commanders. The Society was also able to video tape an interview with Mr. MacNutt over the last weekend. It may be presented at a future CMS
meeting. Stay tuned for more information.
April 1, 2009
It's a little late, but Mosquito Bytes #10 has been posted.
Now you can download and edit the CMS membership form and resource survey on your very own computer. Both are available on the Membership page. Download, edit, save a copy and email
it back. It can't be simpler - or quicker. Plus we won't have to decipher your hand writing.
Finally, eight more beautiful photos have been added to the In Pictures page - an Austin Airways' Avro Anson, A Piper PA-23 Apache from Chinook Flying Service, a Cessna 180 owned by
Farney Exploration, Arctic Airlines' Lockheed 14 Hudson, two Spartan Mosquitoes and two photos of the one and only de Havilland Sea Hornet!
March 16, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #9 has been posted.
Richard's right, I will be moving soon, but I dug myself out from underneath all of my packing boxes to get this update complete. That includes eight new Mosquito photos from Allan
Botting, five Mosquito photos from former CF-HMS camera operator Bob Zieman and one CASA 211 from myself.
February 16, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #8 has been posted.
January 26, 2009
Another letter to the editor has been added to the media page. This one comes from the January 19th edition of the Calgary Herald newspaper.
Eric Dumigan has supplied us with a number of photographs relating to both Spartan Air Services and Kenting Aviation.
January 16, 2009
This political cartoon from yesterday's Calgary Herald combines 2009's biggest news headlines in Calgary...
January 13, 2009
There are now 17 newspaper clippings related to the ongoing debate over the Mosquito and Hurricane available on the "CMS in the media" page. We know there are still more, especially
those dating back to 2004, when the Mosquito was involved with a trade for a CF-104 Starfigher. If you have a copy of these, please share them with us.
January 12, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #7 has been posted. It includes Richard's summary of last week's museum meetings.
A new "CMS in the media" section is being prepared. Please feel free to forward copies of any articles you find discussing the recent debates over the City of Calgary's Mosquito to
the society. Unfortunately, it appears that the fate of the City's Hawker Hurricane is now intertwined with the Mosquito, so many articles will feature both aircraft. As you may be
aware CMS President, Richard de Boer, has been busy giving interviews to numerous radio and television stations in Calgary over the past year. If anyone has a recording of these,
and knows how to share it, please let us know.
Other changes include the first installment on the "Survey Stories" page. David Stock was an amateur ham radio operator while he attended university. He found summer employment
working with Spartan Air Services in the Arctic in the late 1950s.
A correction has also been made on the "de Havilland Mosquito in Canada" page. The Canada Aviation Museum, Rockcliffe, ON was mis-identified as the National Aviation Museum,
Rockcliff, ON. Thanks to Chris Terry for bringing this to our attention.
January 7, 2009
Thanks to all the press and media attention that the Calgary Mosquito Society has drummed up over the fate of the City of Calgary's vintage aircraft collection, tonight's turn out
was an estimated three times larger than yesterday. Judging by the numbered forms, that means an estimated 450-500 people have given their say on what should happen to these planes.
Many of the Society's members were able to return again tonight to help spread the word about the Society, its goals, and most importantly, that there is a local option to the sale of
the Hurricane and Mosquito. Thank you to each and every one of you. One of the comments to come from the first meeting was the poor signage that the City and Museum had prepared.
These gave a misleading representation of both plane's historical value, and their condition. If you took a photo of the inside of the moving van, when all your belongings were
packed in boxes and stacked on top of each other, it would be easy to say that you owned nothing but a bunch of junk. The Society created our own signage that gave a more complete
picture of the Mosquito's historical significance - creating a more complete, and better balanced presentation of information.
Please don't think this is over now. Continue to email, telephone, write and talk with the City Aldermen. Continue to pressure the City to seek alternate options - better options -
like the Calgary Mosquito Society.
Also, continue to watch the media for articles and pieces from the last two nights' meetings. The Calgary Herald will be running a larger than normal article in one of its weekend
editions.
January 6, 2009
Mosquito Bytes #6 has been posted.
This evening was the first of two open house sessions at the Aero Space Museum. Numerous members of the Calgary Mosquito Society were in attendance and made their opinions known -
including their thoughts on the questionnaire. The general public also turned out in good numbers, and thanks to the Calgary Mosquito Society members, they were able to explain
how the questionnaire was biased towards a one or the other decision over the fate of the City of Calgary's Mosquito and Hurricane.
Also in attendance were most of Calgary's television and radio media. Look and listen for clips from the event on such outlets as QR77, CBC Radio, The Calgary Herald, City TV and
others. Remember, get word out to everyone you know. Its public opinion that will ultimately decide the fate of the City of Calgary's vintage aircraft.
December 29, 2008
Mosquito Bytes #5 has been posted, and it contains some very important comments about the upcoming sessions with the City of Calgary and the Aerospace Museum. As we said last
update, please continue to spread the word, this may be the only open opportunity people will have to make their comments heard.
A copy of the questionnaire is available in Mosquito Bytes #5. Read it, and see how those people charged with determining the fate of the City of Calgary's Mosquito and Hurricane are
pushing for a one or the other, all or nothing solution.
December 22, 2008
The following letter has been sent out to people who've expressed a concern in the Calgary Mosquito. Spread the word, this is possibly the only open opportunity people will have to
make their comments heard.
Dear _______,
There has been considerable debate at Calgary City Hall over what to do with two aircraft The City of Calgary has in its collection, namely the Mosquito and the Hurricane.
There is some potential to restoring these aircraft, but there has been varying opinions on what that would entail, what it would cost, and who would pay for it.
The City of Calgary will host two sessions on January 6, 2009 and January 7, 2009 (both from 6 PM to 8 PM) at the Aerospace Museum of Calgary to listen to people or organizations
with an interest in these planes, and to learn about their views.
City representatives will be present to answer questions and will ask those in attendance to provide their preference through a questionnaire. The input obtained will be included in
a recommendation to be presented to Council later in 2009.
Your attendance and input at one of these sessions would be valued.
We look forward to seeing you at the Aerospace Museum of Calgary, located at 4629 McCall Way NE.
Sincerely,
Gerry Laing, MBA
December 5, 2008
Mosquito Bytes newsletter #4 is now available. Make sure to read it for all the latest news on the society, the Calgary Mosquito, and some interesting news on two Mosquito restorations.
We've received a lot of information to include on the website, much more than we were originally expecting. As a result, we've had to revise the links on the left hand side of the
screen. Hopefully this is the last time we'll have to make such drastic changes.
December 2, 2008
David Stock and Dave Allen, who were young wireless radio operators working for Spartan Air Services back in the late 1950s, have supplied us with several beautiful photographs.
November 26, 2008
The contact email address has been corrected.
November 24, 2008
Robert Stitt has provided us with a brief history of Spartan Air Services' operations. Thanks Robert.
November 17, 2008
Robert Stitt has been sharing his wealth of information on Spartan Air Services with the society. These have required some minor changes to make this new information more accessible.
You'll notice that the link bar to the left has been altered. Look around. All the previous information is still there, but it may have changed form.
Speaking of Robert's work, check out the "Learn More" link to see a list of all of his magazine articles. He's written four articles on topics related to Spartan Air Services, and
a number of others relating to other Canadian aviation interests.
A number of photo galleries have been created to hold the various photographs that have been passed along to the society. They range from the destruction of the last RAF Mosquitos in
England to Spartan Air Services, and CF-HMS as its appeared through the years.
November 12, 2008
A new page has been added entitled Canadian Companies Connected with Aerial Survey. While the list is far from complete, it does show just how many companies have been
involved with aerial survey since the end of World War 2. We'd like to invite you to help fill in any missing information.
November 11, 2008
The Calgary Mosquito Society now has its own domain name. From this point on, the website will be available at
www.calgarymosquitosociety.com. Please book mark this address.
Don't forget to read Mosquito Bytes #3 for the latest news affecting CF-HMS. There's good news, including a one-year hold on any disposal, and recognition of the Calgary Mosquito
Society as an alternate for the stewardship of this historic aircraft.
November 4, 2008
Some minor changes to the website, including the addition of some of the society's first sponsors and donors. A big thank you to each and every one of them. Please take a moment to
follow the links provided to visit their websites. Remember, if they don't succeed, we won't succeed.
October, 2008
The Calgary Mosquito Society website has gone live - although its using a temporary address.
Prez, CMS
403-235-1350
403-667-4400
calgarymosquito@telus.net
Prez, CMS
403-235-1350
403-667-4400
calgarymosquito@telus.net
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Phoenix Foundation, #1, 2821 - 3 Ave. N.E., 7:00 p.m.
Prez, CMS
403-235-1350
Click to download.
Click to download.
Click to read an article in the January 6, 2009 issue of the Calgary Sun newspaper
Civic Partner Consultant, Arts & Culture, Recreation The City of Calgary
T: 403.268.5124 F: 403.268.5280 E: gerard.laing@calgary.ca
PO Box 2100, Stn M, #63, 1807 Macleod Tr SE, AB, T2P 2M5
