Mosquito Bytes
The official eNewsletter of the CALGARY MOSQUITO SOCIETY
Retain, Restore, Honour and Educate

Welcome to Volume 13 (June 02, 2009)

OPEN HOUSE AND QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS: THEY WERE GREAT! In stepping back from selling their Mosquito to an overseas buyer, Calgary City Council decided to ask its citizens what they thought should be done with the airplane. Although the questionnaire was clearly structured to encourage the disposal of the Mosquito, the Hurricane, or both aircraft, respondents who attended the two evening event at the Aero Space Museum in January made it very clear that they want to see both airplanes retained and restored in Calgary.

• 88% of respondents indicated that if funds were available in the next 2 to 3 years that both the Hurricane and the Mosquito should be restored as opposed to any other option.
• 66% preferred restoration to static display condition.
• Only 35% of respondents supported the Aero Space Museum's original plan and advice to city council to sell the Mosquito and use the funds to restore the Hurricane.
• 69% indicated that the speed of restoration was not important as long as the planes were restored eventually and that the top priority was to keep both in Calgary and area - no matter how long restoration took!

This is a very clear and strong message from the citizens of Calgary in support of our purpose and goals. In light of the committee meeting of council last week, it also seems that council has heard the message loud and clear. A BIG thank you to all who responded and especially to those who attended the Open House to support the Mosquito Society. Its another big check mark in the WIN column; and there remains much to do to fulfill the balance of our purpose.

Full results of the questonnaire on our website at Report on Public Consultation - Airplanes, Read and savor.

COUNTDOWN CLOCK RESET: Last week Wednesday the committee of city council looking at the future of the Mosquito and Hurricane introduced another step in the process that will delay their issuing a Request for Proposals. Commitee approved an expenditure of $20,000 to have independant experts in aircraft restoration and conservation assess the condition of both airplanes and offer input on restoration levels, costs and timelines. The decision moves a vote on what to do with the airplanes back by four months to March 2010.

Thanks to CMS board members VJ Tukkimaki, Bob O'Connor and Peter Cromer for attending. Peter took the opportunity to read into the record a letter of support for our cause written by head of the Halifax 57 Rescue Society, Karl Kjarsgaard. Based on questions and comments from the committee the letter made a significant postivie impression on the committee of council. Great work Peter, and a big thanks to Karl and Halifax 57 Rescue!

CHANGING ATTITUDES AT CITY HALL? There were several significant, if subtle, differences at last week's meeting at City Hall. For the first time since this became a public issue, not one alderman spoke in favour of selling or disposing of the Mosquito. Some were silent and at least one who had previously supported a sale was quite vocal about the need to preserve the Mosquito and Hurricane in Calgary. The only person in the room who even mentioned the possibility of a sale or disposal was city staff person Gerry Laing who has been supporting the Aero Space Museum's desire to sell the Mosquito. His remarks were met with silence by the committee.

Its seems that the letter from the City's own Heritage Authority, the results of the Open House and Questionnaire, the media attention and our efforts are paying off.

A BIG WEEKEND: This past weekend we attended the Nanton Lancaster Museum's 'Planes, Trains and Elevator's special open house event with our first ever off site display telling people about our organization and its goals. The event was a huge success for the NLS, the Rocky Mountain Model club and for us, with many, many people stopping by to talk, share stories and sign up as new members.

Thanks to Trevor McTavish for printing photos and signs, to Barry Davidson for the trifold, to Bob O'Connor and Tim Descheneau for staffing the booth, to Scott McTavish and Sean Adel for their excellent models of 'F for Freddie' and CF-HMS in Spartan colours, to Allan Botting for the poster, to Robyn Maerz for the nicely bindered print out of our website and to the NLS for hosting our display. A special welcome to the new members who signed up on Saturday.

Bob Connor (left) and Richard de Boer (right) manned the booth during the CMS's first public display.

A beautiful model of CF-HMS in Spartan colours, built by Calgary's Sean Adel.

On Sunday we also brought our display to Springbank Airport as co-sponsors, with the Aero Space Museum and the AV Roe Canada Aviation Museum, of the "Back to Baddeck" cross Canada flight. A special thanks to Doug and Donette Hyslip of the Arrow group for hosting and for their support and assistance.

Look for us at Nanton on their other special event days, June 27, July 18, July 23 and Aug 15, as well as our appearances at the COPA Convention at Springbank, July 17-19, the Airdrie Air Show, July 22 and possibly Lethbridge, July 25 and 26. Come out and share your passion!

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday June 17, 7 p.m. @ the Phoenix Foundation, #1, 2821 - 3 Ave. N.E., just north of Memorial and east of Barlow. Open to all; member or not.

Click for a larger map.

OTHER MOSSIE HAPPENINGS: Our efforts are attracting attention from people around the world This week I received notice from Bonhams, "the world's oldest and largest auctioneer of fine art and antiques still in British ownership" of their sale, on June 13, of a RR Merlin 113 engine. The Calgary Mosquito uses exactly this model of Merlin engine. Bonhams estimates its sale price at between £20,000 - 25,000. Take a look at the auction link.

We have also received a request to assist a gentleman in the USA in his efforts to construct what he calls "a full scale model".

UNRELATED BUT INTERESTING:

• June 6: 7 pm at the Main Public Library,"The Battle of Normandy: A Canadian Success". Lecture and Slide Show by Stephane Guevremont.
• June 7: 9:30 am to 4 pm, Public Grand Opening of The Military Museums (Calgary).
• June 8: 7 pm, Calgary Chapter of the CAHS. Book launch event with author Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail: "For the Love of Flying: The Story of Laurentian Air Services"
• June 13: Harvard Historical Aviation Society, "Air Affair" at the Penhold Airport. Click here for a link.

As always, my thanks for your ongoing interest and support. Now I know we're winning.

Richard de Boer
President, CMS
403-235-1350