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12/26/2001
Julie...what a Terrific Job...the ol' "Thundering Chicken" will be proud of your efforts.
I, too, have a great interest in the History and Utilization of the Norseman. My Dad, Roland (Rolly) Morin was one of the first Norseman air engineers and was the Chief Air Engineer for Eldorado Aviation during the War which flew the supplies in and the Uranium out for the Atomic Bomb from Port Radium, NWT on Great Bear Lake along with Alf Caywood, my Uncle Pat Higgs, Ernie Beorgie. Mac McPherson and others...a small crew that performed herculeron feats in the harshest of arctic conditions.
The Norseman CF-BSB (still flying), CF-BXL, CF-BAU come to mind. Dad can tell you some hair-raising tales of the Norseman and exploits to keep them running in the minus 60F conditions...engine changes out on the tundra with jerry-rigged tripod hoists and Engine/Wing covers for minimal protection in arctic gale winds.
One story he tells is the loss of an oil cooler up on Great Bear Lake. So cold...oil sprayed everywhere..no parts (wartime)...what to do?? Being the typical Canadian innovator...out came the pliers and some spare hoses (Dad always kept spares in the Belly)... he pinched off the lines to the Cooler, bypassing the cooler with the hoses and then hours of cleaning up the mess, he and Caywood headed back to Edmonton. Caywood (the pilot) was on the edge of his seat all the way, but they made it. It was so cold that the ol' P&W didn't heat up so they nursed her home. I believe it was CF-BXL (MkVI).
Dad is 85 now... still active and loves to spin yarns about the Norseman...still has an old Carburator in his barn after all these years. He was originally with Canadian Airways and was Wop May's air engineer on many flights along with other notables such as Leigh Brintnel and other famed early Canadian Bushpilots.
Also, note that CF-EIH (MkIV) has been totally restored and is proudly on display at the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton, AB. A beautiful job spearheaded by Chuck McLAREN and Gordie CANAM... pioneer Canadian air engineers with years of Norseman experience.
Carry on the good work...Cecil Morin