Norell

I was very excited to find your website. I grew up in Northwestern Ontario in Sioux Lookout. My father, Gordon Norell, started Slate Falls Airways there and at one time had three Norseman aircraft. I was even more excited when I saw a picture on your Website of one of them. The registration is CF-HQD. I have flown in this aircraft several times and have some pictures of it after an accident. The accident happened during the winter of 1967-8 at Lac Suel. The pilot had hit a large snow drift and nosed the plane over. It was at a high enough speed that it not only bent the propeller, but also did some structural damage and therefore could not be flown out. I went with my father and several other people to Lac Suel to bring the plane back to Sioux. We drove along bush trails and ice roads to get to the camp where the wings, engine, tail-plane and skis had been removed. Wheels were put on, the wings, engine, and tail-plane were put into a large truck. The tail wheel of the plane was placed on the flat back of a 4X4 and secured. We then towed the plane out of the camp and through the bush with the help of a "tree farmer" tractor. HQD was eventually rebuilt. It was a beautiful airplane before, but was even better after. I can remember the CAVU day in winter of 1968-9 that my father took it for the inaugural flight after the overhaul was completed.

The Norseman has always been an airplane I have loved. People who would tell me the Beaver or Otter planes were better than the Norseman had an argument on their hands. I have so many other stories about my Norseman experiences. I will try to send others to you when I can. Thanks again for the website!