Noorduyn Norseman

8.28.2008

Hello there Noorduyn friends.

I am writing with some sad news unfortunately. After a long battle with Alzheimer's, my grandpa Bob Noorduyn (RBC Noorduyn's son) has passed away. He has been unwell for about the last month, and over the last week he had a stroke of some sort and died peacefully last night. Grandpa didn't want a funeral of any sort and made my mother promise she would not hold one, so instead she will be having a very informal memorial for him on September 7th in Columbus, Ohio where people are invited to say a few words about him, or for those who can't attend in person, can send flowers or cards/letters. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it myself, as I am living in the United Kingdom right now and am getting married on September 6th so its impossible for me to be there. I am blessed to have been home in April and able to see Bob at that time and I was even more blessed because he remembered me, which felt so good.

Anyway, I thought you would want to know of his passing. If you would like to send anything to my mother for the ceremony, please email me at julie@noorduynnorseman.com and I wll forward the contact details.

Thank you,

Julie Hicks
www.noorduynnorseman.com

noorduynnorseman 10:36 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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6.07.2008

Hello friends !

I know that so far I haven't made good on promises to create a wiki or blog for noorduynnorseman.com, and I must admit it's partially out of laziness and the other part is due to the fact I've spent the last 6 month adjusting to my new life in England (which is quite the culture shock at times!). Excuses, excuses... yeah, I know. Anyway, I decided to scan some new pics in for all to see and I've posted the master images on my flickr account for all to see - finally, huh?

Below are some of the images I have posted, and the rest can be seen here.

noorduynnorseman 6:21 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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4.23.2008

Hello friends!

A gentleman named Justin Cuffe (justin_cuffe@yahoo.com (justin_cuffe@yahoo.com) is nominating my great-grandfather RBC Noorduyn for induction into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame. He needs four additional references to support this induction. If any of you are interested in participating, please contact Justin or myself via email.

Thank you,

Julie Hicks

www.noorduynnorseman.com
noorduynnorseman 8:08 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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12.28.2007

I received the following email and thought maybe some of you out there in the Norseman world may be of help to this gentleman. Please contact him directly if you have any information. Thanks!

-- Julie

Hi Julie,

My father Franᷩs Fontaine (1916-1967) before being drafted in 1942, was an employee at Noorduyn. I have a cut picture from the Macleans Magazine in 1941 showing him and a fellow employee Peter Lambrose at the plant. I don't have the article itself though. Do you have any data about the employees or about this article?

Yours truly,

Guy Fontaine
guyafontaine@videotron.ca

noorduynnorseman 5:47 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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12.14.2007

Thought I would share this note I got from Bub Burman today...

Yes, I've flow in a Norseman. Back in 1953 I flew co-pilot with Bruce Hallock who was selling N59888 to the Summer Institute of Linguistics. Bruce's wife, Enid was "radio op" on the manifest, though Bruce did all the radio contact. We flew from Austin, TX to Lima, Peru, thru Central America and down the west Coast of South America. As a member of SIL (and the Wycliffe Bible Translators) I then flew co-pilot for the next two years in the Norseman on floats, ranging the Amazon jungle north and south in Peru. Our aviation program, Jungle Aviation and Radio Service (JAARS) was part of the Summer Institute of Linguistics. N59888 became OB-LAZ while in Peru, until it was re-exported in 1970 and eventually was registered in Canada as GA-ZMX, and as I understand is still flying, owned by Jack Green. Good ol' boat!

(I married in 1953 and left flying to, with my wife, work with the Cofan people of the Ecuador Amazon jungle. In 1980 we completed the translation of the New Testament scriptures into the Cofan language. We, and several of our family still work with the Cofan people. Bobbie and I are currently on a five-month visit to Ecuador.)

Yours truly,

M. Bub Borman
bub_borman@sil.org
noorduynnorseman 12:27 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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11.25.2007

Hello everyone... Just wanted to give a quick update. I am finally settling all of my personal and career business that has kept me from spending any time on the site or anything else to do with the Norseman. I have moved to the UK and I am starting a new job next week. I anticipate that as soon as things settle down with my career and the holidays, I will have much more time to work on Norseman related items. That said, I want everyone to know that I plan to completely redo the site next year in a different format - either as a wiki or a blog. I am leaning towards a wiki because other people can contribute to the site updates very easily, however the expense involved is a little bit more than a Blog such as the types offered on livejournal.com, and I think a wiki would involve a little more moderation than a blog. Anyway, I will let you know how things are going and when I decide to throw the switch from old to new. If anyone out there who is tech-savvy and a Norseman fan would like to help in this effort, or contribute to the new wiki or blog once I have it running, please email me at julie@noorduynnorseman.com to let me know of your interest.

Happy Holidays!

Julie
noorduynnorseman 4:38 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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4.07.2006

Just a quick note to all the NoorduynNorseman.com visitors.....

Thank you for your patronage to my site and for all the emails of support. I have been very busy this last year with travelling abroad and various family issues so I have not had time to spend on the site like I would like. It's been a rough year but I still have many plans of updates to the site. Please be patient as I have so many things to post and share, and please keep up the encouragement by posting on my weblog and in the guestbook.

Take care everyone!

Julie Hicks

noorduynnorseman 2:18 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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1.04.2006

Just in case you haven't heard yet...

People at the Dutch National Aviation Theme Park Aviodrome are restoring a
Noorduyn Norseman:

http://www.aviodrome.nl/collectie/projecten/norseman/

http://www.aviodrome.nl/collectie/projecten/norseman/restauratieverslag-okto
ber2005.asp

Thanks to Henri Kaper (Webmaster Aviodrome) for providing me the links!
noorduynnorseman 10:36 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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Tony Lyver sent me this link to a site which gives information on the various Norsemans produced, listed by Construction Number. I haven't checked it against my grandfather's records to ensure complete accuracy but from what I can see, it's a great reference resource for Norseman enthusiasts. Check it out!

ttp://www.mts.net/~donmag/Aircraft.htm
noorduynnorseman 10:25 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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2.27.2005

I received this picture of CF-OBN from rcharity@rogers.com in March 2004. The sender's grandfather (far right in the pic) flew planes for companies such as Austin.

noorduynnorseman 2:49 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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2.26.2005

Dear reader,

The National Dutch Aviation Museum 'Aviodrome' is restoring a Norseman to an airworthy condition. For this project we like to find the following parts:
- passenger seats
- 2 flaps
- Flap/aileron adjustment parts
- Front windscreen
- Roof escape hatch
- Propeller
If you know anybody who can provide us these parts please let us know. You can reach us at a.vdholst@aviodrome.nl

Thanks for helping us!

Arno van der Holst
Project Manager
National Dutch Aviation Museum 'Aviodrome'

noorduynnorseman 2:58 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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I received the following information from Carlos Abella (cabella@speedy.com.ar). I have not had a chance to verify the information, but I am pleased that Mr. Abella has shared this with us.

165 Noorduyn Norseman VI

43-5174 USAF // LV-AAT Dodero // ALFA May46, C. Pepe Ago51, LV-FES P. V. Alonso 03Oct51. n/d

219 Noorduyn Norseman VI
// LV-AAU Dodero Crashed 15Jun46 El Chañar, Chile. on delivery flight.

339 Noorduyn Norseman UC-64A
// LV-NQD Martínez A. Reg. 09May47

341 Noorduyn Norseman VI
43-5350 USAF // LV-AAY Dodero // ALFA May46

563 Noorduyn Norseman VI
44-70298 USAF // LV-AAV Dodero // ALFA May46, LV-FER R. Fresco 02Oct51.

640 Noorduyn Norseman VI
// LV-AAX Dodero // ALFA May46

768 Noorduyn Norseman VI
// LV-AFR Dodero // ALFA May46

798 Noorduyn Norseman VI
//LV-AAW Dodero // ALFA May46

· FiztGerald Transportes Aéreos operated 3 Norseman ex ALFA. Cn. 668 LV-FFH observed 23Jun93. Wrecks.

· On 24Dic48 in ALFA ´s hangar burned destroying 3 Norseman.

noorduynnorseman 2:51 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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9.04.2004

Below you can find a link to some fantastic pictures taken at this year's Norseman festival in Red Lake.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/belairweb/

The owner of the above site is looking for pilots/owners to add info on their Norsemen to be included under each picture. Please contact Kaz at belairweb@shaw.ca if you have an information to provide.

Also, take a look at my Guest Book which you can find on the main page of the Norseman website, http://www.noorduynnorseman.com. There is some great new info available.

Thank you!!
noorduynnorseman 4:24 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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1.24.2004

Two great new documents have been posted in the "Documents" section of www.noorduynnorseman.com. Both were donated by visitors to my site. You'll find a comprehensive Construction Numbers listing and a great list of Flightworthy Norseman.
noorduynnorseman 6:28 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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12.15.2003

This is the only information we have on the Honduran Norsemen:

1st aircraft delivered: C/N 505, USAAF S/N 43-35431

2nd aircraft delivered: C/N 569, USAAF S/N 44-70304

If you have any additional information, please post here or email to juliehicks75@swbell.net.

Thank you!

12/18/03 Additional Info:

The only additional info I have received since originally posting this is that the 44-70304 appears later on in the Colombian air registry as HK-8P 16Aug1947

noorduynnorseman 5:32 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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12.11.2003

The total story of the Norseman in the Falkland Islands is in the following book:

"White Horizons"

Author: Douglas Liversidge, Reuter Correspondent and Staff Writer
With P.A. - Reuter Features.

First published 1951 by Odhams Press Ltd., Long Acre, London.

Code T.7.51.P. Made an printed by Odhams Watford Ltd. Watford, Herts

Norseman Mk V, C/N 29-45 is not the last one ever built. Ten others were built and used in Canada.

noorduynnorseman 6:46 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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Only U.S. Norseman - registered, airworthy and flying:

Mk V, c/n N29-23, Registered N 45TG
Owner: Thomas Griffen
RR 1, Box 210
Baudette, MN 56623
noorduynnorseman 6:38 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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12.06.2003

I have been contacted periodically by a gentleman in Argentina who is restoring a Norseman and an avid enthusiast. He has gotten ahold of an original set of design plans, I think on CD. He stated that he has them available for consultation if anyone is interested. Here is is contact information, please tell him that you found this information on my site.

Thank you!

Pablo Colombo
Mar del Plata, Argentina
pacair@copetel.com.ar
noorduynnorseman 7:44 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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10.23.2003

A good History of Western Canadian Airways can be found in the book, entitled "Aviation in Canada" By Larry Milberry. See pages 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 48, and 240.

noorduynnorseman 1:40 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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History of CF-BAU as received from my grandfather, Robert H Noorduyn, in Summer 2003:

BAU was with Canadian Airways, Ltd., Canadian Pacific Airlines, Canadian
Northern Airways, and Arctic Wings Ltd. BAU was Damaged Beyond Repair Apr. 20, 1951.

noorduynnorseman 1:35 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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For Manufacturing drawings, the only source I know of is Gordon Hughes.

Hughes' address is: Gordon H. Hughes
Box 220, #1 Hughes Road
Ignace, Ontario
CANADA P0T 1T0

Telephone: 1-807-934-6394

noorduynnorseman 1:24 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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8.05.2003

I have some bad news to share..

My laptop was stolen on July 10th, 2003 and on it I had several months of email history saved including some fantastic contributions from visitors to my site. I made a major mistake in that I had no backups! If you had sent me anything to post - pictures, testimonials, etc. - and they are not already on my site, please resend them to me at julie@noorduynnorseman.com.

Thank you!
noorduynnorseman 2:30 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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6.22.2003

Check out the Correspondence and Pictures section of my website. I've posted several new items that are very interesting. I will also be posting some great miscellaneous norseman information to this weblog in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
noorduynnorseman 7:24 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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Anup. Thank you for your patience!
noorduynnorseman 7:22 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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5.13.2003

Today I added some wonderful new items to my site. I have new pictures under the Pictures section. These pics are from my grandfather's collection.

Also, I have started publishing some of the documents my grandfather has collected through research over the years. The first is the Royal Canadian Air Force Norseman Inventory data. There is a new section on the site called Documents, you can find them there.

As always, please keep visiting as I will add new content periodically.
noorduynnorseman 9:41 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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4.16.2003

Recently, we received a question regarding the history of Norsemans in the Antarctic. Here is the response my granfather sent to the person inquiring:

"There have been three Norsemans in the Antarctic:

a) The United States Navy took a Navy-owned JA-1 Norseman to the Antarctic in September 1946, primarily to keep an eye on Russioan activity there. The aircraft, together with six Dakotas and a Sikorsky Helicopter, remained there for almost two years and were abandoned on the Ross Ice in 1948. The part of the shelf where the aircraft were left,broke off and floated north until it melted and athe aircraft went to the bottom of the South Pacific Ocean. The Navy Project was Identified as "High Jump."

b) In 1946, the USAF contracted with Finne Ronne to carry out geographic
exploration of the Antarctic, including mapping and tests of various items of equipment under severe climatic conditions. The USAF furnished Ronne with a U-64A Norseman, S/N 44-70369, C/N 634, to fly personnel, fuel and other equipment as necessary to support the project. In 1948, the aircraft was returned to the USAF facility at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

c) In 1948, a Mk V Norseman, Falkland Islands Registration VP-FAD, C/N
N29-45, was purchased by sombody in Canada and transported by ship to the
Islands. I know that the aircraft was assembled and flown there, but I have no other data on the aircraft . If you have any knowledge on the subject, I would very much appreciate it if you would share it with me."

If you have any information in regards to the last paragraph, please contact: Robert Noorduyn, email: noor2220@aol.com.

noorduynnorseman 12:33 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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I have not had as much time as I would like lately to do site updates. Today I have updated the correspondence section of my site with a narrative and pictures from Mr. Real Bronsard. Thank you for your contribution, Mr. Bronsard!

To everyone else who has contributed lately, I will get the updates done soon.

Thanks to everyone for their support!
noorduynnorseman 12:21 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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2.11.2003

I now have scanned pictures of some Norseman aircraft drawings. These drawings included information on instrument panel setup, wings and floats. I don't have them posted on the site yet but I do have a .pdf I can email. If interested, please email me at julie@noorduynnorseman.com.

Thanks!
noorduynnorseman 11:32 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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1.25.2003

Norseman Blind Flight Instruments:

Type C-14 Airspeed Indicator (0-300 mph)

AN 5825-1 Rate of Climb Indicator

AN 5820-1 Bank and Turn Indicator

AN 5860-1 Altitude Indicator

AN 5736-1 Gyro Horizon Indicator

AN 5730-1 Directional Gyro Indicator

AN 5730-2A Indicator - Remote Indicating Magnetic Compass

Type A-11 Clock Assembly

In addition to the above listed equipment, the aircraft was equipped with an engine driven Vacuum Pump and a heated airspeed pitot head.
noorduynnorseman 12:34 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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1.12.2003

Here is a brief list of some constructor numbers that I researched recently per an email request. I plan on getting more of these out on the site as time allows.

The first numbers are the Military Serial, the second numbers/letters are the Aircraft Make (Manufacturer and Military designations) and the third listings (starting w/ C/N) are the constructor's numbers.

Thanks!

Serial Make Number

42-5044 MKIV YC-64 C/N76
42-5049 MKIV YC-64 C/N81
42-13602 MKIV C-64B C/N82
43-7203 MKVI UC-64A C/N394
43-7208 MKVI UC-64A C/N399
45-41736 MKVI UC-64A C/N820
45-41764 MKVI UC-64A C/N848
42-53520 MKIV C-64B C/N83
42-53521 MKIV C-64B C/N84

noorduynnorseman 1:10 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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1.05.2003

I have added a Mailing Distribution list to my web site under the section marked "Mailing List". Please use the link in the main navigation bar on the web site to subscribe.

If you have any questions, post an note in the "comments" section of this posting and I will get back to you when I have a chance.

Thank you!
noorduynnorseman 9:18 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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1.03.2003

The best way to locate aircraft for restoration is to log on to :
www.trade-a-plane.com
and follow the prompts. If you are serious about finding an aircraft to
restore, Trade-a-Plane listings are the way to go. You will have to pay for a subscription (three months, I think) but it will be worth the money.

noorduynnorseman 5:21 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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1.02.2003

If you're interested in trying to find parts for a Norseman, here are some possible contacts:

Gordon H. Hughes
Box 220, #1 Hughes Road
Ignace, Ontario
CANADA P0T 1T0
email: nas@dryden.net

Western Canada Aviation Museum
Hangar T-2, 958 Ferry Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba
CANADA R3H 0Y8

Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation
13527 Crescent Road
Surrey, British Columbia
CANADA V4A 2W1

Nationa Aviation Museum
Rockliffe Airport
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K1A 0M8

Air Museum
Patricia Bay Airport
Sydney, British Columbia ( I don't have the postal code)

noorduynnorseman 3:47 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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If you noticed my "Make a Donation" icons and are curious why I'm doing this, here you go!

My reasons for soliciting donations:

I am currently trying to collect enough money to purchase additional disk space for housing this site so I can post all of the pictures, items, information, etc. that I already have.

In order to maintain a site that is "ad-free", I have to pay a hosting company for my site or host it at home, via creating my own server. Currently, my husband has an older PC that we may convert to a web server, which will require us to do some upgrades to its hardware, etc. Until then, I am purchasing disk space through an external company.

Another reason I'm collecting funds is that I have a TON of great things to post onto this site, but unfortunately I do not have a digital camera or a scanner, so I can't get digital images created easily (or cheaply!). I'd like to purchase at least a good flatbed scanner to help me get all these great images and collectibles visible on my site.

The last reason I am collecting funds is that I want to purchase software to enhance the site, including converting some VHS footage to mpeg formats for all to view online and an interactive Message Board service so that I can have a place for all of you enthusiasts to discuss the Norseman. Sharing information is such a great thing - I think my site would be a good place for it.

If you want to help defray my costs, donate here!

If you have any questions, let me know! Don't feel obligated to donate - please enjoy the site regardless!

noorduynnorseman 1:32 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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12.30.2002

In my quest to post as much of the miscellaneous information I have as possible, here is some information on NOORDUYN AIRCRAFT IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

The Mk VI, UC-64A, aircraft listed below were diverted from USAAF Commands to Czechoslovakia under the U.S. Military Defense Aid Program (MDAP):

C/N USAAF S/N Diverted From Date

406 43-35332 8th Air Force Nov 46

409 43-35335 9th Air Force Nov 46

516 43-35442 9th Air Force Nov 46

546 44-70281 8th Air Force Dec 46

644 44-70379 8th Air Force Nov 46

These aircraft were provided to BADA, a Czechoslovakianshoe company,
ostensibily for the company to start a small in-country airline.
Rumors/legends have circulated for many years, which say that the Russian
Government took one of them to Russia to incorporate many of it's design
features into the Antonov An-2 aircraft.

It has also been said that one or more of the aircraft were sold to the
Israel Defense Air Force in 1947.

There is no known existing documentation which supports either of the above statements.
noorduynnorseman 11:30 AM - [Link] - Comments ()
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12.27.2002

Welcome to my Web Log. I plan on using this "online diary" to post miscellaneous information on the Norseman. I get a ton of inquiries on a HUGE variety of topics and it's very hard for me to keep up with it all via email. I am hoping that by posting this information to the Web Log, it will help us all find the information that we need quickly and accurately.

If you are interested in posting information to my web log, please email me at julie@noorduynnorseman.com.

Thanks!

noorduynnorseman 6:25 PM - [Link] - Comments ()
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