The Canadian Aviation Moments were submitted by Dennis Casper from the Roland Groome (Regina) Chapter of the CAHS. Spoiler alert - if you read any further than each question, you will find the answer to the questions directly below. Good luck and have fun!
The Canadian Aviation Moments questions and answers for September are:
Question: Which of the two-engine aircraft predominated in twin engine advanced training in the BCATP and why?
Answer: “CESSNA CRANE – The Wichita aircraft was an adaptation of the T-50 five-seater light transport (three on a bench seat behind the pilots). Originally expected to play second fiddle to Canadian-produced Ansons in the BCATP, the Crane eventually predominated for twin-engine advanced training. This was partly due to availability but also because of its more modern design (e.g. constant speed propellers on it’s Jacobs engines and electric undercarriage and flap operation compared with the early Anson’s laborious hand-operated systems).” “However, as a trainer it was too easily mastered, and viceless.”
Source: CAHS Journal – Winter 2009 – Page 142
Question: What was the Pinetree Line? Of the three distinct lines of early warning to be built by Norad, was it the first, second or third to be built and was it the first, second or last line of warning of any intruder aircraft from the Soviet Union?
Answer: “Although it was the first of the three distinct lines of early warning to be built, due to its geographical location it was also the last line of warning in Canada. Construction of the line took place along the U.S. and Canadian borders where it could help protect the industrial heartland. Some 33 radar stations were completed by 1954. Of this number, 22 were financed by the U.S. and the remaining 11 by Canada. Additionally, the U.S. Air force would man 17 of the American financed stations.” “A number of Pinetree Stations were closed in the 1960s, the first being at Edgar, Ont. Solid state computers and new search radar technology were integrated into Pinetree radars in the early 1970s. All these new changes were responsible in part for the eventual demise of the line. The remnants of the Pinetree Line disappeared between 1987 and 1988.”
Source: Air Force Revue - 2008 Spring – Page 33
Question: What was the unique feature of the Red Knight aerobatic shows? Which aircraft(s) were flown by the Red Knight?
Answer: “The Red Knight was commonly sent to venues considered too small for the aerobatics teams of the day. The trade-mark of the Red Knight was his brilliant red aircraft; first the T-33 Silver star and then, for the last two seasons, the CL-41 Tutor. The unique feature of the Red Knight displays was that all the maneuvers were performed within the boundaries of the airfield – keeping the action in view of the spectators through the entire show.”
Source: Airforce Revue – Vol 32/No.3 – Page 13