Welland May 13 Fly-in [Archive]

shorty

05-05-2006, 06:06 AM

Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 6:37 PM
Subject: [RAA-N] Niagara Fly-in and AGM

May 13th RAA NIAGARA FLY-IN AND AGM

Date: Saturday May 13/06

Place - Welland airport - CNQ-3 Note Unicom on 123.5 ( Talk to "Welland Traffic") see your CFS

8:30 to 9:00 Pilots flying into Welland CNQ3, please meet at the Cadet building.

9:00 Rides to Russell Collection, provided by members of RAA Niagara Chapter 4910.

9:30-11:30 A tour of Ed Russell's warbird collection has been arranged- no charge. Unfortunately Ed Russell does not want aircraft flying in to his airstrip - (runway conditions and liabilities). To Drive directly to Ed Russell's prior to the meeting, follow QEW Niagara bound to Fort Erie and exit Sodom Road. Turn left over QEW, and the hangars are on the left.

11:30 to 12:30 Lunch at Welland Airport Cadet Building, provided by members of RAA Niagara.

1:00 sharp, RAA Canada AGM

Driving directions to Welland Airport: QEW to Regional Road 24 exit in Vineland.

Go south across HWY 20 and 1 railroad track to Webber Rd, turn left and follow sign to Welland Aero Centre at Effingham rd. At CNQ3 proceed to the Cadet Building.

For more information Call Len Petterson 905 562 3197 or Cell 905 931 3197

Or e-mail swedishcowboy@aol.com

Everyone Welcome.

Members RSVP to steec551@rogers.com to assist the chapter in preparing for the meals and driving.

From Len Petterson, here is the Ed Russell story:

RAA Niagara’s invitation to RAA National Annual General Meeting starts with a story about an aircraft enthusiast with an extra ordinary goal.

Ed Russell.

Ed as young man was an air cadet with the Squadron in Welland

And ever since then he wanted his own aircraft.

As did so many others, he liked the Spitfire, it's shape and sleek lines and it’s success in the services.

Being an architect one gets busy with one project after the next and over the years not much time was spend on aviation. After a winning a lengthy court battle with Walt Disney over design rights, the possibility to full fill a long time dream was made possible.

A Spitfire had come for sale in Great Britain, and Ed tried to purchase the plane.

Some folks over there were reluctant to let it leave the country, as they consider it a historical artifact.

For Ed obstacles are to be overcome and Ed now has the Spitfire.

In the war years pilots were trained in Harvard's, and Ed needed training, so a “trainer” was purchased.

Those two aircraft needed a home, a WW2 airdrome is preferred and the airfield on Sodom rd was available and is now home of the “Spit” and the Harvard.

One-day a friend calls with a message about a Hawker Hurricane for sale in California.

The interest was raised in Ed how was going to California on business shortly there after.

During negotiation to purchases the Hurricane it’s owner mentioned he had another aircraft for sale as well.

What is it? Came the reply to Ed: A ME 109, the only flyable German built one.

Ed bought both.

Today we can see all four aircraft here in Niagara and we are welcome to see them in conjunction with RAA’s Annual Meeting.

Time to visit the Russell Collection is from 9.30 to 11.30.

Many of us don’t have the opportunity to visit here in Niagara too often, and RAA Niagara would like to give something special to visitors to remember, so we arranged for a visit.

Weather permitting one or more aircraft maybe rolled out of the hangar for better viewing.

Bring your camera!

As we all know, keeping an aircraft collection in flyable condition is not with out cost, therefore

Mr. and Mrs. Russell are accepting donations from their visitors.

An aerial display is planned for June 9 - 10 - 11 and guest aircraft have been invited to attend as well, more warbirds off course! Fran and Ed would not have it any other way.

We at Niagara RAA would like welcome every body to the AGM.

Lennart “Len” Petterson, President RAA Niagara.

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