Gloster Strut
PBY Catalina or Canadian built Canso in action.
While visiting Vancouver Island some years ago, I heard a rumour that as a result of a forced landing during WWII, a fairly complete Catalina flying boat survived hidden within a forest in the general area. This sounded rather far-fetched, but as I have a passion for water-borne aircraft, I decided to find out if there was any evidence that it was true. This was before the days of being able to search Google Earth or to easily consult experts by using the internet. So, I started out by asking pilots at one of the local airfields. To my surprise they didn’t think I was delusional and confirmed that the substantial hulk of a Canadian-built PBY Catalina (known in RCAF service as a Canso) could still be found near to Tofino.
By good fortune Tofino was one of the places where we planned to overnight during our trip and so I factored in a day to hunt down the Cat if I could manage it. We stayed in a lovely condo which overlooked the floatplane mooring where we were later to able to fly in a DHC Beaver to do some sight-seeing. While there the locals revealed that Canso was some way into a heavily forested area on the southern slope of Radar Hill but could be accessed from a trail.
Thinking this would be a doddle, I drove to the where that walking trail began and my wife and our (then) small boy came along for the adventure. After a long slog through the ever narrowing “path” and increasingly difficult terrain it dawned on me that this wasn’t a suitable as a family trek. I had though noticed that every few hundred yards a tree was marked with a pink ribbon which led deep into the forest and into rising ground.
As there were no other evident reasons for these markers I guessed (rather hoped) that they would lead me to the hulk. So, we agreed that I would go ahead, hopefully find the Canso and use the markers to find my wife and son who would rest up in a clearing. This though was before the days when we had mobiles and was a tad risky – I didn’t realise how risky until later!
The ditches, undergrowth, roots and fallen branches got more and more difficult to get through, but those ribbon markers enticed me on. In typical fashion, I became obsessed with the prospect that it would be just ahead and lost sight of how long this was taking.
I came upon a large crater and then a little while further on there loomed the ghostly shape of a complete PBY Catalina / Canso! It was really eerie as there were no sounds other than birds and no people around. It was as if this flying-boat had crashed just a few weeks before. Its RCAF markings were almost totally faded away but apart from the cockpit it was pretty much intact. Someone had retrieved the engines during the war, but it was evident that it would have not be feasible to retrieve the airframe. The two rear-fuselage blister canopies were missing but I learnt later those had been carefully removed for use on another PBY restoration project in more recent years. The airframe had a few bits of graffiti scratched on it, but it hadn’t been vandalised. I guess its remoteness and not being on any official trail saved it from such ignominy up until then. It was very difficult to photograph the overall wreckage due to its size, the proximity of the trees and the limited light through the forest canopy. I gather though that in recent years it has been covered in spray-painted graffiti without any regard for the wreck’s historic significance.
I am not an aviation archaeologist so am not involved in digging up crashed aeroplanes, but this was something of a different nature. It was a time-capsule of an incident when luckily the crew all survived.
So, when and how did this flight end in such dramatic fashion? Just under 3,500 Catalinas were built in North America just over 700 in Canada (while a significant number were also constructed in the Soviet Union). The Canso on Radar Hill served with the RCAF with serial 11007. On the fateful flight during 8 February 1945, the crew took off on a training flight from Coal Harbour aiming to fly to Ucluelet on Vancouver Island. They couldn’t land on the water near Ucluelet so turned for the base at Tofino. They departed there at 23:00 but shortly after take-off the port engine failed and so they turned right to return. Unfortunately, they clipped numerous treetops and eventually stalled into the forest. One of the crew was thrown out but they all survived and sheltered until a rescue party arrived. I believe the crater I saw before the hulk was where some munitions were destroyed.
There were rumours that the hulk had been obtained by a museum and would be moved but I don’t believe that has happened. So, if you’re in Canada and fancy an interesting trek, it’s still there for the finding. Don’t do what I did though and leave your family waiting – I learnt afterwards that bears can be found in the area – though not sure if that was just the locals winding us up! Thankfully I found my wife and son safe and well but understandably rather miffed that it had taken me so long!
Luckily a few years later I was able to enjoy a flight in a Catalina including some water landings …but that’s another story!
Did you get it?
The photograph was taken in 1933 during the first ever flight over Mount Everest. This was part-sponsored by 'The Times', who published exclusive related 'popular' articles. However, after the event, the two pilots (Clydesdale and McIntyre) wrote a more technical book aimed at pilots and others in aviation: The Pilots's Book of Everest, William Hodge & Co, 1936
On the subject of the book, Mike Fortescue has a copy and tells me:
'I have a copy, which I'm happy to lend to Strut members.
(Ed: Having early notice of this offer, I requested and have received the book.)
The final chapter speculates about the challenges of high altitude, high speed flight with (of course) piston engines with propellers, and the prospects of better superchargers enabling these for transatlantic flight with a small number of passengers. Of course, the authors presumably knew nothing about Whittle's (and German) ideas and experiments.'
Westland Aircraft, for many years, awarded certificates to apprentices which featured the flight. One such certificate is shown. Perhaps other Strut members have one? Please let us know, and perhaps a little of your Westland experience?
The camera from the Everest flight actually found its way to Walwin camera shop in Gloucester. Rex, the owner was a founder of the Cotswold Aero Club. Subsequently, the camera came to be displayed in the CAC display case for many years. Unfortunately there was a dispute over ownership of the camera and it went to legal people to resolve the dispute. Its whereabouts are unknown - unless of course, one of the Gloster Strut members knows?
Continuing my love of both flying and mountain/hill climbing, I turned my attention to the remaining Marilyn Hills of England and realised there was one begging to be done within easy cycling distance of Rochester airfield.
I'd never been to Rochester so it would be double fun.
I grabbed my trusty copy of Sky Demon and set about planning a route. Left to its own devices, Sky Demon merrily planned a straight line route from Gloucester to Rochester. Unfortunately that went directly through the Brize CTR, Benson and even the Heathrow CTR! That wasn't going to work, so dragging the magenta line around I devised a route to take me North of Brize, turning South East at Bicester, down to Great Missenden where I needed to drop to 2,000' to avoid air space restrictions then Eastwards past Elstree with views down to London City.
Crossing the M25 I made contact with Rochester and was given the information I needed; runway in use (02), QFE (1023) and told to report when I had the airfield in sight. It was my first time there so a positive indentification would need to wait, but I could see the M2 and knew the airfield was alongside it so fancied even from about 10 miles I could see it.
Five miles out and I was certain that it was where I thought it was. Told to report downwind, then final, I made a good landing onto the grass runway. I allowed the plane to coast to the end as the exit and taxiway couldn't be easily accessed any earlier, then began the slow and steady taxi to parking over the rather bumpy grass.
I unloaded my bike, had fun putting the cover on the plane as the wind had picked up - it's definitely a two man job! Finally done I headed over to 'C' and was told I could pay the landing fee later as I'd informed them I needed fuel.
Out of the airport and onto initially very busy roads I cycled off in the direction of Detling Hill, my destination for the day. Soon enough I left the main roads and enjoyed the Kent countryside on quiet lanes. I cycled pretty much to the top of the hill, locked my bike and enjoyed a woodland walk to the trig point, then off a short distance to the true summit which was located in the woodland.
That and a few photos later, I was heading back, retracing my steps and cycling back to the airport. There is no cafe there and I'd not passed one, so headed into the local ASDA for one of their meal deals which I enjoyed sat at the airfield watching the comings and goings before it was time for me to refuel, pay my bill and head off back to Gloucester.
As with the outbound journey I used Farnborough and Brize Radar services for a basic service, both of whom, looked after me well until with about 10 miles to run, checked the Gloucester ATIS, then called up Approach for instructions.
It was a grand day out, the weather was perfect, the flying perfect, a new airfield and another hill ticked off. There is literally nothing not to love!
June 1, 1999: American Airlines Flight 1420 skidded off a runway in Little Rock, Arkansas, during a storm.
June 1 1948 First flight of Cessna 170. The Cessna 170 is a general aviation aircraft produced by the Cessna Aircraft Company between 1948 and 1956. Over 5,000 were built, and over 2,000 are still accounted for today. The Cessna 170 landing gear is a taildragger configuration. It was replaced by the Cessna 172 which became the most popular light plane in history.
June 1 1942 (Overnight) – Royal Air Force Bomber Command mounts what is nominally its second “thousand-bomber raid” – 956 bombers actually participate – Targeting Essen, Germany. Industrial haze spoils the attack; the British bombers kill only 15 people in Essen and destroy only 11 homes there, while widely scattered bombs strike Oberhausen, Duisburg, and at least eleven other cities and towns, which suffer more damage than Essen itself.
June 1 1925 A car dealer covers himself in stamps worth $718 in a bid to be sent airmail from San Francisco to New York; the U. S. Post Office refuses to accept him.
June 6, 1910: Robert Martinet won the first cross-country air race between Angers and Saumur, France.
June 25, 1928: First flight of the Boeing P-12, a significant U.S. Army fighter.
June 29, 2011: KLM became the first airline to operate flights using bio-fuels.
June 29, 2012: Crew and passengers on Tianjin Airlines Flight 7554 foiled a hijacking attempt in China.
This might be news for anyone who has an aircraft (including Syndicates) at the airport.
In regards to syndicates signing up to the AAN (Airport Advice Notice) list, if they provide briefing with their email address, they should be able to register them on the AAN list. The email address for briefing is briefing@gloucestershireairport.co.uk.
In regards to filing SSE's (External Safety Report), the form is here. Every SSE that is filed by operators is logged within our SMS (Safety Management System) and reviewed internally in our safety meetings. Please feel free to distribute this form in your club.
Noise Abatement and General procedures
If you operate out of Gloucester Airport, please review the noise abatement procedures below (click on it to zoom in):
Visiting the Visual Control Room
Any person(s) intending to visit the VCR must request prior permission from the Senior Controller on Duty (SCOD) by contacting the VCR on EXT 229. This request must be made at least 15 minutes before the planned visit. The SCOD reserves the right to deny access at their discretion if deemed necessary. All electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, and similar items, must be set to silent prior to entering the VCR or left in a designated area e.g. mobile phone locker situated in the VCR stairwell.
If extended presence within the VCR is required, prior approval must be obtained through the MATS/DMATS in advance.
In cases where external personnel require entry, they must be always accompanied by a GAL staff member. It is the responsibility of the escorting GAL staff to ensure that the individual remains under supervision throughout the visit and complies fully with all applicable rules.
In the VCR, visitors and staff are expected to maintain a quiet and respectful demeanour to ensure least disruption to the staff on duty. No photographs or videos are to be taken, unless approved by the SCOD.
Visitors should never move to areas which is likely to restrict the view of operational staff.
The SCOD reserves the right to request visitors to leave immediately if deemed necessary.
Runway Renumbering
As you may be aware, the designators for both runways and all holding points will be updated to align with current magnetic variation requirements and the revised CAP168 regulations.
Week commencing 29th June 2026 the redesignation of the runways will commence. Runway 09/27 will be redesignated as Runway 08/26, and Runway 04/22 will become Runway 03/21.
A confirmed date for these works will be communicated once we receive confirmation of contractor availability. To minimise operational disruption, the runway redesignation works are still planned to be carried out overnight.
Fuel prices - some good news!
At the time of writing (end of May) the fuel prices at Gloucester airport have come down to £2.28 per litre. Obviously this is still much higher than the pre-Iran problem but better than its high of £2.52 per litre.
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