Airport Coffee Shop Apology

Thanks to Gerard McCarthy, who informed we had several errors in linking to other sites, we discovered that we had a corrupted error in our html template codes. An error  we should have detected earlier for which we now apologise. We have gone back as far as February to find and make all the corrections necessary up to this date. Like Gerard, if anyone detects an error of a similar manner, including typos, please write to us at gahs.webster@gmail.com .  If you missed some of the material we referred you to in our links, they are now available. We want to do the best we can here at the Airport Coffee Shop.

OK523 Memorial Unveiled June 27

An excellent day and an excellent turn out. The weather was a little chilly but it was dry. The unveiling ceremony was conducted by the Right Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy and the unveiling by Alena Zimova, a survivor. The GIAA did a commendable job from constructing the memorial site, preparing the area with appropriate seating/facilities, transportation from parking area and hosting a social for everyone after in the International Lounge at the terminal. Brian Hicks and Stephen Burbridge should take a bow for this. The ATV trailway is in excellent condition making it a very nice 1.5 km walk for pedestrians. Got to https://twitter.com/GahsYQX for more photos

Remembering The Crash Of OK523

September 5, 1967. OK523 an IL18 departed Gander at 2:40 AM enroute to Havana, Cuba with 69 people on board. Shortly after airborn the aircraft crashed without warning. 35 died. 34 survived. The total destruction was almost unimaginable. The airport rescue team faced the task, in total darkness, how to gain access to the crash without a road to drive on. Then the problem of getting survivors to medical aid as quickly as possible. The hospital staff went on full alert for this emergency. One of the most amazing facts that came out of this operation is that this situation was never simulated in a practise exercise. Everything was reacted too instantly, instinctively and very successfully. One has to wonder about human reactions in an emergency situation. Read about it on our website . Below is a photo of the debris field.

OK523 Crash Memorial

This coming Saturday, June 27,  at 2:00 PM, the Gander Airport Historical Society will be dedicating a memorial to commemorate the tragedy that occurred on Sept. 5, 1967.  Alena Zimova, one of the survivors will be doing the honour of unveiling this memorial. Transportation will be provided to the original crash site commencing after 1:00 PM shown on the map below.

Aviation Archeology Thesis

Lisa Daly has just completed her thesis on airplane crashes in Newfoundland during WWII, particularly in the Gander area, for her completion in receiving a PHD in Aviation Archeology. She has made her thesis available for download at https://db.tt/1GNq2a4d for your reading.  In the near future Lisa will be joining our website in doing several articles for us on specific  crashes in the Gander area which will be posted in our Warbird Down section in the WWII era. We are sure a few  of you have encountered some of these crashes while exploring the island’s terrain. The history of Gander airport is slowly coming back to life.

Gander Airport Terminals

Just a humorous thought that come to mind. Our first terminal was the old Administration Building, better referred now as 'the GAHS logo'. Then after WWII the old RAF hangers were renovated and became the  "International Terminal, Cross Roads of The World". To update your memory, Heathrow Airport started construction in 1946. We are already on our second terminal. In 1958 a new third terminal was built which now became known as the "New Terminal". We are starting to run out of titles. Shouldn't the next terminal be called "Terminal Four"?  Toronto only has 3 .  We deserve it. Go, CYQX, Go.

GAHS Now "tweetable"

We have officially opened our new twitter account. Visit us at https://twitter.com/GahsYQX. Follow us and catch up on all the new updates. Be aware, we are new at this so be patient with our errors.

Reunion of Giants

Our old friend Mike McAnany sent along this link from YouTube depicting a short video on the last two airworthy Lancaster bombers (RCAf & RAF) remaining in the world, reuniting in England last year for an air show. Very moving as well as an historic event. I am sure the airshow they were involved in will be made available on the English TV network in the near future.