B377 Stratocruiser

To give you an idea of what a B377 Stratocruiser, the world's first double decker airplane, looked like , inside and out, go to this link and watch a 1950 PAA promo film about this airplane . The B377 was used by both PAA & BOAC and made flying all the more comfortable for those that could afford the airfares. They were a frequent visitor to Gander Airport back then and they were a very impressive airplane to watch.

New York Times Article on Gander Airport

Doing research on articles for the GAHS website sometimes brings the greatest pleasure when you find a nugget that we didn’t know existed. Such is what we found quite recently when browsing for past news items, we happen to come across this article in the NY Times about Gander Airport written 10 years ago. Reading the news item from such a prestigious news paper, it made us realize that Gander Airport still resonates with it’s past history. Something that is still remembered and understood by those who you would think might consider us as insignificant. Just goes to show just how rich the airport’s history really is.

Stuart McLean

It was with deep sadness to hear of Stuart Mclean's health issues. We just hope and pray that his treatment will be successful. For those who have never heard or for those who wish to hear it again, here is Stuart's tribute to the Gander Airport and it's town.

BBC Documentary Recognizes Gander Airport

Just came across an interesting documentary from the BBC on YouTube entitled The Way We Move. The basic concept of this documentary shows how the world has become smaller as a result of innovations in travel. What attracted our interest was about aviation and the complementary comments they made about Gander airport as well as some very good video. You will have to wait however for at least 45 minutes or so into the production before the bit on Gander is shown. This is well worth watching.

Ferry Command's 75th Anniversary Event

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Ferry Command, the Gander Rotary Club and the North Atlantic Aviation Museum will be sponsoring a gala event to be held 6 pm Tuesday, Nov. 10 in our historic Gander Airport's International Lounge. Organizers are encouraging 40s dress. Funds raised support the Ferry Command Memorial Hall, Cobb’s Pond Rotary Park, and other Rotary projects worldwide. Tickets are $60 per person and available from any member of the Gander Rotary Club or North Atlantic Aviation Museum. Mayor Claude Elliott will serve as MC and auctioneer (those who have seen His Worship in auctioneer mode will note it is an event in and of itself). Get out and support the NAAM and Rotary Club.

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.

Czech Crash Survivor Visits Gander Airport

The long awaited arrival of Ms. Alena Zimova finally arrived this past weekend. Alena survived the 1967 crash that occurred on Sept 5 of that year. She, along with her son and son in-law, arrived on Sept 12 and left today Sept 16. The GAHS were very happy and proud to be a part of organizing her visit. In particular we thank the cooperation and help of The Gander International Airport Authority, Dr. Peter Blackie, Ethel Fogwill and Maurice Geange. Ethel was the nurse in the Emergency room and Maurice was a part of the Airport Rescue team that eventful night. The crash site visit was carried out by the airport authority as well as a sponsored reception in the International Lounge that  evening. There she met and spoke with those who assisted in her rescue 47 years earlier. It was very moving to see Alena’s reaction and showing her appreciation to the welcome she received. We intend to make more comments on this event in the near future.

Stuart McLean Revisited

I am sure many of our reader have listened to Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe on CBC Radio. Likewise many of our readers are new to the Coffee Shop, not reading some of our past publications. We thought with all the airport’s terminal controversy going on it would be worth while to revisit the Vinyl Cafe’s past live performance in Gander and listen once more to his views on the history of Gander Airport. Just goes to show why we here at GAHS feel it is so important to not forget what Gander’s role was to world aviation. Sort of stimulates the pride we once had and should keep it alive.

Airport in the News Again

This week’s Beacon announced that the GIA International Lounge is on Canada’s Top Ten list of endangered places by Heritage Canada’s National Trust. The GIAA is not replacing the present terminal because it wants a new terminal so let’s address the elephant in the living room. The present place is too expensive to maintain, realizing present income. The solution is simple. In order to keep the present terminal they need more money. So you either increase the taxes (not a good idea), or somehow give them more money to offset the high maintenance costs. The problem is now in the hands of the Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments. The choices are, an airport that is financially viable without change or an airport financially viable by destroying a heritage treasure.

GIAA Has A New President & CEO

Our congratulations go out to Mr. Reg Wright who has been appointed as the new President and CEO for the Gander International Airport Authority
replacing the retiring Gary Vey. In the past we have had a great relationship with Reg while being Manager of Marketing and I am sure this will continue in his new position. We wish him all the best in his endeavours and that goes also to the GIAA. From where we sit their plate looks pretty full.

Gander Airport Terminal Information

Gander airport’s most used topic recently has been about the proposed replacement of the present terminal. In particular, the artistic design of the building. CBC News has recently presented a very fine video showing these items with commentary from Alan Elder, a curator for the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, about the historical and artistic significance of the Gander Airport terminal. One thing to take note during the video is that this building, constructed in the mid 1950's, was the first of it’s kind in Canada and was used as a model for other terminals across the country.

Online Petition To Preserve Gander Terminal

Since our last post with reference to the Gander Terminal, it has come to our attention that an online petition has been put in place to ask for provincial and federal support in preserving this building for it’s historical value. The petition is poorly written in that it stipulates the airport itself is up for grabs and not specifically the terminal. Other than this minor detail, we agree whole heartily in seeking this support. We also agree that the GIAA has the right to manage it’s finances prudently and do what is best for the survival of the airport itself. We are confident that the GIAA has every intention in preserving the artifacts from the present building. The problem we face now is whether or not there is enough support out there to come up with a solution that will satisfy everyone.

Gander Airport To Get Their Fourth Terminal

The Gander International Airport Authority is considering building a smaller airport terminal building to replace the present one for financial reasons. A news item has been released by the CBC news explaining the situation. The question is not should be it be replaced but what to do with the present terminal? Hopefully this will be answered with open minds and common sense. We are confident this will be resolved with some good discussion.

Airport Tour For A New York Student

Just to keep everyone up to date, our website keeps gaining  attraction internationally. Just recently we received email from a young lady in New York (city) who is seeking her Masters degree and is studying the history of Decorative Arts and Design. She is writing a paper on Gander’s International Airport and particularly the role of the lounge during the post World War II travel boom of the mid fifties into the mid sixties. She has asked for our help in providing her with historical information about this subject. She will be arriving in Gander on Dec 1 to tour the Airport Lounge and we have been invited to attend by the Gander International Airport Authority. In addition we plan on a visit to the old terminal building plus to the old admin building site, the original terminal. We will be represented by Rick Stead, our Secretary. Just goes to show how much Gander Airport is known through out the world.

VIP Visits at Gander

We just posted an interesting article about an unknown visit by the Queen in 1953 . The strategic position of Gander Airport as a refuelling stop led to untold visits by VIP and celebraties during this pre-jet aviation era. Doug Shepard, in an interview some years ago, related his experience having given a ride to Frank Sinatra to the Eaton's store where he bought a gift for his baby daughter Nancy. These are just a few examples of 'sightings' of VIPs that passed through the airport. The terminal in those days was an exciting place to visit. You would never know who you would see.

Nfld. Ensign

The flag raising ceremony at Gander Airport in 1949 mentions the first time the Canadian Ensign was officialy raised at the airport. Does anyone remember what ensign it was replacing? 

Newfoundland Ensign

Gander Terminal Article

A situation has recently occurred where we have come across an interesting piece on the Gander terminal on another website and felt our readers might like to view this document. We tried to get permission to republish this information but was unable due to copy write restraints. We did however get their permission to use their link for your viewing.

Why would we ask to republish this information on our site rather than just a link? Well, if we use a link, we don't have control over a website from discontinuing a particular web page at a later date. We would like to have all information published as a webpage on our site to always remain available. Hopefully we will get permission to republish this information in the future.

The tea is good as well.

We have just added to Galleries in the 1946-1958 era - A Mystery Photo. It was contributed by Bob Pelley who discovered these photos in the USA. We have blown up the photo to try and show the faces of the individuals standing around in front of the terminal arrival/departure area.. Identifying some of these people may help us track down as to what this occasion might have been. We sure would like some input here to try and solve this little mystery.