A Survivor's Story

As we related earlier last fall, Alena Zimova returned to Gander after 47 years since her survival of the fatal crash of OK523, in order to visit the crash site and meet some of the people that were responsible for her survival. Downhome magazine reporter, Ms Ashley Colombe, was in Gander to record her visit . Her interview with Alena was published in the November issue of the Downhome magazine. They have kindly permitted us to link to their website where their article on Alena’s visit is located. Reading the article certainly will show how important this visit was to Ms. Zimova. We hope to have this article posted on our website in the near future.

Voices In The Wind

Jean (Edwards) Stacey,  a former resident of Gander, is about to launch her new book Voices In The Wind: A History of Gander, Newfoundland.  On Friday, Dec 12 she will be giving a reading at the Gander Public Library from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Another reading will be given on Saturday, Dec 13  at the Bookworm, in the Gander Mall, from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. The book will be available for sale at $22.95. We here at GAHS had some minor involvement with this book by contributing several of the photos used in relating this history. We are sure this will be an interesting read as well as making an excellent gift, not only for Christmas but for any occasion.

Christmas at the Newfoundland Airport 1939

Jim Strong has sent along some old Christmas cards that his father had kept over the period of time. We have posted them on our website for nostalgic viewing . Christmas cards from a new airport in a strange location must have been received with some curiosity with a world war in its infancy. The cards were not as colourful with the greetings or elaborate artwork we are now accustomed with. Maybe the war was a factor or the Christmas card had yet to evolve as we know it today. Another record of history in the making.

North Atlantic Squadron

It is our policy not to publish web links on our website because we have no control over content but sometimes we have to make an exception. Lisa Daly is in the final stages of publishing her thesis for her PHD in Aviation Archeology and gives us a preview of the subject matter she will be covering. She does this by permitting us to link to her collection of photos, called The North Atlantic Squadron , that she is basing her work on. She will be presenting her thesis in Gander this coming winter/spring if all goes as planned. Copies will be given to the Gander Library and the North Atlantic Aviation Museum. She intends to take chapters from her thesis, adapt them to be separate and a more detailed look at each of the crashes, to be posted on our website. This should be a most interesting addition to the airport’s history.

The Bug

Recently we received a letter from Peter Hanlon in Winnipeg asking for information about a train bus used during the war called ’The Bug’ . He had a bought a post card showing a picture of this vehicle. We did some digging and found a column that Frank Tibbo had written a few years back along with some photos. This gem of Gander Airports history is now available for viewing especially for all you train buffs. Definitely a worth while read.