US Navy Super Connie 1963 Crash

We just received this link to a video on Youtube produced by Dennis Smeaton of Gander . His father Fred Smeaton had taken video footage of the incident and Dennis recently produced this mini documentary. Dennis, like his father, continues to collect and produce historical video data about the Gander Airport. Many thanks to Mike Mcanany for bringing this video to our attention.

Gander Airport Documentary

Bull & Sail Films, a film group out of Calgary, has contacted us in asking for the GAHS assistance in developing a documentary on the history of Gander Airport. We are humbled in being considered for our input. We have been in contact with Reg Wright (GIAA), who we have recommended to this film group, to be also invited to participate. This is a great opportunity to be involved in a documentary film depicting the history of Gander Airport in telling the world Gander’s role in aviation’s history. We anticipate the full cooperation of everyone concerned in having this history documented as it should. The Gander Airport Historical Society is prepared to step up to another level. Filming is expected to start in the summer/fall of 2015.

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.