Canadian Warplanes 2: Avro 616 Avian
Avian 616 Avian
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3545886)
Avro Avian Mk. IVM, CF-CEW, Ottawa Flying Club, 1938.
Avro 616 Avian Mk. IVM Minor (11), (Serial Nos. 92-101), A129, ex CF-CFH, Avian Mk. IVM Major (18), (Serial Nos. 125-138, 141-144), for a total of 29 aircraft.
01 Jan 1929. In -38ºF weather(-36.4ºC) local pilots Wop May and Vic Horner flew out of Edmonton, Alberta in an Avro Avian aircraft, Reg. No. G-CAVB, with diphtheria serum needed urgently in Fort Vermilion, Alberta. The planning for this flight had begun between Alberta health officials and local pilots following a radio report from Peace River, Alberta, on a new outbreak reported 26Dec 1928. Diphtheria had ravaged the NWT in the spring of 1928 and over a thousand people died before authorities in the south were contacted and they could send serum and assistance into the Territory by paddle steamer. Due to this, a radio system was set up by the Federal Government to solve the communication problem. This radio network had only reached Peace River, Alberta, at this time, but would move into the NWT during the Spring. The information on the outbreak had to be brought to Peace River by dogsled.
The Avian was a light open cockpit aircraft that was pressed into use as an emergency measure to solve the transportation problem. One of three similar aircraft based in Edmonton that winter, it had stronger undercarriage than the other two. Having an open cockpit May and Horner were clothed in the warmest clothing available, but still suffered from the cold, and after getting lost they landed safely at McLennan, Alberta, where local residents, following instructions being broadcast on radio stations by the Alberta Government, had built an emergency airstrip, one of hundreds being built in Northern Alberta by communities and farmers alerted by the broadcasts to aid this flight. (Paul Squires)
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3545898)
Avro Avian Mk. IVM, CF-CEW, Ottawa Flying Club, 1938.
(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3232298)
Avro Avian Mk IV aircraft with Genet Major engine.
(Author Photos)
Avro 616 Avian Mk. IVM, RCAF (Serial No. 137), R3, C/N 316, CF-CDV, ex-Calgary Flying Club. Reynolds Air Museum, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
