City to make decision on restoration of historic aircrafts

CALGARY – The city could make a decision today about what to do with two historical military planes in Calgary.

In 1972, the City acquired both the de Havilland Mosquito and Hawker Hurricane. The de Havilland Mosquito (P.R. Mk. 35 Serial #RS700 CF-HMS) was built in the UK in 1946. It never saw action in WW II, but was converted by the Royal Air Force from bomber to photo-reconnaissance service for 8 years. Along with 9 others, the Mosquito was sold to Spartan Air Services of Ottawa in 1956 where it saw commercial service as a photo-mapping aircraft primarily in Canada’s north. Logs for this aircraft show last active use in 1960. The Mosquito was donated to The City of Calgary in 1972 and, except for a failed attempt at restoration between 1989 – 1992, it has been in City storage in pieces for the past 36 years.

The Hawker Hurricane (Mk XII Serial # 5389 FN*M) was built in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1942. Initially assigned to No. 4 Training Command at Calgary, Alberta, it was then assigned to No. 133 (Fighter) Squadron at Lethbridge, Alberta. On October 26, 1942 the aircraft was relocated to RCAF Station Boundary Bay, British Colombia where it flew Home Defence missions for Western Air Command. On August 20, 1946 the aircraft was retired from RCAF service. Little is known of its subsequent history until it was found in Saskatchewan and brought to Calgary to be a part of the "Air Museum of Canada" in the early 1960s. It subsequently became the property of the City of Calgary in the 1970s and has been in storage in pieces since then.

Over the past few years there has been much debate over whether the city should restore the two aircrafts, which would cost millions of dollars.

Over the summer the City opened up a bidding process and city administrators took submissions on how the public thinks the planes should be restored.

Today, the City will hear four options. The first involves hiring a private company to restore the planes, which will come at a price tag of $1.6-million.

The second option would be to have volunteer groups fundraise and restore the planes themselves.

The third would be to accept an offer from a British aircraft enthusiast who says he will restore the Hurricane at no cost to the City in exchange for the Mosquito, which he will also restore, but wants to keep for himself.

The fourth option is to leave the planes in storage for the time being.

Council may make a decision on the planes late this morning.

More to come …