Hawkesbury, the way it was

Here are a few pictures that were taken in Hawkesbury where I obtained my glider ticket many many moons ago.

Yup, yours truly in the 1-26

The tow planes.  The one on the right is a Fleet Finch. I think it preceded the Fleet 2 which had a bigger rudder.  This version was quite demanding.

The Skylark 2 on landing.

The well loved, but tricky Pratt-Reed. These were used during the war to train Troop Carrier Glider Pilots such as the ones used in Normandy. After the war, I think all the gliding clubs in Canada bought one or almost.

Look at those prices back then:

Airplane tow:       $1.50  =  1,000 feet                           $2.50  =  2,ooo feet gliders, any:        $0.05  cents a minute          minimum 20 minutes = $1.00 Membership:        CERA = Canadair employees = $15.00 a year.                            Montreal Soaring Council (not CERA) = $25.00 a year                            McGill University students, free I think but not sure on this one.

71 miles from Montreal, Hawkesbury was still the closest. gliding field. We had a (group) deal at the Royal Hotel in Hawkesbuy           $4.50 a night                                plus $1.50 for a full complete breakfast

This is a rare plane.  A DH Fox Moth.  Basically a Tiger Moth with a small cabin . The fuselage was widened a bit.  It was not comfortable at all.  I can imagine the noise and the smell of fumes in there.    it must have been rather slow as well.  I do not believe it has been a success.  This picture was taken in Cartierville, Quebec,  and yes, this is yours truly. (Notice the  funnel, I cannot remenber where the guys were.)