Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada)
RCAF HALIFAX LW170 Recovery
(424 Squadron)
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Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada)
RCAF HALIFAX LW170 Recovery (424 Squadron) |
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LW170 Recovery Phase I
Progress Reports
Halifax 57 Rescue
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Progress Report No.12 April 15, 2006 By Karl Kjarsgaard (Project Manager)
Registered Charity 84586 5740 RR0001
It has now been over 24 months since we started our historic quest to find and recover RCAF Halifax LW170. As Project Manager I am deeply heartened to see that all of our directors, members, and supporters have stayed with us through all our ups and downs as we move forward with determination to our ultimate goal to recover LW170.
Along the way we have found 13 men still alive who flew LW170 to Freedom and glory. We have also made many friends and touched many hearts as we proceed in our honourable project. I really did not know what to say on this report to all of you except to report on the exciting progress in high political areas which gives us much hope for major financial backing and press coverage we need from government ministries.
Let me quote from our very first Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) Progress Report No. 1 from two years ago which seems to cover the situation well.
"Canada had the greatest percentage of her population in military service of any Allied nation that served in World War Two. The leader in the military services of this nation was the Royal Canadian Air Force which by wars end was the 4th largest airforce in all of the free world.
Leading the way, in the Canadian contribution to Allied victory, were the RCAF bomber squadrons and their gallant crews. The greatest symbol of all their efforts and sacrifice was epitomized by their aircraft they flew into battle and the Halifax, this Halifax LW170, becomes the greatest symbol of all. She symbolizes the efforts of not only the best of a generation of Canadian patriots but also those of our friends and neighbours of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Perhaps it was meant to be that the "impossible" Halifax NA337 salvage from deep waters in Norway and the difficult recovery of Halifax LW682 from the swamp in Belgium were training projects, stepping-stones as it were, for what we are setting out to accomplish in the near future. I say in the near future because in the coming months, or even years if this is what it takes, we will gather the resources and technology and we will succeed! I do not lightly use the battle cry of airforce veterans, "Press on Regardless, whatever the cost...", as I know the cost of OUR freedom paid by them. Halifax LW170 will be a wonderful tribute to all of them. I hope you will support Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) in this most honourable cause! ".
On to business, these are the HALI-FACTS.
We are very pleased with the progress in federal government circles to gain support for the Halifax Project.
Yours truly and our staunch supporter Laurie Hawn, MP from Edmonton Centre and also an ex-RCAF pilot, have had several meetings since the last progress report. We have also met with Ted Menzies MP for the Nanton, Alberta riding and also Senator Anne Cools who are both keen supporters of the Halifax Project. They all feel strongly in seeing this historic Halifax be brought home to Canada and the Nanton museum. Their advice and networking for us is very valuable as we continue to obtain funding for our most special project.
On April 1 a comprehensive and complete proposal, including a sonar survey budget for the Halifax Project, was delivered to Minister Beverley Oda of the Ministry of Canadian Heritage, thanks to Laurie Hawn. We eagerly await their response and hope for a positive response in support of our project.
In my discussions with our political advisors it has become clear that we must get more press and tell the untold story in the U.S.A. and Canada of the unknown 704 Americans who were killed-in-action in the RCAF fighting for Canadian Freedom. To this end Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) has just drafted an official letter to be sent this week to specific Canadian government officials requesting assistance from them to help tell this special story of these "American Patriots - Canadian Warriors". If we can get the word out to major press outlets in the U.S.A. and Canada of our special dedication to these RCAF Americans this will be a great stepping stone for building the support we need for the Halifax Project. We hope to have more news on this Canada-USA connection soon.
Just to let you know that the special limited-edition Halifax LW170 prints "INVINCIBLE ITEM" are selling very well with close to 100 sold to date. We have started a campaign to approach all Legion branches and Air Force Association wings across Canada to buy a print of "INVINCIBLE ITEM" to hang on their wall beside the Lancaster print that all of them seem to have had for years. It is time now that they all have a Halifax print as over 70 % of all bomber combat done by the RCAF was on the Halifax. Please help us in this print promotion by telling the managers and presidents of your local branch or wing about our special print. This is another way you can strengthen our group and cause. We need to go national in all our efforts.
I am very pleased to see that the future home of LW170, the Nanton Lancaster Society Museum, has had a great financial boost with a $ 600,000. grant from the Alberta government for their ambitious expansion plans. Thanks must go to Alberta government Minister and Nanton MLA David Coutts for his wonderful efforts to support Nanton as THE Bomber Command Memorial of Canada. Now Nanton is finally getting the support they need after all their hard work they have done on their own for so many years.
To highlight this I have included photos of the Nanton guys working on the starboard-outer Merlin engine to rebuild this engine to running condition for their Lancaster. The starboard-inner Merlin has already been rebuilt and is running great. Once again Nanton leads the way in this innovative and exciting project to rebuild and run all the Merlins of their Lanc. Friends and neighbours, if you have not stood 20 feet away from running Merlins on a Lanc and listened to that roar and cackle of a this famous powerplant then you have missed out on a special moment. Soon all 4 Merlins will run at Nanton and what a day that will be! Well done, guys.
I have spoken several times with Bryan Atkinson at Flying Zone Publications in the UK about his progress on the exciting CD-Rom "Halifax Explored". This digital encyclopedia of the Halifax (with over 2000 pages of technical, historical, and photo data on all the Halifaxes built) will soon be ready later on this year. Bryan agreed to do the Halifax next after his recent release of the "Lancaster Explored" and "Spitfire Explored". We greatly appreciate his agreement and cooperation to build up the Halifax CD-Rom now as it will give a great and timely boost to our Halifax Project. Standby for future reports on "Halifax Explored" with the release date and points of sale for this exciting CD.
If you are wondering if our Halifax Project is starting to be noticed, especially on the internet, then I should point out the following important data. During early 2005 we had an average of (5,000 hits per Month) on our website www.57rescuecanada.com . Starting in late 2005 and moving forward to this present date we are averaging over (11,000 hits per month). This is over (300 people/day) or over (130,000 visitors / year)!! And the totals are still climbing so let us press on and let the world know we are a going concern.
In closing let me say how heartened I am to see such support from all our directors, members, and the new government officials. I would ask each of you to please let your local MP know about the Halifax Project and our quest for RCAF Halifax LW170. We must not let off on the pressure to obtain financial support for the Halifax Project.
Please direct your MP to contact Laurie Hawn MP for all inside information on our project and how to promote this historic endeavour.Then let me know that you have done this (with a copy of any correspondence you have sent to your MP) so that I can follow up with Laurie. Please do it this month! We must be determined and "Press on regardless...".
Sincerely, Karl Kjarsgaard Project Manager Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) 57rescuecanada@rogers.com 1-613-835-1748
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