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.28 April 27, 2009 Registered Charity 84586 5740 RR0001
Soon Canada will celebrate her birthday of 142 years while she also celebrates nation-wide the exciting milestone of the 100th anniversary (1909 – 2009) of the first powered aircraft flight over this great country.
If only we could sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk with John A. MacDonald and his founding fathers along with Alexander Graham Bell, John A. McCurdy and their aviation pioneer team to tell them, after all these years, of the special and honoured place the Handley Page Halifax and our LW170 holds in the colourful history of Canada.
They would hear from us that over 70% of all our Canadian warriors of the air who flew in Bomber Command flew in the Halifax and how it was their trusted “aluminium steed” and British built aviation “Sword” of our Freedom. They would hear how nearly 10,000 of our Canadian warriors died in bomber air combat with over 75% losses, only 1 of 4 aircrew ever finishing their combat tour. They would listen to us, I am sure with a heavy heart, when we told them that this was the greatest loss rate of any armed forces unit in all our 142 years of Canadian military history !
We would tell these visionary leaders and aviation pioneers that their Canadian air warriors used the unprecedented total of over 1,200 Halifaxes to defend Canadian and world Freedom. We would also proudly state that Canada, still a new nation, had the 4th largest Air Force in all the free world.
BUT we would have to confess that not even one CANADIAN example of our revered old Halifaxes was ever kept to honour all those who sacrificed and paid so dearly for our nation.
I am very sure, upon these forefathers learning of the fortuitous survival of RCAF Halifax LW170 and all she represents as a symbol of Canadian sacrifice and excellence, that they would passionately and urgently advise us of the importance of our mission and that we must save LW170 no matter what effort or costs are involved. We must do it in honour of those thousands who sacrificed and as a reminder to all future generations that someone paid for their Freedom.
The die-hard core of Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) is prepared, after these many months of preparation, to go out into deep waters to find LW170 no matter the risk or cost. We have a small stalwart group of members and supporters and they have provided us with the basic funds that just covers the Phase 1 –Sonar Survey costs.
Halifax 57 Rescue will be responsible to pay $50, 000. to the owners of the sonar ship “Polar Prince” in the next 4 weeks.
We have slated the exciting sonar expedition to begin in (mid - June 2009) as soon as the “Polar Prince” refit and ship preparations in St. Johns, Newfoundland are complete.
Let me state the great deal we are getting from Mike Stephens and his crew. This is just the basic fuel costs and if we were to be charged the commercial rate to do this historic sonar survey we would be paying well in excess of $200,000 ! Mike and his crew are being very generous in this offer and are really interested in helping Halifax 57 Rescue as they have true historic interest in the Halifax Project. This is over and above their commercial interests in operating the “Polar Prince” on deep sea explorations.
With our cash on hand plus the 2 large pledges from 2 sincere supporters of the Halifax Project ( which we hope to acquire by mid-May) we have the basic funds to cover our obligation for the “Polar Prince” sonar services.
BUT we have only the basic funds with only a small amount of excess funds to cover contingency costs for weather or equipment down-time during this crucial time of our sonar survey as well as keeping Halifax 57 Rescue running on the home front. To this end, the author of this report will be covering and guaranteeing all the extra costs and overruns from his own personal finances to ensure the Halifax Project goes ahead. I guess you can say my mouth and my money are now truly residng in the same location.
This report now becomes an URGENT appeal for your support as we begin our exciting quest to find the rarest combat aircraft in Canada’s aviation history! Please keep us strong and energized financially by supporting, in any way you can, as we proceed in our honourable search for this aviation treasure.
You can directly contribute to Halifax 57 Rescue and the Halifax Project in 3 different ways:
1) make a cash donation to Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) - a registered charity and receive a membership and a tax deductible receipt
2) make a direct donation of stocks, bonds, or securities to our brokerage account (without the capital gains tax burden!) and receive a full market value tax deductible receipt
3) purchase our beautiful limited-edition signed print of LW170 “INVINCIBLE ITEM” for $165.00 (or an unsigned print for $60!)
For those of you interested in all these offers please see our official website at www.57rescuecanada.com and get all the details on the Halifax Project and how to support our cause. Stay tuned for a special video feature on our website with interesting footage of the “Polar Prince” sonar ship and the exciting sonar expedition in June 2009.
For those without the internet and receiving this report by mail please direct all enquiries and donations to the addresses and phone numbers listed at the end of this report.
As a founding member of Halifax 57 Rescue, and your Project Manager these past 5 years to save RCAF Halifax LW170, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the critical timing and importance of donating and supporting the Halifax Project NOW !
If you believe in our cause and what the success of the project means to Canada (and to so many people around the world) as a tribute to our Bomber Command veterans we know you will support us. Please take this leap of faith forward with us in preserving their honour and saving our Halifax.
Sincerely, Karl Kjarsgaard Project Manager Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) Registered Charity : 84586 5740 RR 0001
Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) P.O. Box 606 Unit 31C – 174 Colonnade Road Nanton, AB Ottawa, ON T0L 1R0 K2E 7J5 Phone 403 - 603 - 8592 Phone 613 – 863 – 1942 Or 613 – 226 – 4884
email: 57rescuecanada@rogers.com
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