FAIRCHILD KR-34
YEAR AND NUMBER MADE
The Fairchild KR-34 was manufactured in Montreal by the Fairchild Company. The Centre’s example, originally registered as CF-AOH, was built in 1930.
ACQUIRED FROM:
In 1963, a group of Air Service engineers decided to retrieve the wreckage, transport it to the hangar at the Sault and restore it as an anniversary project to recognise the 50th anniversary of the Ontario Provincial Air Service. As the original registration CF-AOH was no longer available it was registered C-FADH.
POWER
A 165 HP 5 Cylinder Wright J6 Engine
PRIMARY USE:
It was the personal aircraft of Frank MacDougall, Superintendent of Algonquin Park and was used for aerial patrols and to check on fire camps. Routine flights checked the movement of wildlife, the activities of poachers and the progress of campers along its waterways. As MacDougall commented, "the use of the aircraft has shrunken the park area …. to about the size of a good big farm."
HISTORY:
The KR-34 is a three-place biplane. The pilot occupies the rear cockpit, while one or two passengers can ride in front cockpit.
CF-AOH served with the OPAS from 1931 – 1944. In 1944, the KR-34 was sold and bought in 1945 by Robert Dale of Sault Ste. Marie. It was the first aircraft for his fledgling bush airline, Air-Dale Ltd. In 1948 it suffered engine failure on take-off, crashed on the shore of Wildcat Lake and was written off.
STORY:
Since its creation in 1924 the Ontario Provincial Air Service has developed many new ways to fight forest fires. From 1938 to 1944, the KR-34 was stationed at Temagami. While there, it figured in an experiment, undertaken by pilot, Carl Crossley, to drop water from an aircraft on a forest fire. While the experiment was successful and marked the first attempt at water bombing. Storage, pick-up and delivery problems delayed further development until the 1950s.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
| # | Bid | Status | By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $200.00 | Anonymous |
This auction closed on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 9:00:00 PM.
Shortly after winning your bid on any number of the planes included in the auction, you will be contacted by the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. Detailed instructions regarding how to claim your winnings, along with each of the included perks will be included in this email.
For any auction related questions, please email [email protected]
Closed on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 9:00:00 PM
Adventure takes off at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. This one-of-a-kind and interactive museum is located in the historic waterfront hangar of the Ontario Provincial Air Service, which was instrumental in the development of bush flying and forest fire management in Northern Ontario. Explore 24 aircraft exhibits (some you can enter!) including the original De Havilland Beaver aircraft and the CL-215 waterbomber. Learn about flight in the Children’s Flight Centre with hands-on activities the whole family will enjoy. See a viewing of Wildfires!, our award-wining film about forest fire fighting in the North! Find unique gifts and STEM-themed toys in our gift shop. Get inspired with a guided tour about the development of bushplanes and forest fire management – available daily 10am and 2pm. Get “buggy” with Entomica Insectarium when you select the Adventure Pass admission option. Our Event Centre is perfect for weddings, birthdays, and corporate and social functions. The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre makes an excellent day trip for school field trips and recreational bus tours.
