NOORDUYN NORSEMAN MkIV
YEAR AND NUMBER MADE
The Norseman was designed in 1935. CF-BFT serial # 17 was build in 1938 and is now the oldest operational Norseman in the world. Approximately 903 were produced.
ACQUIRED FROM:
Purchased from Aeropac Services of Calgary with assistance from the NOHFC.
POWER
Mark IV 600 HP Pratt and Whitney Wasp R1340 53H1.
PRIMARY USE:
Used for a wide variety of cargo from moose to uranium. Served with many different bush operators. During World War II was used extensively for transport.
HISTORY:
The Norseman was the first plane designed and built for Canadian bush flying. It brought some important innovations to bush flying with a full metal frame on the Mark IV, V and VI. Cabin insulation also was a great innovation compared to the open cabin models that were the origin of bush flying. It is nicknamed “Thunder Chicken” because of the deafening sound of its engine. The Norseman owes its existence to Dutch-born Robert Noorduyn. In 1934, he began to design a basic bush aircraft, realizing that no aircraft then in existence was designed for the harsh conditions of the Canadian north. He wanted to build an aircraft “as tough as a rhino and adaptable as a duck”. The Norseman is one of the most popular bushplanes ever built.
STORY:
During World War II, Eldorado Aviation transported uranium out of Port Radium in the Northwest Territories. Some of this uranium was used in the development of the atomic bomb. During one trip the Norseman lost an oil cooler on Great Bear Lake. With oil spraying everywhere and spare parts impossible to get because of the war, the situation looked grim. The engineer got out pliers and a spare hose he kept in the belly of the plane and in the bitter cold he pinched off the lines to the cooler, bypassed it with the hoses and then spent hours cleaning up the oil. With the pilot on the edge of his seat, the two of them headed back to Edmonton and were able to nurse the Norseman home.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
| # | Bid | Status | By | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $150.00 | PaulyB |
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.
