Photographer André Cadieux

Photographer André Cadieux

Flygvapnet had three Norseman in service between 1948 and 1959. The original 78002 served from April 1948 until it came to grief at Blidö 14 July 1954. This aircraft was delivered to the USAAF as 44-70384 in 1944, to Polarfly as LN-PAD July 1947, July 1949 to Widerøes Flyveselskap & Polarfly, then RNoAF as R-AI September 1952, disposed December 1959. Registered LN-TSR to Solbergfly January 1960, to Fjellfly July 1963. CoA expired March 1967 and cancelled January 1973. Sold to Sweden during the 1970s and now restored to pristine display condition as 78002 looked when serving with F4 Jämtlands flygflotilj in the early 1950s.

Actually a former Royal Norwegian Air Force Noorduyn Norseman (ex 44-70384), this particular aircraft was painted to represent a Swedish Air Force Tp78 Norseman. The type was used by the local Jämtlands flygflottilj (F4) and the badge of this unit, featuring a white elk with red hoofs and antlers can be seen on the nose. The orange colours represent service as a SAR and medevac-aircraft.

First flown in 1935, the Norseman was designed for rugged Canadian bush country operations on wheels, floats or skis. Noorduyn supplied 769 to the USAAF by the end of WWII; it was abroad one of these that bandsman Glenn Miller disappeared on a flight from England to France, the aircraft never being found. Marked to represent a UC-64A operated in Alaska late in WWII, this example is actually 44-70296 civilianised in 1946 as N55860 and then CF-KVB in 1958. It was damaged by fire in 1962 but restored by 1969, becoming N57WS in 1980 and being donated to USAFM next year

Destroyed by fire at Mainoru airstrip, Arnhemland, Northern Territory sparked by an electrical fault in a radio. The skeletal remains of the aircraft were still at the site 50 years later. Original photo from BHP . Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

Owner: Noorduyn Foundation. Former CF-GLI and NC88719. The latter is on a plate in the cockpit as well as its former US tail number. It is hoped that it will be made airworthy again. It certainly looks pretty.

TOS USAAF July 1944 with s/n 44-70296. Assigned to several units being sold in 1946. Passed through many owners in Canada and USA, including airlines. Last owner was Robert E. Purcell of Ft. Worth, TX, who acquired the plane in January 1980 and registered it N57WS. He donated it to the Air Force Museum in March 1981. It was restored by November 1984, marked as 44-70534 as it appeared in 1946 with Air Transport Command in Alaska.

TOS USAAF July 1944 with s/n 44-70296. Assigned to several units being sold in 1946. Passed through many owners in Canada and USA, including airlines. Last owner was Robert E. Purcell of Ft. Worth, TX, who acquired the plane in January 1980 and registered it N57WS. He donated it to the Air Force Museum in March 1981. It was restored by November 1984, marked as 44-70534 as it appeared in 1946 with Air Transport Command in Alaska.

Working hard, to get the aircraft ready for its public display on Sunday.

First flight 1942. Aircraft was ex 492 of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and ex R-AK of the Norwegian Air Force. August 19th 1957 LN-BDR Fjellfly. October 3rd 1972 cancelled, WFU and sold to Sweden for parts. I was very surpriced as I found it at a small Swedish Air Museum while we were at vacation in Sweden. November 1994 it was taken over by Sola Air Museum, and they got it from Sweden whilie it was under restauration for exhibition. It is now part of the Sola Air Museum