On 14 August 1953, as Lockheed PV-1 Ventura CF-FAV leveled off at 20,000 feet, the “good” engine quit with a loud bang and a sickening yaw to the left. After feathering the massive propeller, all thoughts of running the survey line were put aside. An immediate return to Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories, was imperative, but the plane was held aloft by the other engine. That one had been giving them some trouble lately.

The company based-engineer had not been able to find out why the big P&W R-2800-31 engine had developed a peculiar roughness climbing through ten to 15,000 feet. It was first noticed on ascent from the advance base in Norman Wells but would clear by the time the assigned survey height was reached.

With the project manager “jumping up and down on one foot,” pilot Ken Fraser elected to takeoff. Spartan Aerial Surveys Venturas were good for getting up and running the line quickly before the weather could turn sour. As this was a joint program with CanAero Service, the Shoran aerial survey had to be done when the sky was clear - being both Geodetic and Topographically controlled. That day, the conditions were perfect.

Fulfilling contract obligations was now the furthest thing from the crew's minds as the sleek Lockheed began its single-engine descent. They passed over a small landing strip, cut in the rugged bush that spread out beneath the aircraft -- unbroken except for thousands of lakes. Judging the strip too short for an aircraft as “hot” as the Vent. Ken pressed on for Yellowknife

Spartan's radio communication network was already aware that something was amiss with the sortie. The network had been likened to that of a taxi company's -- pilots reporting their times off, times down, and in-flight reports every 15 minutes. CF-FAV's scheduled report was overdue.

The Ventura Memorial Flight Association intends to restore the Ventura to its GR.V configuration of 1943 when it served with the Sea Wolves of 149BR. They are a non-profit registered Canadian charity and if any reader wishes to contribute to the restoration, or has information, you are invited to contact Anthony T. Jarvis vmfa@telusplanet.net, President, VMFA

Lockheed Ventura CF-FAN RCAF #2195 / SN 5324 / BUNO 33315 on Yellowknife, N.W.T., Airport Ramp June 18/88 after helicopter (Chinook) of 447 SQN C.A.F released lifting sling. Photo by Paul Squires

Moving the wings of Ventura CF-FAV into "Hangar on Kingsway" in Edmonton, Alberta. The EAHS Hangar is home fo the Ventura Memorial Flight Association. Photo by Tony Jarvis

CF-FAV at the E.A.H.S Hangar in Edomonton, Alberta. Photo by Tony Jarvis

"Ventura Memorial Flight Association Stories Summary Page"

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