Ted Price, a 107-year-old World War II veteran, was on hand to see the PBY-5A Canso land at the Muskoka Airport in Gravenhurst on Canada Day.
The Canso was restored thanks to the Fairview Aircraft Restoration Society.
Jim Allen, president, said they were just six farmers from a small town in Alberta before they decided to take on restoring the plane. However, before they could do that, Allen explained how they had to haul it from Inuvik, N.W.T. to Fairview, which was made difficult by the aircraft’s 104 ft. wingspan. “Fortunately, they bolted on about halfway out,” he continued. “We got another wing section to replace the damaged part.”
The Canso is touring across Canada in honour of the RCAF’s 100th anniversary. Its stop at the Muskoka Airport came only after it was part of the Quinte International Air Show in Trenton, Ont.
“It’s been very gratifying,” said Allen about the ongoing tour.
Ken Price, Ted’s son, spoke on behalf of his father who was sitting right in front of the historic aircraft with his grandchildren.
He read a letter his father wrote in 1945 as the war was ending and Ted was looking to line up a job in the aviation industry.
The letter outlined his service, which including multiple years maintaining Canada’s fleet of aircraft and training new technicians on the ins and outs of the job. Ted formally joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in July 1944 but, unbeknownst to him, World War II would end just over one year later.
Ken said when it became clear the War was ending, his father wrote to “anyone he thought could help him continue with his passion.”
“I would like to thank my hero, my father, Ted Price,” he finished.
Ted Sheein, an 84-year-old veteran, spoke during the ceremony, nothing how he joined after World War II ended.
He explained how he had just turned 16 when he went to his father to get permission to join the RCAF, but says he was told he couldn’t. “He had lost his best friend and, in his words, said he didn’t want to lose me, too,” said Sheein.
However, once he turned 17 and didn’t need permission from his parents, he joined.
“I’m so grateful to be able to be part of this,” said Sheein.
The event began with the 2250 Muskoka Pioneers Royal Canadian Army Cadets marching in with members of the Bracebridge Legion Branch 161.
Capt. Laura Pepper, commanding officer of the 2250 Muskoka Pioneers Royal Canadian Army Cadets, said she appreciates being invited to the ceremony, allowing the cadets to speak to veterans about what it means to serve.
“The freedoms we have today are because of our veterans’ efforts,” she added. “Thank you for your dedication.”
Other attendees included the mayors of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Muskoka Lakes, and Lake of Bays, as well as Parry Sound-Muskoka MP and MPP, respectively, Scott Aitchison and Graydon Smith.
“It’s truly an honour to be here today to celebrate this plane, which represents so much of what’s great about Canada,” said Aitchison.
Smith added how the plane is a “truly Canadian tale” from it being manufactured in Montreal, Que. in 1944, used by Canada in World War II, and being owned by Canadians – including the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador – throughout its history.
The Canso took off from the Muskoka Airport Tuesday afternoon as the tour continues.
Allen shares how at each stop, there have been so many people interested to learn more about the aircraft, but it means so much to see veterans like Price and Sheein attend.
“It makes all the hard work worth it,” he added.