Tofino’s Canso Wreck – An Update
Some time ago, we published a list of Canadian Catalina/Canso wrecks within the Catalina Survivors listings that were spread over several issues.
Readers with longer memories may recall that Ron Mak wrote an article for us way back in Issue 8 relating to one of those wrecks, namely Canso A, 11007 which crashed just before midnight on February 8th, 1945 after taking off from Tofino.
More recent members may be interested on an update of this particular wreck.
Through the modern technology of the Internet, Catalina Society member and one-time Cat Pack volunteer Peter "Rocky" Evans has been in contact with a fellow enthusiast and has learned of the existence of the wrecked 11007 at Tofino, British Columbia not previously read Ron Mak’s article. This contact has resulted in Peter obtaining a copy of an original photograph taken overhead the crash site on February 12th, 1945. Our thanks go to Larry Niven for providing this rare photo.
Amazingly, a comparison with recent photos shows very little change over the intervening 50 years or so as 11007 still remains on site. However, the Canadian Museum of Flight and Technology (CMFT) are currently negotiating with the property owner for authorization to salvage the wreck and transport it to their facility at Langley, BC for restoration to static display condition.
Once authority has been granted, it is hoped that the schedule for recovery will be approximately two years although due to the crash site location and the adverse weather conditions during the Fall, Winter and Spring, it may take longer than that.
According to Larry Niven, 11007 was on charge with 6(BR) Squadron, RCAF although, at the time of the crash, it had been temporarily assigned to 4 (BR) Squadron at Tofino. It had been detailed to fly an anti-submarine mission but was forced down by engine trouble shortly after leaving Tofino. Although recovery to the airfield was attempted, the pilots could not make it and had to force-land in the trees. All twelve crew survived the drama.
Canso A 11007 was built by Canadian Vickers at Cartierville, Quebec as constructors number CV-285 and was taken on charge on October 30th, 1943. It was eventually struck off military charge on April 13th, 1945 some two months after its accident.
This article was printed in The Catalina News – Issue No 35 dated May 1997. The detail was made available for use on the Pinetree Line web site by the Pacific Rim National Park.
