Richard Dowson - A Trip To The WDM

By Richard Dowson

I had relatives visit from Edmonton this week. My youngest Great-Nephew is thirteen and in Air Cadets. When he grows up, he wants to join the RCAF and become a pilot.

He loved the Western Development Museum Snowbirds display. He sat in the mock-up of the Snowbird aircraft and you could tell he was off somewhere, flying through a cloudless sky.Really neat to see a kid enjoy his fantasy.

We toured the aircraft display at the Museum.

I told my great-nephew the history of the Vickers Vedette and about the men who built the replica at the Museum.

And how a friend of his Great-Great Aunt Mae was flying a Vickers Vedette in Vancouver out of Jerico Beach when a duck, flying in the opposite direction, smacked him in the face.

And how he crash-landed off Point Grey, hung on to a piece of wreckage and was rescued.

And about the Cessna Crane on display that was flown by local Flight Lieutenant Al Seward while training at Brandon during the War. The lad was polite and listened to my stories.

His mom, dad, grandmother, brother and I then went with him for lunch.

When we came out after lunch we could hear the roar of jet engines off in the distance. I was exhausted and suggested they drive out to the 15 Wing Base, park near the control towerand see what might be up flying. I needed a bit of a snooze and thought they needed a break from my endless chatter.

Snowbirds and Harvard IIs

It was as if I arranged it perfectly. The Snowbirds were up practicing and a couple of Harvard IIs were doing training flights.

The ‘flying-show’ lasted for a long time. They got photos and videos. Their two-day visit to Moose Jaw was a totally success. The young Air Cadet was thrilled. He has photos to take back and show his mates at their next Air Cadet parade.

We are fortunate to have the Western Development Museum and 15 Wing here in Moose Jaw. We often overlook how wonderful it is, but the kid from Edmonton will remember.

Who knows if the young boy’s dreams will come true. Whether he’ll join the Airforce. But thanks to Moose Jaw, its people and the Snowbirds, he is off to a good start.

Writer Richard Dowson is a retired educator.

He is known for his frequenting local coffee shops and other places seniors gather.

In a previous life he wrote comedy for CHED in Edmonton.