MCpl James (Jim) Homeniuk has Passed

It is with deep regret we announce the passing of MCpl (R'td) James (Jim) Homeniuk

HOMENIUK, James (Jim) MCpl - retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces 400 and 411 Sqdn. At the age of 65 with his wife and children at his bedside on Wednesday May 16th, 2012 at Lakeridge Health Oshawa Jim passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved husband of Pat for 40 years. Devoted father of Kelly (Jason Poulton), Christopher and Terri. Cherished Grandfather of Hanna and Owen. Dear brother of Dennis (Bonnie). Jim will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews his extended family as well as friends and all who knew him. He cherished his time served with the forces which allowed him to explore the Canadian Arctic in Alert and lead him on peacekeeping tours to Bosnia. He adored photography and loved his career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Friends and family may visit MOUNT LAWN RECEPTION CENTRE, 21 Garrard Road Whitby (North of hwy 2) 905-443-3376 from 6-9pm Monday, May 21, 2012. A funeral service will be held in the chapel on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 2:30pm. In memory of James, donations to the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre would be appreciated.

Please visit Jim's FINAL FLIGHT page at the HISTORY HANGAR.
To help us keep PropWash relevant, please rank your interest in this article below.

Slide Show of WWII Aircraft

Posted supplied by: Charlie Burbank & John Tapper (411 Alums)
To view one of the best (and most complete) automated slide shows of WWII aircraft please click HERE.  You may control the speed of the slide show and whether or not brief descriptions appear by selecting the appropriate item under the "Options" menu which appears when you mouse over the upper right side of the presentation.  For all you WWII aircraft lovers we hope you enjoy this offering.
To help us keep PropWash relevant, please rank your interest in this article below.

Its A Barbeque

Posted supplied by: Bill Bishop

Being held Saturday June 16th, 2012

At: 420 Wing RCAFA, Oshawa

From: 13:00 To: whenever

On June 16th 411 Squadron is celebrating the 71st Anniversay of its inception on June 16. 1941.  It was disbanded on June 30, 1996.  

On October 5th 400 Squadron will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of its inception on October 5th, 1932.

John Tapper and Jerry Smith of 411 Squadron have organized a BBQ at the 420 Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force Association premises on Stevenson Road at the South entrance to the Oshawa Airport.  Take Stevenson Road (Exit 53) cut off from Highway 401 and follow it to the end (to sabre jet). 

Both 411 Squadron and 400 Squadron veterans (and active) are being invited to join in the festivities.  A cost of  $20.00 per person will be collected at the door.  The menu will include steak with all the trimmings and a cash bar will be available.

A wide range of multi media presentations will run throughout the day featuring THE HISTORY HANGAR web site (a permanent web site featuring Sections for 400 and 411 Squadrons and with 2 Air Reserve Wing)

We will also be having a number of draws throughout the day with profits going to support our joint efforts on the History Hangar.

If you haven't already registered, or responded, you may do so online by clicking here ... REGISTER.  

(We need registration to obtain an accurate meal count for ordering purposes)

A list of those planing to attend is shown below the Registration Form at the above link.

Any questions you may have, call John Tapper at 905-448-2247

This will be the final email notice for this event so we urge you to respond now.  We look forward to your company on Saturday, June 16, 2012

To help us keep PropWash relevant, please rank your interest in this article below.

Obituary for Richard (Dick) Bull

Posted supplied by: Dana Boughner (Daughter)

August 29, 1939 – April 22, 2012
It is with great sadness that the family of Richard Bull announce his sudden passing at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Barrie after a short illness on Sunday, April 22, 2012 in his 73rd year. Dick served in the regular force of the RCAF, 1957 – 1988 with postings at Greenwood, NS; Chatham, NB; Baden, Germay; Toronto, ON and Borden, ON. He was well liked and respected, retiring as a MWO. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and had a good sense of humour. Devoted husband and best friend to Laura, loving and much loved father to Karen Cunningham (Kevin McInnis), Rick Bull (d. 2011) and Sharon Boughner (Dana). Proud and adored ‘Grampy’ to three granddaughters Meaghen Cunningham, Taylor Boughner and Alexia ‘A.J.’ Boughner. As per Dick’s wishes, cremation will take place with a private Family Service to follow. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Army Navy Air Force Club (ANAF), 7 George Street, Barrie. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to War Amps-Ontario, Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre or a charity of choice would be appreciated. Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through the History Hangar.

To help us keep PropWash relevant, please rank your interest in this article below.

WW II Beer Flights

Posted supplied by: John Tapper

Getting the important things done properly was very important in times of war.  The Britsknew how to do it!  Great ingenuity!
Wonder why the aeronautical engineers never thought of this? When men were men and "drag-coefficient" was overcome by libation desire.

In the lighter moments of World War II, the Spitfire was used in an unorthodox role: bringing beer kegs to the men in Normandy .

During the war, the Heneger and Constable brewery donated free beer to the troops. After D-Day, supplying the invasion troops in Normandy with vital supplies was already a challenge. Obviously, there was no room in the logistics chain for such luxuries as beer or other types of refreshments. Some men, often called "sourcers", were able to get wine or other niceties "from the land" or rather from the locals. RAF Spitfire pilots came up with an even better idea.
The Spitfire Mk IX was an evolved version of the Spitfire, with pylons under the wings for bombs or tanks. It was discovered that the bomb pylons could also be modified to carry beer kegs. According to pictures that can be found, various sizes of kegs were used. Whether the kegs could be jettisoned in case of emergency is unknown. If the Spitfire flew high enough, the cold air at altitude would even refresh the beer, making it ready for consumption upon arrival.
 A variation of this was a long range fuel tank modified to carry beer instead of fuel. The modification even received the official designation Mod. XXX. Propaganda services were quick to pick up on this, which probably explains the "official" designation.

Mod. XXX tank being filled.

As a result, Spitfires equipped w ith Mod XXX or keg-carrying pylons were often sent back to Great-Britain for "maintenance" or "liaison" duties. They would then return to Normandy with full beer kegs fitted under the wings.
Typically, the British Revenue of Ministry and Excise stepped in, notifying the brewery that they were in violation of the law by exporting beer without paying the relevant taxes. It seems that Mod. XXX was terminated then, but various squadrons found different ways to refurbish their stocks. Most often, this was done with the unofficial approval of higher echelons.


In his book " Dancing in the Skies", Tony Jonsson, the only Icelander pilot in the RAF, recalled beer runs while he was flying with 65 Squadron. Every week a pilot was sent back to the UK to fill some cleaned-up drop tanks with beer and return to the squadron. Jonsson hated the beer runs as every man on the squadron would be watching you upon arrival. Anyone who made a rough landing and dropped the tanks would be the most hated man on the squadron for an entire week.

To help us keep PropWash relevant, please rank your interest in this article below.