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International Context The Flying Postman

Canadian Airways offices
Canadian Airways offices
Courtesy of National Aviation Museum, 1158


In 1930, flying an airplane anywhere was an adventure; flying an airplane in Canada's northern regions was almost impossible! Not only did pilots have to be bold, they also had to be clever enough to come up with quick solutions to the numerous and specific problems such harsh regions created.

Fairchild FC-2W Canadian postage stamp
Fairchild FC-2W Canadian postage stamp
Issued on October 5, 1982.
Canadian Postal Museum, Scott 969


Pilots faced punishing weather conditions in airplanes with cladding of materials and wooden wings. With a minimum of navigation tools, they learned to use the landscape to orient themselves; in summer, they would use rivers for emergency landings.

Fokker Super Universal Canadian postage stamp
Fokker Super Universal Canadian postage stamp
Issued on October 5, 1982.
Canadian Postal Museum, Scott 972


Roméo Vachon, Art Schade, Wilfrid Reid "Wop" May, Clennell Haggerston "Punch" Dickins, to name just a few, were among the flying mailmen capable of delivering anything, anywhere: fearless men who thrived on challenges. These individuals demonstrated the value of aerial transport.



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The Beginnings
 The UPU
The Adventure
The Chronology
Canadian Context
The Beginnings
The Semi-official Flights
The Road
The Bush
Follow the Guide
Game

Credits

Canadian Postal Museum