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The Norwegian Air Force in Canada was administered from Churchstreet 341, about 15 minutes from Little Norway. Commander of the camp, Ltn Colonel Ole Reistad, had his office here. This was the place where I would be meeting him when I arrived in Toronto. I showed up early in the morning. I discovered quickly I was not the only morning bird. Five or six others had already taken their place outside the building, all of them around my own, young age. It didn't take long until we were chatting away. We had all arrived in Toronto the day before. One of them had come the same route as myself, from Montreal. Three others had worked in New York and arrived to volunteer. Another had travelled all the way around the world, and had just arrived from San Fransisco. Another had partly walked and driven from Portland, USA. He spoke a little sloppy, so I guessed he was a Norwegian-American. He told me he was born in Trondheim by Norwegian parents, but they had left for America when he was very young.
Our talk was interrupted when the door was opened, and we were showed into Ole Reistads office. He wanted to greet us. He wished us a warm welcome to Little Norway and Canada. He asked for our names, and showed keen interest in how we had managed to get ourselves to Toronto.
«We need all the people we can get,» he said, «because these days a whole lot of men are needed to keep the Air Force in good condition. I'm sure you all want to be pilots, but remember that not all can be up there. Each of you have to do as good as you can at the place which is right for you. Every man is equally important.»
This were words we would hear more than once from Reistad, and my own hopes of becoming a pilot sank a bit each time he said it. I already knew that each airplane needed about ten men on the ground. I had problems seeing why I would be the chosen one to fly these machines. However, I was firm in my decision to work hard towards the ultimate goal of learning to fly.
- Finn Eriksrud, later 333 sqd Mosquito pilot.
Excerpt from "Mosquito Attack" (Fonthill Media).
My grandfather was there. Guts, determination and patriotism were some of the amazing qualities these young men showed. Hard to find nowadays.
Ps. Bought the book. Thank you. Anyone in contact with the author ?
Curtiss P-36 Hawk 75 A-8 and Douglas 8A-5. Fairchild is the twoseat.
What are the planes shown here ?
We were lucky in WW2 to have such brave men from all across occupied Europe make their way to freedom and to continue the fight alongside the RAF, RN and the British Army ... Their courage, bravery and tenacity helped win the war and crush the Nazi's
Lån boken hans på biblioteket. Lesverdig.
A throwback to a special day last year when The Norwegian Spitfire Foundation was able to fly these sons of Norwegian Spitfire pilots with the help of Aerial Collective at Duxford. With your kind help in donating, no matter how small the donation the Foundation can keep the memories of those Norwegian Air Force Spitfire pilots alive by helping to restore/rebuild Spitfire PL258. A true Norwegian Spitfire with wartime history which will honour all those wartime pilots. We would be really grateful for your help in making this possible. Photo by Neil Cotten
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donate.norwegianspitfire.com
The Norwegian Spitfire Foundation endeavours to honour the tremendous efforts and sacrifices of the Norwegian squadrons during World War 2.
We need help in funding the restoration/rebuild of Spitfire PL258 to flying condition. Please support Norway's only Spitfire with wartime history. Any donation, small or large is most welcome.
«We are not asking for monuments - we are only asking for the preservation of our history».
- WWII Spitfire pilot General Wilhelm Mohr
More info: donate.norwegianspitfire.com
Norsk kontonummer: 1503.88.18845
VIPPS: 97071
That dere å great day. Thank you from Bergen
Has the Spitfire rebuild commenced yet or awaiting funding?
Carl Stousland
Message in Norwegian:
Vår pilot Peter Mattson har satt i gang et spleiselag for å dekke utgifter til overhaling av motoren på Norseman. Overhalingen skal gjøres etter 2020 flysesongen er fullført.
Støtt vårt flygende museumsfly, og gi et bidrag til å holde flyet i luften for fremtidige generasjoner.
Flyet eies av Norsk Luftfartsmuseum og opereres av Norwegian Spitfire Foundation.
Dette flotte flyet står tilbeskuelse på Flysamlingen Gardermoen i vinter
A Spitfire is not a sign of the horrors of war - she is symbol of heroism. She is not a sign of hate or injustice, she portrays the love story of a fatherland and the fight for freedom. A Spitfire is not what triggers a war, she is the saviour of peace - the spirit of sacrifice and courage. She is like the beauty of painting. The beauty of art, design and the master of engineering. That is what you see when you see a Spitfire grace the skies, not a tool of war. To many, she is a winged beauty that moves us deeply. Amen!
- Written with inspiration from Wojtek Szczurowski
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donate.norwegianspitfire.com
The Norwegian Spitfire Foundation endeavours to honour the tremendous efforts and sacrifices of the Norwegian squadrons during World War 2.
We need help in funding the restoration/rebuild of Spitfire PL258 to flying condition. Please support Norway's only Spitfire with wartime history. Any donation, small or large is most welcome.
«We are not asking for monuments - we are only asking for the preservation of our history».
- WWII Spitfire pilot General Wilhelm Mohr
More info: donate.norwegianspitfire.com
Norsk kontonummer: 1503.88.18845
VIPPS: 97071
A beautiful sight.
The Merlin engines were the sound of a promise of freedom to the occupied countries of Europe
The far left in this country would have us believe otherwise, little t*rds like owen jones and other liberal woke nunses.
You can read the chapter "Six Bostons to St. Omer" by following the link below. This is taken from Viking Spitfire, the story of Finn Thorsager from 2012 (Fonthill Media).
www.norwegianspitfire.com/six-bostons-to-st-omer/
