Hello to all helicopter enthusiasts in Canada, the USA, and overseas:

 I have purposely not issued a new newsletter in 2025 due to what is happening in the USA in regard to the tariffs effecting Canada. I have been waiting for almost 5 months to determine how this is going to affect the selling of future Bell 47 books mainly into the USA.

To the best of my knowledge books going to the USA will continue, however there could be an additional cost to USA customers.  I have not been able to get an up to date answer as yet. I will keep you informed as the months go by.

Bell 47 books are still selling but at a slower pace unfortunately. l will keep selling for $ 89.95 including postage for now in Canada and the USA but this could change anytime. The Canadian Post Office is threatening to go on strike again in a few days. It is only 6 months since they were last on strike. This is terrible news for small businesses.

Customers of the Bell 47 books and the Alberta forestry history books continue to praise the quality of both published books. Too date No books have been returned to the publisher.

One recent loyal customer said, "Thank you for the books. A lot of work on your part I am sure. Great helicopter history."

Work continues on my next book on the history of helicopters in Canada. I am trying to locate additional old helicopter related photos to document Canada's rich rotary wing past. If you have some photos to contribute to early helicopter history please contact me. All photos will be digitized and returned in a timely manner. Please get out your old albums and see what you might have. Thanks to all that have contributed so far.

The above photo is of a USCG Sikorsky R-4/ Navy HNS-1 two-place helicopter at the Gander, Newfoundland Airport in the fall of 1946 being reassembled for one of the first rescue missions  using helicopters in Newfoundland when a Belgium DC-4 airliner crashed while attempting to land in the early morning. Newfoundland was then not part of Canada.

Our latest story for May in 2025 is on the very first rotary wing aircraft built for the United States Army back in 1921 the de Bothezat helicopter. A representative from the Canadian Air Force  was fortunate enough to witness one of flights of the de Bothezat helicopter. Enjoy the story.

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