•  •  •
In partnership with the
Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Peel Regional Police & Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Tours & Events

Back to Tours & Events main page

Flagship Detroit

(Text and images by Airport Watch member Parr Yonemoto) - Between June 11 and June 14, Flagship Detroit was a guest of the GTAA and rested her wings at Pearson International's Central De-Ice. She is a Douglas DC-3-G102, serial number 1920, and delivered to American Airlines as NC17334 on March 2, 1936. In 2004, the Flagship Detroit Foundation purchased the aircraft from a crop sprayer and began a meticulous restoration to original passenger configuration. In partnership with American Airlines, she makes Station Visits to airfields that have historical importance to American Airlines and Malton Airport was one of them.

On June 13, Flagship Detroit held an open house at the Central De-Ice facility. Along with the media circus and GTAA personnel, members of YYZ Airport Watch came out to view this magnificent aircraft. Air Canada took the opportunity to position the Trans Canada Airlines liveried Lockheed L-10A Electra (CF-TCC) opposite Flagship Detroit so it was back to pre-WW2 situation with both of them meeting as old friends. It is recommended that readers visit Eric Dumigan's site and view the images on his web page www.airic.ca/html/flagshipdetroit.html At the Flagship Detroit Foundation's booth, there was an enticing notice - "Sightseeing Flight for $150" taking place on June 14.

Thursday, June 14, brought another clear, hot summer day that was tailor made for pleasure flying. Since I was scheduled for the second flight at 11:00, I arrived at YYZ before 09:00 to catch the first flight departing from runway 06R. After an hour or so, she called Toronto ATC and was given 06R for landing and was handed over to South Tower. Ah yes, perfect light to get the short finals from Convair Drive and the normal arrivals were coming in on 06R. Just then, South Tower advised Flagship Detroit that there was heavy traffic using the south runway and that she would have to fly parallel to 33L and do a right-hand visual approach for 15R. The veteran pilots in the DC-3 smelled a rat. For me, the score became Departure 1, Arrivals Nil.

There were nineteen others that gathered in the De-Ice building for the sign-in and inclusion into the Flagship Detroit Foundation. As full-fledged, members, we strolled out to the awaiting NC17334 and were given an extended briefing by our "stewardess", John Thatcher. He outlined the safety procedures and gave us an explanation of the restoration efforts that had been done and more planned for the future. This DC-3 is essentially original except for retrofitted C-47 undercarriage and clipped wing tips ( 10 knot cruising speed advantage ). He emphasized that the restroom was just a cosmetic recreation and not plumbed! Once refueling was completed, we climbed aboard and took in the faithfully recreated interior decor.

The two well-maintained Wright Cyclones rumbled to life and our flight began by taxiing north on Echo, across on Hotel and onto 15R at Foxtrot 4. By then, we all smelled a rat. My only consolation was that I got to shoot the Tower on climb out.

A short climb up to 2500 feet, then power reduced to cruising and the props synched, we heading south, parallel to the 427, and making a right turn over Dixie Value Mall.Once the seat belt sign was extinguished, the "members" roamed through the cabin and walked up to the cockpit. There we could linger and chat with the friendly pilots and "stewardess". The flight had been advertised as a trip around Niagara Falls so just before Hamilton, a left turn took us towards St. Catherines. Since we were flying over Lake Ontario, there was little turbulence so the Captain's main task was adjusting rudder trim to compensate for "members" changing positions on the back. Our Second Officer navigated using the GPS and massaged the throttles. Just past the Welland Canal, we headed over the Niagara Peninsula towards the Falls and the moderate turbulence increased the Captain's workload.

Still maintaining 2500 feet, we made a wide left-hand sweep around the Falls and then doubled back so that "members" on both sides of the fuselage could have a wonderful view. With the main feature sliding behind us, the DC-3 headed for calmer air over the lake and went feet wet just south of St. Catherines. Although it was a humid summer day, up at altitude, the conditions were very pleasant. Both cockpit windows were kept open and there was just a gentle cool breeze wafting through the fuselage. As I examined the restored seats, overhead bins and cabin lining, I could imagine the feeling of luxury that these aircraft had in their heyday seventy years ago. Flying in the oldest DC-3 with blue skies, shiny rivets and polished aluminum - what could be better?

Soon, a course correction had us east-bound and flying over the Toronto Islands and the Spit. Just south of the Beach, we turned left had headed west to fly over YTZ and past Exhibition Place. Again, everyone on both sides of the cabin received a grand view so our thanks to the Captain. Another course change had us parallel to the Etobicoke water front and feet dry at Clarkson for the 06R visual approach.

Our 75 minute flight ended gracefully as Flagship Detroit kissed the runway with her mains and then settled back on her tailwheel. It was a memorable flight in a historic aircraft, with the added bonus of having a very friendly and knowledgeable crew. My thanks to the Foundation www.flagshipdetroit.org for coming to YYZ.

We lingered on De-Ice to take more static shots and then it was off to Peel Regional Police parking lot to catch the third flight as it left on 06R. Wind conditions stayed the same throughout the day so Convair Drive was the preferred spot to catch her arrival. There, I was joined by Airport Watch member John Kelley, who had been shooting at YYZ all day long. We were both treated to the sight and sound of NC17334 as she recovered on 06R. During the pre-flight briefing, John Thatcher had mentioned that they were headed for their next airshow at Pittsburg later in the afternoon. A chance to catch another takeoff was just too tempting to pass up and a return visit to the police parking lot was made. Final score: Departures 3, Arrivals 1.

Back to Tours & Events main page