The Veteran Eagle takes flight 1932
by Lois Perepelitz

I am constantly amazed at the attitude everyone seemed to have in those days. It wasn’t just a ‘can do’ attitude, it was ‘can do, will do’.
They would not let any amount of difficulty stop them from building their dreams. This was emphasized by a Review article in June, 1932.

Airplane Almost
Ready For Flight
Veteran, June 22
“The airplane is practically completed. When the propeller comes it will all be there, and ready for its trial flights. The airplane club is certainly to be congratulated on its persistent and painstaking work during the winter and spring.
“From a number of pieces of wood and steel, sheets of aluminium, yards of cloth, thousands of nails, and with the guidance of several yards of blue prints they have produced a beautifully finished orange and black two-seater monoplane.”
George and Lester Kestner, Charlie Anderson and Austin Canfield were the ambitious young men. George was usually the pilot, and he would fly it around to the local towns.
It wasn’t until September 28, 1933 that the plane was inspected by the government and given a license; and George proudly painted the license letters CF-AUN onto the plane.
Being licensed meant that they could now land in any airport, and they wanted to see what it would do on a long distance.
George was not a licensed pilot yet, (he got that in 1934) so they got Maurice Fry from Winnipeg and planned a round trip to Edmonton, then Calgary and home.
Maurice flew the plane and the others followed, driving a car.
The plane, or Veteran Eagle, made it to Edmonton in two and one half hours, with a stop in Stettler for fuel. The trip from Calgary home was made in one and three quarter hours.
“I would call them all ‘Aces’ wouldn’t you?”

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