REPUBLIC RC-3 SEABEE # 1060

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CF-GRL

CF-GRL - the last Seabee built!
Canada
Photo: © unknown

AIRCRAFT DATA
Manufacturer: Republic Aviation Corporation; Farmingdale, Long Island, New York, USA.
Model: RC-3 Seabee
Type Certificate No: A-769
Serial Number: 1060
Manufacturing Date: 1947-06-27
Engine: Franklin 6A8-215-B9F (215 HP at 2500 RPM)
Remarks:  
 
Reg. No. Date Remarks
NC6770K 1947-06-27 Manufacturing Date.
1947-06-30 Statement of Conformity (Form ACA-317) issued by Republic Aviation Corporation, to certify that s/n 1060 "has been manufactured in conformity with the data forming the basis for Type Certificate No 769". 
1947-06-?? Test flight.
1947-12-12 Application for Airworthiness Certificate, CAA Form ACA-305.
Owner's Name: Republic Aviation Corporation.
1947-12-12 Certificate of Airworthiness, Form ACA-1362, issued.
1948-??-?? Bill of Sale. Seller: Republic Aviation Corporation. / Purchaser: Aero Services Corporation.
1949-07-25 Certificate of Origin, signed by exporter representative C. M. Hodell.
1949-??-?? US CAA C of A for Export # E-17374 issued. Export to Canada.
1949-07-27 Invoice of goods sold by the exporter prior to their shipment to Canada:
Purchased by Craig Bit Company of North Bay, Ontario, Canada, from Aero Services Corporation of 236 E Courtland Street, Philadelphia 20, PA, USA, to be shipped from Philadelphia, PA, per fly away.  Paid cash US $4500.00 (unreadable).
1949-08-06 Customs, Canada - Entry for Home Consumption; Port of North Bay, Ontario, arriving by air.  Imported by The Craig Bit Company Limited.  Value for Duty in Dollars: $4523.  Rate of Duty or Fee: 15%.  Total Customs Duty: $678.45.  Duty Paid Value: $5201.45.  Sales Tax: $416.12.  Duty paid 1949-08-08.
1950-01-11 Cancelled from US CAA Aircraft Registry.
CF-GRL 1949-08-24 Allotment of Registration.  Requested by wire 1949-08-23.
Owner: Craigvit (SIC) Company, Ltd.; North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
1949-09-06 Republic Seabee CF-GRL, Serial No. 1060 examined for renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness; Compass swung, fire extinguisher installed, placard installed per CAA directive 49-31-2, nameplate installed as per O/64/47.  American registration marks removed and Canadian registration marks installed.  Tail wheel bearings replaced.  Propeller hub retaining shoulders polished as per CAA Directive 49-29-1.  15464 Fuel Pump Kit installed as per Franklin Bulletin #71. Signed C. H. Kenney (Air Engineer "B") and D. Bell (Test Pilot).

Weight and Balance Report. Empty weight: 2241 lbs.
1949-09-07 Bill of Sale.

This is to certify that we have this date sold, assigned and transferred all right title, and interest in Republic RC-3 Serial No. 1060, Registration NC 6770K for the sum of one dollar ($1.00) and other valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.

We also certify that there is no lien or incumberance against this machine.

Dated at Philadelphia on September 7, 1949.
Signed Buck E. Ross, owner Aero Service Corporation.
1949-10-03 Application for Registration of An Aircraft: Craig Bit Co. Ltd; North Bay, Ontario.
President & Director: Mr. E. Craig; Lakefield, Ontario.
V/Pres. & Director: Mr. G. M. miller K. C.; Laura Avenue, Sudbury.
Mgr. Dir.: Mr. R. M. P. Hamilton; 333 Courtleigh Blvd., Toronto, Ontario.
Purpose for which the aircraft is to be used: Private.
Usual Station: North Bay.
1949-10-07 Letter to: Craig Bit Company Limited, c/o Nickel Belt Airways Ltd., PO Box 384, Sudbury, Ontario, confirming receipt of required documentation and fees.

Pending receipt of the Certificate of Airworthiness for Export, this letter will constitute your authority to operate CF-GRL as a private aircraft on day visual flying only.  The all-up-weight of this aircraft is not to exceed 3150 pounds.  This authority is valid until November 7th, 1949.

(S. T. Grant, for District Inspector, Air Regulations, Toronto).
1949-12-17 Letter to: Craig Bit Company Limited, c/o Nickel Belt Airways Ltd., PO Box 384, Sudbury, Ontario.

Pending receipt of the Certificate of Airworthiness for Export, this letter will constitute a further extension of the temporary authority granted in our letter of October 7, 1949, to operate Republic RC-3, CF-GRL, as a private aircraft, until January 4th, 1950.

(D. W. Saunders, District Inspector, Air Regulations, Toronto).
1949-12-?? Ferry permit issued so that this aircraft could be flown from Sudbury to Buffalo, NY, for the purpose of securing an export certificate.
1949-12-29 Subsequent to telephone conversation between Messrs. Travers and Saunders, December 29, 1949, a release was telegraphed to the CAA representative at Bell Aircraft Corp., Buffalo, NY, conforming to their ACA 317 requirement.  ART 543 dated December 30, 1949.
1949-12-30 Export Certificate No: E-17374 issued by Department of Commerce - Civil Aeronautics Administration; Jamaica, NY, USA.

Upon its return to Toronto, this aircraft was minutely inspected by Inspector Harry Batt at Island Airport.
1950-01-03 Memo from Aircraft Inspector H. Batt to District Inspector, Air Regulations, recommending the Certificate of Airworthiness to be issued, after inspection of CF-GRL at Island Airport on 1949-12-30.
1950-01-09 Per wire ART 19, temporary authority for the operation of CF-GLR (incorrect) extended to 1950-02-05 by District Inspector, Air Regulations, Toronto.

Letter from D. W. Saunders, District Inspector, Air Regulations, Toronto, to CAR recommending formal registration and issuance of C of R and C of A.
1950-01-12 Wire ART 25: Correction of wire ART 19.  Registration corrected to CF-GRL.  District Inspector, Air Regulations, Toronto.
1950-01-13 Certificate of Registration of Aircraft # 8489, CF-GRL, issued to Craig Bit Company Limited; North Bay, Ontario.
1950-01-13 Certificate of Airworthiness # 3127 issued to Craig Bit Company Limited; North Bay, Ontario., valid until 1950-10-07.
1950-01-30 Bill of Sale. Seller: Craig Bit Company Limited (Geo. M. Miller, VP) / Purchaser: R. D. Parker; Copper Cliff, Sudbury.  Price: $5000.00.   Engine: Franklin 6A8-215-B9F, s/n 24038.  At the date of purchase, the CF-GRL was stationed at Ramsay Lake.
1950-02-01 Application for Registration of An Aircraft: Ralph Douglas Parker; 39 Creighton Road, Copper Cliff, Ontario.
1950-02-16 Certificate of Airworthiness No: 3217 issued to Ralph Douglas Parker.
1950-02-16 Letter to new owner: Ralph Douglas Parker; 39 Creighton Road, Copper Cliff, Ontario.

Pending issue of the formal Certificates of Registration and Airworthiness, this letter will constitute your authority to operate CF-GRL as a private aircraft (amphibian) on day visual flying only under the condition of issue as stated in the Certificate of Airworthiness No. 3217 and valid until May 16th, 1950.

(D. W. Saunders, District Superintendent, Air Regulations, Toronto).
1950-02-16 Entered on the register of Canada to Ralph Douglas Parker; 39 Creighton Road, Copper Cliff, Ontario. (Pilot L. Cramer).
1950-02-23 Certificate of Registration of Aircraft # 8551, CF-GRL, issued to Ralph Douglas Parker; 39 Creighton Road, Copper Cliff, Ontario. Purpose: Private (1951-10-26 changed to "Commercial").  Usual station of aircraft: Sudbury, Ontario.  Not valid after 1951-10-07, signed D. W. Saunders.
1950-03-06 Inspection report by "Department of Transport - Radio Division", performed at Ramsay Lake, Sudbury, Nickle Belt Airways Base.
1950-10-07 Application for Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness (Form 2444), C of A # 3217. TTSN: 58:30.  Engine: 6A8-21-B9F, s/n: 24035, TTSN: 60:10.  Inspected 1950-10-07.  Signed/approved: 1953-10-11.  Valid until 1951-10-07.
1951-01-31 Fire of unknown origin totally destroyed the building, contents and offices of Nickel Belt Airways at Ramsay Lake, Sudbury, Ontario.  Airframe log book, Propeller log book, Engine log book, C of A, C of R for CF-GRL and Fairchild Husky CF-EIR destroyed.
1951-02-27 Duplicate certificates sent to Nickle Belt Airways Limited, to replace certificate lost in fire.  CF-GRL: C of R # 8551 / C of A # 3217.  CF-EIR: C of R # 6704 / C of A # 2650.
1951-08-16 Wire to confirm that C of R amended to read "Commercial" instead of "Private".
1951-10-23 Application for Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness (Form 2444), C of A # 3217. TTSN: 87:00.  Engine: 6A8-21-B9F, s/n: 24035, TTSN: 87:40.  Inspected 1951-10-23.  Signed/approved: 1951-10-26.  Valid until 1952-10-23.
1952-06-23 Bill of Sale. Seller: Ralph Douglas Parker / Purchaser: Ben F. Merwin; Sudbury, Ontario (President, Nickel Belt Airways Ltd.)
1952-09-?? Application for Registration of An Aircraft (undated): Ben F. Merwin; 179 John Street, Sudbury, Ontario.
1952-09-15 Entered on the register of Canada to Ralph Douglas Parker; 39 Creighton Road, Copper Cliff, Ontario. (Pilot L. Cramer).
1952-09-18 Letter to new owner: Ben F. Merwin; President, Nickel Belt Airways Limited, Box 384, Sudbury, Ontario.

Pending issue of the formal Certificates of Registration and Airworthiness, this letter will constitute your temporary authority to operate CF-GRL as a private aircraft on day visual flying only under the conditions of issue as stated in the Certificate of Airworthiness No. 3217 and valid until December 18th, 1952.

(D. W. Saunders, District Superintendent, Air Regulations, Toronto).
1952-09-18 Certificate of Airworthiness No: 3217 issued to Ben F. Merwin; Sudbury, Ontario.
1952-09-25 Certificate of Registration of Aircraft # 11315, CF-GRL, issued to Ben F. Merwin; Sudbury, Ontario. Purpose: Private.  Usual station of aircraft: Sudbury, Ontario.
1953-06-13 Application for Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness (Form 2444), C of A # 3217. TTSN: 223:20.  Engine: 6A8-21-B9F, s/n: 24035, TTSN: 239:40.  Inspected 1953-06-13.  Signed/approved: 1953-06-16.  Valid until 1954-06-13.

Inspection for C of A by Smart Aviation Limited; Toronto Island Airport, Toronto: Fuel cell removed, repaired, tested and re-installed.  Aircraft repainted with Dulux silver gray Trim and Registration - ½ Surf Blue and ½ Odell Blue.  (N. A. Linnington, "M" Engineer / R. F. MxCulloch WGM #71).
1954-04-28 Application for Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness (Form 2444), C of A # 3217. TTSN: 342:25.  Engine: 6A8-21-B9F, s/n: 24035, TTSN: 347:20.  Inspected 1954-04-28.  Signed/approved: 1954-04-30.  Valid until 1955-04-28.

Inspection for C of A by Smart Aviation Limited; Toronto Island Airport, Toronto: Prop and control valve removed and sent to Leavens Bros.  Skylight removed, patched, reinstalled.  Superstructure hat sections RH side (2 pcs) replaced and new gusset fitted at lower end.  CAA airworthiness directive 52-23-3 complied with.  Bottom hull repainted. (B. F. Roast - WGM-7, M&B Engineer).
1955-04-29 C of A renewed. Valid until 1956-04-28.  Temporary authority from 1955-06-29 to 1955-07-07.
1955-06-29 Certificate of Airworthiness No: 3217 issued to Pineland Timber Company Limited.
1955-06-29 Entered on the register of Canada to Pineland Timber Company Limited; Box 126, Sudbury, Ontario.

Certificate of Registration of Aircraft # 13523, CF-GRL, issued to Pineland Timber Company Limited; Box 126, Sudbury, Ontario. Purpose: Private.  Usual station of aircraft: Sudbury, Ontario.  Signed: 1955-06-30.
1956-05-01 C of A renewed. Valid until 1957-05-01. 
1957-05-03 Application for Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness (Form 2444), C of A # 3217. TTSN: 624:05.  Engine: 6A8-21-B9F, s/n: 24035, TTSN: 622:00.  TSOH: 351:15,  Inspected 1957-05-03.  Signed/approved: 1957-05-07.  Valid until 1958-05-03.
1957-07-15 C of A # 3217, "Landplane" deleted.  Operated as "seaplane" only.  Amended Weight & Balance Report approved.
1958-04-25 Application for Registration of An Aircraft; Lloyd W. Nourse; 1 Fallingbrook Drive, Toronto 13, Ontario. Proposed base of operation: Toronto Island Airport + Lake Baptiste.
1958-05-02 Application for Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness (Form 2444), C of A # 3217. TTSN: 624:05.  Engine: 6A8-21-B9F, s/n: 24035, TTSN: 622:00.  TSOH: 351:15,  Inspected 1958-05-02.  Test flight: 1958-05-09.  Signed/approved: 1958-05-09.  Valid until 1958-05-09.
1958-05-28 Certificate of Registration of Aircraft # 19626, CF-GRL, issued to Lloyd Wesley Nourse; 1 Fallingbrook Drive, Toronto 13, Ontario. Category: Private.  
1958-05-28 Certificate of Airworthiness No: 3217 issued, not valid after 1959-05-09.
1958-06-28 Aircraft departed from Toronto Island Airport, with intended destination Baptiste Lake. Pilot/owner Lloyd Wesley Nourse (46) became lost and at 1025 hrs he attempted to land in Farquhar Lake (45°04'N, 78°12'W) to establish position by talking to some fishing boats.  Made heavy landing, after landing down wind (15-20 kts).  The keel broken.  The aircraft turned on its back.  Front wind screen and bow door are missing.  Engine stopped before it was submerged.  No damage visible to main fuselage, wings, sing floats or control surfaces.  Plane was removed from the water by Orillia Air Services and brought to Orillia by truck.  Nourse had total pilot experience of 89:00, of which 29:00 on type.
1959-01-20
  1. The present owner of the marginally noted aircraft, Canadian Airmotive; Hamilton Municipal Airport, have advised this office that as a result of the damage which occurred to this aircraft on June 29, 1958, this aircraft has been permanently withdrawn from use.
  2. This office is also in receipt of a notarized statement from the former owner, Mr. Nourse, that the certificates of registration and airworthiness were lost in a lake as a result of the aforementioned accident.
  3. In view of the foregoing it is requested that this aircraft be deleted from the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register.

(Regional Director, Air Services, Toronto to Director General, Air Services, DoT, Ottawa, Ontario).
1959-01-22 Cancelled from Canadian CAR.
  Sources: RAC Delivery List.
Library and Archives of Canada, DoT File # 5008 - GRL.

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