Republic Seabees in Canada

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CF-FJG (s/n 825) of BC Airlines
Photo: © Gordon Parker - www.whiskeyjackdecals.com

No other country imported Republic Seabee amphibians in such great numbers as Canada. The Seabee amphibians were just perfect for this vast country of large remote areas of wilderness, thousands of lakes and low population density.  Canada was true bush country and in Canada the Seabee were put to hard work as commercial bushplanes.

CF-DJV - the first Canadian Seabee!
Photo: © Jack Zavitz courtesy David Zavitz

The Seabees were imported in huge numbers by five major dealers and bushplane operators, one in each of the most populated provinces;  Leavens Bros. Air Service in Ontario, Pulsifer Bros. in Nova Scotia, McDonald Aviation in Alberta, Curtiss-Reid Flying Services in Quebec and MacLeod Aircraft in British Columbia.

The below list of RC-3 Seabee amphibians originally exported from manufacturer Republic Aviation Corp. to Canada is based on a Republic Seabee Deliveries list made by RAC early 1948.  This list was provided Mr. Robert Porter, WA, through Mr. Steve Mestler of International Republic Seabee Owners Club (IRSOC).

Mr. Steve Mestler generously has made this list available to the author of this website ( www.seabee.info ).  Thank you very much, Steve, for your kind support!

CF-EJI (s/n 393)
Chinook Flying Service Ltd., Calgary, AB, Canada
Photo: © McTavish Family via Trevor McTavish

Chinook Flying Service Ltd. of Calgary, AB, was one of many commercial operators of Seabees in Canada. Unfortunately Chinook's operation of CF-EJI (s/n 393) was short-lived.  The Seabee that was bought for a DEW Line contract along the Arctic Coast. In 1953 Franz, Marjorie and Gerry flew to Vancouver to inspect the amphibian, which was owned by Grant McConnachie of Canadian Pacific Airlines fame.

Following the inspection and purchase Gerry was tasked with flying the plane home. Because the SeaBees and Navions had a history of loosing oil through their propellers Gerry asked about what to do in an emergency. In his typical, understated manner Franz simply said, "reach under the seat, grab the landing gear crank, throw it out the door and follow it down." SeaBees were known to be notoriously poor gliders. Gerry only flew it a short while longer, then it was sent to Fort Smith, BC while enroute to the Arctic. With Lloyd Smith at the controls and approaching for landing, he pulled the mixture to cutoff instead of the carburetor heat. Powerless, the SeaBee crashed into the trees, injuring Lloyd and killing the only passenger.

To read more about Chinook Flying Service and their aircraft, please visit Trevor McTavish's website.

CF-GAD (s/n 965)
Photo: © John Davies

CF-JLI (s/n 1048)
Photo: Courtesy Jim Newton

Photo

2008-09-25
Jean Pinard; 137, Route 123, Lac-au-Saumon, Quebec G0J 1M0, Canada.

2002-08-13
Cancelled from Canadian CAR.

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