See
Also: A Very Classy Lady
BACKGROUND of TRANS CANADA AIRLINES LOCKHEED 10A, CF-TCC
On September 1, 1937, Trans Canada Airlines (the forerunner of Air Canada) operated its
first scheduled passenger flight - a fifty minute trip from Vancouver to Seattle.
The route had been acquired from Canadian Airways Ltd. along with two ten seat Lockheed
10A "Electra" aircraft. Shortly after, TCA bought three other LI0As, all brand
new, direct from Lockheed's plant, at a purchase price of $73,000 each. They were
dubbed the "three sisters" and bore the registration letters of CF-TCA, CF-TCB
and CF-TCC.
After flying for a couple of years for TCA, CF-TCC was sold in 1939 to the Canadian
Government, who turned it over to the RCAF as part of the war effort. Then it was sold
again, and went from owner to owner during some forty years. One day in 1975, a retired
Air Canada employee recognized it at a Texas Air Show when he saw the faded shadow of the
registration letters, CF-TCC, through the paint work.
Air Canada kept track of the aircraft and finally re-purchased it in 1983. The plane was
flown to the Airline's Winnipeg maintenance base where it was rejuvenated and refurbished.
Pratt & Whitney Canada arranged for the complete overhaul of its two engines and for
furnishing accessories and spares.
In 1986 Air Canada flew the aircraft on a fifty stop "sentimental journey"
across Canada with CF-TCC arriving in Vancouver in time for Expo "86. It was on
display there at the Air Canada pavilion complete with sound effects as the engines
cranked over.
Today, CF-TCC participates in diverse promotional activities, including conducting flights
to raise funds for charitable organizations. It has flown across Canada in the last few
years raising money for "Dreams Take Flight".
The aircraft weights 4724 kilos (10,500lbs) with a full payload including fuel. It has a
cruising speed of 256 KPH (160 mph) and a cruising altitude of 4,800 meters (16,000 ft). For
a great story of the delivery of CF-TCC (then N3749) click on: A
Very Classy Lady |
