 | May 18, 2009
- A significant milestone has just occurred at
CanMilAir Decals - our 1000th order! With our
4th anniversary just a couple of weeks away (June
21st), this means we have processed an average of
one order every 1.5 days continuously for four years!
William Lawlor of Penticton, British Columbia, placed
the 1000th order on May 12th, and in appreciation, he received his
decals absolutely FREE!
My heartfelt thanks go out to all of my 627 customers
in 26 countries who have made CanMilAir Decals a
success!
|
 | 27 April
- Finally got a chance to update a few misc pages -
Gallery # 12 is now full so I have created Gallery #
13 and added three models to it. I have added two
squadron books to the Squadron Histories page.
Finally, I have added a couple of pics of the 1:144
scale FE Resin CF-105 Avro Arrow to the 144(R)CAF
page.
|
 | 25 April
- My PC came back yesterday and is once again purring
like a kitten so normal operations have resumed.
Thanks to all for their patience.
|
 | 20 April
- Over the past few days, there have been intermittent
connection problems with the shopping portion of my
website. While working to try and track down the
elusive problem, I have caused my computer to crash.
So my PC is off to be repaired and I am sure that when
I get it back, there will be a ton of work getting
everything back in order again. I apologize for the inconvenience,
and I ask for you to be patient until I get everything
straightened out again.
|
 | 12 April
- Happy Easter!
- Four new sets uploaded this weekend:
# 434 Dassault Falcon 20 - CC-117 1972
with 412 Sqn in CAF Era markings
# 435 Dassault Falcon 20 - CC-117 1982 with
412 Sqn in SYM Era markings
# 436 Dassault Falcon 20 - CC-117 1984 with
414 (EW) Sqn
# 437 Bristol Bolingbroke Mk. IVT - Target
Tug 1943
|
 | 4 April, 2009
- Nothing much to report lately, it has been business
as usual and things have been moving along fairly
steadily. I was able to clear a large backlog of
orders and am now working pretty much on current
orders.
- A couple of new sets were added since the last
update and I will be adding several more in the next
day or two. These are:
# 426 Canadair CF-104 Starfighter - 421 Sqn 1983
# 427 NA Harvard Mk.4 - 1956
# 428 Canadair Tutor - Golden Centennaires
# 429 Douglas Boston III - 418 Sqn Intruders 1942-43
# 430 Armstrong Whitworth Siskin III A - 1926
# 431 Armstrong Whitworth Siskin III A -
"Alcock + Brown "
# 432 Armstrong Whitworth Siskin III A - 1931
# 433 Armstrong Whitworth Siskin III DC - 1931
|
 | 1 February, 2009
- The following new sets have been uploaded today:
# 422 Canadair CT-133 - NRC
# 423 Spitfire Mk. IX - 442 Sqn 1944
"Y2K"
# 424 Boeing 727-200 - Cargojet
# 425 DH Vampire FB.5 - 421 Sqn 1951
|
 | 10 January 2009
- The following new sets have been uploaded today:
# 411 Canadair Dash 7 - CC-132 1979-87
# 412 Boeing B-29 Superfortress - "Enola Gay" 1945
# 413 Vought F4U Corsair II - Don Sheppard - Jan 1945
# 414 Vought F4U Corsair II - Don Sheppard - May 1945
# 415 Boeing CH-147D Chinook - 2009
# 416 Avro CF-100 Canuck - 414 Sqn - 1976
# 417 Canadair CT-133 Silver Star - 417 Sqn Special
# 418 Consolidated Canso - 162(BR) Sqn - 1944
# 419 Consolidated Catalina - 413 Sqn 1941
# 420 Consolidated Catalina - 209 Sqn 1941/42
Bismarck
# 421 Fairchild PT-26A Cornell - 1943-45
|
 | 26 December
- I have added the following sets to the catalogue:
# 404 Canadair North Star - National
Aeronautical Establishment
# 405 MBB BK-117 (aka CH-143) - AETE
# 406 Douglas Dakota DC-3 - Trans Canada Air Lines
# 407 Fairey Swordfish - Vintage Wings &
Canada Aviation Museum
# 408 DH-82C Tiger Moth - Vintage Wings &
Canadian Museum of Flight
# 409 HMCS Bonaventure Deck Markings - 1:400 scale
# 410 HMCS Bonaventure Air Wing 1965 - 1:400 scale
|
 | 20 December, 2008
- Nothing much to report around here that would be
considered "news". Predictably, incoming
orders have slowed down after the flurry caused by the
release of Pat Martin's latest book. This will enable
me to produce and ship the current orders.
- From everyone here at CanMilAir, I would like to
wish one-and-all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year!
|
 | 30 November
- Patrick Martin's newest book is now available for
purchase!
Royal Canadian Air Force Aircraft Finish and
Markings 1947 - 1968 Volume 2
This is a companion to the original RCAF work
published in 2003 and illustrates RCAF aircraft finish
and markings features used between 1947 and 1968.
All aspects of fleet-wide features are detailed. Each
of the 46 aircraft types are detailed with a
history, drawings and photos of all known schemes.
Text runs 198 pages, with over 830 photos. A
further 75 colour photos are used in the colour
section.
Published 2008.
Coil Bound - 8˝" x 11"
- This book can be purchased HERE
|
 | 13 November
- The good news: The "decals" section is now back on line.
I would like to thank everyone for being patient with
me while I was away enjoying some surf, sun and golf
in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
- The not-so-good news: Due to record sales levels in
2008, I was forced to register CanMilAir with the
Canada Revenue Agency and apply for a GST account.
Consequently, all Canadian orders will be charged 5%
GST.
- I was not completely idle during the 2 week
down-time, as I
have added the following new sets:
# 396 BOAC VC-10 or Super VC-10 1963 - Part 1
# 397 BOAC VC-10 or Super VC-10 1963 - Part 2
# 398 BOAC VC-10 or Super VC-10 1963 - Part 3
# 399 BOAC VC-10 or Super VC-10 1963 - Part 4
# 400 BOAC VC-10 or Super VC-10 1963 - Part 5
# 401 Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk5/6 - Hawk One 2009
# 402 BAe Hawk T1 - RAF Red Arrows - 2008
# 403 Canadian Vickers (Northrop) Delta - 1936-39
- I have also added another photo to the Customers
Gallery # 10.
|
 | 27 October
- I have temporarily removed the
"decals" area of
the catalogue. This portion will be
off-line for a period of approximately 3 weeks to allow me to go on a small vacation and not have
to worry about orders coming in during my
absence. Watch for this section to be back
on-line around November 15.
|
 | 20 October
- FREE DOWNLOADS !
I have made the annual CanMilAir 12 month calendar available as a free
PDF download.
Go HERE to download your copy!
- Next up for a free download will be the CanMilAir
catalogue. With the current 34 page size, printing it
was just too expensive.
Go HERE to download your copy!
|
 | 13 October
- A rare event here at CanMilAir is that ALL orders
received have been printed and will be mailed out
tomorrow. This is for all 30 orders received from Sept
7 to Oct 11 inclusive.
I am finally completely "caught up"
!
- Customer Gallery # 10 is now about half full with a
couple more photos to be added and I have placed two
new "before" photos to the 1:1 scale photo
gallery for full size aircraft. Check back in the
summer 2009 to see the "after" photos!
- I will be adding the multi-part decal set for the
BOAC VC-10 as delivered in 1963 in the next day or two
as well as the 2009 F-86 "Hawk One" from
VWoC.
- I have turned OFF 18 sets that contain
"Orange" RESCUE titles and SAR bands. I am
having a lot of trouble with the Orange cartridges and
until I can get this problem sorted out, I would
prefer not to have a ton of them awaiting to be
printed.
- Now that I'm caught up, maybe I can spend some time
working on some of those sets that I have under
development!
|
 | 25 September
- New sets uploaded:
# 389 Canadair T-33 Silver Star - RCN VT40 1956
# 390 Canadair T-33 Silver Star - RCN VU32 1961
# 391 Canadair T-33 Silver Star - RCN "Red Herring" 1966
# 392 HMCS Bonaventure Markings - Primary Set
# 393 HMCS Bonaventure Deck Markings - Accessory Set #1
# 394 HMCS Bonaventure Deck markings - Accessory Set #2
# 395 HMCS Bonaventure Deck Markings - Accessory Set #3
- Gallery # 9 has been filled and # 10 has been
created and I will add a few photos to it in the next
few days.
- Upcoming sets will include a multi-part set for a
BOAC VC-10 and the F-86 Sabre "Hawk One"
celebrating the centennial of powered flight in Canada
in 2009.
|
 | 20 August
- One new set uploaded:
# 388 Canadair CT-133 Silver Star - Golden
Centennaires 1967
- Two more finished models added to Gallery # 9 - both
from modellers in Victoria BC.
|
 | 3 August, 2008
- Four new sets uploaded today:
# 384 Boeing PT-27 Stearman - Canadian Warplane
Heritage
# 385 Canadair CT-133 Silver Star - "Black Knight" 1993
# 386 Dassault Falcon 20 - CC-117 1967 - As
delivered
# 387 Canadair CT-133 Silver Star - AETE 30th
Anniversary
As well, set # 010 Canadair T-33 Silver Star - 1960
in RCAF+3 markings has been updated with additional
details and the Gimli diamond.
- In the last couple of weeks, I have been able to
reduce the turn-around time for processing decal
printing orders from 5 weeks to less than two
weeks. I will be having some vacation time in
August, so hopefully I will be able to get it back
down to about 1 week. Please remember that the
processing time is totally dependant on the volume of
orders as I have only so much time to spend at it.
- A rather unique event happened at Oshkosh last week
when two Canadian Forces CT-133 Silver Stars made an appearance.
SEE
PHOTO What made it so different was they
were both in FIP era Canadian Forces markings and
there are no longer any Silver Stars in service with
the Canadian Air Force! Both of these privately owned
aircraft have had their CF markings supplied by
CanMilAir Decals. One in 2-mil black self adhesive
vinyl and the other was spray painted using self
adhesive vinyl spray masks. See HERE
for more details on these and other full size aircraft
CanMilAir has supplied markings for.
|
 | 11 July
- I've uploaded 4 new customers model photos to the
Gallery # 8 page so this page is now full. Hard to
believe these gallery pages now contain 80 photos of
finished models!
- Four new sets have been uploaded:
# 380 Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 414 Sqn -
Overall NM in SYM or FIP era markings
# 381 Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 1FTS Gimli -
Overall NM in CAF era markings
# 382 Consolidated Canso Early SAR - AB+3 era
with full wrap-around SAR band
# 383 Consolidated Canso Late SAR - RCAF+3 era
with interrupted SAR band
|
 | 2 July, 2008
- I finally got around to uploading some new sets.
# 375 Avro Lancaster Mk. X from 428
"Ghost" Sqn (16 Mar 1945)
# 376 RCN Tribal Class Destroyers (1944-45)
# 377 Gloster Meteor F Mk.3/4 (1945-48)
# 378 Gloster Meteor T Mk7 (421 Sqn 1951)
# 379 Bede BD-5B/J - CT-175 - 431 Sqn Snowbirds
(circa 2015)*
* The Bede is a "tongue-in-cheek" look at a
potential Tutor replacement on a DND fiscal
shoestring. A six plane formation of the world's
smallest jet aircraft. They'd probably all fit into
the back of one Hercules for transport from city to
city!
You'll find it in the "Other" category.
|
 | 30 June, 2008
- Nothing much to report on lately. I have been busy
filling orders and getting them mailed out to the
customers with as little delay as possible. I seem to
be working on a 2 week turn-around that slowly creeps
up to about 3 weeks, then I take a couple days
vacation from my day job and get myself caught up.
This cycle seems to be repeating about every 4 to 6
weeks.
- One of my Alps printers died last week leaving me
with one machine that is showing its age and one brand
new machine.
|
 | 19 May
The major issue I have faced this past couple of weeks
has been the skyrocketing cost of ink cartridges for my
three Alps printers. I assume this is due to a diminishing
supply of cartridges. With the ending of all support and
production from Alps and the closing down of the supplies and
servicing networks in Japan, these carts are now coming from
Oki-Data in Europe. When their stocks are gone - it is all
over.
So, a different supplier with a different distribution network translates into different
retail prices for the consumer.
In just the past few months . . .
The price of white and silver carts have risen
from $8.75 to $18.75 each. (+114%)
The three main colour carts have risen from $6.00 to $14.00
each. (+134%)
A black cart that was $6.00 now costs $12.00 each.
(+100%)
This means the material cost to print
decals has more than doubled.
This has forced me to choose between a graduated price
increase or to discontinue printing the larger scales. In
the end, I opted for the least drastic option - a price
increase.
However, if this increase fails to have the desired
effect, I will be forced to discontinue printing ALL
decals in scales larger than 1:144. After all, the only
reason I started CanMilAir Decals was so I could provide
Canadian military aircraft markings in 1:144 scale.
Period. Whether they like to hear it or not, all the other
scales are just along for the ride.
The price increases I have implemented range from a low of
17% for a "small" 1:144 set, all the way up to
50% for an "extra large" 1:18 set. Please refer to the Decals FAQ section
HERE for
further details and a complete breakdown of prices in
various scales.
I genuinely regret having to do this, but like any
business, I must pass my costs on to the customer.
|
 | 14 May
- All background changes have been made, and the
decals category is ready to go back on-line. Not all
of the changes will be welcome ones, but I will
explain the reasoning fully when the category goes
back on-line.
Because of the coming long weekend and the list of
things around the house requiring my attention, I will
defer the re-opening until Monday evening or Tuesday
evening at the latest.
|
 | 5 May
- I have temporarily disabled the "Decals"
category while I work on making some changes. These
changes require that I clear out all current orders so
they won't be affected. Sorry for the inconvenience.
More details will follow in a few days.
|
 | 2 May
- Added 3 new finished models to Gallery # 7
|
 | 1 May, 2008
- I have recently updated the following sets:
- # 040 - Canadian Army Voyageur - added window
outlines, walkways, "cut-here" dashed door
and window outlines, corrected font issues.
- # 204 - Transport Canada DHC Dash-8
"Surveillance" - added flag and NASP crest.
- # 288 - Vickers Wellington 407 Sqn - changed code
letters to Brick Red.
- # 029 - Canadair Challenger OA Blue - minor colour changes.
|
 | 25 April
- Say Hello to the newest member of our family -
JAKE
|
 | 21 April
- Six new sets have been uploaded with a little
something for everybody this time!
# 369 - A CF-188A with a twist - for the Hasegawa
"Egg Scale" Hornet! Choice of squadron.
# 370 - From the movie "Transformers" -
Barricade (a.k.a. a Saleen S281 in a police
package).
# 371 - Bristol Freighter Mk.31C - 1952-53 in VC Era
markings.
# 372 - Bristol Freighter Mk.31C - 1953-55 in AB+3 Era
markings with choice of codes.
# 373 - Bristol Freighter Mk.31 / 31C - 1955-67
"camouflaged" in AB or RCAF +3 Era markings.
# 374 - Bristol Freighter Mk.31M - 1966-67 in RCAF+3
Era markings with white upper cabin and zigzag.
|
 | 20 April
- I have recently been in contact with Radek Skoumal
of FE Resin in the Czech Republic regarding the
possibility of their producing a resin kit of the
CF-105 Avro Arrow in 1:144 scale. I have also asked
that he consider doing an Avro CF-100 Canuck and a
Canadair CT-114 Tutor. Radek has agreed to seriously
consider the Arrow as a new project for FE Resin. Many
years ago Paul Gold of Starr Miniatures started work
on a resin Arrow and Canuck, but the projects were
never completed.
To the best of my knowledge, Radek and his partner
Erik Faustus split the operation of FE Resin with Erik
doing the 1:72 scale projects and Radek the 1:144
scale stuff. I am sure that, like all new design
ventures, he would be very interested to know how
popular such a kit would be and if it would sell in
enough quantities to justify his design and production
expenses.
I ask that if you would seriously be interested in
purchasing a resin kit of the Arrow in 1:144 scale to
email Radek at: feresin
AT volny.cz and let him know about your interest.
If you would also be interested in a Canuck or a
Tutor, please make your wishes known to him as he may
be swayed by popular opinion. I have sent him what
photos and drawings I have on hand for the Arrow, but
I am sure he could use as much
information/photos/drawings as he can get.
I would not attempt to guess at the price of this kit
if, and when it becomes available, but I can offer the
fact that FE Resin currently offer about 50 resin kits
in 1:144 scale and their prices range from $15.00 to
$25.00 US dollars, with most falling in the $18.00 to
$21.00 range. FWIW, I just purchased two 1:144 scale
kits directly from their web site using PayPal
(Sikorsky H-19 and L-19 Bird Dog) and the shipping was
$9.50 USD from the Czech Republic to Canada.
The FE Resin web site is at: http://fe-resin.net/eng/
|
 | 11 April, 2008
- I have uploaded a new set
# 368 - Lockheed WV-2 "Warning Star" - US
Navy VW-11 Sqn, Argentia, Nfld. from 1956 to 1961.
- I've added a new sub-category to the main decals
section called "Aviation Museums". As
the name implies, this is a collection of sets that
will allow the modeller to build an aircraft found at
a Canadian aviation museum.
- To try and be as "green" as I can and
avoid unnecessary use of paper, when ordering multiple
copies of a single decal, only one brochure and
"zip-lock" poly envelope will be included.
If you require as many brochures and poly envelopes as
decals, let me know so I can include them.
|
 | 29 March
- As it turns out, I was entirely responsible for the
email disaster I am still working through. Maybe my
lesson can be of benefit to others, so I will explain
how it happened, and how to prevent it for others out
there using MS Outlook.
- The problem: With MS Outlook 2000 all email
messages, folder structure and address book entries
are contained in a compressed file with "pst"
as the extension. Little did I know that there is a
MAXIMUM allowable size for this file! The file can not
be larger than 2 GB. After that size is reached,
Outlook refuses to even open. The solution is to run a
couple of an apps, one of which chops 25-50 MB (or
more) out of the file and sets it aside in a new
"pst" file. The trouble is wherever the cut
takes place, data is lost. I eventually had to hack my
main pst file into three separate pieces and then only
one of these pieces would open (and it wasn't the
biggest piece!). Huge amounts of data was lost.
- The solution: Use the Auto Archive feature
ruthlessly! I had only set just a couple of my
larger email folders to auto archive (one was after 4
months and the other 8 months) but I left all the
other folders intact so I could refer to the messages
easily. The problem is that over time, because of all
the saved messages in those folders the pst file grows
larger and larger until that 2 GB size limit is
reached. I had messages that were 4 or 5 years old!
What was I thinking?!
Now, each and every one of my email folders is set to
archive contents that are older than 4 to 18 months
(depending on the importance of the folder).
|
 | 28 March
- My email program (MS Outlook) died on me tonight.
I have recovered a large amount of saved messages, but
I do not know which or even how many messages were lost forever. This
has also affected my "contacts list" and I
have lost almost the entire contents of my address
book. It will take a long time to build it back up to
the size it was! Before the crash, I had something
over 500 contacts listed in my address book - now I
have 75!
|
 | 27 March
- I've added a few new photos to the Gallery page
#7.
- I have uploaded a new set (yes, just one set!)
# 367 - Boeing Stearman NS2-2 1941 (this is in US Navy
markings but is owned and operated by the Canadian
Historical Aircraft Association (CH2A) in Windsor,
Ontario.
|
 | 12 March
- The following 6 new sets have been added to the
catalogue:
# 361 - Sikorsky S-76A - Ornge Air Ambulance (located
in "Other")
# 362 - Fairey Firefly FR.1 - HMS Puncher 1945
# 363 - Fairey Firefly FR.1 - HMCS Warrior 1947
# 364 - Fairey Firefly FR.1 - HMCS Magnificent 1949
# 365 - Fairey Firefly T.1 - RCN 1948-50
# 366 - Fairey Firefly AS.5 - 825 Sqn 1950
- All orders received prior to March 11 have been
printed and shipped.
|
 | 1 March 2008
- Now that my supplies are all back in stock and the
model show is over, I can get back to clearing up the
backlog of orders received since the end of January.
Please be patient as I am currently processing orders
placed 2.5 to 3 weeks ago.
|
 | 24 February
- For the first time, CanMilAir Decals was out in
public at the Hertitagecon2 show held by IPMS Hamilton
at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. I thoroughly
enjoyed meeting many future and current customers!
|
 | 18 February
- After a 3-week layoff, my decal paper and ink carts
have arrived and I have resumed printing. As you can
see in the entries below, I used the time to upload 15
new decal sets bringing the total to 360!
|
 | 13 February
- The following 7 new sets have been uploaded into the
catalogue:
# 354 - Canadair Sabre Mk 2 - 413 Sqn 1954
# 355 - Canadair Sabre Mk 2 - 427 Sqn 1953
# 356 - Republic P-47D - USAAF Col Neel Kearby 1943-44
(located in "Other")
# 357 - Spitfire Mk IX - F/L Wilson 441 Sqn 1944
# 358 - Spitfire Mk IX - S/L McLeod 443 Sqn 1944
# 359 - Spitfire Mk XVI - W/C "Stocky" Edwards 1945
# 360 - Lockheed F-104C Starfighter - Star Trek TOS
(located in "Other")
|
 | 9 February
- The following 2 new sets have been uploaded into the
catalogue:
# 352 - Canadair Sabre Mk 2 - 434 Sqn 1953
# 353 - Canadair Sabre Mk 2 - 434 Sqn 1954
|
 | 7 February
- The following 6 new sets have been uploaded into the
catalogue:
# 346 - Canadair Tutor - Red Knight 1968-69
# 347 - Bombardier Global Express BD-700 - Michael
Lee-Chin / AIC Ltd
# 348 - Canadair Sabre Mk 6 - 427 Sqn, 3 Wing
Zweibrucken, circa 1958
# 349 - Canadair Sabre Mk 2 - 430 Sqn - W/C James
"Stocky" Edwards
# 350 - Canadair Sabre Mk 2 - 430 Sqn - VC Era
markings 1951
# 351 - Canadair Sabre Mk 2 - 427 Sqn 1954
|
 | 3 February 2008
- I've added a brand new page to the Main Menu called
"restoration" showing how CanMilAir Decals
can be used for 1:1 scale Canadian warbird
restorations with photos of completed projects.
|
 | 27 January
- Due to a record number of orders
in December and my sixth highest number in January, I have exhausted my printing
supplies far sooner than I had anticipated. Additional
decal paper and ink cartridges have been ordered, but until that
shipment arrives all decal printing has ceased and I
ask that if you plan on placing an order for decals, that
you wait until I am able to resume printing.
This supply shortage does not affect any other section
of my catalogue - so I am still taking orders for
reference books, roundel prints and aircraft profiles.
All current decal orders up to and including #1105
have been printed and will be shipped early next week.
I'll post a notice on this page as soon as the new supplies
arrive and normal production has resumed.
I apologize for any inconvenience this delay will cause.
|
 | 15 January
- Updated Customers Gallery # 6
|
 | 1 January 2008
- Happy New Year ! Best wishes to everyone for
the year!
|
 | 31 December
- I have created a new web page intended to be a
comprehensive listing of published official and
un-official Canadian squadron histories. A link to the
Squadron Histories page is included in the
sidebar at the top right of the main page. For a
direct link to the page go HERE
|
 | 29 December
- Added two more sets:
# 344 - Spitfire Mk XVI - ACM Sir James Robb
# 345 - NA Harvard Mk IV - Vintage Wings of Canada
|
 | 23 December 2007
- I've added 16 new sets tonight. They are:
# 328 - Dakota IV - 435 Sqn CBI - "X" June 21, 1945
# 329 - Dakota III - 435 Sqn ETO - "P" April 1, 1946
#
330 - Dakota III - 436 Sqn CBI - "P" RCAF Memorial Museum
#
331 - Dakota III - 436 Sqn ETO - CFB Petawawa
#
332 - Dakota IV - 435/436 Sqn CBI - CWHM
#
333 - Dakota III - 437 Sqn ETO - Operation Market Garden,
Arnhem 1944
#
334 - Dakota IV - United Nations Middle East 1958
#
335 - Dakota III/IV - No. 1 Air Division NATO 1955
#
336 - Dakota III - Canadian Coast Guard 1976-95
#
337 - Dakota DC-3 - Spirit of Harbour Grace (civil)
#
338 - Canadair Silver Star CT-133 - Camo SYM Lo-Viz
markings
#
339 - Canadair Silver Star CT-133 - Camo FIP Black
markings
# 340 - Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk IV - 440 Sqn NATO 1958
# 341 - Hawker Hurricane Mk IV - Vintage Wings of Canada
# 342 - NA P-51D Mustang IV - Vintage Wings of Canada
# 343 - Spitfire Mk XVI - Vintage Wings of Canada
- I've added a new Customers Gallery page - #6
- May
you all have a very Merry Christmas and a safe &
Happy New Year ! !
|
 | 24 November
- I spent the day putting the finishing touches on the
eight Twin Huey sets. They are now uploaded into the
catalogue. They are:
# 320 - Bell CH-135 Twin Huey - OA Green CAF Era 1971-73
# 321 - Bell CH-135 Twin Huey - OA Green SYM Era 1973-83
# 322 - Bell CH-135 Twin Huey - Camo SYM & FIP Era
1974-98
# 323 - Bell CH-135 Twin Huey - 427 Sqn MEDEVAC
# 324 - Bell CH-135 Twin Huey - MFO Sinai 1986-90
# 325 - Bell CH-135 Twin Huey - UN Honduras 1990
# 326 - Bell CH-135 Twin Huey - UN Haiti 427 Sqn
# 327 - Bell CH-135 Twin Huey - OA Yellow SAR 444 Sqn
- My next task is to print this weeks decal orders and
get the Dakota sets up and available.
|
 | 23 November
- I got a jump start on this months new releases and
uploaded 11 new sets. They are:
# 309 - Canadair CL-44 Yukon Proposal - 1957
# 310 - Canadair CL-44 Yukon 15501 - 1959
# 311 - Canadair CL-44 Yukon 15502 - 1960
# 312 - Canadair CL-44 Yukon 15555 - 1962
# 313 - Canadair CL-44 Yukon 15926 - 1964-65
# 314 - Canadair CL-44 Yukon 15932 - 1966
# 315 - Canadair CL-44 Yukon Unification - 1967
# 316 - Canadair CL-44 Yukon 15930 - 1968
# 317 - Canadair CC-106 Yukon 15932 - 1969
# 318 - Lockheed Ventura GR. Mk. V - 1 AAS Trenton
# 319 - Kamov Ka-32 - DART Pakistan 2005
- Next uploaded batch will include eight sets for the
CH-135 Twin Huey and at least eight Dakota sets.
|
 | 11 November
- Lest We Forget . . . .
- Well, I am finally caught up! All orders received
(up to and including # 1018) are printed and packaged.
Paid up orders will be mailed Tuesday and the
remainder upon receipt of payment.
- I have finished creating nine new sets for the
Canadair CL-44 (CC-106) Yukon. These will be made
available at the end of the month.
- Work is continuing on the Dakota and Twin Huey sets.
|
 | 3 November 2007
- Added 11 new sets to the catalogue today consisting
of the following:
# 298 - Slingsby T67C Firefly CT-111 - No 3 CFFTS
# 299 - Ford 6-AT Tri-Motor - 1929-37
# 300 - Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk 6 - 414 Sqn
# 301 - Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk 6 - 439 Sqn
# 302 - Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk 6 - 421 Sqn
# 303 - Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk 5/6 - 430 Sqn
# 304 - Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk 5/6 - 416 Sqn
# 305 - Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk 5 - 438 (Aux) Sqn
# 306 - Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk 5 - 401 (Aux) Sqn
# 307 - CE-144 Challenger 600 - 2 Greys
# 308 - CE-144 Challenger 600 - OA Grey
- Work is continuing on several sets each for the
following: Douglas Dakota, Canadair Yukon and Bell Twin
Huey.
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 | 20 October
- I have completed the design of the 2008 edition of
my CanMilAir 12-month calendar. This planner-style
calendar features photos of 12 models submitted by
customers using CMA decals. See the Calendar
Page for pics and to order.
PLEASE NOTE: I will be holding calendar orders
so they can be batch printed and will ship all
calendars in the first week of December.
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 | 17 October
- I have added the final two completed model photos to
Customers Gallery 4 and created the next gallery page,
#5. With 10 models per page, there are now photos of
40 models completed with CanMilAir decals on these
gallery pages.
- Besides the Slingsby I mentioned in the last
message, I have completed work on seven new Canadair
Sabre sets and a set for the Ford Tri-Motor acquired
by the RCAF in 1929. Nearing completion are a half
dozen sets for the Douglas Dakota. These sets
concentrate on the period from 1944 to 1946 with 435,
436 and 437 Sqns in ETO and CBI/SEAC. Included will be
a few museum examples (CFB Petawawa, CFB Comox, RCAFMM
at CFB Trenton and the CWHM in Hamilton). Also
completed is a set for the Canadian Coast Guard Dakota
C-FTDH.
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 | 6 October
- As requested by a customer, I have finished a decal
set for the Slingsby T67C Firefly (CT-111) intended
for the Dujin T67M 1:72 scale resin kit. For a review
of this kit, go HERE.
All 12 registrations are included allowing any CT-111
to be built. This will be CanMilAir set # 298 and will
be uploaded at the end of the month.
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 | 4 October 2007
- A new optional shipping feature has been
added.
Canada Post Xpresspost is a premium shipping service
that provides fast, guaranteed delivery and is
trackable.
The service provides next day to 2 days regional
(Ontario and Quebec), and 2 to 3 days national
delivery, between most major Canadian urban centres.
It is also available for my USA and International
customers at slightly higher rates.
Further details are provided in the catalogue under
"Decals".
- I have started a new sidebar on the web site. It is
called "Did You Know . . ." and is located on the left side, below the Hit Counter. In
this space, I will share some general statistical
information about CanMilAir Decals. I hope you find it
interesting.
- I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable
Thanksgiving !!
|
 | 29 September
- Seven new sets have been added to the catalogue:
# 291 - Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk 6 - 444 Sqn
# 292 - Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet A - Top Aces
# 293 - Hawker Hunter F.58 - Northern Lights
# 294 - Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk IV - 432 Sqn
# 295 - Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk IV/V - 409 Sqn
# 296 - Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk IV - 428 Sqn
# 297 - Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk V - 425 Sqn
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 | 13 September 2007
- Since re-opening the web store, orders have been
pouring in. While I am very thankful for everyone's
patronage, it does have its drawbacks. This surge in
orders has increased my turn-around time from a
typical 7 to 10 days to about 3 weeks. I ask for your
patience as I am only able to work at this during my
spare time in the evenings and on the weekends. As it
should be, my full-time job of 30+ years and my family
must take priority. Thank you.
|
 | 26 August
- Well, the vacation is finally over and the store is
back on-line!
- The shopping cart software has been upgraded to the
current 4.5.2 version with many changes to the web
site - some of which will be obvious while others you
may not notice.
- The Customers Gallery #4 page has been updated.
- 20 new decal sets have been added including sets for
two new a/c types - the Vickers Wellington and the
Bristol Blenheim (which depicts the aircraft flown by
Sgt Andrew Prince who was the fist Canadian military casualty
of WW II on September 4, 1939).
- I have finally added 250 profile prints by Canadian
artist Richard Banigan. These prints will be shipped
directly to the customer by the artist.
I am really excited about these prints as a large
number depict the same aircraft or aircraft
type/scheme as my decals! Now you can have a full
colour profile print to match your model!
At present only the "C Series" of Canadian
profiles (and a few "B Series" RAF) have
been added. I intend to add over 350 more profile
prints in the coming weeks for the other countries
listed, so stay tuned!
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 | 9 August
- Well, the first week of my three week "Summer
Shutdown" is almost over. I have not been idle
these past few days. All current orders have been
completed and shipped providing payment
has been received. This now gives me a
clean order book for when I make the software changes
after returning from my holiday trip.
- A new feature - I have added images to many of the category
headers giving the catalogue pages a brighter look and
a more visual guide to navigation.
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 | 5 August 2007
I will be temporarily
removing the "Buy" buttons from the entire web
store sometime through the day on Monday August 6 for a
period of three weeks.
The first week (Aug 6 to 12) will be spent wrapping up
current orders. I will not be accepting new orders during
this time but will be available to answer messages.
For a portion of the second week (Aug 13 to 19) I will
be away for a few days vacation and I feel that because I
will not be around to process orders and answer emails, it
would be best to close up shop for a short time.
The last week (Aug 20 to 26) will be spent adding over
200 aircraft profiles, over a dozen new decal sets,
updating several key pages on the web site, and most
importantly - upgrading the software built in to the web
site and the database that runs behind it. I will be
available to answer questions during this week, but I will
not accept orders since I will be changing things in the
background.
I plan to turn everything back on and resume operations
on, or before, Sunday August 26.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
|
 | 29 July
- Created a new gallery page "Gallery #4"
with two new submissions from past customers.
|
 | 21 July
- Updated Customers Gallery #3.
- Eight new sets have been completed and will be
uploaded during my planned "summer
shut-down" in August. Details and dates of the
"shut down" will be announced after the
beginning of the month.
|
 | 17 July
- Upgraded and made a major correction to CC-144 Blue
Challenger set #029.
- Marking sizes for the new CC-177 Globemaster III
have been confirmed. I have adjusted set # 248
accordingly and it now contains accurate sized
elements. It turns out my photo-interpretation skills
weren't half-bad. Half of the elements were bang-on,
and half were off by only a few inches.
|
 | 13 July 2007
- This afternoon I have received official permission
to release the 2007 and 2005 Demo Hornet sets. My
thanks go out to Jim Belliveau who made this possible!
- Work continues on several other sets including: AETE
30th Anniversary Hornet, the 1991 Tiger Hornet, the
2004 D-Day Hornet, the 439 Sqn Tiger Starfighter on
display at CWHM, Top Aces Consulting Alpha Jets and
the 75th Anniversary Griffons from 400 Sqn.
|
 | 28 June
- Updated VC Era Avro Lancaster set # 031.
- Updated CC-177 Globemaster III set # 248.
- Added seven new sets (# 264 to # 270): 1984 Voodoo
"Lynx One", three Lancaster sets and
three CF-18 Hornet sets. Note that two of these Hornet
sets are unavailable until permission is granted by
DND.
|
 | 3 June 2007
- Added a new product from Patrick Martin. Pat has put
together a pair of prints containing over 60 full
colour profiles of the Aircraft of the Royal Canadian
Navy. Images of these can be found on the
"Books" page immediately below his RCN
Finish and Markings book.
- Updated the Customers Gallery # 3 page.
|
 | 29 May
- Added a Guest Book to the site.
- Please take a few moments to let me know you were
here.
|
 | 28 May
- Uploaded a total of 14 new sets today!
- Ten sets (#250 to #259) for the Avro Anson Mk I, II,
V and VI.
- Four sets for early SAR Lancaster Mk X (#260 to
#263)
- This brings the total number of new sets introduced
this month to 21.
|
 | 27 May
- Uploaded set # 249 Avro Lancaster Mk X - 407 Sqn
circa 1953
|
 | 25 May
- Answers are now posted on the Quiz page for
questions 4, 5 and 6.
- Three new questions have been added - good luck to
one and all!!
|
 | 23 May
- Uploaded five new sets tonight for the Noorduyn
Norseman (# 243 to # 247) spanning the years 1942 to 1953, including
the example at the Canada Aviation Museum.
- Uploaded the CC-177 Globemaster set (# 248). Notice that
until confirmation is received either through channels
at DND or by photographs, this is a "best
guess" as to the final look. See
PHOTO 1 and PHOTO 2 taken recently in the paint shop.
- Work is almost finished on the last of the Avro
Anson sets. These should be uploaded in the next few
days.
- In development are two or three sets for early RCAF
Lancaster Mk X with special attention to the early SAR
schemes.
|
 | 14 May
- Once again I am fully caught up with all orders
completed for which payments have been received. As
well, all the supplies I ordered last December have
finally arrived, so I am now fully stocked.
- Several changes have been made to the appearance of
the web page, some of which will be more obvious than
others. For example, I replaced the roundel image
found in the top left corner of every page.
Previously, I used about a half dozen examples but now
have assembled over 40 different roundel images so
each and every page will feature a different
roundel.
- Design work for new decal sets continues in my spare
time. I have completed a set for the new Boeing CC-177
Globemaster III. The first two of the four examples
are expected to arrive in CFB Trenton in August.
This set is not yet available to purchase as I am
waiting for confirmation on the sizes of a few of the
elements.
Also completed, but not as yet uploaded, are
several sets for the Avro Anson with two or three more
in the final stages of design. These will include Mk
I, II, V and the single Mk VI and include RCN
examples. Except for the Mk I sets, these will require
various amounts of modifications to existing
kits.
Lastly, I am working on a few sets for the Noorduyn
Norseman - one of which is a sharp looking overall
yellow RCAF air ambulance from 1943 or 1944.
- My next major task is incorporating the profile
prints mentioned below, into my on-line catalogue. As
there are literally hundreds of them, this may take
some time!
|
 | 5 May
- Please note there are a few changes on the "contact us"
page.
|
 | 1 May 2007
- Introducing a brand new feature here at CanMilAir .
. . . a Canadian military aviation quiz by Patrick
Martin. Go to Pat's
CMA Quiz page and give it a try!!
- Also added a new product - full colour aircraft
profiles by Canadian artist Richard Banigan! I still
have a few things to iron out, but these profiles will
be added to the catalogue in the coming days, so watch
for them!
|
 | 30 April
- Added photo of a completed DHC-3 Otter by MCpl Larry
Wilson to Gallery 3.
|
 | 28 April
- Uploaded three new Avenger sets. TBF-1 HMS Nabob
1944 (# 240), AS 3 circa 1951 (# 241) and AS 3 circa
1953 (# 242).
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 | 27 April
- Uploaded four new sets.
- Two new sets for RCN Banshee (# 236 and # 237) cover the later period
with 24" and 18" fuselage roundels and the
larger 24" underwing markings to complement the
two original sets with earlier markings.
- A set for the CH-149 Cormorant (# 238). This set is intended
to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, the
Italeri/Testors kit decals which have some items
missing and others that are inaccurate. All serial
numbers are available.
- Another Hornet set (# 239), this one covers the 1997 Maple
Flag Hornets used as Aggressors and flown by 441 Sqn .
All serial/Bort numbers used are available.
|
 | 26 April
- Uploaded two new sets for the CF-18 Hornet (# 234
and # 235). These
are for standard service Hornets in both FIP and SYM
Era markings with choices for all squadrons. In the
next few days watch for two new Banshee sets, a
Cormorant set, another Hornet set, three Grumman
Avenger sets, and some Avro Anson sets.
|
 | 21 April
- All decal orders, for which payment has been
received, have been printed, packaged and will be
shipped out later this morning.
- Now that my back log of orders has been taken care
of, I will resume uploading several new sets that have
been created in the past few weeks.
|
 | 15 April
- Orders received up to March 31 are being printed and
will be shipped out Monday afternoon.
|
 | 6 April
- Out of a total of 40 outstanding orders, 25 have now
been completed. These consist of all orders received
up to and including March 16.
- I have been advised that the remainder of my ink
order will ship early next week.
- I want to thank everyone for their patience in what
has been, for me, a very stressful period, what with
the uncertainty of my ink delivery.
|
 | 5 April
- Orders up to and including # 767 have been printed
and either shipped, or will be shipped next time I am
at the post office. I am currently working through
orders received in the first half of March.
|
 | 3 April
- I have received most of the ink cartridges I had
ordered. Not included in this shipment were a large
number of White cartridges that I had ordered. Since I
had a few White cartridges on hand, I have resumed
printing and will get as many orders completed and
shipped as possible. I expect to receive a few White
carts from an alternate supplier later this week, so I
am hopeful I can get most of my backlog of orders
cleared up.
|
 | 1 April 2007
- Completed CF-188 Hornet FIP set with select option for any
one of 8 squadrons and will wait until the matching
SYM set (with 9 squadrons) is finished before uploading both sets.
- Work continues on an accurate set for the CH-149
Cormorant to replace inaccurate kit decals.
|
 | 31 March
- Upgraded RCN Banshee sets # 077 and # 078 by adding extra details and
optional fuselage roundels in preparation for two new Banshee sets
which will cover the later 1958-62 marking scheme. These
two new Banshee sets are finished and will be uploaded
when the two new Hornet sets are finished.
- I have been advised that my ink shipment should be in my hands by mid week.
|
 | 27 March
- Corrected # 213 Voodoo Hawk One set by adding yellow
Last 3 numbers for nose gear doors used only on the
second (1984) and Gate Guard versions.
|
 | 25 March
- Uploaded eight new sets for Canadair CP-107 Argus (#
224 to # 231)
covering 1957 to retirement in 1981.
- Uploaded set # 232 for Snowbirds support CT-133
Silver Star and # 233 for CF-188A 409 Sqn Activation.
|
 | 24 March
- Uploaded five new sets for 431 Sqn Snowbirds (# 219
to # 223) covering 1971 to the present.
- Upgraded CF-188 Hornet sets #069 and #199.
- Work is 95% finished on CF-188 188761 409 Sqn
Activation special 2006.
|
 | 22 March
- Uploaded four new sets for the Canadair CT-114 Tutor
(# 215 to # 218)
covering the years 1963 to present.
- Finished work on eight Canadair Argus sets and the
Snowbird's Silver Star.
|
 | 18 March 2007
- Uploaded two CF-101 Voodoo sets - 409 Sqn Hawk One
(# 213) and 414 Sqn EF-101B Electric Voodoo (# 214).
- The Hawk One covers 101012 in 1977, 101057 in 1984,
and the Comox Gate Guard 101057.
- The Electric Voodoo set covers 101067 as delivered
in 1982, all-black "Bat One" 1982-87, and
the CFB North Bay Gate Guard.
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