It was intended to honour the De Havilland Beaver, a workhorse of Canadian aviation, but a modest stamp is stirring up a lot of controversy.
The new stamp was introduced by Canada Post on October 13 as part of its Canadians in Flight series, which celebrates the nation’s accomplishments in aviation. The Crown corporation even sent its chief executive to British Columbia to mark the event.
The Beaver’s construction plans, building equipment, and, most importantly, spare parts, are wholly owned by Victoria-based Viking Air.
But astute aviation historians identified a problem. The aircraft pictured on the stamp bears the markings N995SP – an American registration owned by Sportsman’s Air Service, based in Anchorage, Alaska.
“(The plane’s) country of origin was Canada.
It was found there as a wreck, according to owner Joe Schuster, who restored the aircraft in the 1990s and continues to fly it for more than 500 hours a year to transport vacationers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts to remote locations.
It travels slowly, rarely ascends above 1,000 feet, and has a large payload.
With 1,692 Beavers produced between 1947 and 1968, it was the first all-metal bush plane designed and built in Canada.
It continues to be the most popular aeroplane in Canada. More than 700 are still in the air, 14 of which are used by Vancouver-based Harbour Air for regular passenger service along the British Columbia coast.
Tim Cole, a Canadian aviator and author whose book Tight Floats & Tailwinds details his time as a bush pilot and Transport Canada administrator, claimed that “somewhere along the line (Canada Post) fumbled the ball by putting a U. S. registration on the aircraft.”
It would be similar to Terry Fox being on a Canadian stamp with a foreign flag in the background.
Cole first flew the Beaver prototype, which was constructed in 1947, in 1968, beginning his love affair with the vehicle. “Back then, it was an old plane. I wasn’t overly thrilled with it. Although it was beautifully painted, it didn’t fly like a typical Beaver.
That aircraft is now in the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Phil Legault stated in a statement, “Canada Post’s renowned stamp programme recounts our experiences. “We must also show how Canadians have gained the respect and admiration of peers throughout the world via their work, technology, science, and inventiveness.”
The inclusion of an American aircraft is a mistake, according to stamp collector and owner of All Nations Stamp and Coin Brian Grant Duff.
It’s a funny mistake, he said.
The aircraft industry is obviously upset about this. The aviation community can become furious when something careless occurs because it is all about safety and attention to detail when flying in aeroplanes.
The stamp, according to Canada Post, demonstrates the Beaver’s widespread appeal outside of the nation.
Photographer Ron Kellenaers captured the image as the plane departed from Lake Hood in Anchorage.
According to Legault of Canada Post, the picture captures the Beaver’s significant contribution to the neighbourhood, which is “a tale that can be recounted in comparable communities all across the world.” ”
Cole has requested in writing that the Canadian government cancel the stamp and issue a new one featuring an aeroplane with Canadian registration. He hasn’t heard back from anyone as of yet.
“If it’s a Canadian stamp honouring Canadians,” countered Cole, “hey, let’s have pride in Canada. ”.
Beaver aeroplane with Canadian pilots tries to take off but is unsuccessful.
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