I mentioned my new web page —North Star Falling— in another thread, but I thought that a "more-targeted" announcement in this section would be appropriate, since the web page includes images and discussion of crash covers, as well as Canadian (and other) stamps picturing the North Star airliner.
The web page involves the 1954 collision over Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan of a Trans-Canada Airlines North Star airliner and an RCAF Harvard trainer (Canadian-built North American Texan). It's an accident that never should happened. There was perfect visibility, and the possibility of collision was well known. There is no evidence that the pilots of both aircraft had any awareness of impending disaster. Everyone on board both aircraft died, as well as a woman on the ground. (One of my neighbours went to school with the woman's son.)
The accident occurred at a time when commercial aviation was beginning to come to grips with the fact that airliners that flew faster and higher and with more passengers than ever before required more than men with "the right stuff" in the cockpit. In fact, the Moose Jaw collision wasn't the only aviation disaster that day: in Italy, the in-flight disintegration of a Comet, the first jetliner, brought British hopes of dominating worldwide commercial aviation to an end. In my new web page, I briefly discuss that crash as well.
As far as know, there is no other web page that deals substantively with the Moose Jaw collision. It is thoroughly illustrated with stamps, covers, and postcards from my collection. I'd be pleased to have members of Stamporama among the readers of North Star Falling. Your feedback is important, especially if you notice any errors, typos, or display problems.
Wow Bob, as a pilot, i understand the need for situational awareness. This is a great article about an aviation tragedy and also about the extraordinary things the postal services do to make sure that the mail makes it through. Your rich storytelling makes this a must read for anyone interested in postal or aviation history.
Don't ever quit posting on Stamp-O-Rama, Bob, because you are one of our best story tellers
we have on here. I read several of your web pages quite a while ago. They are fantastic.
Have you ever thought of a position on CBS's "60 Minutes" news show here in the states. I'm
sure they would love to have a Canadian correspondent and journalist up there in the North.
Just daydreamin'....
TuskenRaider
PS; Yea I know....too much time on my hands....better get back re-listing, re-listed lots.
