Booklist

Introducing online ordering!

CANAV now offers online ordering! Click “Buy Now” or the image of the book you’d like to order and pay online with PayPal’s secure internet payment system.

Of course, we still accept payment the old fashioned way! Make your cheque or money order payable in Canadian funds + $9 shipping (per book) to CANAV Books and mail to: CANAV Books, 51 Balsam Ave. Toronto, ON M4E 3B6

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Questions? Don’t hesitate to get in touch! Email info@canavbooks.com or call (416) 698-7559.

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New Release!

Following right behind Vol.1 Aviation in Canada: The Pioneer Decades, CANAV is excited to introduce you to Vol.2 – Aviation in Canada: The Formative Years. A hefty, beautifully-illustrated, 224 page, large-format hardcover, this lovely assemblage of paper, ink and glue picks up where Pioneer Decades finishes: 1918 — the end of WWI. Besides its vast text with charts, lists, maps, bibliography and index, the book is a vibrant gallery of 450 photographs. Anyone with the remotest appreciation of Canada’s astonishing past will revel in this unique Centennial of Flight publication. Buy Now

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CANAV’s famous titles

• We’re updating this list! If you don’t find a link to PayPal for the book you want to order, contact info@canavbooks.com.

• Looking for rare, hard-to-find and out-of-print aviation titles? Check out our select and frequently updated listing here.

• Want an autographed copy? Just let us know with your order.

1. Aviation in Canada: The Pioneer Decades (Milberry)

Here is Canada’s premier aviation book for our Centennial of Flight 1909-2009. Any true fan of Canada’s great aviation heritage will scramble for a copy of this special book. Each chapter will leave you amazed at what went on so long ago … call this book “basic equipment” for the Centennial! Covers each era from ballooning in the 1840s to the landmark flight of the Silver Dart, Canada’s incredible role in the Air War 1915-1918 and the long-forgotten exploits of many an ordinary airman. Vast text & 300+ photos, 176 pages, hardcover, large format, glossary, bibliography, index. Buy Now

2. Canada’s Air Forces on Exchange (Milberry)
The first book about Canadian airmen on peacetime duty with foreign air arms around the world. Solidly researched and presented in a readable style. From Billy Barker, VC, in Iraq in 1925 to RCAF crew on such interwar types as the Heyford, Singapore and Gauntlet to a vast array of post-WW2 exchanges on everything from the Meteor, Lightning, Canberra, Shackleton, Nimrod, Hastings and Comet in the RAF to the WB-50, EB-57, F-4, F-100, F-101, F-105, F-106, P-3, C-97 and today’s C-17 in the US to the Neptune and Mirage in Australia and the RF-4 and Tornado in Germany. Misc. secondments and other exotic taskings also covered. You’ll be astounded at the incredible adventures recounted! Limited supply, so order ASAP. 276 pages, hardcover, large format, 400 b/w & colour photos, lists, gloss, biblio, index. $50.00

3. The Wilf White Propliner Collection (Milberry)
CANAV Books announces … a fabulous new book covering historic aviation photographs of the renowned Wilf White. If you follow the bygone years of the great propeller-driven aircraft, you’ll revel in this spectacular July 2006 release from CANAV. With 400+ very special photos The Wilf White Propliner Collection will give any serious aviation reader years of enjoyment. Wilf White of Glasgow has been photographing aircraft since he was a young man recently home from his wartime service. It was just then that the magnetic attraction of the great propliners of Prestwick Airport got a hold of him. Such was their grip that he would spend almost every free hour photographing anything with wings. Before long, Wilf had amassed one of the best aircraft photo collections in the UK. Meanwhile, he and a few fellow enthusiasts formed the Prestwick Airport Spotters Club. Not surprisingly, more than 60 years later, Wilf still was adding to his files and the club was as active as ever.

The book begins with a brief biography, then launches into the main topic. Being a photographer-generalist, Wilf’s creative interests include every aircraft category, so it would take numerous books to do justice to his life’s work. For this one, the topic is his favourite subject — the great 4-engine propliners. If you get a charge simply at the thought of a Britannia, DC-7, Electra, Globemaster, Stratocruiser, Super Constellation or Vanguard, you’ll hardly be able to put Wilf’s book down. Here lies the full sweep of the propliner decades.

Naturally, the specialist airliner buffs will delight in Wilf’s views of propliners in traditional colours — American, BEA, BOAC, British Eagle, CPA, Flying Tiger, KLM, Lufthansa, ONA, Pan Am, QANTAS, SABENA, Seaboard and Western, Swissair, TCA, TWA, etc. The list is long, as is that of the many lesser operators shown. In the usual CANAV style, Larry Milberry has provided a detailed caption for each photo. Some of these read more like biographies (even obituaries), tracing a propliner’s “life” from roll-out, through its many owners and activities over the decades, to a final ending in some bone yard or, sad to relate, accident. While enjoying Wilf’s photos of the most renowned of propliners, you’ll also find rarer types from the long-forgotten Apollo to the hulking Beverley and Deux Ponts, the diminutive Heron, and oft-maligned Tudor. Wilf being equally interested in civil or military propliners, there also are classic views of such important types as the B-50, C-133, Hastings, P-3 and Shackleton, and even of a few latter day warbirds. 176 pages, 8 1/2 x 11 inches, landscape format, format, glossary, bibliography, index. $40.00

4. The Leslie Corness Propliner Collection (Milberry)

If you’re a fan of aviation history, you’ll want Larry Milberry’s important new aviation biography and spectacular photographic archive. With 350 rare and beautifully shown photos, the book begins with Leslie’s bio. The intro explains how his interests broaden as he matures in photography. Besides his early aviation photos, you’ll enjoy historic samples of other great material — steam rail, trams and ships. Leslie serves in the Arctic while the DEW Line is in full swing — he’s in “aviation heaven”. You’ll be amazed at his marvellous Kodachromes of everything from the DC-3 to the C-46, C-54, York, C-97 and C-124.

Added to these are many incredible Northern views from Yellowknife to Frobisher Bay, Cambridge Bay, etc. Otherwise, be it a DEW Line cargo plane, a North Star on a supply drop, a dog team mushing across the bleak tundra, or the summer sea lift, Leslie spares not a frame. An informative text, based largely on his extensive diaries, covers Leslie’s adventures year by year. The Corness aviation collection begins with classic views of the Boeing 247, moves to the great Lockheed twins, then the DC-3 through DC-7C and such other important propliners as the Bristol Freighter, C-130, CL-44, Convair series, Electra, L.049 through L.1649, Vanguard and Viscount. Other eye-popping views show such classics as the B-17, B-18, B-23, B-29, Lancaster, Mars, PBY, Privateer, Stranraer, even the XR6O-1. The great Canadian airlines appear from TCA to CPA, MCA, PWA, Associated, Wardair and World-Wide. Every photo has a detailed caption giving the where and the when, local particulars and a brief history of each aircraft illustrated (in captions alone the word count exceeds 20,000).

This remarkable propliner tribute sets a new standard in quality and depth. While most such books often show little more than one blandly-captioned photo after another, here you are connected intimately with the photographer himself. You see how remarkable was his shooting style, how he photographed nearly every airplane he encountered, how form and content equally intrigued him, and how he shot in all conditions. Here was a true aviation “Shutter King”! The Leslie Corness Propliner Collection portrays one photographer’s travels around Canada, the US, UK and even Africa. Don’t be surprised as you turn the pages to see lovely images of such other classics as the Ambassador, Belfast, Beverley, Carvair, Deux Ponts, Hastings and Viking. So, jump right on this opportunity and order your copy of this limited first edition! Specifications: 8 1/2 x 11 inches, 160pp, softcover 350 b/w and colour photos, glossary, bibliography, index. $40.00

5. *Special CANAV 2009 Offer*

Order CANAV’s acclaimed Leslie Corness and Wilf White propliner books (each normally $40) at the special combo price of $65.00 and receive a free copy of Henry Tenby’s just released $17.95, 176 page Air-to-Air: Ultimate Airline Photography covering the world’s great airliners from DC-3 to C-46, Bristol Freighter, C-97, CL-44, Constellation, Electra, DC-8, 747 and a host of others as surprising as the B-17 and Sunderland. Jump on this great opportunity to add to your aviation library or pick up three great books for the aviation fans on your gift list. Get all 3 books at one price: $65.00 (US and overseas: USD$65.00).

6. Fighter Squadron: 441 Squadron from Hurricanes to Hornets (Milberry)

The grandest history of any Canadian squadron and Canada’s aviation book of the year for 2004. Begins with 125 Sqn flying Hurricanes in Newfoundland’s finest winter weather. Army co-op, flying a Hurricane through a ship’s rigging, surviving a head-on collision, rescue at sea, first losses. 125 goes overseas to become 441 – Spitfire ops from the UK, then in France after D-Day. All the details from the ORBs (kills, losses, etc.), interviews with wartime pilots. Mustangs by war’s end. Postwar years on Vampires, then Sabres in NATO. Recce CF-104s from 1964, then nuke and conventional attack roles to 1986. In-depth coverage of the CF-18 Hornet years — NORAD, “Willy Tell”, Bears, Aviano, 9-11, etc. 320 pages, hc, lf, 700+ photos, bibliography, index. Reg. $75.00 $69.50

7. Canada’s Air Force at War and Peace, Volume 1(Milberry)

No history-minded RCAF veteran, even the worst of tight-wads, will want to miss CAFWP! Never has so much RCAF/CF history been combined with such a photo collection. Writes the Halifax Sunday Herald of Vol.1: “This compelling volume can best be described as a combination history lesson, yearbook … and biography … a fitting tribute to the countless air force personnel and their families who risked everything for their country.” In September 2000 Britain’s prestigious Scale Aviation Modeller International selected Vol.1 as its “Book of the Month”: “Well, what can we say! This is a book that truly deserves the ‘must have’ title… one that all RCAF and Canadian aviation fans will want to add to their collection.” Writes Airforce: “Milberry has pulled off another winner … the most comprehensive history of Canada’s air force ever produced.” In his review in Canadian Flight Bob Merrick announces “the grand-daddy of all Christmas presents for air force vets … one aeronautical treat after another … a superb work to delight all RCAF or CF veterans”.

If these reviews don’t turn your crank, you can’t have been in the RCAF! Vol.1 begins in 1914 with the one-plane Canadian Aviation Corps, then moves to Canada’s part in the British air services. The emphasis is on new material. With more than 30,000 words and 80 photos covering Canadians on fighters, bombers, coastal patrol & training, Ch.1 gets CAFWP off to an exciting start. Ch.2 covers the interwar years, tracing the CAF/RCAF from its civil-oriented start in photography & surveying, fisheries & sovereignty patrols, treaty flights & training. With little money the RCAF grows more military. Dozens of photos take you from HS-2L to Atlas, Siskin, Stranraer, Hurricane. Ch.3 deals with Canada on the homefront 1939-45. Besides some 42,000 words, with 230 photos the visual coverage is spectacular. Main themes include: BCATP, home defence, domestic transport, and industry (Tiger Moths, Lancasters, etc.). Vol.1 finishes by taking you afield in the first overseas chapter — Day Fighters 1939-45. This is another knock-out, starting with Canadians in the pre-war RAF, moving to No.1 Sqn in the Battle of Britain, on to post D-Day and the march through Europe, Far East, etc. Hurricanes, Mustangs, Spitfires, Thunderbolts & Typhoons fly off the pages. All theatres included in this 44,000-word, 250-photo extravaganza. Vol.1: 296 pp (pages), 700 photos, 200,000 words, 9 x 12 lf (large format), hc (hardcover), glos (glossary), biblio (bibliography), index. A bargain at this price! $69.50

8. Canada’s Air Force at War and Peace, Volume 2 (Milberry)

Completes 1939-45. Ch.1 & 2 cover night fighters, intruders & medium bombers. Much of Canadians on Defiants, Beaufighters & Mosquitos, the former a period of frustration, the latter of success. Many personal stories end happily, but sad times also fill the pages. Ch.3 deals with Bomber Command, beginning with Canadians on RAF squadrons, then moves to the first RCAF squadrons on Hampdens, Wellingtons. With some 70,000 words, Ch.3 says much of the bombing campaign. If CAFWP has a brutal chapter, this is it — some 10,000 young Canadians die on bombers. Chief data sources are the official 6 Group records + diaries, logs & albums of the men who were there. Ch.4 studies Coastal Command on Beaufighters, Liberators, Sunderlands, etc. 60,000 words of new coverage and photos. While RCAF at War revealed new material on the Hornell VC, more is added here. Special coverage of 422 & 423 Sqns (Sunderlands) is not to be missed, nor are the excerpts from combat reports. Air transport is the theme of Ch.5, with more of Norseman, Dakota, Fortress, etc. War art + awards & decorations complete Vol.2: 256 pp, 600 photos, 180,000 words, 9 x 12 lf, hc, glos. $69.50

9. Canada’s Air Force at War and Peace, Volume 3 (Milberry)

The first title dedicated solely to the postwar RCAF and the largest of all general RCAF histories. Beginning with the post-1945 slowdown, you’ll read how Canada disposed of 1000s of surplus aircraft, whether burned, buried, or sold to get-rich-quick entrepreneurs. Next? The panicky built-up to Korea and the Cold War. Here are all the details about Vampires, Mustangs, Sabres & CF-100s; North Stars & C-119s; Lancasters, Neptunes & Argus; Harvards & T-33s. One chapter deals with R&D projects, whether Arctic navigation, flight test, or weapons; one about the CF-105 will be an eye-opener for those taken in by the Arrow myth makers. Vol.3 has 100s of fresh colour photos from the 1950s-60s. Dozens of reminiscences enliven this era. Vol.3 takes you beyond unification to the 1970s.

This huge production will give you more than you can digest until Vol.4. Says Air Pictorial: “Milberry has excelled in this volume by combining riveting personal experiences from air and ground crews with an unrivalled selection of illustrations… rarely does a book so handsomely exceed the most sanguine expectations as does this outstanding publication.” Writes Air Force Magazine: “This set is a collector’s item even before it is completed.” Vol.3: 520 pp, 1500+ photos, 250,000 words, 9 x 12 lf, hc, glos, biblio, index. $85.00

10 Royal Canadian Air Force at War: 1939-1945 (Halliday & Milberry)

Strictly for the reader who knows about and dearly wants this 480-page classic. 6500 in print, a few perfect new copies on the block. Collector’s price. $150.00

11. Air Transport in Canada (Milberry)

Canada’s aviation book of the century and the world’s largest aviation history title (ever). From pioneer days to early operators, the birth of TCA & CPA, Canada’s air force since 1924 (including five WWII chapters), the postwar airlines: EPA, MCA, Nordair, PWA, Transair, etc., great airlifts like the DEW Line, search and rescue, aerial survey (Spartan, etc.), Canada’s famous designs (Vedette, Norseman, North Star, Global Express), grand helicopter coverage, government & corporate aviation, today’s airlines, overseas coverage (Somalia, Rwanda, etc.), Canada’s role in space transportation. 26 specially-commissioned paintings—the largest published gallery of original Canadian aviation art. A book for anyone with the remotest interest in aviation. How say the reviewers? These volumes are possibly the world’s most inclusive ever devoted to aviation history. (Airways: The Global Review of Commercial Flight:) The Oshkosh of aviation books. (Aerographics). Impressive! The word is sometimes misapplied to a book that is merely interesting, but for these two volumes, it may well be an understatement .. almost a library of Canadian aviation history. (Montreal Gazette) A book to delight, astonish, amuse, enlighten and enrich. (Canadian Flight). Reviewer Bob Parmerter notes: “If I were to be stranded on an island and could chose just one aviation title to take, this two-volume set would be it.” So… stop fence-sitting and order your copy of the world’s grandest ever aviation history title! 1040 pp, 9 x 12 in., 53 chapters, 2 vols., lf, hc, 800,000 words, 4000 photos (1/2 in colour), maps, glos., app’x, 23-page index. $155.00 (Overseas: Cdn$235.00 postpaid surface post)

12. De Havilland in Canada (Hotson)

After a lifetime associated with De Havilland Canada, Fred Hotson has written its spectacular history. Having learned to fly on the Gypsy Moth in the 1930s, Fred apprenticed on the shop floor at de Havilland in Downsview, working on Tiger Moth, Rapides, etc. During the war he flew Ansons in the BCATP, before moving to Ferry Command. Postwar, he had a career in corporate aviation, before returning to DHC, this time as a sales demo pilot. This took him on such assignments as to Norway, training the RNoAF and Wideroe on the Twin Otter. Next, Fred had a tour in Afghanistan, where the Twin Otter was being introduced in one of the least aviation-friendly regions on earth.

Following his retirement in 1978 Fred wrote the first major history of de Havilland Canada from its formation in 1928 to its trials and successes through the Depression. Next he delved into the exciting “Tiger Moth to Mosquito” war years at DHC, and postwar times from Chipmunk to Beaver to Otter. More ambitious projects from the Caribou on to the Dash 8 followed. CANAV published it all as The De Havilland Canada Story in 1983, just in time for the roll-out of the Dash 8. Fred’s book enjoyed many a superb review and three printings in hardcover.

In 1988 Fred authored another fabulous book — The Bremen. Winner of the Aviation and Space Writers Association “best aviation book of the year” award, The Bremen is the story of the first east-west, non-stop, trans-Atlantic airplane flight. Of it the American Aviation Historical Society noted: “There are many books dealing with pioneer ocean flying, but only a very small number can be classified as important. This book belongs in that select group.” For more info see canavbooks.com

Meanwhile, over the years much happened at DHC, as new versions of the Dash 8 appeared, Bombardier took over, and the Global Express and other projects appeared. Having followed all this closely, in the mid-1990s Fred again teamed with CANAV to produce De Havilland in Canada. A complete update of his 1983 book, the book was hailed as having set the standard in its category.

Few companies had even dreamed of such a beautiful history. Propliner, a leading aviation periodical, noted: “As ever, the standard is wonderfully super, and the amazing selection of colour and black and white photographs is stunning. If only someone here in England could match your quality and depth of research. There were so many interesting aircraft manufacturers in England, but none has ever received the equivalent of the CANAV treatment.” Reviewer Bob Merrick followed on in Canadian Flight: “CANAV Books has done it again … marvelously illustrated … a story of hopes and dreams, triumph and disappointment … an excellent, well-crafted book to intrigue, delight, inform, and occasionally astonish the reader.” So … if you’re an aviation history fan, here’s the book for you. Even better, should you work in aviation, could you think of better gift for any client, supplier or retiree?

De Havilland in Canada completes CANAV’s trilogy of great aviation companies — DHC, Canadair and P&WC, an accomplishment unique in Canadian publishing. De Havilland in Canada: 392pp, large format, hardcover, dust jacket, glossary, appendix, bibliography, index, 900+ photos & diagrams. Order De Havilland in Canada before this reminder gets buried! One of the great aviation book bargains at this price. (Also available … a few used copies of The De Havilland Canada Story. Enquire by mail, phone or fax if interested.) Reg. $45.00 $37.50

13. Canadair: The First Fifty Years (Pickler & Milberry)

The last few (of 24,000) now on sale. From early years – - Vedette to Stranraer and PBY, into the Canadair era with North Star, F-86, T-33, CF-104, CL-44, CL-215, etc. Finishes with the Challenger, CRJ, Global Express. All the ups and downs in a firm that has survived 50 years. Complements our DHC book and “a must” for any serious reader. Says Airways: “Another beautiful addition to the publisher’s respected line… one of the best records of an aviation company ever produced.” Are you sure you don’t want a copy? 392 pp (pages), lf, hc, 900 b/w & colour photos, app’x , index. Collector’s price $75.00

14. Power: The Pratt & Whitney Canada Story (Sullivan & Milberry)

Classy book for those with in-depth interest. From early years dealing with commercial operators/RCAF, to the PW100 in the Dash 8, ATR, etc. 100s of photos. Says Airlines, “An attractive example of how to make a company history come alive.” Adds the CAHS: “If you have enjoyed previous books published by CANAV, you will treasure this one.” 320 pp, hc. (Also available in French as Propulsion.) Reg. $40.00 $32.50

15 Sixty Years: The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924-1984 (Milberry)

This beauty is where every reader starts for general RCAF history. Early days, interwar, WWII, postwar to modern days — a mini-CAFWP! 800+ photos, 95 colour profiles. More than 22,000 RCAF veterans and fans have a copy! We know how good Sixty Years is – its pages have been scoured and shamelessly poached by “authors” of dozens of subsequent books. Notes Aircraft Illustrated: “This is one of those all-too rare aviation books … a delight to read and a joy to possess and to treasure… superby produced and printed and is likely to become a classic collectors’ item … a masterpiece.” Smart reviewer … how did he know that! Air International noted: “… an outstanding product combining a fascinating, deeply researched text … the photographs alone are worth the price…” So go ahead and don’t order a copy! 480 pp, lf, hc, app’x, biblio, chron, index. (Found used on the WWW for as high as US$180!) Reg. $60.00 $50.00

16. Typhoon and Tempest: The Canadian Story (Halliday)

Hugh Halliday’s history of Canadians on RAF/RCAF T&T squadrons, espec. 438, 439, 440 Sqns. Writes the Calgary Herald: “A splendid book … works as pure history but it is also thoroughly readable… the book’s backbone is made up of those who climbed into the cockpits to dodge flak and telephone wires while taking out trains and tanks.” Air Action adds, “… thoroughly researched … action from cover to cover … one more ‘must’ from CANAV.” 300 photos, app’x, maps, lists of aircraft, sqns, awards/decorations, casualties, index. 208 pp, hc. Reg. $37.50 $25.00