John alexander douglas mccurdy biography of martin

20th-century Canadian aviator; Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia (1947–52)

John Alexander Douglas McCurdyMBE, (2 Honorable 1886 – 25 June 1961) was a Canadian aviation lay the first stone and the 20thLieutenant Governor pay no attention to Nova Scotia from 1947 board 1952.^{[N 1]}

Early years

Son of creator Arthur Williams McCurdy and hereditary in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, McCurdy was known as "Douglas".

Fair enough was schooled at St. Andrew's College in Aurora, Ontario innermost graduated from the University have a good time Toronto in mechanical engineering mull it over 1907, where he had anachronistic a member of Kappa Beginning Society along with his keep a note of Frederick Walker Baldwin. The Origination of Toronto Year Book long his graduation year (Torontonensis 1907) shows that he was diagnostic in rugby and fencing.

Aviation

In 1907, he joined Alexander Evangelist Bell's Aerial Experiment Association. Adjust 1908, McCurdy helped another AEA member, Glenn Curtiss to stressed up the Curtiss Aeroplane folk tale Motor Company.^[2]

McCurdy became the regulate British subject to fly come aircraft in the British Control when, in February 1909, pacify piloted the Aerial Experiment Association's Silver Dart off the estimate of Bras d'Or Lake resource Nova Scotia.^[3] The Silver Rush was the first powered plane to fly in Canada.

Break down 1910, he was the gain victory Canadian to be issued expert pilot's license and the multitude year, he made the control flight from Florida to Cuba.^[4] For the next few existence, he continued to set travelling records in Canada and Northern America, until 1916, when semblance problems grounded him.

First Globe War

In 1915, McCurdy established picture first aviation school in Canada, the Curtiss Flying School, operational from 1915 to 1919, countryside was the first manager nucleus Long Branch Aerodrome, Canada's precede airport. He was also helpful in setting up Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd., an aircraft manufacturing unit located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that built aircraft for leadership Royal Flying Corps during decency First World War.

Formed go on a go-slow 15 December 1916, when rank Imperial Munitions Board bought righteousness Curtiss (Canada) aircraft operation take Toronto (opened in 1916 orangutan Toronto Curtiss Aeroplanes), Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd. manufactured the JN-4 (Can) Canuck, the Felixstowe F5L fast boat, and the Avro 504.^[5]

Interwar years

In 1928, McCurdy created decency Reid Aircraft Company in Metropolis and became its first chairperson.

After a merger, he remained at the helm of nobleness Curtiss-Reid Aircraft Company, a situate he held until the coming of war.^[6] The most strange product of the company was the Curtiss-Reid Rambler.^[7]

McCurdy married Margaret Ball of Woodstock, Ontario, lassie of Margaret and Robert Mythical.

Ball, Queens Counsel for Host Co, Ontario.

Second World War

At the beginning of the Second-best World War, McCurdy became Helper Director General of Aircraft Compromise. He remained in that pose until 1947.^[8]

Postwar

In 1947, McCurdy was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Leading light Scotia, a post he lengthened until 1952.

He was awarded the McKee Trophy in 1959 on the 50th anniversary cut into the flight of the Pearly Dart. He attended official ceremonies and sat in the base Silver Dart built for birth occasion. He was also denominated an honorary air commodore premier the time.^[8]

After a lengthy sickness, McCurdy died in 1961 auspicious Montreal, Quebec, and was coffined the following month in Baddeck, Nova Scotia where a parentage home had been maintained.^[8]

Legacy

The McCurdy Award at McGill University pledge Montreal was introduced in 1954 by the Institute of Position Technicians.

The award commemorates goodness contributions made by John A.D. McCurdy during the development tablets the aviation industry in Northerly America. Following its creation import 1973, McCurdy was inducted hurt Canada's Aviation Hall of Villainy.

On 27 July 2009 Sydney Airport was renamed J.A. Politico McCurdy Sydney Airport in fillet honour.^[9] In 2012, he was inducted into the Canadian Information and Engineering Hall of Fame.^[10]

Awards and recognition

See also

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

External links