Restoring bush planes is very significant in preserving their historic value; however, is an extremely long process. Some of these planes are the last of their kind known to exist, therefore their restoration is very important. When pieces of the plane c ould not be found or were damaged beyond repair, they have to be reconstructed from drawings and the memory of people who know how the aircraft was built. Due to the age of the planes, parts cannot be bought and replaced so they often have to be made by h and. This process is very time consuming because the tools to bend the replacement pieces also have to be made.

To view restoration action at W.C.A.M., click on the image list below.

To view retrieval and crash sites click on the Retrieval icon below (lefthand side) .



Planes are recovered from various lakes and crash sites. Helicopters and other aircraft are sometimes needed to lift the remains out of remote areas. Finding these planes and bringing them back to museums to be restored is a very important par t of our aviation history. Volunteers at the W.C.A.M. have travelled all over to recover aircraft that have been abandoned.










FILE #: restoration 3
DATE:N/A
MODEL:Vedette in restoration.
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. bush flying display area.
REMARKS:N/A
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W.C.A.M. FILE #: S2018
DATE:09/1988
MODEL:Vickers Vedette
LOCATION:WCAM Winnipeg, MB
REMARKS:Shot of fuselage framework and jig in vedette department, left front view
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W.C.A.M. FILE #:S2026
DATE:09/1988
MODEL:Vickers Vedette
LOCATION:WCAM Winnipeg, MB
REMARKS:Shot of fuselage framework and jig in vedette department.
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W.C.A.M. FILE #: S2029
DATE:09/1988
MODEL:N/A
LOCATION:WCAM Winnipeg, MB
REMARKS:Ernie Whitehorn in Vedette shop
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FILE #: restoration 1
DATE:N/A
MODEL:Vickers Vedette in restoration.
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. bush flying display area.
REMARKS:This flying boat is the only one of its kind known to exist in Canada and the only one known to be restored. It's been worked on by W.C.A.M. volunteers for the past 12 years.
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FILE #: r06-37
DATE:N/A
MODEL:Vickers Vedette
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. bush flying display.
REMARKS:Shot of open cockpit of the vedette. Photo taken by Tricon, on site.
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FILE #: r03-06
DATE:1996
MODEL:Vickers Vedette in restoration.
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. bush flying display area.
REMARKS:This flying boat is the only one of its kind known to exist in Canada and the only one known to be restored. It's been worked on by W.C.A.M. volunteers for the past 12 years. Photo taken by Tricon, on site.
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FILE #: restoration 2
DATE:N/A
MODEL:Junkers in restoration.
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. hangar
REMARKS:N/A
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FILE #: r06-08
DATE:N/A
MODEL:Wing
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. restoration shop
REMARKS:Wooden wing from a plane being reconstructed.
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FILE #: restoration tools collage
DATE:N/A
MODEL:Tools used in restoration shop.
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. restoration shop
REMARKS:Examples of tools most often used in the restoration shop at W.C.A.M. Dimpler (left), rivot gun (right), homemade protractor (mid-ground), homemade metal brace to bend wood. Photo taken by Tricon, on site.
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FILE #: r01-20
DATE:N/A
MODEL:N/A
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. bush flying display.
REMARKS:Example of a plane of mixed material (metal and wood). Photo taken by Tricon, on site.
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FILE #: r06-02
DATE:N/A
MODEL: Floats from Fairchild Super 71C
LOCATION:W.C.A.M. restoration shop
REMARKS:Fairchild Super 71C CF-AUJ
First flew: October 31, 1934
Struck log and sank: October 3, 1940
Retrieved by WCAM: 1978
Restoration started: October 3, 1987
Engine: 9 cyl. wasp engine
Originally built in Quebec
-approx. 200 built
-first plane built in Canada
Photo taken by Tricon, on site.
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W.C.A.M. FILE #: S2024
DATE:09/1988
MODEL:Stinson Reliant
LOCATION:WCAM Winnipeg, MB
REMARKS:Shot of left wing on stand in paint shop.
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W.C.A.M. FILE #: S7143
DATE:09/1988
MODEL:N/A
LOCATION:WCAM Winnipeg, MB
REMARKS:Bending wooden frames for wing construction in shop.
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