Print preview Close

Showing 1 results

Archival description
Only top-level descriptions Archives of Ontario De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, Limited
Print preview View:

Fred W. Hotson fonds

  • ON00009 F 4531
  • Fonds
  • 1920-2000

Fonds consists of the records created and accumulated by Fred W. Hotson for the research and writing of two books on the history of de Havilland Canada: The de Havilland Canada Story (1983) and de Havilland in Canada (1999).

Hotson's research materials include newspaper clippings and photocopies of articles, photographs, de Havilland histories, motion picture films, chronologies, and facts and statistics, as well as de Havilland publications, such as the de Havilland Gazette, the de Havilland Mosquito, and aircraft catalogues. Due to Hotson's close affiliation with de Havilland Canada, he procured a number of original corporate records, which are also included in this fonds.

Specific aircraft documented in this fonds include all eight of the aircraft types designed and built by de Havilland Canada: the DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-2 Beaver and Turbo Beaver, DHC-3 Otter, DHC-4 Caribou, DHC-5 Buffalo, DCH-6 Twin Otter, DHC-7 Dash 7, DHC-8 Dash 8; some of the de Havilland England aircraft represented in the fonds include many in the Moth series, including the Cirrus Moth, Puss Moth, Tiger Moth, Fox Moth, Hornet Moth, and Moth Minor. Other de Havilland England aircraft documented in the fonds are the D.H.84 Dragon, D.H.90 Dragonfly, D.H.98 Mosquito, and D.H.100 Vampire.

Records relating to specific aircraft created or imported by de Havilland Canada may include newspaper clippings, interior photographs of cockpits and exterior photographs of the aircraft, catalogues, technical data and specifications, outline drawings, pilot's notes and operating instructions, pilot training guides, model specifications, design analyses, aircrafts' business histories and performance summaries, and Hotson's handwritten research notes.

Nearly all of the photographs in this fonds are professional photographs, taken for public relations or advertising purposes; there are very few amateur snapshots included in this fonds. Similarly, photograph albums are presentation albums created by de Havilland Canada, showcasing aircraft and de Havilland operations.

In addition to photographs of aircraft, there are also photographs showing de Havilland Canada staff, including pilots, engineers, directors, and female personnel working on production during the Second World War. Additional photographs documenting special events, such as actress Joan Fontaine's visit to de Havilland Canada, Air Marshall W.A. “Billy” Bishop's visit, Family Day, and the opening of the new cafeteria are also included. Photographs of de Havilland Canada facilities at Mount Dennis, Malton, Shepperd Avenue, and Downsview are all included; photographs show aircraft production inside the plants, exterior shots of the hangars, and aerial views of the grounds.

De Havilland Canada's extensive work during the Second World War is well documented in the photographs, particularly in the Mosquito images. These show military grounds crews loading Mosquitos with bombs and shells, Mosquito attacks on an automotive factory in France, Mosquito attacks on a U-Boat Supply Depot, among others. Textual records regarding the Mosquito are similarly extensive.

Records documenting de Havilland Canada's experimental or special projects are included in this fonds, such as the design of FHE 400 HMCS Bras D'Or, an Antisubmarine Warfare hydrofoil ship; and the design of STEM (Storable Extendable Tubular Member), a self-erecting antenna designed for Canadian and American space programs.

The films depict various de Havilland Canada aircrafts including the Puss Moth, Gypsy Moth, Caribou, Mosquito, and the Dash 7. The films also show the production and launch of the Canadian Hydrofoil, footage of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Minefinders' Airline, and the building of the DEW and Mid-Canada lines. Additionally, there is footage of the first trans-Canada flight by RCAF squadron leader Earl Godfrey and James Dalzell McKee in 1926 and a film entitled "Res-X Airlift" that consists of footage showing the transport of equipment from Frobisher Bay to Resolution Island in the Arctic.

Arrangement is based on Fred W. Hotson's original order.

This fonds consists of 30 series.

For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+F+4531?SESSIONSEARCH