, this is the first edition of our quarterly newsletter.  

Its purpose is to provide you with a behind the scenes look at what's been happening at the History Hangar web site and provide a recap of new features and items added during the previous three months.

We'll try and keep it light but informative AND, as is true for all our endeavours, we encourage you to 'add your  two cents worth' by giving us your comments (we hate working in a vacuum).

Any suggestions you have relative to improvements or content are most welcome (we really do listen).

Quick Tip:  Text in "light blue" are clickable links.

My name is  Tom A Hawk and I'm the Editor-In-Chief of this soon to be famous .......[or not] newsletter.

One of the reasons I was chosen as the Editor-In-Chief is my famous name.  

If you haven't made the connection, its the same as one of the early WWII aircraft flown by 400Squadron.  

The other reason is because of my Superman type cape.  

It gives me the power to protect the innocent [or guilty] parties behind the creation of this newsletter and the fine web site it represents .....The History Hangar.

Feel free to address any comments/suggestions to my attention . But remember, like my  namesake, I am heavily armed.

Following is my Editorial Staff:

To provide a permanent digital repository of history related items for 400, 411 Squadrons and 2 Air Reserve Wing, bringing an accurate, interesting and entertaining experience for current and past members, friends and future generations.

From the desk of: Tom A Hawk

Our old logo was that of the 400 Squadron Historical Society and it was causing some confusion as to both the ownership of The History Hangar and its scope.

To clarify, the History Hangar is owned and run by past members of 400 and 411 squadrons, all of whom are volunteers.

It is NOT a government site. All content and opinions expressed are those of the volunteer members, unless specifically noted otherwise. 

The historical records included have been extensively researched by the members and to the best of our knowledge and ability, they are accurate. We do welcome and require any corrections or omissions that you, the reader, may find or deem necessary.

We are deeply grateful to the 400 Squadron Historical Society, who have financially supported the History Hangar for the past two years. You will notice an expression of our appreciation on many of our pages.  

From the desk of: Tom A Hawk

We have also completely re-designed the layout of the site.  Rather than showing the page navigation on the left side, we have re-located it to the top of each page (just below the header or title).
The new navigation links show each main section or BAY of the History Hangar.  

If you click on the BAY, or section, you will be taken to it's Home Page where you will be able to select, from a page listing menu, the area in which you are interested.

Alternatively, you may 'mouse over' the BAY and it will display the Chapters included.  You may then click on the Chaper desired to go to it's Home Page and from there, select the specific page you wish to visit.

A new Help Video showing full details of how to navigate the History Hanagar should be completed by the end of May.

From the desk of: da Crank

We was recently told of de discovery of a 36th  member of our Squadron's Honour Roll, F/O M.L. Couling who died July 5, 1949.  Da full poop and dem link thingys can be seen if ya clicks HERE

While yer at it, why don't you get off yur arse, let da butterflys outta yur wallet, and send a few bucks so da boys can get da Honour Roll on de Monument at de Air Force Museum updated..

Udder bit of interesting news.  We hurd from da top cop at Toronto's Marine unit an he told us dey got a piece of new fangled gear called a side scan radar.  Dey is going to train der boys and gals on it dis summer and will do de training near where F/O Russell crashed his vampire in 1953.  Wid a great deal of luck dey may be able to find the remains of de vampire and perhaps even F/O Russell.  Wudn't dat be sumthin.

We'll keep ya posted.  Dat's bout it for now.

Tom A Hawk is not only a taskmaster but also a great mentor. I have learned a lot from him about how to edit photos, create forms and other neat stuff (like always hit 16 not 17).

I have created a form that will be used throughout the History Hangar to leave comments, suggestions and to register your input on surveys or registrations.

If you have any comments regarding this form, stow them. The Hawk likes it and I have worked long and hard on it. It's now fixed in stone!

da Bird will work as hard as time allows to finish the standardization of all forms, remember we are all volunteers.

I have also started re-editing our photos to provide standardized sizing and framing.

This fall you wil be asked for photos that you wish recorded for posterity. I encourage you to participate in supplying photos to this project.

By the way we are planning a Help Video on how to submit photos, which will be ready this fall.

That’s all for now, back to my Instamatic.

From the desk of: da Boss

If you've ever heard the expression "the lunitics have taken over the asylum", then you have some idea of what its like trying to deal with this oranization.

Everyone shows me a good deal of respect but usually go about doing "their thing" without much input from me.  

I guess I'm more of a figurehead (or is it a maidenhead). Certainly not the type of leadership I learned at Command College.

Regardless, I am pleased to be associated with them and am proud of our product .... The History Hangar.

Hopefully I'll see you at one of the events planned this summer (see the bottom portion of the 'sidebar' on the left).

Back to my desk and cold coffee.

From the desk of: Margarita Man

¿Qué está pasando amigo. Or, in gringo talk, 'What's happening friend'.

I didn't really volunteer for this job. It's just that when they said "all volunteers take one step forward", I forgot to take one step backward like everyone else did.

I'm happy to help out providing what information and direction I can, as long as it doesn't interfer with my "chillin time'.

I've got two tips for you.

First, when your 'chillin' try poking around The History Hangar, its got lot's of interesting information and audio visuals.  Particularly the On Guard Series written by my good gringo buddy.  If your not inclined to read it, you can listen to it in the AUDIO ARITICLES Bay.

The second tip is, to keep your Margarita's chilled and keep the salt and limes handy.

Adiós por ahora

From the desk of: da Count

The 400 Squadron Historical Society was good enough to help us again this year with a donation of $894.74.

This covered expenses for the various websites, software programs, and other critical items, without which the History Hangar would not have remained operational.  

These items were paid for by Bill Bishop from January 2012 through March 2013.  

Anyone wishing to view these expenses may click HERE

It is anticipated that expenses for the period of April 2013 through March 2014 will amount to another $600.00.  

As the 400 Squadron Historical Society does not have a large reserve of funds The History Hangar will be mounting a fund raising drive this fall to raise the funds necessary to keep us alive.  

We are confident enough past members will heed the call to assist us in "Keeping Our History Alive".

That's it for now .... back to the cookie jar.

From the desk of: da Guy

The Hawk has had me sweating away in my dungeon preparing photo's and other interesting stuff for the 411 Squadron section of The History Hangar.

I'm almost done so you can expect to see lots of new information added in the very near future.  

Gosh, I never knew there was so much work involved in putting up just one page on the web, let alone a whole section.

I plan to continue working on the 411 Section of The History Hangar. This fall I will be reaching out for information to compile a 'Final Flight' section.  I ask that all ex 411 members actively participate when "the call goes out".

Time for more bread and water.  Hope to see y'all at the Barbecue on June 22nd at 420 Wing in Oshawa.

From the desk of: Tom A Hawk

, I hope you enjoyed this first issue of History Hangar Happenings and that you will visit the web site in the near future.

Remember, active participation through sharing comments/suggestions,  attending planned events, and financial support, will "Keep Our History Alive".

Enjoy your summer.  Per Ardua Ad Astra