Taking wings once again

Jeff Green | Jun 17, 2010

Bill Pyle Pyle with Bill Morton

When the Second World War ended, some 65 years ago, Bill Morton, who had logged over 1,000 hours of flying time as an instructor both in Canada and in the U.K., put his flying days behind him.

Morton got married soon after the war ended, and worked for 35 years for Trader's Finance. In 1982 he retired and moved to a house at Bobs Lake, where he still lives. He has not forgotten about his flying days, however, and has kept some of his equipment and records about his wartime flying experiences.

Friends of his know all about his experiences in the war, and Kevin Pyle, the son of Bill Morton's neighbour Bill Pyle, got wind of Vintage Wings Canada, a not-for-profit group based in Gatineau, Quebec.

A statement on their website describes their goals. “At Vintage Wings of Canada it is our mission to acquire, restore, maintain and fly classic aircraft significant to the early history of powered flight. A particular focus is on aircraft of Canadian importance.” Not only does Vintage Wings restore planes, they prepare them for use as well, and one of the features they offer is the “sponsored flight program” through which members of the organization get the opportunity to fly in vintage planes.

One of the airplanes that Vintage Wings has restored is the Tiger Moth (photo right), a small two-seater training plane that was the first plane that Bill Morton ever flew as a student pilot after 8 hours of training, on September 7, 1942.

“When the opportunity to take the flight was presented to Bill, we didn't know what he was going to say. But he jumped at the chance. He then dug though his stuff and pulled out a leather helmet and some other gear from the war,” said Morton's friend Bill Pyle.

So, on Saturday, June 26 at 2 p.m., weather permitting, 90-year-old Bill Morton will travel about 2 ½ hours from his home to an airfield near Gatineau, and in front of a crowd of family and friends he will once again climb into a Tiger Moth and take flight.

“I won't be flying it this time, although I might be able to take the stick for a few minutes,” Bill said.

The Vintage Wings Organization is pleased to be helping Bill Morton celebrate his birthday.

“It is a fitting tribute to Bill, one of our many military aviation veterans in this country whom we commemorate,” said a Vintage Wings Tiger Moth pilot. “It is our goal to inspire and educate Canadians about the historical significance of our aviation heritage, and what better way than in the cockpit of one of these classic birds?”

DeHaviland Aircraft made 8700 Tiger Moths between 1931 and the end of WW2. Of these, 1,500 were made at DeHaviland's plant in Downsview, Ontario.

In addition to the Tiger Moth, Bill Morton piloted a number of other planes while serving in the UK. By March of 1945 he had completed the necessary training and passed a high altitude test in order to be accepted into the Mosquito bomber squadron, but the war ended before he had the opportunity to go on any bombing runs.

“That was a stroke of luck,” he said.

Since moving to Bobs Lake in 1982, Bill Morton has become a fixture in the community and has been a member of the Sharbot Lake Lions Club for the last 20 years. “I think most of the club’s members will be there on Saturday. Bill is pretty well liked,” said Bill Pyle.