72-008 Thunderbird Models 1:72 World Wide Airways C-47 "Arctic Rose" decals

Don McVicar, the founder of World Wide Airways, was one of the true originals of Canadian aviation. He learned to fly in 1936 from the well known Maurice Burbidge (a former McKee Trophy winner- Canada’s highest award for civilian aviation) and was one of the early group of Ferry Command pilots making his first flight with them in 1941. He helped prove several of the staging routes to England and flew the first ski-equipped Norseman into Baffinland. Later, McVicar flew another proving flight, delivering a H.P. Hampden from the UK to Pat Bay B first for a twin engined bomber. Don delivered the first B-26 Maruader to North Africa at a time when the “Widow Maker” was still considered by many to be a killer aircraft. He was “offered” the OBE but turned it down as he regarded it as an award for “Other Bastard’s Efforts”.

In 1944 Air Vice Marshall Marix (Head of Ferry Command) offered McVicar a Captaincy with the newly re-constituted British West Indian Air Lines. After the war, he returned to Canada, flying in the bush and delivering surplus aircraft. He formed World Wide Aviation Services in 1945 and delivered many of the C-47s to Canadair for re-building. WWA grew with the building of the DEW line and Mid-Canada line. Eventually becoming a major charter and cargo service with a fleet of C-47s, C-46s and Super Constellations. WWA ceased operations in 1965 when the ATB pulled its operating certificate for financial reasons.

Air Life of Britain published five books by McVicar: Ferry Command, .C., a North Atlantic Cat, A Change of Wings, Mosquito Racer, and More Than a Pilot. All very much worth reading, the first three books dealing largely with life in Ferry Command.