Aviation

Aviation - Heavy construction really got moving in the spring as construction crews moved in. By April, the workforce had increased considerably. Work proceeded at a fast pace on runway construction, obtaining a source of electrical energy, constructing buildings for radio communications and navigational apparatus, construction of giant tanks for gasoline storage; fitting together pumping systems, installing runway lighting, a hangar and an administration building - all in preparation for the first experimental flights.

The Administration Building, when completed, would be the first air terminal building until the opening of the air terminal in Hangar 22 on the RAF Side nine years later.

A London newspaper reported in February: "The biggest and best equipped airport in the British Empire is being built in Newfoundland, 60 miles from Botwood where the North Atlantic flying boat terminus is being prepared. The airport will be the terminus of the North Atlantic landplane service, which, it is confidently believed, will be the ultimate method of crossing the Atlantic. Every sort of investigation is being made by the Air Ministry and Imperial Airways to determine the best way of overcoming the difficulties of the Atlantic. It is 1,500 yards in every direction and has four runaways 200 yards in width in which is inlaid with an ingenious system of lights to guide a pilot landing and taking off in fog. The Lorenz apparatus for blind landing is being installed together with the most elaborate system of radio and lighting at any airport in the world. The airport will be opened in September."

Howard Barnes had been installing transmitter towers in Botwood and moved to Newfoundland Airport (Gander) to do similar work: "I was working in Botwood in 1936, when Ned Beaton asked me if I wanted a job on the Gander with the British Marconi Company. I had been installing transmitter towers, and would be doing the same thing in Gander. The job looked like a steady one, and the pay was good, $75 per month, so I accepted. I moved in Gander in 1937." And so Howard Barnes, native of English Harbour, Trinity Bay, became one of the pioneers of Gander.

Tom Lannon was the first man to bring his family to live here.

On Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. the Power House was in operation for first time.

A photo taken on Dec. 20 shows the scaffolding around the Administration Building. The exterior was complete except for glass in the tower.

Stone crushing took place at Hall's Quarry (near Benton) that provided stone by the rail car load for construction at the Newfoundland Airport.

Next week: Gander History 1938