CANADA'S AVIATION PIONEERS: 50 YEARS OF McKEE TROPHY WINNERS. Hardcover - 1978

Toronto: McGraw-Hill, Ryerson, 1978. 304 pp, 4to (11 1/4" H). B&w photographs, maps. "(T)ells the exciting story of the adventurous and often visionary men who pioneered aviation in Canada. From Canada's first pilot to modern airline pioneers and inventors, here are the winners of the Trans-Canada Trophy, awarded annually for outstanding contributions to the development of aviation in Canada. The Trans-Canada Trophy, also known as the McKee Trophy, was first awarded in 1927 to commemorate the first trans-Canada seaplane flight, made by Dalzell McKee and Earl Godfrey in September 1926. The recipients of the trophy include legendary figures and famous names in Canadian aviation: Arctic pilot 'Weldy' Phipps; the king of northern fliers, 'Matt' Berry; the great Canadian artist, author and pilot, Walter Gilbert; Avro Arrow test pilot Jan Zurakowski; Silver Dart pilot John McCurdy; 'Grant' McConachie of Canadian Pacific Air Lines, the famous 'bush pilot with a briefcase'; 'Doc' Oaks, who combined aviation and mining; 'Tommy' Siers, the brilliant engineer who developed the Worth oil dilution system for easier starting of aircraft engines in cold weather; the resourceful officer who completed the mapping of the Arctic isalnds, 'Jack' Showler; pioneer bush pilot 'Punch' Dickens; 'Wop' May, who flew the first winter air mail service 'down north' to Aklavik; and many others. This book tells in words and photographs the story of every McKee Trophy winner from 1927 to 1977. Based on years of research and interviews with many of the Trophy winners, it will appeal to general readers as well as the growing number of aviation history enthusiasts." Small gift inscription on front free endpaper, very light edge wear, light wrinkling at bottom of spine. Dust jacket has light edge wrinkling, a few small closed tears - one with creases - all archivally taped, light fading to spine color. . Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good-.