Dogs in the Alberta Aviation Museum Collection
A History in Photos
Written By: Jade Edwards-Modry
With International Dog Day approaching on August 26th, we’re celebrating humanity’s greatest companions through some often overlooked photos from our collection. Dogs have always been part of aviation history, from mascots to co-pilots to faithful companions of legendary aviators. These photos prove that behind every great pilot, there’s usually an even better dog.
Part one: Miscellaneous dogs.
A black and white photo of a Bulldog in the rear cockpit of a Curtiss JN-4 Jenny at Camp Borden in 1918. “Some Pilot” is written on the image.
This pilot is missing a few things! Where is your helmet? Where are your goggles? Where are your opposable thumbs?
This guy knows what’s up. I’ll have to take his word on the opposable thumbs thing.
A black and white photo of Fokker Super Universal G-CASQ Western Canada Airways 1929. Lou Parmenter, Punch Dickins, and one bashful dog who clearly didn’t sign up for the photo shoot.
It’s okay, we all get a little camera-shy sometimes.
The only person smiling in this photo is the one holding a dog like a baby. Understandable, that’s the secret to happiness right there.
Black and white photo of Irene Scholer sitting on a wooden deck holding two puppies, one in each arm. Taken at Watson Lake in 1944.
Irene is living the dream.
Written on the back: “Maurice’s model plane and Rex laughing 1931”. A dog in the foreground, a model plane in the background.
Rex seems like he would have a great laugh. I hope Maurice’s feelings weren’t too hurt.
Just along for the adventure!
Photo from a forced landing for the JN-4 Jenny/Canuck registered as G-CATE (also known as the “City of Edmonton”) in Millet AB, taken April 1929. Edward A. Reynolds improperly salutes with his left hand in the photo because he has a puppy in his right arm. 1929.
Priorities: perfectly sorted.
(P.S. Today, you can see this aircraft hanging in the Royal Alberta Museum.)
Dog (unnamed) and Twin Beechcraft CF-BMI at Fort Chipewyan. Late 1930s
Hard to see clearly, but you can tell this is definitely a good dog doing important supervisory work.
Photo from the August 1939 edition of Canadian Aviation Magazine. The description says: “ANTICIPATION. Rowdy, six-month-old flying enthusiast at the London Flying Club, is all set for a hop in the Fleet, CF-CEQ. The flying pup’s first experience in the air came when the club’s chief engineer, Bev. Brisco, got the idea of putting on the dog when he flew the club’s Cub.”
We love an aviation enthusiast!
It looks like they’re playing an excellent game of catch!
Picture of Bill “Turbo” Tarling and Beth Kappelar with Casper the dog and Airspray’s Douglas A-26 Invader number 13 (C-FZTC). 1991.
Look at Casper, Photo-ready with a big smile! Yes to dogs and no to wildfires!
Corporal Hanna and Joe McRae in RCMP uniforms with hats standing on either side of a woman (Melba?) wearing a dark coat holding a small dog. They are smiling for the camera and are standing next to a vehicle on a dirt road.
A dog with a face that could belong to a medieval painting. Extra points for uniqueness and historical gravitas.
Black and white photo of two women, one kneeling in the grass, the other standing, in a garden. The woman kneeling had her arms around a dog. The women are smiling for the camera, and so is the dog. (1943)
This dog has a very reassuring face. Everything will be okay.
Honourable mention:
Not in our collections, but so so so cute!
Despite being a little bit scary, I would like to bring this guy back.
Snoopy piloting his World War I “Sopwith Camel” fighter biplane, disguised as a doghouse. Scanned, digitally restored detail from the front panel of a battered Thermos brand Peanuts lunchbox, circa 1964.
We had to include Snoopy!
Part 2: 418 Squadron Dogs
(From the collections of 418 Squadron Association)
Leading Aircraftman Butch was a stray adopted by 418 City of Edmonton Squadron in 1954, becoming their beloved mascot and earning his place in squadron history.
Not a single thought behind those eyes.
Chuck Levesque, LAC Butch, and Johnny Mackay in front of a 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron North American B-25 Mitchell. 1955.
Butch stands (sits) at attention like the professional airman he was.
What a perfect fit! The camera flash clearly caught him off guard, but he maintained his dignity throughout.
LAC Butch is presented with the Order of the Horse’s Ass (given to crew members after a misdeed) after being sprayed by a skunk. 1954.
Justice for LAC Butch! The skunk started it.
LAC Butch and 418 members with position report chart of B-25 Aircraft at Summer Camp Rivers Manitoba. 1956.
Taking his duties very seriously.
Not LAC Butch, but here is a photo of 418 Squadron members loading a German Shepherd onto a DC-4 / C-54 or Canadair CL-2 North Star at Gimli. 1950.
You’re not LAC Butch, who are you? Very cute and seems to be handling the situation well.
Part 3: Wop May’s Dogs
Wop May and his family were notorious dog-lovers. As made evident by the many dogs in his photos, all the way back to his childhood.
We love Tim!
This dog carries all the wisdom of the earth in those eyes. He sees all, knows all, and is undoubtedly a very good boy.
Togo or not, this is one cute dog.
What refined gentlemen.
Picture of Wop May’s father, Alexander E. May, in a car with the family dog. 1900-1918.
So happy to be there!
Looks like a successful hunting day! A proud dog with a duck in its mouth and a less enthused-looking May child.
The May family with Wop in uniform. In order are Vera May, Alexander E. May, Wop May, Elizabeth May, and Court May. The May family dog is in the photo, looking up at Elizabeth “Mother May”. The Hotel MacDonald is visible on the right side of the image. 1918-1919.
When dogs stare at you like this with such love and appreciation, you’ve done something very right.
Likely a May family dog. 1950-1980.
Just chilling. Keeping it real.
Part 4: Sled Dogs
Before aircraft dominated northern transportation, sled dogs were the backbone of communication and supply in Canada’s remote regions. Our collection documents this crucial partnership.
Two adult dogs with five puppies. The adult dogs are in harnesses and standing on a wooden platform. There are two puppies to the right, two to the left and one just visible in the background. There is writing near the bottom of the photo that reads, “A Yukon Husky Family” (1940-1950).
“A Yukon Husky Family” are you kidding me?! Fighting back tears.
A dog team on a snowy trail that is lined on either side with trees. The sled has a large covered load on the back of it. Taken in either Northern Ontario or Manitoba, 1920-1929.
Hard at work!
A dog team resting on a forested trail. Taken in either Northern Ontario or Manitoba, 1920-1929.
We all need a break sometimes.
PWA Otter near Yellowknife Bay with registration CF-JAO. Men are loading the plane while sled dogs lie down on the snow. 1960.
These are some cute workers! Snow-joke!
A black and white photo of someone gassing up a Commercial Airways Bellanca Pacemaker at Northern Hudson’s Bay Post in the early thirties. Taken in the winter with sled dogs in the front. 1930-1935.
Their expression clearly says, “Hurry up with that Bellanca.”
Are we being ambushed by cuteness? We don’t mind one bit.
Thank you! Cuties.
A black and white photo of Mackenzie Air Service Bellanca Air Cruiser CF-AWR, mid-30s. Stan McMillan has enclosed AWR in a circle of fuel drums, a cautionary measure, as it was the annual Dog Derby Day, a race of the best husky dog teams, Cameron Bay to Eldorado and return. 1937.
Look how fast! I hope they won.
People and dogs at a settlement in 1931.
A dog sled team and some Inuit people standing nearby, possibly a family, 1925-1940.
Did you know that sled dogs have been hard at work for over 8000 years?
A black and white photo of Charter Airways (MacDonald Aviation) Avro Anson CF-FOI at the Salmita Gold Mines camp on barren lands near Muskox Lake, N.W.T. in 1947. Dog teams and powered wings working together. Chief Pilot Stan McMillan. 1947.
This looks fur-reezing. Such troopers.
Black and white image of several dogs in the middle of a heavily wooded area. They are being used for logging in Camsell River at Great Bear Lake. 1937
Big smiles! These are some happy-looking dogs taking it all in
Fairchild FC-2 registered as G-CATL in Fort Rae, N.W.T. (now called Behchokǫ̀). It was owned by Northern Aerial Minerals Exploration (N.A.M.E.) and later by Canadian Airways. It seems there is a team of mushers outside this plane, and the slide notes that there are 26 dogs.
Still not enough dogs.
Black and white photo of several people and dog sleds, unloading freight off a plane at Coppermine. All the people are in large coats with fur trim. One of the boxes clearly says “Canada – White Vinegar”. Taken in the 1960s.
These dogs were the salt of the earth, even when delivering the vinegar of the north.
A man with a film camera mounted on a tripod appears to be filming something. There are many people standing in the background. It’s winter and there is snow everywhere, and people are in jackets and hats. There are a small group of dogs to the right of the frame. There are two small buildings in the background. 1930-1939
Every good documentary needs canine consultants.
These dogs really knew how to deliver under pressure, weather paw-mitting.
From the collection of Cedric Mah: negative is of a person standing in front of a Canadian Airways Fairchild 71C with a couple of sled dogs. 1950-1970.
Where should you leave your sled dogs? At a barking lot.
Two adult dogs with at least five puppies. The adult dogs are in harnesses, and they are pulling a little wooden wagon with the puppies inside. There is writing near the bottom of the photo that reads, “A Yukon Pupmobile”
Had to save the best for last.
The verdict is in: dogs are, and have always been, excellent judges of character, transportation methods, and photo opportunities. After reviewing all these good dogs, we can confidently say that aviation history is significantly improved by the presence of ears that flop in the wind and faces that are always happy to see you. Please give your pups at home an extra scratch from us at the Alberta Aviation Museum!