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Interview with Angus McLean

https://search.bvmuseum.org/link/descriptions12284
Date Range
1992
Collection
BVM Oral History collection
Description Level
File
GMD
sound recording
electronic record
Scope and Content
Self-recorded interview by Angus McLean, 1992. Includes raw and edited .WAV files and an .MP3 access file. No release form could be located.
More detail
1 audio
Collection
BVM Oral History collection
Description Level
File
GMD
sound recording
electronic record
Creator
Angus McLean
Fonds No.
C5
Item No.
2021.21.59
Accession No.
2021.21
Physical Description
442 MB of digital records
Date Range
1992
Scope and Content
Self-recorded interview by Angus McLean, 1992. Includes raw and edited .WAV files and an .MP3 access file. No release form could be located.
Type of Record
Archival Description

Audio Tracks

Interview with Angus McLean - 1992

Interview with Angus McLean - 1992

https://search.bvmuseum.org/media/Digital%20Fonds%20and%20Collections/C5%20BVM%20Oral%20History%20collection/2021.21.59_McLean,%20Angus/McLean,%20Angus%201992.ACCESS.mp3

McLean introduces himself, gives some background info on his life in Smithers and explains why he has chosen to record this tape.

keywords

subjects

McLean recounts his involvement with the construction of the Smithers Airport during the Second World War. He identifies the contractors associated with the project and explains why they did not hire very many local men.

keywords

Bovill brothers; Campbell Brothers Contracting; Carl Spicer; Carter-Halls-Aldinger Co. Ltd.; contractors; Ernie Hann; hiring; Nelson River Dredging; R.S.B. Lillico; runway; surveying; Winnipeg Cartage Company; workforce

subjects

construction; Smithers Airport; World War II

McLean discusses the Air Force's presence at the Smithers Airport, including the buildings and infrastructure they set up, the reason why some planes were kept at Smithers rather than Terrace, the potential effects of planes on the runway pavement, and the infrequency of flights in and out of Smithers during wartime.

keywords

aircraft; buildings; construction; flights; flying conditions; pavement; planes; runway; sewer system; squadron; Terrace; weather

subjects

air force; Smithers Airport; World War II

McLean discusses the general effects the Airport had on Smithers, such as the opening of new businesses, the shortage of accommodations, and the personnel who remained in town afterwards. He believes that the presence of the Air Force and the construction work itself had only short-term economic benefits on Smithers' economy, but that commercial use of the Airport has been a long-term benefit to the community.

keywords

accommodations; Carl Spicer; Dick Heggie; George Adomeit; Heggie's Cafe

subjects

economy; Smithers; Smithers Airport

McLean gives a story about how the hockey player Red Dutton helped build an emergency airstrip at Woodcock.

keywords

airstrip; Bill Kilgour; Dutton Brothers; hockey jacket; Ken Warner; Woodcock

subjects

hockey; hockey players; Norman Dutton; Red Dutton

McLean summarizes the work he and the Department of Transport did on the Smithers Airport.

keywords

subjects

construction; Department of National Defence; Department of Transport; Smithers Airport

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