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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1971-01-21, Page 2PAGE TWO ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1971 New Industry at Grand Bend Bell Aerospace. Canada, a division of Textron Canada Ltd., last Friday morning signed the legal documents which gives them the facilities at Grand Bend, for the development and production of its Voyageur heavy! haul hovercraft. Present for the official signing and reception was Bell president, William G. Gisel. The facilities at Grand Bend Airport include two buildings with a total of 30, 000 square feet of floor space on a 52 -acre tract of land. Refurnishment of the buildings has begun and operations are scheduled to get under way in mid-January. Bell Aerospace Canada has worked closely with the Depart- ment of Industry, Trade and Commerce in planning the program which is designed to lead to the establishment of an air cushion technology base in Canada to meet the rapidly developing requirements for remote area cargo hauling and high-speed passenger ferrying missions and oilier specialized air cushion applications. The decision to implement Project Voyageur follows almost four years of investigation, study and operational trials of hovercraft in Canada. Because they ride on a cushion of air above the surface, hover- craft are able to operate over such difficult and varied surf- aces as water, land, ice, snow marsh and the tundra. The capabilities of hovercraft to perform passenger transport BELL PRESIDENT VISITS GRAND BEND - William G. Gisel, second from right, president of Bell Aerospace, visited the firm's new site at Grand Bend last Friday morning, and signed the papers which transferred the property to the new owners. Shown discussing the plans of the company at an informal reception, are left to right, Angelo Ivlaruca, president of the Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Sylvester, Mr. Bell and John Payne, newly eler,ted reeve of the summer resort. ;1, { Ijllrlfv�i:{M*�', 40 PROJECT VOYAGEUR - Bell Aerospace Canada, a division of Textron Canada Ltd., last week announced it will develop and manufacture in Canada a twin -engine, self-propelled air cushion vehicle designed to haul payloads of up to 25 tons. Fitted out in a passenger configuration, the craft could accommodate between 150 and 200 persons. Designated Project Voyageur, the hover- craft is 62-1/2 feet long and has a beam of 33-1/2 feet. It features proven state-of-the-art compon- ents and is capable of reliable performance in extremes of climatic conditions. The top photo shows the vehicle which is to be used for cargo loads, while the bottom photo is the unit which can accom- odate passengers. and cargo -hauling missions under adverse conditions in climates from the Tropics to the Arctic have been proven in operations around the world. These versatile vehicles are particularly suited to providing year-round surface transport- ation in the Arctic. Tests have shown that,their low cushion. pressure will not affect the ecology of any environment. For Project Voyageur, Bell is designing a twin -engine craft capable of hauling a 25 - ton payload on a rugged flatbed structure. The 25 -ton payload is equal to that of most transp- ort airplanes now in regular supply operations in the world. Thus, the new hovercraft would provide a direct transport link from scattered airstrips to set- tlements and support bases for the movement of men, equip- ment and supplies. The new hovercraft utilizes state-of-the-art components, such as transmission system, lift fans, propellers and skirt elements, which have been proven in nearly 100, 000 hours of operation. The vehicle would be powered by two 1, 300 shaft -horsepower Pratt & Whit- ney ST -6 "Twin-Pac" power plants built by United Aircraft of Canada Ltd. The engines are designed for cold -weather operation, have multi -fuel capability and have been proven during more than two -million operating hours. The British Hovercraft Corp- oration of England will co-oper- ate with Bell Aerospace Canada and participate in the Voyageur program. Bell and BHC have worked together in the hover- craft field since July 1963, and Bell has served as sales agent in Canada for BI -IC hovercraft fabricated in England. A number of Canadian manu- facturers have submitted price quotations on the fabrication of major components for the craft. Initial plans call for the fab- rication of two prototype veh- icles for certification testing and operational trials. Appointment of William A. Smith as vice president and managing director of Bell Aero- space Canada was also announc- ed Friday by Mr. Gisel. In his new position, Smith will direct the company's new operations at Grand Bend, Ont- ario, where Bell will develop and fabricate its Voyageur heavy haul hovercraft. Smith said approximately five technical and management employees with experience in air cushion vehicle engineering, factory management and admin- istrative procedures are schedul- ed to transfer to Grand Bend from Bell's head quarters and main plant near Buffalo, New York. The remainder of the work force, which is estimated to reach a peak of 40 after fab- rication begins, will be Canad- ians hired through the Canada Manpower Centre in Centralia. Smith assumes his new posit- ion after serving for the past two years as vice president and manager of Bell's New Orleans Operations in Louisiana, where Bell designed and is build- ing a 100 -ton ocean going Surf- ace Effect Ship capable of speeds in excess of 92 miles per hour. DISCUSS TRANSFER - The former proprietors of the property in Stephen Township which has been purchased by Bell Aerospace Canada, are seen here discussing last minute details of the trans- fer with the company president, William G. Gisel. The former owners are Jack Eagleson, centre, and Gerry Eagleson, right. Hens. i ,,;': ,,>>men's institute Observe Tweedsmuir Hester Tweedsmuir History evening was observed by Hensall Women': Institute at their January meet- ing, Wednesday, with president Mrs. James McAllister presiding. Roll call was answered with a contribution to the Tweedsmuir History Book. Mrs. Carl Payne and Mrs. Sim Roobol were appointed a com- mittee to visit the sick and shut- ins for the coming month. A motion was passed to continue sponsoring the 4-H club, A donation was made to the local association of Guides and Brow- nies for the Camp Building Fund at Goderich. A euchre is planned for February 10. Mrs. McAllister chaired the program which opened with a sing -song, and a reading by Mrs. Wilbert Dilling, (Stay for Supper.) Miss Greta Lammie, on her Night tape recorder, played memories of Mrs. Harris' (Irma Rannie) early days in Hensall, Mrs. T.J. Sherritt read a poem "The Parl- our Organ" with soft music accompaniment by Miss Lammie. The history of Rogerville was presented by Mrs. Robert Simp- son. Mrs, T. Brintnell read newspaper clippings of the past, provided by Miss M. Ellis. Mrs. J. Corbett gave courtesy remarks Program convenors were Mrs. Grace Peck, Miss M. Ellis, Mrs. Simpson; hostesses, Mrs. Clar- ence Reid and Mrs. Fred Beer, 0 Eleven workshops throughout Ontario are part of the organi- zation which The Ability Fund (March of Dimes) uses to rehabili- tate disabled adults, training them to do work, helping them to gain confidence and self-respect and as- sisting them towards independence.