Seaplane Replica To Take Eternal Flight During Dedication Event

North Sydney (NS) - The community of North Sydney will honour its rich military history on the occasion of the 65th year marking the end of World War II and the Battle of the Atlantic when a scale model of a PBY-5A Canso seaplane and six interpretative panels are unveiled in Munroe Park during a dedication event on May 2, 2010. 
 
Kelly Beach (now Munro Park) was established by the United States Navy during World War I for the protection of convoys that sailed out of Sydney Harbour. North Sydney’s seaplane base was originally located at Indian Beach, east of this location; however, in 1918, the base was moved to Kelly Beach, a site it occupied for the remainder of the war.  During this period, a number of records were established by aircraft flying from Kelly Beach. These include the first seaplane flight over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the first non-stop flight from North Sydney to Halifax.

In August, 1939, as war approached once again, No. 8 (GP) Squadron was transferred from RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ottawa, to the reactivated RCAF Station at Kelly Beach. During the course of World War II, close to one dozen squadrons and detachments of the Royal Canadian Air Force flew out of Kelly Beach, North Sydney. 

A project to interpret the area’s role in supporting military efforts during both world wars was developed and managed by Cape Breton Regional Municipality staff Bill Murphy and Mary Lynn MacPhee and Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority staff Eileen Lannon Oldford and Meghan Detheridge.  The seaplane replica was created by metal fabricator Todd Vassallo, formerly of Cape Breton, and researched by Don Smith of the Phoenix Consultancy. The funding for this project was made available through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. 

“The replica seaplane and interpretive panels will preserve our military history, and recognize the contribution of the North Sydney community to achieving peace in the world,” said Eileen Lannon Oldford, CEO of Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority. The economic benefit to the community is expected to be significant as tourism numbers increase due to aviation and history enthusiasts visiting the area. This project is inextricably linked to the displays and information to be contained in the North Sydney Museum which is currently under construction, and it underscores the many cultural and historic attributes of North Sydney and surrounding area.”

For Additional Information Contact:    

Eileen Lannon Oldford
Chief Executive Officer
Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority
(902) 562-2201

Details on the Dedication Event:

Please join us as we honor the role the community of North Sydney & Area played during 'the Battle of the Atlantic' as we unveil a replica PBY-5A Canso Aircraft & Interpretive Panels located at Munro Park.

Project Partners:

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation

Cape Breton Regional Municiaplity

Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 19 - North Sydney

Bartown Community Society

Date:  Sunday, May 2, 2025

Location:  Munro Park, Seaview Drive, North Sydney  (Please note:  rain venue will be the Royal Canadian Legion 019 - 16 Archibald Ave., North Sydney)