Royal Tour Queen Elizabeth

A Week with the Queen	Bob Bogash

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Queen Elizabeth died September 8, 2022. Her death brought back many personal memories. I had met her twice - once with many others in May 1995; but much more intimately during July 1970 when I participated in her visit to Canada. The occasion was the 100th Centennial of the entrance of the Northwest Territories into the Canadian Confederation on July 15, 1870. Since 1870, the NWT has been divided four times, the most recent being in 1999 with the creation of Nunavut in the Eastern High Arctic. Northern Canada originally came into being in 1670, 300 years prior, when the Hudson Bay Company was granted an English charter over northern Canada territories known as Rupert's Land.

The Plan was for the Queen and the Royal Family to fly from London to Frobisher Bay on Baffin Island (currently Iquluit, capital of Nunavut) by Air Canada DC-8. Thereafter, the Family would spend the better part of a week visiting the small settlements and towns in the NWT. They would be carried aboard two gravel-runway equipped 737-200s, and accompanied by a third similar airplane carrying Press and other dignitaries.

Arriving Frobisher Bay (CYFB) from Montreal

I was the Boeing Field Rep assigned to Nordair in Montreal and was asked to accompany the Tour. My stated function was to provide engineering and logistical support should the airplanes experience technical difficulties. But my primary function was to be as Aircraft Security Officer performing extra-detailed walk-around inspections with an RCMP Officer at every stop to ensure all was right with the airplanes and especially that no non-normal equipment was present in any of the airplanes - especially in normally inaccessible areas - such as wheel wells and Electronic (E/E) compartments.

The Sovereign (Queen) never travels together with the heir apparent (Prince Charles) so the Family was divided up with the Queen and Princess Anne flying in one airplane, and Prince Phillip and Prince Charles in another. I rode the jump seat. Nordair supplied two 737s - one for the Press corps, and Pacific Western supplied the third airplane. We flew into stations served by both airlines. Many months of Planning and Preparation went into making the flights, which went off without a hitch.

I have flown many VIP flights with heads of State and even the Pope, - these were transports between major cities where the Primary occupant normally deplaned to a red-carpet welcome, and was whisked away in an elaborate entourage (I did have a long chat once, however, with Pope Paul VI, when he visited the cockpit of his Boeing 707.) But this Royal Family week was unique in that the places visited were truly tiny, and lodging and facilities and transportation was primitive to almost non-existent. This provided the extraordinary ability to rub shoulders with the Primary Guest(s) and even share their living and dining quarters - often the only place - an opportunity that gave the participants a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Certainly one I will never forget.

The following is a photo essay of some of that week.

The week began July 5th, positioning Nordair 737 CF-NAQ from Montreal to Frobisher Bay (CYFB) a day early. NAQ, as some of my readers will recall, was an almost brand new airplane, that had a "colorful" first revenue flight from San Francisco to Montreal not many weeks earlier, on May 14th. I told that whole story - which can be accessed by clicking here.

Frobisher

CF-NAQ

After over-nighting in Frobisher, we awaited the arrival of the Royal Family for the next legs of their journey. They arrived via Air Canada DC-8 and toured Frobisher - the largest "city" in the Canadian Arctic.

The Royal cabin

Resolute

An NDB Approach only (of course!)

The Family then returned to the airport on July 6th, boarded our 737s and we departed for Resolute Bay - a gravel strip on Cornwallis Island. At 74.43 deg. North, Resolute (CYRB) was the most northerly airline airport in the world. At the time, the North Magnetic Pole was only slightly more than 100 miles to the West. (Note: Commercial 737s on government charters have landed on the gravel strip at Alert (CYLT) on Ellesmere Island which is 82.30 North.)

Landing in Resolute (CYRB)

The Queen arrives in Resolute

Our safe arrival (and departure) from the gravel strip (and ramp) at Resolute certainly validated (in a big way!) the capability of the gravel-equipped 737. In fact, some time later, I used some of these photos in a makeshift sales presentation (in my tiny studio apartment in Montreal) to the Presidents of Cameroon and Cameroon Airlines - a slide show that convinced them to buy gravel equipped 737s!!!)

A gravel equipped 737 fleet on the gravel ramp at Resolute Bay
The World's most northerly airline airport

Prince Charles (now King Charles) and Prince Phillip

Main Street in Resolute - the only street in Resolute

A gravel equipped Boeing 737 taking off from Resolute carrying the Queen of England

Inuvik

Our next stop after Resolute, was Inuvik. Inuvik had only officially become a "town" 6 months earlier. It was located on the east side of the Mackenzie River delta, and was a purpose-built community. It was established to replace the hamlet of Aklavik, located on the west side of the river, and prone to frequent flooding during the Spring melt-offs. At the time, there was no road access to either Inuvik or Aklavik (the Dempster Highway was completed about 10 years later.)

Inuvik had an ILS and was paved

Inuvik, N.W.T.

OK, everyone - cameras out!

Tuktoyaktuk

From Inuvik, the party split up, with the Queen and Princess Anne visiting around the town, while Prince Phillip and Prince Charles flew off to Tuktoyaktuk, (Tuk), an even smaller settlement. Tuk is located on the Arctic Ocean and was part of the DEW Line radar station network. Their flight to and from Tuk was aboard an RCAF C-130 Hercules.

Yellowknife

After over-nighting in Inuvik and Tuk, we next flew the Family to Yellowknife, which was the capital of the Western Arctic. More populous and well-connected to the rest of Canada, Yellowknife was a stark contrast to the previous stops.

Arriving Yellowknife

With both Prince Phillip and Prince Charles being pilots, they disliked "sitting in back" - even in their fancy chairs, and asked to ride in the cockpit. So, they took turns, alternating legs, sitting in that tiny bench seat behind the pilot, while I sat in the fold down jump seat (needing to exit quickly and easily if necessary.) Anyone who has ever ridden in the cockpit of a 737 knows that four people make for a very (very) cozy arrangement. Thus, it is no exaggeration whatsoever, to say I have spent quite a few hours rubbing elbows (and shoulders, and knees) with Royalty!!!

At the conclusion of the 737 portion of the Tour, the Family thanked all the flight and cabin crew participants.

During Prince Charles's stay in the cockpit, he presented me with a momento - a nicely framed and autographed photo of the Family, which I have cherished ever since.

After Yellowknife, I flew to Seattle for meetings back at Boeing. The Boeing News printed a small article about my adventure. If I find it, I'll add it this page. I have some other materials which are currently "unlocated" which I'll add if they turn up as well.

And, three weeks later, I was back in California - getting married to Dot. Story - click here. A busy time in my life - for sure.