No new profiles for the moment, but I did get some initial sketches done on AltCan's more important aerospace companies - Avro Aerospace, Bristol Aerospace, Canadair, de Havilland Canada, Fairey-Fleet, Orenda Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney Canada:
Avro Aerospace, Ltd.
One of the Big Three of Canada's aerospace industry. Established in 1945, it is a privately owned company and is the second-largest employer in the Dominion. Best known for its production of military and civilian aircraft ranging from fighters to airliners, Avro is involved in a very wide array of manufacturing outside of the aerospace fields. Avro Transit Ltd. and Avro Railcar Ltd. are wholly-owned subsidiaries established after Avro took over Canadian Car & Foundry's non-aviation divisions; Canadian Applied Research, Ltd. is another subsidiary most notable for its development of the Canadarm for the American Space Shuttle. Other important subsidiaries are Dominion Steel & Coal Corporation, the Sydney & Louisburg Railway, Algoma Steel and Halifax Shipyards, Ltd.
Bristol Aerospace, Ltd.
Established in 1930, by the end of the Second World War MacDonald Bros. Aircraft Co. had become one of the most important repair and overhaul centres for the RCAF. In 1954 it was purchased by the British Bristol Aeroplane Co. and was renamed Bristol Aeroplane Company of Canada. Its primary work was the manufacture of seaplane floats and engine components, in the 1960s diversifying into developing air-launched weapons systems and components for the Canadian Space Program. In 1960 the British parent company was incorporated into British Aircraft Corporation, and Bristol Canada was bought by an ownership group comprised of Rolls-Royce, de Havilland Canada and North American Aviation. It was renamed Bristol Aerospace, Ltd. in 1967, and since 1973 it is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Over the years Bristol has drifted away from its roots in aircraft maintenance and component manufacture, and is now focussed on its air-launched weapons systems and systems for the Canadian Space Administration.
Canadair
One of the Big Three. Formed in 1944 as a Crown corporation, absorbing the operations of Canadian Vickers Ltd. In 1950 Canadair signed a long-term cooperation agreement with Convair of the USA, which was a merger in all but theory, as the Canadian government retained a 50%+1 majority of the ownership in the company. Three years later, after Electric Boat Co. bought Convair and merged to form General Dynamics, the government repurchased the other 49.9% company from GD. In 1957 Canadair absorbed Canadian Car & Foundry's aviation interests, expanding its manufacturing capability with the addition of the CC&F plants in Ontario. Canadair has since become one of the supporting pillars of the Canadian aerospace industry, alongside de Havilland Canada and Avro Aerospace.
de Havilland Aircraft of Canada, Ltd.
One of the Big Three. Formed in 1928 as a subsidiary of the British de Havilland Aircraft Co., producing trainers and, during the war, the Mosquito. Following the war DHC began production of indigenous designs that became vitally important to Canada, as well as undertaking licence production of aircraft for the Royal Canadian Navy (CP-121, CE-121, CC-121). Following national control during the war, the company was reprivatised in 1947. It also took an important role in the development of the testbed hydrofoil HMCS Bras d'Or, and, subsequently, the Valiant-class ASW patrol hydrofoils delivered to the RCN between 1972 and 1974. DHC was also instrumental in getting the Canadian space program underway with the design and construction of the DHC Solaris launch rocket in 1966.
The DHC-7 commuter airliner became an important product, entering service in 1977. The success of the Dash 7 led to the development of the DHC-8 ("Dash 8") which was to become an even greater commercial success after its introduction to service in 1984. However, the board of directors overestimated the health of the company in 1980 when it acquired Boeing's Canadian operations, and despite the resounding success of the Dash 8 DHC found itself in financial difficulties, and in 1987, fearing the collapse of a vital part of the Canadian aerospace industry, the government took over controlling interest of the company by acquiring 55% of the stock and leaving the remaining 45% publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Fairey-Fleet Ltd.
Fleet Aircraft of Canada Ltd. was established in 1928 in Fort Erie (Ont.) after Reuben Fleet acquired the foreign rights to the American Consolidated Aircraft Co.'s light trainer aircraft. Fleet manufactured various trainers for the RCAF and light aircraft for civil aviation. In 1957 it was acquired by the Government of Canada, continuing operation as a Crown corporation.
After Westland Aircraft took over the British Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd.'s aviation interests in 1960, the Canadian Government purchased Fairey Canada from Fairey UK. Fairey Canada Ltd. operated as an independent Crown corporation for two years. In 1962 it was merged with Fleet to form Fairey-Fleet Ltd, and in 1968 it absorbed Found Bros. Aviation Ltd.
Fairey-Fleet is active in the manufacture and development of a wide array of aviation-related equipment; one notable achievement was the invention of the Beartrap shipborne helicopter recovery system in the early 1960s. The Fleet Aerospace Division is focussed on helicopters and components, while Fairey undertakes aircraft maintenance and overhaul, flight control systems and other hydraulic equipment, instruments, and has recently begun serial production of the Fairey Trigull amphibious aircraft for the civilian general aviation market.
Orenda Aerospace, Ltd.
Established in 1944 as a Crown corporation named Turbo Research, from the start it dealt exclusively with jet propulsion. In 1946 it was sold to Avro Canada, of which it has been a wholly-owned subsidiary ever since. Orenda's engines have been a vital part of Canadian aviation, powering the majority of jet-powered aircraft in Canadian military service, as well as being in use around the world in civilian and military applications.
Pratt & Whitney Canada, Ltd.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the American Pratt & Whitney company established in 1928 as a service centre for P&W engines, since 1952 it develops and manufactures turbine engines. PWC engines power a large portion of turboprop-powered aircraft in Canada, and also enjoy great popularity around the world.
