A history of local aviation, 1919–1952
Our story began with a single runway and a small, wood-frame administration building that welcomed 1,072 passengers in 1931. Today, YVR is Canada’s second-busiest airport, connecting passengers to more than 105 non-stop destinations. Explore the aeronautical history of Sea Island through this temporary exhibit of archival photographs from the City of Richmond Archives and City of Vancouver Archives displayed in our newly renovated Pier C security screening checkpoint.
Eric Rathborne: aviation enthusiast, pilot and photographer
Donald Eric Dalby Rathborne was born in England in 1907. In 1924 he had his first ride in an airplane and developed a passion for aviation that would shape the course of the rest of his life.
In 1926, Rathborne came to Canada with his family. Starting in 1933, he did odd jobs around the Vancouver Airport in exchange for flying instruction, and qualified as a private pilot in 1936. In 1939, he took a full-time job in maintenance with fledgling Trans Canada Airlines (TCA), which later became Air Canada. His duties included loading food for passengers, loading and unloading oxygen and mail, engine servicing and refueling.
Rathborne joined the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan as a staff pilot during the war. After returning from wartime service in 1945 at 37 years old, he was deemed too old to be hired as a commercial airline pilot. While he still occasionally flew for local airlines as a private pilot, he spent the next 30 years making his living as a commercial photographer. He died on November 30, 1990 at the age of 82.
Many of the photos in this exhibit were taken by Eric Rathborne. They are now part of the City of Richmond Archives.
Photo gallery
1919
First international mail flight to reach the United States, Vancouver to Seattle
W.E. Boeing, founder of Boeing Airplane Company, and pilot Eddie Hubbard used Boeing’s personal C-700 to deliver 60 letters from Vancouver to Seattle as part of the Canadian Exposition. This was the first international airmail to reach the United States.
City of Vancouver Archives, S. Thomson Photograph, Item #: Trans P43
Circa 1930
Vancouver Airport
City of Vancouver Archives, Stuart Thomson Photograph, Item #: CVA 99-6931
1934
Arrival in Vancouver of United Airlines’ inaugural flight from Seattle
A ground level view of the 10-passenger Boeing aircraft 247D upon landing at Sea Island airport July 1, 1934. It was the first modern passenger liner service to link Vancouver with transcontinental destinations, via Seattle. It was also the first modern, all-metal airliner to land in the city.
City of Vancouver Archives, Item #: CVA 1376-82
1936
Local First Nations dignitaries take flight at Western Canada Air Show, Vancouver Airport
Local Musqueam dignitaries and extended family were invited to fly above familiar Vancouver locations and provide radio commentary. Left to right, as reported by the photographer: Joseph Splahk-tum from Tsawwassen; Walker Stogan, son of Chief Jack Stogan; xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Chief Jack Stogan c̓simlenəxʷ; Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Chief Moses Joseph of Eslháʔan; Chief Jimmy Jimmy Swahsh, of Kowtain; Councillor Stanley Joseph, brother of Chief Moses.
City of Vancouver Archives, Item #: CVA 612-171
1936
The Flying Seven, Canada's first all-women flying club
J. Pike, T. Trasolini, E. Flaherty, A. Gilbert, E. Roberge, M. Fane and R. Moore. These licensed commercial pilots were unable to earn a livelihood in the air or gain acceptance into the RCAF, so they circled above the Vancouver area for 11 hours to make the point that “a woman’s place is in the air.” It was their mission to promote the inclusion of women in aviation. It was only in 1973 that Canada recorded its first female airline jet pilot.
City of Vancouver Archives, Item #: CVA 284-1
Circa 1938
Vancouver Airport terminal building
View of the south facade, or street side, of the airport administration building. The Vancouver Airport officially opened in 1931.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 21
Circa 1938
Revolutionary aircraft DC-3 “Mainliner” on display at Vancouver Airport
United Airlines aircraft “The Mainliner” on public display at the Vancouver Airport at the time this type of aircraft was introduced into service. The Douglas DC-3 revolutionized commercial aviation. Its passenger capacity, speed and economical operation finally made passenger travel profitable for the airlines, allowing them to carry only passengers without relying on mail subsidies. More than 13,000
DC-3’s, both civil and military versions, were produced. Many are still flying today.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 19
Circa 1939
Trans Canada Airlines (TCA) ground crew
Seven unidentified men in the white uniforms of Trans Canada Airlines aircraft service ground crew.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 47
Circa 1940
Trans Canada Airlines (TCA) pilot Morris MacGregor
Trans Canada Airlines pilot poses in uniform with golf clubs and pipe.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 24
Circa 1939
Trans Canada Airlines flight attendant Ruth Alm
Ruth Alm poses at the edge of the Vancouver Airport’s observation deck with the airfield in the background.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 38
Circa 1939
Trans Canada Airlines (TCA) airliner at parked in front of airport terminal building
Trans Canada Airlines Lockheed 14H-2 registration CF-TCN with the Vancouver Airport administration building in the background.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 73
1942
Female workers at the Boeing plant on Sea Island during World War II
City of Vancouver Archives, Jack Lindsay Photograph, Item #: CVA 1184-1154
1944
Richmond Volunteer Fire Department
The Air Raid Precaution Bridgeport Unit under Chief W. Hall.
City of Richmond Archives, Steffens-Colmer Photograph 1984 7 8
1946
Radio operations at Vancouver Airport
A man with headphones seated at radio equipment at the Vancouver Airport.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 105
1946
Pilot, WWII aircraft mechanic and career flight attendant Ruth Johnson with the Tiger Moth
Ruth Johnson poses beside the Aero Club of B.C.’s De Havilland Tiger Moth DH82c at the Vancouver Airport. The Tiger Moths were made of wood and fabric and were in constant use until 1930, when the club added other aircraft to their fleet.
Established in 1927, the Aero Club of B.C. brought together men and women interested in aviation. The Aero Club campaigned city council to build an airport for Vancouver. “A mile of road will take you a mile, a mile of runway will take you anywhere.” In 1929, council decided to spend $300,000 to construct an airport at Sea Island, and Vancouver Airport was opened in 1931. The Aero Club of B.C. still exists today.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 82
1949
Donny Rathborne promoting air tours
The son of the photographer points to a sign for Brisbane Flying School’s sightseeing air tours. Donny grew up to become an accountant who, like his father, loved to fly and take photographs. After seeing a Richmond Archives display on aviation, he contacted them to see if they would be interested in his father’s photographs. Many of the photos in this exhibition are from this collection, which has now been preserved and is available to all who are interested in the Vancouver Airport during the “Golden Age of Flight” and the post-War years.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 93
Circa 1949
Student pilot in a flight simulator
A student pilot seated in a Link Trainer flight simulator operated by Brisbane Flying School.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 99
Circa 1952
Members of the Air Force Reserve working on a propeller, Sea Island
Members of the Air Force Reserve working on a propeller, Sea Island. Photograph was taken during Ernest Chan (left)’s service in an air force training section during the early 1950s.
City of Richmond Archives, Ernest Chan Photograph 2001 5 2
Circa 1936
Pilot and Photographer Eric Rathborne seated in the cockpit of a biplane
Donald Eric Dalby Rathborne was born in England in 1907, had his first ride in an airplane in 1924 and came to Canada with his family in 1926. He qualified as a private pilot in 1936. After returning from wartime service in 1945 he flew occasionally for local airlines as a private pilot and made his living as a commercial photographer. He took many of the photos in this exhibit, which are now part of the City of Richmond Archives.
City of Richmond Archives, Eric Rathborne Photograph 1997 5 107