Hubert Martyn Pasmore

Hubert Martyn Pasmore was born June 17, 1898 in Devonshire, England, and grew up in Hamilton. Ontario. As a young man, Pasmore developed two strong interests: mechanical engineering and aviation. He studied engineering in Boston with the goal of attending MIT, but World War I intervened. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and graduated in 1917 as a pilot. In 1918 he was posted to No. 231 RAF Squadron, but the end of the war terminated his early flying experience.

Jobs in aviation were scarce after the war. In 1922 Jack Elliott, of Hamilton, offered Pasmore the opportunity to fly. His job as pilot included barnstorming and stunt flying; he was also responsible for the assembly and servicing of Elliott's newly acquired World War I surplus aircraft.

In July 1922 Sherman Mills Fairchild established Fairchild Aerial Surveys (of Canada) Ltd. at Lac-a-la-Tortue (Grand-Mere), Quebec. The wealthy American had invented a high-speed between-the-lens-shutter for an aerial camera. He was looking for a second pilot in 1924, and Pasmore was recommended. Mr. Fairchild personally interviewed Pasmore in Hamilton and hired him immediately.

At Lac-a-la-Tortue, Pasmore gained experience as a pilot and took an active role in the maintenance of the aircraft. Year round aerial photography and survey, mapping, transport, forest patrol, and rescue of persons and salvaging of aircraft were all part of his job.

Pasmore was well acquainted with the Fairchild FC-2 'Razorback'. It was an ideal general utility aircraft, the first in Canada with an enclosed heated cabin. It could be quickly converted from wheels to floats or skis, and it soon became the most popular all-purpose aircraft in Canada in the late 1920's. The Canadian company became the sales agent for Fairchild aircraft in Canada.

Sherman Fairchild had a high regard for Pasmore's abilities, so it was no surprise when he supported his suggestion early in 1927 to establish a Fairchild aircraft manufacturing company in Canada. In 1928, with Fairchild's financial backing, Pasmore chose Longueuil, near Montreal, as the site for the new facility and purchased a 265 acre property beside the St. Lawrence River. He supervised construction as Plant Manager, and flew as test pilot. His career quickly progressed to Managing Director.

Upon plant completion in 1930, the name Fairchild Aerial Surveys was changed to Fairchild Aircraft Limited. Under Pasmore's direction, the new facilities included an aircraft servicing, repair and manufacturing plant, with seaplane dock and airfield. This created Canada's finest all-round aircraft complex between World War I and World War II. Pasmore was named President of the company in 1933, and Director in 1934.

The company became one of the most active aircraft enterprises during this period. One of its many contracts was the assembly of Junkers 52 aircraft from parts shipped from the German manufacturer. As well, during this time, Pasmore supervised the design and manufacture of the first all metal fuselage aircraft, the Super 71. The metal stress analysis was done by a brilliant engineer, Elsie MacGill.  In 1935 an improved model, the F-82.

In 1936 Pasmore obtained the sales and manufacturing rights for Lockheed aircraft in Canada. Fairchild marketed all of the early Lockheeds including the 10A Electra, Trans-Canada Airline's first modern airliner.

Pasmore had exceptional leadership qualities. He was creative and imaginative; he hired workers with the highest potential and he had the ability to motivate and inspire those who worked with him. This led to immense individual pride in workmanship and when the Canadian aircraft industry expanded in the late 1930's due to the threat of World War II, skilled Fairchild personnel contributed considerably to its rapid growth.

In 1938 Fairchild joined with five other companies to create Canadian Associated Aircraft Ltd. which began manufacturing the Handley Page Hampden bomber and the Bristol Bolingbroke IVT light bomber for the RCAF and RAF. Towards the end of the war Fairchild was also manufacturing the Curtiss SB-2C Helldivers. In 1945 components for the Vought Corsair and the Grumman Tigercat aircraft were produced for the U.S. military.

Throughout the war, Pasmore supervised the plant and its expansion from the original 36,400 square foot factory employing approximately 100 employees, to a 600,000+ square foot facility employing close to 10,000 by 1944. By the end of the war, he had one of the most capable aeronautical engineering teams in Canada. In fact, Fairchild Aircraft won a federal contract to design and manufacture a multi-purpose training aircraft for the RCAF. The contract was subsequently cancelled by the government as WW II ended.

Fairchild then developed a new utility aeroplane, the F-ll 'Husky' Freighter, which was test-flown in 1946. This aircraft featured a unique rear loading door and could accommodate a 16 foot canoe, inside the fuselage, eliminating the need to tie it onto the floats. The company worked with the Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS) on its order for 25 new aircraft which were manufactured to meet their requirements. Each aircraft was to carry four bush fire fighters with their fire fighting equipment plus two small canoes or one freight canoe. In spite of the successful Husky development, OPAS policy for contract awards changed. The Fairchild company was no longer eligible for OPAS aircraft production.

Meanwhile Pasmore noted the post-war housing crisis. To meet this demand for new homes, he created a parallel independent company called 'Faircraft Homes' within the Fairchild facility to produce pre-fabricated homes, which were built on a production line system. Unfortunately, there was a post-war shortage of components such as sinks, stoves, refrigerators, and bathroom fixtures. Soon the houses began to stack up on the runways; the demand for these houses was high, but lack of components slowed delivery and subsequently, cash flow suffered.

By 1948, the continued lack of components for completion of the homes, and the federal government's decision to award aircraft manufacturing contracts solely to two other aircraft manufacturers, were taking their toll on the company. Twelve Husky aircraft had been manufactured when the OPAS cancelled its order. These events led Pasmore to make the difficult decision to cease Fairchild and Faircraft operations. In 1948 'Mr. Fairchild Canada' retired from the Canadian aviation world.

Pasmore remained very active throughout his long retirement. In 1946 he acquired the surplus hull of a patrol boat, completely refurbished it and spent many enjoyable years sailing it.

Hubert Pasmore died in Victoria on April 21, 1998, just short of his 100th birthday.

Hubert Martyn Pasmore was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame at ceremonies held in Toronto in 2008.