Jim Bruce
"AT THE BLAST FENCE"
© Jim Bruce
'At the Blast Fence' depicts the TCA - Trans-Canada Air Lines Viscount CF-TGQ doing
an engine run-up at TCA's Winnipeg overhaul and maintenance facility c.1957.
"TRANSAIR PRE-FLIGHT"
© Jim Bruce
'TransAir Pre-Flight' depicts the Winnipeg-based Transair Douglas DC-4 CF-JEA during departure
preparations at Winnipeg's Stevenson Field in 1957. Transair (1955-1977) was an important
regional carrier and was involved in flying support for the DEW (Distant Early Warning) line
and Mid-Canada line at this time. CF-JEA flew for 14 years with the carrier and did a weekly
Montreal-Ottawa-Winnisk-Churchill-Winnipeg run. It ended its days in California where it was
scrapped in 1974.
The terminal was operated by the Canadian Department of Transport and the building shown in
the painting was the domestic and international terminal for flights in and out of Winnipeg.
Behind the nose wheel the passenger entrance/exit doors are visible. The top floor housed the
meteorological department. The flag is the British 'Red Ensign' as the present Canadian flag
was not adopted until 1965. The view is looking north and Jim Bruce worked on the top floor
(1956-1960) in an adjacent hangar immediately east of the terminal as a draftsman for TCA -
Trans Canada Air Lines. In the background can be seen TCA - Trans-Canada Air Lines Viscount
CF-TGY fleet number 617.
Jim Bruce was born and raised in Calgary, has lived in Winnipeg, and presently works from
his studio in Baie d'Urfe, (Montreal), Quebec, Canada.
Examples of his aviation and wildlife art are in private and corporate collections in many
countries. Five of his works are in the permanent collection of the Canada Aviation Museum,
Ottawa, Canada.
As an aviation artist he has been awarded First Prize in the Canada Aviation Museum Artflight
competition three times - in 1993, 1996 and 1997. He has designed two coins for the Royal Canadian
Mint's Aviation Heritage Series. As an illustrator and graphic designer his work has appeared in
many national and international publications including Reader's Digest. He was awarded a special
commendation from Parks Canada for a series of paintings of Quebec historical sites.
Jim is a founding member of the Canadian Aviation Artists Association and a member of
the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, and Canadian Aviation Heritage Centre.
Please visit the
Jim Bruce web site
