Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Vanished companies: Godfrey Aerospace





I picked up this nice little precision screwdriver set (minus one bit, unfortunately) at a Belleville thrift store.

Godfrey Aerospace was founded in 1947 by a retired RCAF officer.  The company designed and manufactured specialized military products for all three services, as well as providing repair and maintenance services.  The Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment and Repair & Overhaul operations of Godfrey Aerospace Inc. were acquired by Spar Aerospace in 1996, becoming the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) division.  Spun off from de Havilland's Special Projects and Research division in 1967, Spar's expertise helped Canada to become the third nation in space. In the 1970's, 80's and early 90's, Spar designed and built some of the most powerful communications and remote sensing satellites of the time as well as the famed Canadarm robotic arm used on the Space Shuttle. Spar was also responsible as well for maintenance and repair of many of the Canadian military's aircraft, including the Sikorsy S-61/Sea King helicopters and CC-130 Hercules aircraft.  Acquiring Godfrey gave Spar original equipment manufacturer capabilities for ground power equipment.  Spar itself was acquired by L3 Communications in 1993, which moved GSE from Point Claire, Quebec to CFB Trenton in 2000, and then to its current location outside of the base in 2003.



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