Nils Christensen i Canadas Aviation Hall of Fame

Minister Counselor Tobias Svenningsen (left) and Nils Christensen at the induction ceremony. Photo: Vanda D'Alonzo

Norwegian War Hero Inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame

Last updated: 21/08/2012 // When World War 2 ended in Europe, Nils Christensen was a crew member on the first Norwegian aircraft to land back in his home country, bringing the Allied representatives who took over control from the occupying German forces. This summer, he was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.

Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame was founded in 1973, and members come from all across Canada and have led extraordinary lives as military and civilian pilots, doctors, scientists, inventors, engineers, astronauts and administrators. The citation for Mr. Christensen’s induction reads: “Following service in the Norwegian merchant navy and the air force, Nils Christensen developed a reputation for his vast knowledge and skill in aircraft service and maintenance. As the founder of Viking Air Limited, his legacy has continued the work of de Havilland Canada in contributing to the Canadian aviation industry."
At the induction ceremony, held at The Windsor Ballrooms in Montreal on June 14, Mr. Christensen was given a reproduction of a painting by Canadian aviation artist Charles Kadin, depicting Royal Norwegian Air Force training aircrafts over Toronto’s Little Norway airport. He was presented with the print by Minister Counselor Tobias Svenningsen of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa.

Trained in Little Norway
The painting carries added significance for Mr. Christensen, who joined the Royal Norwegian Air Force at the “Little Norway” training camp at Toronto’s Island Airport in 1942 after having been a sailor in the Norwegian Merchant Navy when the war broke out. He was trained as an aircraft mechanic and was in that capacity servicing all of the training aircraft used by the Norwegians, including those in the picture. He followed the training camp when it was re-located to Muskoka airport, before joining the Norwegian 333 squadron in the UK, where he also served as a flight engineer and gunner on the Catalina aircraft.

Successful Businessman
In 1970 Mr. Christensen founded Viking Air, doing overhaul, maintenance and conversions to all types of aircraft but specializing in the sea planes. With partners Courtney Griffiths and Claude Butler, he was responsible for Viking Air obtaining the parts manufacturing rights for the Beaver, Otter, and Turbo Beaver from de Havilland. According to the Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, “the venture has given rise to an internationally reputed aircraft and parts manufacturing concern”. He is also credited with resurrecting the Twin Otter as a viable commercial entity, which has been of vital importance to the Canadian aviation industry.
Mr. Christensen has been part of maintaining the strong connection between Norway and Canada on aviation matters that started during the war with “Little Norway” and which have continued since.

"Reunion" with the King
Both as a businessman and as a person, Mr. Christensen is well-known and well-liked. Never forgetting his comrades in the merchant fleet, Mr. Christensen has always been highly supportive of the Merchant Navy veterans, donating both time and money to their cause. So appreciated are his efforts, in fact, that he was invited to attend the dedication of the newly restored merchant ship Hestmanden as a national wartime seafarers’ museum, alongside some 240 veterans. Still active at 90 years of age, Mr. Christiansen made the trip to Kristansand, Norway, with his daughter, Marit McBride, to be reunited at a luncheon with HM King Harald V, who he had met in “Little Norway” during the war when the latter was just a child.
As was noted by Minister Counselor Svenningsen during the induction ceremony, Mr. Christensen has managed to become a true hero of both Norway and Canada, a feat not easily repeated. Today, he lives with Sheila, his wife of more than 65 years on Salt Spring Island outside of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Denne meldingen kom i dag fra Norges ambassade i Ottawa. Takk for den Lasse Kolbjørn Anke Hansen!