BOEING'S FLYING BOATS: The Aerospace Giant's Pioneering Days in British Columbia.

This article provides a historical account of Boeing's early presence in British Columbia, focusing on their contributions to seaplane construction. The Hoffar brothers, Canadian aviation pioneers, established the Hoffar-Beeching Shipyard, which was later acquired by Boeing in 1929 and renamed Boeing Aircraft of Canada. Despite facing challenges during the Great Depression, the company manufactured floatplanes, luxury yachts, and transport aircraft such as the Model 204 and Totem floatplanes, as well as the Model 40 transport aircraft. During World War II, Boeing Canada played a role in producing the PBY-5A Catalina and the B-29 bomber. However, after the war, the facility closed, resulting in employee layoffs. Notably, Boeing's Canadian operations left a lasting legacy with the Vancouver International Airport, which features a terminal for scheduled floatplanes. [Extracted from the article]