Vintage Wings Canada put on their annual airshow on Saturday, Sept. 17 at their home airport of Ottawa’s twin city, Gatineau, Quebec. Vintage Wings Canada has the best collection of airworthy Second World War aircraft in the country. The late summer weather was perfect for the occasion.
Security was drum tight and contracted out to these badass dudes of yesteryear. Here Fritz lovingly cradles his favourite MP 38 machine pistol.
Hans stands at the ready with his legendary MG-42 machine gun to ward off any terrorist aircraft who dare encroach Gatineau airspace (and you’re worried about TSA “pat-downs”!!). Celebrating Canada’s multi-cultural diversity in airport security!! Great work, Hans and Fritz.
(Disclaimer: Unfortunately, no terrorists were killed in the shooting of this event!!)
Snowbirds performing high speed crossing manoeuvre!
The venerable Lancaster bomber preparing for take-off.
Lancaster flypast! This aircraft is from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario and is one of only three Lancasters in the world that are still airworthy.
Merlin Symphony!! A rare and incredible sight….but an even greater and unforgettable sound!! Five vintage warbirds, all powered by the legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin engine …… and in the air together!!. To see one of these aircraft on static display is a treat, to see five in a low level heritage flypast…….simply unbelievable!!. Congratulations Vintage Wings of Canada! Well done you!!!
P51 Mustang in escort role with Lancaster bomber. The provision of an external drop tank on the Mustang gave this aircraft the necessary range to provide fighter escort to the bombing raids over Germany. The first man to flight test the external tank was “Goody” Goodson. I consider it one of the great honours of my life to have personally shaken his hand. Well done you Goody!!!
Major James “Goody” Goodson, King of the Strafers. Goodson, a graduate of my alma mater, the University of Toronto would receive his wings from BCATP Dunnville, Ontario, about 20 miles from my birthplace.
Flypast of the Harvard Acrobatic Team. The North American Harvard was an intermediate trainer to prepare pilots for high performance fighter aircraft such as the Spitfire and Mustang. Thanks to the stunning success of Canada’s participation in the British Commonwealth Air Training program, many farms in southern Ontario had rusting hulks of these yellow aircraft on their properties in the 50’s and 60’s as historical souvenirs.
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Battle of Britain duo! Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire.
Hawker Hurricane on take-off.
Westland Lysander aircraft. The aircraft’s exceptional short-field performance made clandestine missions possible on short, unprepared airstrips behind enemy lines that placed or recovered agents, particularly in occupied France. The aircraft was named after a Spartan general.
Blackburn-Fairey Swordfish Mk III. Virtually obsolete at the start of the war, the Swordfish nevertheless had several spectacular successes, notably the disabling of the great German battleship Bismarck.
Decision in the Pacific! Legendary Corsair fighter bomber. Finally a match for the Japanese Zeroes!!
Latest addition to the Vintage Wings of Canada collection, the RCAF F-86 Sabre. The livery of this aircraft is that of Canada’s acrobatic flight team of the 60’s – the Golden Hawks!!.