With the weather closing in fast, two US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport for the 2011 Canadian International Air Show. One of them, along with some of the other participating aircraft, was captured by Krista Swan’s camera. Thanks Krista.
Thanks also to Colleen Swider, CIAS Manager of Public Affairs and Media Relations, and ramp escorts for their efforts.
(above) The ‘Warthogs’ were already on the ramp when media types converged on Pearson. It’s been quite a while since the nimble Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II has flown before Toronto crowds so Air Combat Command’s A-10 West Demonstration Team is a welcome addition to the show. This A-10C, 80-0238, along with pilots and support personnel are drawn from the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
(above) This year’s Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Team aircraft is painted in what might just be the most pleasing paint scheme yet. Dedicated to the always unsung military families of Canada, CF-18A 188796 taxied over from its parking spot on another part of the airfield for media display.
(above) Star of the show? V-22 was on the lips of all present and there was no disappointment when the first example, from VMM-365 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, taxied in. Black storm clouds are very nearly above the airport as MV-22B 166741 ‘02’ idles before the engines are shut down.
(above) New to the air show scene is the Heavy Metal Jet Team which hails from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and flies five Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros trainers of Cold War-era Czechoslovak design. In this view, Team Lead Lieutenant Colonel Jerry “Jive” Kerby, US Air Force (Ret.) taxies in aboard N136EM.
(above) The legendary Captain Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, US Navy (Ret.) tends to postflight necessities after arriving in Heavy Metal’s MiG-17 N6953X. All of the team’s aircraft, which includes a Canadair Silver Star (T-33), are painted in an attractive ‘Arctic’ camouflage.
