The Last of the Legacy Airline Mergers?

Two weeks ago American Airlines and US Airways entered into discussions revolving around a potential merger of the two big carriers.  American is the last of the ‘legacy’ airlines to pursue such talks in the most recent era (2001-present) of major airline consolidation in the United States.

Indeed, it was American Airlines that started it all with the acquisition of Trans World Airlines in 2001.  Since then, America West Airlines bought US Airways (2005), Delta Air Lines merged with Northwest Airlines (2008) and Continental Airlines merged with United Airlines (2010).  The younger Republic Airways purchased Shuttle America (2005) as well as Midwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines (2009) and Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran (2010).

An American Airlines-US Airways combination would have an extensive domestic and international route network.  While justification for a merger can be found in the argument that the two carriers will be able to compete more effectively with the other mega-carriers if combined, aircraft photographers and aviation enthusiasts will, no doubt, lament the disappearance of yet another airline livery from the skies.

If the two airlines combine, the resulting fleet and any rationalization would be interesting indeed.  The Boeing 737 will eventually dominate American’s fleet while US Airways, which also flies older versions of the 737, operates mostly Airbus products.

Don’t expect to hear much in the near future since the agreement to discuss apparently includes a non-disclosure clause.

(above) US Airways A319-132 N839AW, itself formerly flown by America West, was caught landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport in June 2008.  Initial reports have it that current US Airways aircraft will be painted in American Airlines markings if the two airlines are combined.

Sign of the Times

Well, the Canadian International Air Show wrapped up on Monday and some things were noted.  First, the hole left by the elimination of the USAF’s Air Combat Command demonstration teams is noticeable and did not go unreported by media organizations in the Toronto area.  The scheduling of two F-16s to put in an appearance definitely offset the loss but in the end they didn’t materialize and the only ‘afterburner’ effect was provided by the Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Team.  Although aviation enthusiasts and those who like to watch current frontline combat aircraft in their element were somewhat disappointed, there was probably some satisfaction among the very few left wing (socialist), anti-military, anti-American, pro-Occupy Movement types who every year seem intent on pushing for an end to the CIAS which been associated with the Canadian National Exhibition since 1949.

Of special significance was the sharing of acts between the CIAS and the Cleveland National Air Show in Ohio.  Will this be commonplace between geographically close venues in the future as military assets dwindle?

A few images from the 2012 Canadian International Air Show are presented here.

As usual, special thanks go to Ms. Colleen Swider, Manager of Public Affairs and Media Relations, CIAS and all of the media escorts for putting up with us and accommodating our requests.

(above) New to the CIAS this year was a unique duo from California.  Melissa and Rex Pemberton, she in her Edge 540 and he in a wing suit, carry out an interactive display of free-fall parachuting followed by an aerobatic display.  Melissa’s Edge 540, N540SG, was caught as the sun was rising at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

(above) This year was truly ‘The Year of the Harvard’ with no less than seven aircraft in attendance.  Four, including Harvard Mk. II C-FRWN seen here at Billy Bishop Airport with the landmark CN Tower beyond, were from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association at Tillsonburg, Ontario.  The other three Harvards were flown by the associated Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team.

(above) ‘The Year of the Harvard’ continues with this Beechcraft T-6C.  Although it is known as the T-6 Texan II in the US Air Force, the type is flown by the Canadian Forces as the CT-156 Harvard II so it fits the theme.  This example, N3000B, is used by Beechcraft as a demonstrator during marketing tours around the world.

(above) New to the CIAS was this CC-130H(T) Hercules from 435 Transport Squadron at 17 Wing CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba.  The squadron is tasked with airlift and air-to-air refuelling missions and this ‘Herk’ is seen in this flypast with the air refuelling hoses extended.  Trailing is the Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Team aircraft.  Having just finished his display, Captain Patrick “Paco” Gobeil and the CC-130 headed west to perform at the Cleveland National Air Show.  An actual air refuelling was carried out along the way to top up the CF-18's tanks.

CIAS - A Sure Sign That Vacations Are Soon Over

As the Labour (Labor) Day long weekend approaches, it’s once again time for the Canadian International Air Show.  The decision by the USAF to save its pennies through the elimination of the nearly all of the Air Combat Command Demonstration Teams has no doubt effected air shows across North America.  The CIAS has a very long history of close ties with the US armed services – especially the USAF – and the organizers have had to fill the gap with suitable aerial entertainment.

And it would appear that they have.  The lineup for the 2012 show includes the Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Team and the Snowbirds – perennial favourites – plus demos by a restored former CF Canadair CT-133 (T-33 ‘T-bird’ to those outside of Canada), the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team and a CF CP-140 Aurora (looks like a US Navy P-3 Orion).  From my point of view, flypasts by (hopefully) multiple F-16s as only F-16s can do should make up for the missing ACC display and a Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules/CF-18 air refuelling demo will be most welcome indeed.

Enough of my commentary.  You can check out the full list yourself at the following link:

http://www.cias.org/content/view/37/52/

(above) There’s usually something new or unique at the Canadian International Air Show and the star of last year’s show was this US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from VMM-365 at MCAS New River, North Carolina.  The unconventional bird was captured here by Krista Swan during a flypast with the rear loading ramp partially down.

First Man On The Moon Passes Away

Neil Armstrong
5 August 1930 – 25 August 2012

After a long hiatus, we’re back, spurred on in part by the death on Saturday of a legendary astronaut due to complications following cardiovascular surgery earlier in the month.  While hopefully most of today’s aviation enthusiasts or space aficionados may be familiar with the name, those of us who remember that day – 20 July 1969 when a human being set foot on a surface other than the Earth’s for the first time – will always link Neil Armstrong with what remains, arguably, humankind’s greatest technical achievement.

Hooked on airplanes and flying from an early age, he already had his private pilot’s licence and was studying aeronautical engineering at Purdue University when he was called for US Navy flight training in 1949.  As a Naval Aviator, he was assigned to fly Grumman F9F Panther fighters with VF-51 and went to war in the skies above Korea.  He survived 78 aircraft carrier-based combat missions – some barely – and returned home in early 1952.  Joining NACA, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics which paved the way for today’s NASA, he became a test pilot and was, like all of those fortunate enough to be involved in that elite activity, at the leading edge of advances in aerospace technologies during the golden age of test flying.

Born at a time when small, monoplane racers and high-performance military biplane fighters captured the public’s imagination, he ended up in the space business. He commanded the Gemini VIII mission which launched aboard a Titan rocket on 16 March 1966 and ran into dangerous, uncontrolled rolling problems while in orbit. Solving that issue and returning to an emergency ‘splash down’, he was later chosen to lead the Apollo 11 team to the Moon.  The astronauts – Neil Armstrong, Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin and the oft forgotten but ever-essential Michael Collins – launched atop a Saturn V rocket on 16 July 1969.  With Collins in obit aboard Columbia, Armstrong and Aldrin in Eagle – the lunar module – headed towards a landing on the Moon which was certainly not without its share of problems.  The rest, as they say, is history.

 Following Apollo 11, he remained with NASA for a few years.  Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, he returned to that state to become a Professor of Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati.  Over the years he kept a relatively low profile but did, on occasion, appear for public speaking engagements.  Although apparently not bombastic by nature, a contributing factor in remaining out of the public spotlight must surely have been the continual harassment since the 1970s by folks in the conspiracy theory community.

Neil Armstrong was 82 years old.

(above)  For those interested in exploring Apollo 11 history in person, there are two places that should not be missed.  This banner, portraying the Apollo 11 insignia design, hangs at the Apollo / Saturn V Center at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.  The immense building, open to the public, houses items of interest including all Apollo mission insignia, a lunar module and an actual Saturn V rocket.

(above)  As the official repository for NASA-related historical items, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on the Mall in Washington, DC displays many items of significance to space flight.  Among the Apollo artifacts displayed is this lunar module.  LM-2 was the second one built but in the end was not required for a test flight.  It was, instead, used for ground training by NASA.  As an aside, if you are in the area and can make the short trip, the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center at Washington-Dulles International Airport is a must-see air museum.

For those interested in further reading, here are two links of interest.

 http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/armstrong/index.html

 http://www.squidoo.com/neil-a-armstrong

The Marines Have Landed

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.

Canadian International Air Show Nabs V-22 Osprey

For anyone within driving distance of Toronto, Ontario, the Canadian International Air Show has managed to get a Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey for the 2011 edition of the show.  To get one for static display at an air show in the United States is challenging enough but to arrange for a flying display at a foreign civilian air show is quite a feat.

The CIAS has a long tradition of displays by unique aircraft including past demonstrations by the Concorde and the Lockheed SR-71.  Included here are a few images from 2006-2010 CIAS displays.

For Canadian International Air Show information and 2011 line-up, click on the following link:

http://www.cias.org/

(above)  2006: Its unique exhaust nozzles and stealthy shape are seen here against a dark sky as this 1st Fighter Wing Lockheed Martin F-22A accelerates with the use of a little afterburner.  Despite poor weather associated with the tail end of former Hurricane Ernesto, it was the first appearance at the air show by the Raptor and was much anticipated by spectators who were not disappointed.

(above)  2007: An excellent display of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III’s capabilities was provided by C-17A 03-3113 and a crew from the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 183d Airlift Squadron, 172d Airlift Wing.  It was the second year that the squadron participated in the CIAS and the display gave spectators an idea of what the Canadian Forces’ new CC-177, the first of which was delivered only a few weeks earlier, was all about.

(above)  2008:  After many years of absence, the water bombers of Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources returned to demonstrate the art of forest fire control.  Unlike the old, radial engine-equipped Canadair CL-215, the smooth sounds of turboprops were evident as Bombardier CL-415s made repeated water pick-ups and drops.  Here C-GOGZ picks up speed on a takeoff run before the crowd.

(above)  2009: The year of the ‘Blues’.  The US Navy’s Blue Angels headlined the 2009 show and put on their usual excellent display of F/A-18A Hornet and C-130T Hercules flying.  Here the tight four-ship formation streaks past.

(above)  2010: The big theme was the 100th Anniversary of the naval branch variously known as the Naval Service of Canada, the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Command.  The naval tribute included a display by Lockheed CP-140A Arcturus 140121 from 14 Wing CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia and seen here against a less-than-ideal sky.  A total of three CP-140As were acquired for pilot training use and were not fitted with the antisubmarine warfare equipment carried by the operational CP-140 Aurora fleet.

What’s Old is New Again: The Canadian Forces Returns to the Past

This just in.  For those with an interest in Canada’s air force and its history, it was announced by the media today that the Government of Canada will tomorrow reveal a return to the previous titles used by the three combat branches of the Canadian Armed Forces.  Land Force Command, Air Command and Maritime Command will officially be known as the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy respectively.

At least that seems to be the plan at this point.

PastPost - Rochester ESL Air & Water Show

For those within driving distance of Lake Ontario, the 2011 Rochester/ESL International Air Show is fast approaching.  Your photographer has only been once – in 2009 – and the show, featuring a nice flying display, was held along the waterfront.  This year the event, featuring the US Navy's Blue Angels, is at Greater Rochester International Airport and promises a good assortment of aircraft on static display.

Note: The following post was originally published on a now-defunct website in 2009.  In order to maintain historical context, the captions remain in their original form.

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2009

ESL Air & Water Show

30-31 May 2008

The 2009 ESL Air & Water Show at Rochester, New York marked the first time that the long-running air show was not held at the Greater Rochester International Airport.  The event was moved to the Lake Ontario waterfront at Ontario Beach Park and, as the official name implies, nautical activities were added.  Though such a show lacks static displays that are always extremely popular with the spectators, a nice mix of military and civilian acts was presented.  Unfortunately, the weather only partially cooperated, at least on the 31st when the following images were taken.  The double-edged sword of a passing cold front left beautiful, clear skies but low temperatures and high winds combined to create conditions more reminiscent of winter.

(above)  A somewhat unique 'unofficial' display of several passes by N846BP, a Border Patrol Eurocopter AS 350, preceded the show and allowed the audience to view a type not usually seen as US Border Patrol officers go about their unsung day-to-day duties.  The USBP is a component of United States Customs and Border Protection which operates a large fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and which has itself been a part of the Department of Homeland Security since March 2003.

(above)  Displays of parachuting are regular features at air shows today but few, if any, teams have been around for as long as the US Army's Golden Knights.  Its roots are to be found in the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team which was formed in 1959 and so 2009 marked the team's 50th Anniversary.  Though the US Army Parachute Team is best known for public displays, its members are still involved in competition parachuting and participate in events throughout North America and, indeed, around the world.  The Golden Knights are assigned two twin-engine aircraft types - the Fokker C-31A Troopship and the de Havilland Canada UV-18A Twin Otter - and C-31A 85-1608 is seen here.  Unfortunately, winds gusting at 25-35 mph (40-56 km/h) on Sunday forced team members to remain in the C-31 during several passes over Ontario Beach.

(above)  The Canadian Forces' 431 Air Demonstration Squadron - the Snowbirds - perform at many locations in the United States during any air show season.  Despite a busy 2009 schedule which supported air events during the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada, the team still managed to fly shows at over a dozen locations across the United States.  The ESL Air & Water Show was one of the venues and the Snowbirds' nine aircraft - well-known red, white and blue Canadair CT-114 Tutor trainers - are seen here rolling out against a cloudless blue sky.

(above)  There are several outstanding aerobatic pilots in North America today and among them is Tim Weber.  He flies an Extra 300S and the type, of German origin, is one of the most popular aerobatic aircraft in use today.  This image of patriotically painted N94BJ during a topside pass leaves no doubt as to the identity of the primary sponsor.

(above)  The sea service was represented by this F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-106's East Coast Super Hornet Demo Team.  Based at NAS Oceana, Virginia, it is a fleet readiness squadron staffed with instructors who provide training for pilots (Naval Aviators), navigation / weapon systems operators (Naval Flight Officers) and maintainers destined for Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 squadrons.  In order to carry out this work, VFA-106 - Strike Fighter Squadron 106 - is equipped with F/A-18C and 'D' Hornets as well as F/A-18E and 'F' Super Hornets, or 'Rhinos' as the latter type has come to be unofficially known.  In this view, the NFO grabs the handhold as the pilot pulls the nose up for the afterburner-assisted 'dirty' roll.

One Less Fortress

Sad news hit the warbird community yesterday with the loss of one of the few remaining flyable Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.  The aircraft in question is B-17G N390TH Liberty Belle and what appears to be an exceptional forced landing on return to Aurora Municipal Airport, Illinois was made shortly after an early morning takeoff on 13 June.  Early reports indicate that an engine fire developed and, indeed, the propeller of the port inboard Wright R-1820 (Number 2) seems to have been feathered.  All seven on board – members of the crew and volunteers from the Liberty Foundation – made it out safely though one is reported to have been taken to a local hospital.

Unlike the mainstream media, I am not about to go out on a limb with regard to causes but here is a link to photos of the incident (click on Full Story):

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/13/6851168-crew-volunteers-survive-crash-of-wwii-b-17-bomber-liberty-belle

(above)  N390TH is seen in happier days.  In this image, Liberty Belle climbs out from Nellis AFB, Nevada in November 2007.  The markings are those of the 390th Bombardment Group which was part of the United Kingdom-based Eighth Air Force during the Second World War.

PastPost - Toronto Wings and Wheels Festival, Part 2

Note: This post was originally published on a now-defunct website in 2009.  The fly-in festival, supported in large part by Bombardier Aerospace, was organized by the Canadian Air & Space Museum only six times - 2006-2011.  It ended when the museum was evicted from its historic premises to make room for ice hockey rinks which, in the end, were never built at that site.  In order to maintain historical context, the captions remain in their original form.

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Toronto Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival
23-24 May 2009

Part Two

Residents and Other Visitors

(above)  This immaculate CP-121 Tracker looks as if ready for flight but is, in fact, one of several aircraft on display at the Canadian Air and Space Museum and is painted in the markings of the Royal Canadian Navy's VX-10 test squadron.  The Grumman Tracker was built, as the CS2F-1, under license by de Havilland Canada at Downsview and 99 were delivered to the RCN for anti-submarine warfare duties.  They flew from the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure and from land bases after that ship's controversial retirement in 1968 until 1990 when the Tracker was finally retired from Canadian Forces service.

(above)  No, this is not an illusion but an impressive full-scale non-flying replica of an Avro CF-105 Arrow built by members of the museum and on display there.  The big, supersonic CF-105 was the most technologically advanced combat aircraft ever built in Canada when it took to the skies for the first time on 25 March 1958 and remains so to this day.  It was designed as a long-range, all-weather, supersonic interceptor to replace the subsonic Avro CF-100 "Canuck" in Royal Canadian Air Force service but the Arrow never did enter RCAF service and has enjoyed a status of mythical proportions in the years since.  Though the aircraft's performance was outstanding, factors including a combination of cost overruns, an increase in unit cost due to a reduction in RCAF requirements from 500-600 to 169 aircraft, opposition from the chiefs of the other two military services due to reduced budgets and events on the other side of the globe conspired to end the flight test program and manufacturing in February 1959.  The launching by the Soviet Union of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth, on the day of the first Arrow's rollout led to a growing belief that the day of the manned strategic bomber was in the past and that Canada could be adequately defended from a declining number of Soviet bombers by ground-to-air missiles.  The option of project abandonment at any stage of the development program existed from the very beginning but the nation was still shocked when the axe fell.  The Arrow's fate was not unique however and several advanced and costly interceptor and strike aircraft projects in the United States and United Kingdom met the same end in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

(above)  Another Viper North aircraft at the festival was nicely painted and suitably registered Aero L-29 Delfin trainer N29VN.  Designed and built by the Czech firm Aero Vodochody, manufacturer of aircraft since 1919 in what was then Czechoslovakia, the prototype flew for the first time in April 1959.  Robust, of good performance for its time and able to carry a light load of weapons, the L-29 was selected by the Soviet Union to become the standard basic trainer of Warsaw Pact air forces and was supplied to a number of 'friendly' countries as well.  Since the fall of communism in Europe in the early 1990s, the L-29 has become a very popular, and relatively affordable, jet warbird aircraft.

(above)  Paying tribute to the unsung Douglas Dakota transport crews of the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II is DC-3 C-GDAK of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at Hamilton, Ontario.  The "Canucks Unlimited" markings, representing No. 436 (Transport) Squadron on the port side, were standard for RCAF Dakota's operating in Southeast Asia in the last year of the Second World War while the unique blue roundels and fin flashes were applied to aircraft of the RAF and British Commonwealth air forces operating under the control of the joint US-UK South East Asia Command.  Starboard markings are those of No. 435 (Transport) Squadron.

(above)  Beautifully restored Lockheed 10A, C-FTCC owned and operated by Air Canada, waits for its crew at the end of the festival.  Canadians have been involved in flying for nearly as long as powered flight and aviation has contributed in no small way to the development of the nation.  A great many air services sprang up following the First World War but even the largest offered, at best, only regional services.  In an effort to provide air transportation from coast to coast, the federal government established a national air carrier through publicly owned Canadian National Railway and Trans-Canada Airlines launched its first scheduled flight on 1 September 1937.  Its original fleet consisted of five Lockheed 10As and C-FTCC was the third delivered.  After passing through the RCAF during World War II and the hands of civilian owners in the decades after the war, it was restored and displayed across Canada by Air Canada for its 50th anniversary in 1987.  Air Canada continues to operate the aircraft and, in its original TCA markings and registration, it allows the public to see what air travel was like during the Golden Age of Flight.

Southwest Airlines: An Acquisition Completed

The latest consolidation in the North American airline industry is official.  Southwest Airlines and AirTran are one in a deal which cost Southwest an estimated $1.4 billion in cash and shares.  Completed on 2 May, it was preceded by a most interesting April.  Positive steps on the road to amalgamation – clearance from the Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association to begin seniority negotiations with AirTran pilots and the nod from Department of Justice officials – were overshadowed by one really newsworthy incident at the beginning of the month and a lesser one toward the end.

As is normally the case, the two airlines, with a combined total of just under 700 aircraft, will operate separately until a single operating certificate is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.  The Southwest folks hope that it will be achieved in early 2012 so aircraft and airline enthusiasts will continue to see AirTran aircraft around for a while.

Follow the two links below for more information:

http://money.msn.com/business-news/article.aspx?feed=PR&date=20110502&id=13501851

http://businesstraveldestinations.com/2011/02/southwest-airlines-confirms-faa-acceptance-of-transition-plan-for-airtran-airways-acquisition/

(above)  Two to one.  Foreshadowing the latest airline acquisition, Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-3H4 N373SW taxies out at Orlando International Airport, Florida while AirTran Boeing 717-231 N921AT/790 holds for takeoff in February 2011.  Although AirTran operates the largest fleet of 717s, at 86 aircraft, it is also a major 737-700 series customer with over 50 in service and more than 50 on order.  Southwest has, for most of its existence, been an all-737 airline and its current fleet totals around 550 aircraft most of which are of the -700 series variety.  At this point in time, Southwest Airlines will continue to operate the smaller 717s on routes requiring less capacity than the 737s offer.

PastPost - Toronto Wings and Wheels Festival, Part 1

Note: This post was originally published on a now-defunct website in 2009.  The fly-in festival, supported in large part by Bombardier Aerospace, was organized by the Canadian Air & Space Museum only six times - 2006-2011.  It ended when the museum was evicted from its historic premises to make room for ice hockey rinks which, in the end, were never built at that site.  In order to maintain historical context, the captions remain in their original form.

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Toronto Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival

23-24 May 2009

The Toronto, Ontario area is rich in aviation heritage and no site is more prominent than the airfield at Downsview.  Aerial activities began here when a growing de Havilland Aircraft of Canada established a new factory and flying field in 1929 on what had been farmland.  Since that time grass has given way to paved runways and the sights of wood and fabric, piston-engine biplanes has been replaced by modern turboprop commuter airliners and turbofan-powered executive jets produced by Bombardier Aerospace.  Military flying - from transports to jet fighters to helicopters - was long carried out at the airport by the Royal Canadian Air Force and, later, the Canadian Forces but encroaching civilization eventually forced a close to that chapter.  Most of the former military base has since become an urban park and recreational area but a link with the past is maintained by the presence of the Canadian Air & Space Museum which celebrates aeronautical achievements past and present.

The museum is also the site of the annual Toronto Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival and a variety of modern and historical civil and military aircraft fly in for public display.

Special thanks go to Media Relations Manager Diana Spremo and media escorts for their help in making the following images possible.

The following links are provided for those interested in visiting the museum and the festival:

Toronto Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival http://torontowingsandwheels.com/

Canadian Air & Space Museum http://casmuseum.org/

Part One

The Fighters

(above)  This nicely painted Fokker DR.I replica, C-GDRI, taxies in upon arrival at Downsview.  It is flown by the unique Great War Flying Museum based at Brampton Airport located north of that Ontario city and is painted in the markings of WWI German Air Service pilot Leutnant Paul Bäumer who was credited with 18 victories during the Great War of 1914-1918.  The Fokker DR.I was inspired by the agile British Sopwith Triplane which began operating with Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps squadrons in early 1917 and the first examples entered service later in the year.  Though DR.Is accounted for a tiny fraction of German fighter production, its place in history is guaranteed for it will forever be associated with that great German fighter pilot - Manfred von Richthofen otherwise known as "The Red Baron".

(above)  Representing World War II naval aviation, FG-1D Corsair C-GVWC, a Goodyear-built version of the Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair, sits idling soon after engine start prior to departure.  The outstanding Corsair was used in great numbers in the last half of World War II by the US Navy and as a multirole fighter by the US Marine Corps and equipped squadrons of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in the Atlantic and Pacific and the Royal New Zealand Air Force as well.  This aircraft, painted as a Corsair flown by Lieutenant Robert H. Gray, VC, DSC, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve while assigned to the Fleet Air Arm's 1841 Squadron embarked in HMS Formidable, is part of the growing collection of warbirds and antique civil aircraft that belong to Vintage Wings of Canada at Gatineau Executive Airport, Quebec.  Lt. Gray was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross - the last to a Canadian - for his attack on an Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer on 9 August 1945.  Despite intense antiaircraft fire and damage to his aircraft he continued the attack that dispatched the ship to the bottom.

(above)  Resplendent in the markings of a North American Mustang Mk. IV flown by No. 441 (Fighter) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force late in the Second World War, P-51D C-FVPM is also part of the Vintage Wings of Canada collection.  The P-51D is probably the most publicized version of Mustang and is best known for its World War II service with the US Army Air Forces in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Pacific but it was also flown by squadrons of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, RCAF, Chinese Air Force and, in its reconnaissance version, by a Free French Air Force squadron.  Canadian squadrons, for the most part, flew early reconnaissance versions powered by Allison V-1710 engines but some Mk. III and Mk. IV aircraft, equivalent to the USAAF P-51B/C and P-51D respectively, made their way late in the war to Nos. 441 and 442 Squadrons which had previously flown Supermarine Spitfires.

(above)  A welcome addition to the festival, arriving MiG-15 N15VN comes to a stop following an early morning flight.  The aircraft, a two-seat MiG-15UTI trainer, is owned by Viper North and carries the basic markings applied to most aircraft flown by Union of Soviet Socialist Republics air arms during much of the 50-year Cold War.  In the history of air warfare, few fighter aircraft can be as important as the MiG-15.  Its appearance during the Korean War challenged American air superiority for the first time and resulted in the deployment of North American F-86 Sabres and the first large-scale combats between swept-wing fighters.  The MiG-15 was the first of a long line of successful swept-wing jet fighters from the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau and formed the backbone of the fighter forces of the Soviet Union, People's Republic of China and most of the countries within their spheres of influence.

(above)  Canada's frontline fighter is the McDonnell Douglas - now Boeing - F/A-18 Hornet.  It's officially the unnamed CF-188 in Canada but is usually referred to simply as the CF-18 or Hornet and an example of the single-seat version is seen here.  From 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing CFB Bagotville, Quebec, 188711 and pilot get a tow from the static display area prior to departure following the festival.  The F-18 represents the fourth generation of American jet fighter aircraft and its heritage can be traced to the Northrop YF-17 which was built to compete against the General Dynamics YF-16 in a 1974 competition to select a new lightweight, low-cost, air superiority fighter for the US Air Force.  The YF-16 won and went on to become an outstanding multirole fighter while development of the YF-17 by Northrop and McDonnell Douglas led to the equally capable F/A-18 Hornet.  It entered service with the first US Navy fleet replacement squadron in 1981 and the first operational US Marine Corps squadron the following year.  Canada became the first foreign nation to buy the F/A-18 and, with deliveries to the Canadian Forces commencing in the autumn of 1982, the CF-18 eventually replaced McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo interceptors as well as Canadair CF-104 and CF-5 strike aircraft.