(PDF Archives) 2011 Canadian Forces CF-18 Demo Bird Details

It is not uncommon for the air arms of many countries to allow, or even encourage, the celebration or commemoration of important unit or service achievements with the application of special markings to aircraft. Canada is one of those nations and the Canadian Armed Forces has long supported the practice. The Canadian Forces' CF-188 multi-role combat aircraft, known unofficially as the CF-18 Hornet, has been the subject of such artwork for most of its 41 years in service.

Usually of some military significance, an official theme for the CF-18 Demonstration Team is selected each year. A special design and paint scheme is created and then applied. The aircraft then carries the message to the public through air shows and displays across Canada, and often outside the borders, throughout the demonstration season that follows.

The 2011 theme for the CF-18 Demonstration Team deviated from the usual recognition of national, air force, or squadron anniversaries but it could not have been more appropriate. The theme chosen for the 2011 air show season was a tribute to military families. Family support for service members is always of great importance at any time but during combat operations takes on even greater significance. As part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Canada deployed army, air force, and navy personnel to Afghanistan and the Central Asia region in support of the United States following the attacks against New York City and Washington, DC on 11 September 2001. Although recognition of the importance of military families was long overdue, a spotlight on their contribution to successful combat operations was very welcome.

This 11-page e-booklet takes a look at the 2011 CF-18 Demo Team aircraft. General views and marking details are presented for those with an interest in the subject. Information concerning the CF-18 and 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron is also provided.

Published in 2013, this e-booklet was a part of Aviation Miscellany No. 3 and is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications 

US Airpower Over Lakeland (PDF)

With spring around the corner, thoughts of aviation in Florida turn to the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo held at Lakeland Linder International Airport. This year's event, attracting pilots with aircraft of all types from across North America, takes place from 28 March to 2 April. Military participants scheduled for flying displays include the United States Navy's Blue Angels aerobatic team with their Boeing F/A-18E Hornets. Uniquely, the event has also managed to snag two Lockheed Martin F-35 demonstration teams. The US Air Force will be there with the F-35A Lightning II as will the US Marine Corps with its F-35B variant. 

This 11-page booklet presents images of the US Navy's Rhino Demonstration Team and their F/A-18F, the USAF's Air Combat Command A-10 Demonstration Team and their "Warthog", and the USAF's famous Thunderbirds aerobatic team at the 2022 Sun 'n Fun air show. As usual, information concerning the aircraft and associated flying units accompanies the photos.

This PDF booklet is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications

(PDF Archives) Check Six: An Eye to The Past - Borden's Sword

In the early years of the Cold War, including a hot war on and around the Korean Peninsula, the North American F-86 Sabre was, arguably, the most recognizable American fighter aircraft to patrol the skies. Flown by the vast majority of nations allied with the United States, the F-86 was built under license in Canada for use by the Royal Canadian Air Force and for supply to several other nations by the US. In this 6-page booklet, a preserved example of a Canadair Sabre Mk. 5 at Canadian Forces Base Borden is presented. Additionally, a bit of background information including the Sabre in Canadian service, markings, armament, and the RCAF's Sabre Transition Unit can be found in the captions.

Originally published in 2013, it formed part of the Aviation Miscellany No. 2 volume and is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications

(PDF Archives) 2011 Thunder of Niagara Air Show

Located close to the famous international landmark found in its name, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station has a lengthy association with military aviation activities. Dating to 1928, the civil airport became home to the manufacture of military aircraft even before the United States entered the Second World War. In the postwar period a portion of the airport became home to military flying. Initially a naval air station, the facility later became an air force base and then an air reserve station. Along the way, many open houses and air shows have been hosted there attracting large crowds from the local area and nearby Canada. As the only air base in western New York, the air show usually attracts a good assortment of aircraft from all of the armed services.

The 2011 event was no exception and coincided with the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States on 9 September 2001. This publication focuses on the flying portion of that open house and was prepared ahead of the 2013 Thunder of Niagara. As fate would have it, a federal government budget sequestration came into effect earlier in the year severely limiting Department of Defense spending. Thus, operational efforts were prioritized. Military open houses were cancelled and DoD support for civilian air shows ended. Nevertheless, it was decided to publish this 18-page booklet. It was included in Aviation Miscellany No. 2 and is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications

(PDF Archives) Teutonic 340s: Lufthansa's Airbus A340s

There is no doubt that the Airbus manufacturing consortium is best known for its twin-engine airliner designs. Indeed, from the A300, which first appeared in 1972, to the A220 and A350 today, eight of the 11 types offered to airlines have been twins. The firm's first foray into the four-engine market was with the A340 and, although relatively popular everywhere but North America, fewer than 400 were built. Lufthansa has flown more of them than any other airline and we look at the A340 in that airline's service in this 16-page booklet. Information, found in the main text and many captions, includes a brief background of Airbus and the A340, details of Lufthansa's A340 fleet, and general technical information concerning the type.

Published in 2013, it was included in the Aviation Miscellany No. 2 volume and is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications

(PDF Archives) USN Blue Angels: Behind the Scenes - Morning Maintenance

Following on Behind the Scenes, Part One in which arrival day activities were documented, Part Two looks at the team's maintenance personnel in action. Preparation of the F/A-18 Hornets for the day's show is highlighted here. It is essential work, to be sure, and critical to the safe operation of any aircraft. On top of that, the pre-show activities are undertaken regardless of weather conditions at the time. From cockpit checks to engine runs, the scenes are presented in this 14-page booklet.

Revised in 2012, it was published as part of the Aviation Miscellany No. 2 and is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications

(PDF Archives) A Tribute to 10,000: North America's Only Flying Lancaster Bomber

Among the British bombers that took to the skies on operations during the Second World War, the best known is undoubtedly the Avro Lancaster. Of the 7,377 built, only two are airworthy today. One is maintained and flown by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the other, across the pond, is the flagship of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. This 16-page booklet looks at the CWHM Lancaster and provides information concerning the Lancaster itself, Canadians in RAF Bomber Command, Royal Canadian Air Force bomber squadrons and 'Lanc' squadrons, postwar RCAF use, and events surrounding the heroic actions of RCAF Pilot Officer A.C. Mynarski for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Originally published in 2012 as an article in the Aviation Miscellany No. 2 volume, this publication is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications 

(PDF Archives) Check Six: An Eye to The Past - A Floridian BUFF [PDF]

With its first flight recorded 70 years ago and the last version produced still forming a potent part of the airpower available to the USAF's Air Force Global Strike Command today, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is very much a classic aircraft. In this 8-page booklet, we visit a B-52D preserved at Orlando International Airport in central Florida. Included is general information concerning the 'D' model, detail images, and short histories of the 306th Bombardment Wing, Heavy and 7th Bomb Wing.

Originally published in 2012 as an article in the Aviation Miscellany No.1 volume, this publication is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications 

(PDF Archives) American Airlines 737-800s: New Hopes with a Proven Design

A true classic airliner, Boeing's Model 737 has been an aerial workhorse in airline service for over a half-century. The type's first flight was in 1967 but despite great popularity it would be three decades before American Airlines placed an order for 737s. This 10-page booklet takes a look at early American Airlines 737-800 aircraft as well as a brief history of the type and specifications pertaining to the -800 version.

Originally published in 2012 as an article in the Aviation Miscellany No.1 volume, this publication is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications 

(PDF Archives) USN Blue Angels: Behind the Scenes - Arrival Day

Millions of people have watched aerial performances by the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the famed Blue Angels, since it was established in 1946. However, comparatively few have been present at a show site when the team's aircraft are directed to their parking spots on arrival day. Drawing from photos taken when the Blue Angels arrived for the the 2009 Canadian International Air Show, this 11-page booklet shows, and explains, the effort by all hands to prepare for the arrival of the team. The reader will also see the important post-flight work done by the team's ground support personnel who are often overlooked by the average air show spectator. Though set in 2009, the activities at a show site today remain basically the same as does the professionalism of the entire Blue Angels team.

Originally published in 2012 as part of the Aviation Miscellany No.1 volume, this publication is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications 

Thunderbirds at Lakeland

 As the residents of Lakeland, Florida and area were no doubt made aware of in short order, the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron was in town for the annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo last week. Known far and wide simply as the Thunderbirds, the aerobatic team arrives in advance of their air show performances to prepare for the show including familiarization with the local geography and landmarks used for reference. The team's members have long engaged with the community wherever they fly and, in more recent times, the Thunderbirds provide an orientation flight for a locally selected individual as part of their Hometown Heroes program.

The photos appearing here were taken on Friday, 8 April 2022 at Lakeland Linder International Airport.

(above) The morning dawned clear, cool, and bright following some wild, stormy weather the previous day but this F-16C looks sharp while awaiting the day's flight activities.

(above) Thunderbirds aircraft are not given a permanent team number while assigned and are often shuffled in the formation and, consequently, in the lineup when on the ground. Although numbers 1, 2, and 3 displayed numbers in the circle of stars on the engine intakes, these three F-16Cs did not. They are, however, in the positions occupied by Thunderbirds 4, 5, and 6.

(above) As evidenced by significant heat waves behind it, one of the squadron's two-seat F-16D aircraft sits idling while final pre-flight checks are done by a member of the Thunderbirds maintenance team.

(above) In a rare scene, at least in this photographer's experience, Thunderbird 7 and 8 wheel out for a minimum interval takeoff. Aboard the two F-16Ds are hometown hero Sgt. Chad Mumbauer, Lakeland Police Department and a member of the local media.

(PDF Archives) Generations Apart: Stearman and Sukhoi Air-to-Air

Their designs are a half-century apart and their intended use quite different. Nonetheless, the Boeing Model 75, forever known unofficially as the Stearman, and the Sukhoi Su-26 proved very popular for aerobatic display flying before air show audiences around the world. In this 9-page booklet, we fly a formation photo shoot along the shore of Lake Ontario with aerobatic pilots John Mohr and Rick Volker ahead of the 2007 Canadian International Air Show. Also included is some background information about the pilots and the two aircraft types along with a comparison of the Boeing PT-17 and Sukhoi Su-26.

Originally published in 2012 as an article in the Aviation Miscellany No.1 volume, this publication is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.

PlanePixelBooks Publications