Aircraft

Snowbirds

The Snowbirds Demonstration Team (431 Squadron) are a Canadian icon comprised of serving members of the Canadian Forces. Their pilots and technicians work as a team to bring thrilling performances to the North American public. Serving as Canadian ambassadors, the Snowbirds demonstrate the high level of professionalism, teamwork, excellence, discipline and dedication inherent in the women and men of the Air Force and the Canadian Forces.

The Snowbirds have flown the CT-114 Tutor jet since 1971. The aircraft was designed and built in Canada and is used by the Canadian Forces as its basic pilot training aircraft. The jets are painted in a distinctive red and white paint scheme symbolic of Canada's national flag. As members of the nation's military, the Snowbirds are proud to fly Canada's colours across North America.

CF-18 HORNET

Colonel Paul Prévost, the commander of 3 Wing, is pleased to support Capt Patrick "Flocho" Pollen as this year's CF-18 Demo Team pilot. "Captain Pollen was a natural choice for this year's CF-18 Demonstration Team pilot," said Col Prévost. "He is a very experienced pilot, and is always volunteering for various activities both within the Canadian Forces community and our local community. His skill and professionalism make him the right ambassador for the Canadian Forces, especially this year with the Bagotville International Air Show and the 175th anniversary of the Saguenay Lac-St-Jean region."

Each year, the CF-18 Demonstration Team features a different theme; for the 2013 season the theme will be "The Common Thread". The Demo Hornet will feature tail art – designed by 410 Squadron's veteran design director, Jim Belliveau – that will embody this theme.

CP-140 AURORA

As Canada's only strategic maritime surveillance aircraft, the CP-140 Aurora is often used to patrol Canada's coastlines, safeguarding our waters from foreign threats. Capable of flying more than 9000 km-or 5000 nautical miles-without refuelling, this multi-purpose aircraft goes the distance

DE HAVILLAND MOSQUITO

The de Havilland Mosquito was a British multi role combat aircraft that served during World War II and the post war era. The Mosquito was one of the few operational aircraft to be constructed almost entirely of wood and was subsequently nicknamed the "Wooden Wonder". It was used by several air forces including the RAF and RCAF. It was affectionately known as the "Mossie" by its crews.

The Mosquito's appearance at the Hamilton Airshow will be the first appearance of this historic aircraft in Canada and it is planned to be part of a special formation flight that will include the Lancaster, two Spitfires & two Hurricanes.

Please note that the Mosquito will be arriving early to be the subject of a special event, MOSQUITO MEMORIES, at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum on Friday June 14th.

THE MOSQUITO IS SCHEDULED TO FLY BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

HAWKER HURRICANE

SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE

DOUGLAS AD-4 SKYRAIDER

The AD-4 version was built in larger numbers than any other Skyraider variant. The AD-4 differed from earlier Skyraider variants by being powered by an improved engine, the 2700 hp R-3350-26WA. It had an improved windshield with better bulletproof protection, a P-1 automatic pilot and a modified arrester hook. A pitot tube was added at the top of the leading edge of the the vertical tail.

FOCKE-WULF (FLUGWERK) FW190

The Focke-Wulf FW190 was a German Second World War single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s. Powered by a radial engine, the 190 had ample power and was able to lift larger loads than its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The 190 was used by the Luftwaffe in a wide variety of roles, including day fighter, fighter-bomber, ground-attack aircraft and, to a lesser degree, night fighter.

ME 262

The Me 262 "Schwalbe" (Swallow) was the world’s first operational combat jet. As such, it immediately outclassed all piston fighters and would have been a serious threat if it had been available in significant numbers. The design predated WW II, but engine difficulties delayed operational status until mid-1944. No original Me 262s are still airworthy. This aircraft was reconstructed and first flown in 2011. It is painted as "White 3", flown by Ens. Hans Guido Mutke of JG 7, the most successful Me 262 squadron during the war.

CONSOLIDATED B-24 LIBERATOR

By the end of World War II, B-24 Liberators would serve in all theatres with the United States and fifteen other nations. Throughout WWII the B-24 was constantly modified and upgraded. B-24s served as heavy bombers, tankers, transports, and anti-submarine patrol aircraft. The B-24 Liberator would continue to serve in the USAF into the 1950s before being retired.

The Commemorative Air Force have cancelled their appearance due to ongoing repairs of the B-24.

"SUPER DAVE" MATHIESON

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Dave Mathieson, better known as "Super Dave" in the airshow community, was voted the #1 aerobatic pilot in Canada... by his mom. (It's on the side of his airplane, so it has to be true!). Mathieson currently flies the world's most advanced aerobatic aircraft called the MX2. The aircraft is designed for plus or minus 16Gs, and has an incredible roll rate of 500 degrees per second and is powered by a 380 hp motor giving the aircraft a top speed of 300 mph.

Dave started flying with the Royal Canadian Air cadets at age 15 in gliders and got his first float flying job at the age of 18. Dave flew bush planes on floats for most of his career including Beech 18, Norseman, de Havilland Beaver, Otter, Twin Otter, Buffalo and Dash 8. He flew for Air Canada Jazz for five years but found the job too boring, and they frowned upon doing aerobatics with 100 people in the back of the airplane. Dave soon left Air Canada Jazz and went on to become the co-owner and president of Summit Air Charters based in Yellowknife Northwest Territories, Canada.

SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK. XVI

Widely considered the most beautiful aircraft design of its day and possibly of all time, the Spitfire's elegantly shaped "elliptical" wings, sleek and powerful lines and role in the Battle of Britain combined to cement its status as symbol of a nation's will to endure and ultimately triumph. This highly capable fighter was nimble and fast and was much loved by its pilots, most of whom were trained in Canada. The Vintage Wings of Canada Spitfire is painted in the markings of the Royal Canadian Air Force's 421 Squadron.

HAWKER HURRICANE MK. IV

The Hurricane was the first monoplane fighter aircraft of the RAF, its first fighter with both an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear as well as the first to exceed 300 mph in level flight. The Spitfire will forever be associated in the public's mind with the Battle of Britain, but it was the Hawker Hurricane that shouldered the lion's share of the fighting and the eventual victory during that titanic aerial struggle.

GOODYEAR FG-1D CORSAIR

The Corsair is widely considered the most capable of all carrier-based fighter aircraft of World War Two. Its distinctive "bent" wings were designed to keep the landing gear short and robust for carrier landings and give clearance for the enormous 13' 4" diameter propeller required to pull her to over 400 mph - the first American fighter to do so. The Vintage Wings of Canada Corsair is painted in markings of Canadian Lt. Robert Hampton Gray who was awarded the Victoria Cross.

CURTISS P-40N KITTYHAWK

The Curtiss P-40 was a formidable fighter and ground attack aircraft in the right hands. Employed in theatres from China to New Guinea to the Aleutians to North Africa, P-40 variants had many names including the Tomahawk, Kittyhawk and Warhawk. The Kittyhawk was the name given by British Commonwealth air forces to the P-40E model and subsequent variants.

DISCOVERY AIR "HAWK ONE" F-86 SABRE

The Canadair Sabre saw operational service both in Canada and with 12 squadrons at Royal Canadian Air Force stations in Europe as part of a large NATO commitment. The most spectacular paint scheme ever to grace the already graceful lines of the Sabre was the livery of the RCAF's precision aerobatic team, the Golden Hawks.

WESTLAND LYSANDER Mk. IIIA

Designed as an army co-operation aircraft, the Lysander equipped six RAF squadrons in France for artillery spotting, reconnaissance and other communications tasks during the first year of the war. This role would largely disappear with the fall of France, but the Lysander would go on to become a remarkable multi-role aircraft.

The Beech 18

Matt Younkin's Beech 18 performance is likely the most unusual act on the airshow circuit today. The Beech 18 was never designed for aerobatic flight; however that doesn't make it incapable of doing just that. The performance begins with a roll on takeoff followed by a series of Cuban eights, point-rolls, and even a loop. The conclusion is a dirty pass dubbed the "Elephant Waltz" in which Matt rocks the huge transport's wings more than 90 degrees with the landing gear and flaps extended!

CANADIAN HARVARD AEROBATIC TEAM

Although pilots Pete Spence, Dave Hewitt & Kent Beckham use these three ton aircraft masterfully to perform a tight aerial sequence with upbeat background music, better modern aircraft exist that would make the task much easier - but they just wouldn't have the same presence in the afternoon sky. If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it.

FLEET FINCH

The Fleet Finch Model 16 was developed specifically for the RCAF. A total of 437 Fleet Finches were produced as Model 16s, the majority (430) for the RCAF. They were used as initial trainers in the BCATP at no fewer than twelve EFTS's across Canada. They were replaced eventually by Cornells, and the last of the Model 16s stayed on RCAF inventory until 1947.

AVRO LANCASTER MK. X

Probably the most famous Allied bomber of World War II, the Lancaster had impressive flying characteristics and operational performance. Lancaster was the RAF's only heavy bomber capable of carrying the 12,000 lb. Tallboy and 22,000 lb. Grand Slam bombs. The aircraft demonstrated superbly its right to fame with the daring and precise raids on the Ruhr dams in May 1943, and also the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz in November 1944. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Lancaster is one of only two still flying in the world. It is painted in markings in memory of Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski, who was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

NORTH AMERICAN B-25J MITCHELL

The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theatre of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades. The B-25 was named in honor of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. By the end of its production, nearly 10,000 B-25s in numerous models had been built. The B-25 first gained fame as the bomber used in the 18 April 1942 Doolittle Raid, in which 16 B-25Bs led by the legendary Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle attacked mainland Japan, four months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

FAIREY FIREFLY MK. V

The Firefly served as a carrier-borne reconnaissance fighter in both World War II and the Korean War. The Royal Canadian Navy employed 65 Fireflies on board its own aircraft carriers between 1946 and 1954. The Firefly is the first aircraft acquired by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in 1972.

WESTLAND LYSANDER MK. III

The Westland Lysander was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft used immediately before and during the Second World War. After becoming obsolete in the army co-operation role, the aircraft's exceptional short-field performance enabled clandestine missions using small, unprepared airstrips behind enemy lines to place or recover agents, particularly in occupied France. Like other British army air co-operation aircraft it was given the name of a mythical or legendary leader, in this case the Spartan general Lysander.

NORTH AMERICAN HARVARD MK. IV

The Harvard, named after the university, was produced as an export version of the AT-6 Texan advanced trainer. It became the standard advanced trainer for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada and the RAF in Britain. It was used to train thousands of Commonwealth pilots for combat flying in fighters and fighter-bombers.

CONSOLIDATED PBY-5A CANSO

Consolidated's first PBY flying-boat prototype made its maiden flight in 1933. More Consolidated PBYs were manufactured than any other type of flying boat or amphibian. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Canso is restored in the colours and markings of 162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron and dedicated to the memory of Flight Lieutenant David Hornell who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

DOUGLAS DAKOTA

Douglas Aircraft Company built the first DC-3 civil transport aircraft in 1935. Under its military designation of C-47, the Dakota became the most versatile and widely-used transport aircraft of this century. Its most crucial roles in World War II included cargo and personnel delivery, glider towing and paratroop drops. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Dakota has logged over 82,000 hours of air time and 12 million miles.

DE HAVILLAND CHIPMUNK

The Chipmunk was the first primary trainer manufactured by De Havilland Canada, of Downsview (North York) Ontario, as a successor to the Tiger Moth. The first prototype flew in 1946 and the design proved most successful. Approximately 1000 were built, including some that were made under license in England and Portugal.

FAIRCHILD CORNELL

Fleet Aircraft Company of Canada built 1642 Cornells under license and they were designated the PT-23s or PT-26s. The latter were distinguished by their cold-weather, enclosed canopy. The RCAF selected the Cornell as a successor to the Tiger Moth and Fleet Finch, which the Air Force realized in 1941 were already obsolete because they lacked the full instrumentation of the Cornell. The RCAF first flew Cornells in 1940 and retired the last one in 1947.

DE HAVILLAND TIGER MOTH

The Tiger Moth was one of several training aircraft that made an enormous contribution to the BCATP. From 1938 to 1948 the RCAF employed more than 1500 of these machines. They were used for wireless instruction, bombing and gunnery, photographic reconnaissance and flying training. In fact, the Tiger Moth was one of two kinds of elementary trainer flown at Mount Hope, which was the site of 10 EFTS.