2011 Airshows
Tyndall AFB, FL    NAS Fort Worth JRB, TX     Indianapolis Regional, IN    Terre Haute, IN Open House   Monticello, IN Open House   Reading, PA WWII Weekend    Cincinnati, OH B-29 Appearance    Hamilton, ONT    Kokomo, IN    Indianapolis Metropolitan, IN     Polk City, FL    Willow Run, MI    Indianapolis Regional, IN    Indianapolis Executive, IN    Grissom Aeroplex Huey Homecoming, IN    Selfridge ANGB, MI    Mattoon, IL     Marion, IN    Waukegan, IL    Janesville, WI    NAS Oceana, VA    Watervliet, MI


Hamilton, ONT 2011 Air Show Photo Review
Warbirds at Canadian Warplane Heritage Air Show - June 18-19, 2011  

With the return of the Hamilton Air Show, there is now one more premier warbird show for enthusiasts to attend in North America.  After a hiatus of 10 years at Hamilton the Canadian Warplane Heritage (CWH) has brought the show back.  For the CWH it has actually been thirty yeas since it sponsored the airshow  at Hamilton and for its return it had an excellent selection of pristine warbirds.  The CWH provided many aircraft for the event but also contracted with the the Vintage Wings of Canada for five fighters, the Military Aviation Museum (also known as The Fighter Factory) from Virginia, The Commemorative Air Force,  The1941 Historical Group and many others resulting in one of the best collections of static and flying warbirds in North America this year.  Below is just a sampling of over 1,000 photos taken to give a slice of this new and welcome warbird show.  Plans for the event include an event bigger selection of warbirds in 2012 on Father's Day weekend as the CWH celebrates its 40th anniversary.

This immaculate and from what I can tell near stock de Havilland Canada (Grumman) CS2F-2 was on static display.  According to my sources at the show the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is in the process of getting it back in the air.  In looking the Tracker over it still appears to have all of the original equipment on it as compared to the US Trackers which have for the most part had the ASW equipment removed.  Also it looks to be in pristine condition.  This will be a great air show attraction.

While the Tracker above may be just a short time away from flying, this Bristol Bolingbroke Mk IV has a way to go, although according to the lead person on the project it will be flyable in 2016.

The engines will each take $100,000 to get them ready for the 2016 flight.

Looking in the nose.  The chain drive system you see controls the ailerons.  Definitely not fly by wire!!  But this was the leading edge technology of the early WWII era.

This is the electrical panel for the bomb-aimer, who was part of a crew of 4:  Pilot, Bomb-Aimer/Navigator, Radio Operator and Gunner.  Shown here is just a small amount of the 40,000 hours of labor that have gone into the restoration.

CWH C-45 taking the jumpers aloft.

B-17 "Chuckie".  I can not remember the last time I saw her fly.  What a treat!!

This is one of the first shows for "Chuckie" after coming to the to east coast after being in Fort Worth for as long as I can remember.  Great job here by the CWH.

B-17 "Memphis Belle" (Movie) on the take-off.  Two B-17s at the show!

Fly-by of Memphis Belle, B-25 and P-51.

The rare CWH Lysander on the take-off.  It only flew on Saturday due to mechanical issues on Sunday.

CWH B-25 in D-Day Invasion stripes. It has been many years since I have seen this Mitchell at a show.  Note the plug where the top turret should be.

Nose art on the B-25.

The P-51 from the Vintage Wings of Canada in a low pass.

A mass formation of Harvards.  Only at the Hamilton Air Show will you see this.

The Canadian Harvard Formation Team put on its normal great aerobatic routine.

Check this out.  When was the last time you saw a Skyraider and Helldiver in formation?

Three ship with the FM-2 added.

Canadian built PBY Canso just lifting off for some air show flying.  Serial Number 11084 was built in 1944 by Canadian Vickers in Montreal and served with the RCAF until 1961.  A great looking aircraft.

CWH Firefly on the take-off roll.  This is one of only two flying Fireflies left in the world. 

The Firefly was a two seat fighter.

This FG-1D Corsair is in the middle of really great aerobatic demonstration.  It is owned by the Vintage Wings of Canada.

Also from the Vintage Wings of Canada is this P-40 Tomahawk going through its aerobatic routine.

Setting up for the grand finale, the CWH Lancaster and the five fighters of Vintage Wings of Canada.

Vintage Wings of Canada in a five ship. From top to bottom:  Spitfire, Hurricane, Corsair, P-51, and P-40.  All were flown by the RCAF during WWII.
 

Spitfire from Vintage Wings of Canada.

Vintage Wings of Canada Hurricane taxiing back at the end of the show.

Note the B-25 in the background.

Vintage Wings of Canada Tomahawk.

The Mustang.

Four bladed Huey leaving the show.  It doesn't have the distinctive "Whop, whop" sound but the airframe will last forever.  A true classic.

The Fairey Firefly with its wings folded.  This is the first time I have ever seen the wings folded on this aircraft.  Even on the way out there is something new to see and learn.

Tyndall AFB, FL    NAS Fort Worth JRB, TX     Indianapolis Regional, IN    Terre Haute, IN Open House   Monticello, IN Open House   Reading, PA WWII Weekend    Cincinnati, OH B-29 Appearance    Hamilton, ONT    Kokomo, IN    Indianapolis Metropolitan, IN     Polk City, FL    Willow Run, MI    Indianapolis Regional, IN    Indianapolis Executive, IN    Grissom Aeroplex Huey Homecoming, IN    Selfridge ANGB, MI    Mattoon, IL     Marion, IN    Waukegan, IL    Janesville, WI    NAS Oceana, VA    Watervliet, MI