- Peter Handley, http://blog.phdcreative.com/?p=591
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Planète 97.1 Promotes 4 July Air Show
Paul Tremblay, Vintage Wings maintenance crew member, conducted an excellent and detailed interview with Gatineau French radio station Planète 97.1 today. Visit their site to the interview.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
2010 Halifax International Fleet Review
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"Halifax will be the gateway to the world as Canada’s Navy hosts an International Fleet Review as part of its Centennial celebrations. As warships from various nations arrive, they will have on board more than 5,000 sailors who have come to enjoy our maritime hospitality. Halifax will definitely be the 'place to be' in the summer of 2010."
Well, this week, Halifax is the place to be for the Vintage Wings Corsair and her crew. As part of this high profile event, our Hampton Gray Corsair, Gray Ghost One, was invited to participate in the Fleet Review taking place today along with the CF Snowbirds and CF-18. The reviewing officer is none other than Queen Elizabeth who arrived in a rather cold wet Halifax yesterday.
Sadly, the weather has not played in our favour and the Corsair is unable to conduct the flypast in the poor weather conditions that continue to prevail over the harbour.
It has not been all doom and gloom for the crew, however. On Sunday, 27 June, Vintage Wings were treated as VIPs aboard HMS Ark Royal to meet Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope and his crew.
While on board, the Public Affairs Officer toured Mike Potter, Rob Fleck and Paul Kissmann through the Officer's Mess to see a collection of memorabilia that is very significant in the history of the Ark Royal. Framed on the wall was the original transcript signed by the then Admiral of the Fleet congratulating the entire Royal Navy including the squadrons of Swordfish for the successful demise of the Bismark. Next to that is a framed photo of John Moffat taken during his visit aboard the Ark Royal to share his experience as a Swordfish pilot during the battle that eventually led to the sinking of the German battleship.
The moment was humbling and gave Vintage Wings a chance to share details about our Swordfish and the role she will play in commemorating great Canadian aviators who flew with the Royal Navy during WWII.
This tour was indeed surreal and rare. Thankfully the entire evening affair, has been recorded in photos by Peter Handley (to be posted).
To learn more about the history of HMS Ark Royal and the role of our navy aviators, visit http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/aircraft-carriers/hms-ark-royal/
Astronaut Chris Hadfield celebrates Canada Day at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Vintage Wings will be on location at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 1 July selling t-shirts and swag and promoting our organization. The star of the show is our very own Hawk One pilot and board member, Chirs Hadfield...
Ottawa, Ontario, June 29, 2010 — The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is happy to welcome Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut and former CF-18 fighter pilot Chris Hadfield for a unique “meet-and-greet” event on Canada Day 2010. Hadfield will talk about Canadian aviation history and explain the workings of the world-renown CF-18 aircraft.
On July 1st, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., visitors of all ages are invited to attend this brief presentation on the CF-18 aircraft and listen to Hadfield speak of space travel including what it’s like to live and work 400 km above Earth onboard the International Space Station.
Chris Hadfield is a veteran astronaut and has taken part in of two space missions, STS-100 in 2001 and STS-74 in 1995. During STS-100, he spent 11 days aboard the International Space Station and became the first ever Canadian to perform a spacewalk as he installed the Canadian robotic arm, the Canadarm2, onto the Station. For his first mission back in 1995, he flew to the Russian Space Station Mir, and operated the shuttle robotic arm, the Canadarm.
Journalists are invited to attend the event at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
Event with Chris Hadfield
Date: Thursday, July 1, 2010
Time: 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. – Availability for media interviews
10:00 a.m. – CF-18 presentation with Chris Hadfield
10:15 a.m. – Question period
10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. – Autograph signing session
11:15 a.m. – Astronaut Hadfield departs
Location: Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa, Ontario K1K 4R3
Ottawa, Ontario, June 29, 2010 — The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is happy to welcome Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut and former CF-18 fighter pilot Chris Hadfield for a unique “meet-and-greet” event on Canada Day 2010. Hadfield will talk about Canadian aviation history and explain the workings of the world-renown CF-18 aircraft.
On July 1st, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., visitors of all ages are invited to attend this brief presentation on the CF-18 aircraft and listen to Hadfield speak of space travel including what it’s like to live and work 400 km above Earth onboard the International Space Station.
Chris Hadfield is a veteran astronaut and has taken part in of two space missions, STS-100 in 2001 and STS-74 in 1995. During STS-100, he spent 11 days aboard the International Space Station and became the first ever Canadian to perform a spacewalk as he installed the Canadian robotic arm, the Canadarm2, onto the Station. For his first mission back in 1995, he flew to the Russian Space Station Mir, and operated the shuttle robotic arm, the Canadarm.
Journalists are invited to attend the event at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
Event with Chris Hadfield
Date: Thursday, July 1, 2010
Time: 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. – Availability for media interviews
10:00 a.m. – CF-18 presentation with Chris Hadfield
10:15 a.m. – Question period
10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. – Autograph signing session
11:15 a.m. – Astronaut Hadfield departs
Location: Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa, Ontario K1K 4R3
Monday, June 28, 2010
Pilots dedicate aircraft to Island veteran
Pilots dedicate aircraft to Island veteran
Cliff Stewart gets a look at restored plane that took him behind the lines
Reprinted from: The Journal Pioneer
by Mike Carson
It’s a life that movies are made of. Flying into enemy territory under cover of darkness, leaping from a plane to the ground, setting up radio communications and then grabbing on to a strut of a moving plane to be carried to safety.
Ninety-year-old Charlottetown resident Cliff Stewart, one of Canada’s spies during the Second World War, was honoured over the weekend during the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Fly-in event at the Summerside airport. More than 100 aircraft took part in the event.
“Part of what’s happening today is Vintage Wings of Canada of Gatineau, Quebec, they restore antique aircraft,” said Barry Martin co-chair of the event. “One of the ones they have restored in the last few years is a Lysander. It was a Lysander that flew during World War Two. One job for it was a spy taxi. It would take spies into occupied France at night, land in a field, a farmer’s field some place. The plane would slow down, but not land. A guy would either jump out of the plane if he’s going there or run out to the wheel pads, grab hold of the strut and take off again. Once he was airborne he would climb into the plane and fly back to England.”
This was the life of Stewart.
He was fully trained in all aspects of his work by staff at Camp X, east of Toronto, including parachuting.
Much of his work was carried out at Camp X and remains confidential to this day.
Stewart was a participant in the war planning conferences held between Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt.
The Lysander that was dedicated to Stewart was the same type of aircraft used to bring Stewart and his compatriots into areas during the war to set up radio sites and get them home safely.
Martin said Vintage Wings restores a plane and dedicates it to an individual.
“They found out about Cliff down here and they wanted to dedicate the plane to Cliff,” Martin said. “It flew last Friday for the first time in 64 years.”
Stewart is unable to detail any of his war activities because of an oath of secrecy he had to sign with the British that all of his activities would remain secret for life.
He did say he was involved in missions in Europe five or six times and fortunately “they dropped me off so I didn’t have to jump (parachute).”
“Needless to say, you’ll never find me skydiving for fun,” the 90-year-old veteran said. “I really didn’t like it.”
It was different time he said. He recalled sitting on the gas tank in the back of the Lysander next to a box of explosives being bounced around, but the thought of anything happening wasn’t on their minds.
He said with all of this the crew didn’t consider this dangerous.
“Everybody was smoking.”
When asked if he was smoking one of his famous cigars, Stewart replied. “I smoked whatever I could get my hands on.”
He said sometimes it would take more than one trip to get a communications system set up. He said on one pass they would drop the equipment and then have to come back to set it all up.
“After that, we worried about getting out,” he said.
Cliff Stewart gets a look at restored plane that took him behind the lines
Reprinted from: The Journal Pioneer
by Mike Carson
It’s a life that movies are made of. Flying into enemy territory under cover of darkness, leaping from a plane to the ground, setting up radio communications and then grabbing on to a strut of a moving plane to be carried to safety.
Ninety-year-old Charlottetown resident Cliff Stewart, one of Canada’s spies during the Second World War, was honoured over the weekend during the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Fly-in event at the Summerside airport. More than 100 aircraft took part in the event.
“Part of what’s happening today is Vintage Wings of Canada of Gatineau, Quebec, they restore antique aircraft,” said Barry Martin co-chair of the event. “One of the ones they have restored in the last few years is a Lysander. It was a Lysander that flew during World War Two. One job for it was a spy taxi. It would take spies into occupied France at night, land in a field, a farmer’s field some place. The plane would slow down, but not land. A guy would either jump out of the plane if he’s going there or run out to the wheel pads, grab hold of the strut and take off again. Once he was airborne he would climb into the plane and fly back to England.”
This was the life of Stewart.
He was fully trained in all aspects of his work by staff at Camp X, east of Toronto, including parachuting.
Much of his work was carried out at Camp X and remains confidential to this day.
Stewart was a participant in the war planning conferences held between Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt.
The Lysander that was dedicated to Stewart was the same type of aircraft used to bring Stewart and his compatriots into areas during the war to set up radio sites and get them home safely.
Martin said Vintage Wings restores a plane and dedicates it to an individual.
“They found out about Cliff down here and they wanted to dedicate the plane to Cliff,” Martin said. “It flew last Friday for the first time in 64 years.”
Stewart is unable to detail any of his war activities because of an oath of secrecy he had to sign with the British that all of his activities would remain secret for life.
He did say he was involved in missions in Europe five or six times and fortunately “they dropped me off so I didn’t have to jump (parachute).”
“Needless to say, you’ll never find me skydiving for fun,” the 90-year-old veteran said. “I really didn’t like it.”
It was different time he said. He recalled sitting on the gas tank in the back of the Lysander next to a box of explosives being bounced around, but the thought of anything happening wasn’t on their minds.
He said with all of this the crew didn’t consider this dangerous.
“Everybody was smoking.”
When asked if he was smoking one of his famous cigars, Stewart replied. “I smoked whatever I could get my hands on.”
He said sometimes it would take more than one trip to get a communications system set up. He said on one pass they would drop the equipment and then have to come back to set it all up.
“After that, we worried about getting out,” he said.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
WWII SPY HONOURED AT COPA FLY-IN
SUMMERSIDE, PEI. – One of Canada’s spies of the Second World War will be honoured during the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Fly-in event here at the Summerside Airport, Saturday 26 June at 1:45 p.m.
Cliff Stewart, 90, is a veteran who set up communication lines and radio for the spy network in occupied France during the Second World War. He currently resides in PEI.
Vintage Wings of Canada (VWoC) is dedicating their newly restored Westland Lysander to Cliff Stewart. The Lysander was recently refurbished by a team of dedicated maintenance contractors and volunteers during the past several months. Rob Erdos, VWoC test pilot, flew the inaugural flight since being completely restored on 18 June – the first flight in 64 years.
The Lysander, primary designed as an army reconnaissance aircraft, was used to transport many saboteurs, like Cliff Stewart, into occupied territory throughout Europe during the war. With is short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, the Lysander was instrumental in the safe delivery and recovery of these brave men.
Date: 26 June, 2010
Time: 1:45 p.m.
Location: Summerside Airport in Slemon Park in Hangar 3
Note to Editors: Media are invited to attend the dedication and are requested to arrive no later than 1:30 p.m.
Cliff Stewart, 90, is a veteran who set up communication lines and radio for the spy network in occupied France during the Second World War. He currently resides in PEI.
Vintage Wings of Canada (VWoC) is dedicating their newly restored Westland Lysander to Cliff Stewart. The Lysander was recently refurbished by a team of dedicated maintenance contractors and volunteers during the past several months. Rob Erdos, VWoC test pilot, flew the inaugural flight since being completely restored on 18 June – the first flight in 64 years.
The Lysander, primary designed as an army reconnaissance aircraft, was used to transport many saboteurs, like Cliff Stewart, into occupied territory throughout Europe during the war. With is short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, the Lysander was instrumental in the safe delivery and recovery of these brave men.
Date: 26 June, 2010
Time: 1:45 p.m.
Location: Summerside Airport in Slemon Park in Hangar 3
Note to Editors: Media are invited to attend the dedication and are requested to arrive no later than 1:30 p.m.
Sponsored Ride Program
A new initiative to Vintage Wings is the Sponsored Flight Program. This new program allows members of the organization to experience the thrill of flying in a classic warbird. Each flight is sponsored for a fee that helps offset operational cost to run the public charitable organization. To be eligible for the program, passengers must first become members of the organization, sign a waiver and be in good health. A similar program is offered by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum located in Mount Hope, ON.
Last weekend, Dave Hadfield took the P-40 Kittyhawk Hamilton for the Father's Day Flyfest. During that event, we ran the Sponsored Flight Program. The feedback was tremendous and the program, well received. Here is the feedback from one happy rider:
I really want to thank you for the excellent ride in the Vintage Wings P40 Kittyhawk. That's a lifetime experience and memory for me!
I'd like to say thanks to you and all your support group for bringing this treasure back to life and sharing its history, technology and beauty with all those that you can. It is a remarkable feat.
I look forward to meeting you again and also to visiting the Vintage Wings "museum" as well as seeing the museum's aircraft at different shows in the coming years.
Wishing you all clear and sunny days and safety always.
Regards,
John Park
Majic 100 Radio Contest
Vintage Wings is giving away VIP Air Show packages. Go to the link and learn all about it. Members and volunteers, sorry you cannot participate but tell your friends and spread the word. Remember, as part of the Vintage Wings family, you are already a VIP.
This is a contest to convert the unconverted by appealing to a whole new audience.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Shakes, cracks and buckets of water
It's not just your average day around the hangar. While Rob Fleck departed on his official Sabre check ride, things got a little crazy around here; as it did in the rest of the Outaouais region. An earthquake, reported at 5.0 magnitude, hit in the region just north of Val-des-Bois near Hwy 309 and 50 causing much excitement in the hangar. When it was apparent the rumbling wasn't related to Rob's flight we quickly evacuated the premise to see...well what was going on? Would a big whole in the earth suddenly appear? After the 30 second shake down subsided, the crew took stock of what happened, surveyed the hangar and reported no damage to the planes. Unfortunately, the hangar took two hits - cracks in the floors adjacent the west side exit doors.
Good news, Rob completed his check ride with flying colours and came back all giddy and pleased; Fighter pilots are big kids when they get back into the cockpit of a jet. His crew got kind of childish too and welcomed him home with a big splash of cold water.
Congrats boss. Good flight. You now join the ranks of Fat Daddy and Woody as the newly minted Sabre jocks.
Good news, Rob completed his check ride with flying colours and came back all giddy and pleased; Fighter pilots are big kids when they get back into the cockpit of a jet. His crew got kind of childish too and welcomed him home with a big splash of cold water.
Congrats boss. Good flight. You now join the ranks of Fat Daddy and Woody as the newly minted Sabre jocks.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Ones in all their glory
It's Tuesday and by now, folks have forgotten about their weekend outing at air shows and are looking forward to next weekends fun-filled events. That's when I like to gather all the pictures and dirt from the weekend shenanigans and make a good blog post out of it. Kitchener-Waterloo is a bit of a mystery however. With no pilot report to share, I don't have much to report. We came, we flew and we went home.
Well, if pictures speak volumes, then this is the season's winner; the shot I've been waiting for - Gray Ghost One along side Hawk One. That's our two shining stars of the 2010 air show circuit. Keep checking in and I will likely share more. Stand by for our new Gray Ghost and Hawk One links, soon to go live!
- Photo Credit: Laszlo Nyary, http://www.designbylaszlo.com/news10.htm
Well, if pictures speak volumes, then this is the season's winner; the shot I've been waiting for - Gray Ghost One along side Hawk One. That's our two shining stars of the 2010 air show circuit. Keep checking in and I will likely share more. Stand by for our new Gray Ghost and Hawk One links, soon to go live!
- Photo Credit: Laszlo Nyary, http://www.designbylaszlo.com/news10.htm
Monday, June 21, 2010
Lizzie Simply Stunning and Beautiful
Is there a picture Peter Handley has taken that isn't breathtaking? Certainly not when he shoots the gals and he certainly didn't fail on Lizzie. Follow the link to Peter's blog online to see an amazing array of photos of the Lysander on her inaugural flight, Friday, 18 June.
Friday, June 18, 2010
It's Official; She's Airborne!
No, this is not Photoshop. The Lysander really did take flight today, on a perfect day made for flying - light winds, CAVOK!
If you followed the blog recently you will have noted the announcement of the long-awaited Westland Lysander flight. The day that it was to happen came and went and came and went again. And, yet again! The problem, the brakes. Unlike the British engineering of that era (not to offend) working brakes were perhaps an option but not paramount to the mission. We don't uphold that philosophy here at Vintage Wings. Safety is at the core of our operations and if there is any chance of a snag, planes simply don't fly. And so, the Lysander's time frame to meet operational airworthiness slipped to the right but for all the right reasons.
Today, that all changed. Just a week away from the COPA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Summerside, PEI 26-27 June, our meticulously restored Lysander finally took to the skies, and what a sight to see both overhead and in the hangar.
Here is a quick summary from Rob Fleck, Chief Operating Officer:
Andrej Janik and his dedicated maintenance team chased last minute Lysander snags and sorted out paperwork into the wee hours this morning.
People in Ottawa awoke this morning to clear skies, warm temperatures and a slight westerly breeze – perfect conditions for a test flight.
At 10:03 EDT our Lysander left the ground for the first time in 64 years. Rob Erdos was at the controls with Mike Potter and Peter Handley flying photo-chase in the Harvard. Rob’s debrief, thorough and professional as always, indicated that the first mission was a total success. John Aitken is currently making preparations to take the Lysander for it’s second mission, before the forecast gusty afternoon winds arrive.
We are on track for the ceremonies at the COPA fly-in AGM in Summerside next weekend.
- Over the field at 3,000 AGL
-Rob Erdos, test pilot, is all smiles after completing the first official check ride.
A milestone indeed, and one for the history books. Vintage Wings is now the proud owner of what is potentially the third airworthy Lysander in the world. In fact, following the Second World War, the entire fleet was put into storage never to be used for military operations again, save a few that were privately acquired for roles such a crop dusting. Vintage Wings came to own one through a private acquisition from Saskatchewan. She has since been restored and painted in the markings of the National Steel Car factory prototype model 416. The Lysander has come to be referred to as Operation Spy-Taxi and will be dedicated to Cliff Stewart (one of two recipients of this dedication) later this month in Summerside, PEI. Cliff Stewart, a WWII veteran, set up radios for the Allies' spy network in occupied France. He always attributed the short take-off and landing (STOL) capability for being instrumental to his safe delivery and recovery on such risky missions.
The Westland Lysander will soon join the ranks of many of the other warbirds in the collection, as it is another opportunity to tell Canadians about the many contributions aviation played during the war era and commemorate the men and women who risk their lives for freedom. The Lysander will be featured later this summer at the Clasic Air Ralley here in Ottawa.
However, before we fill the Lysander schedule, a few more flight checks are in order.
- Rob and Deryck Hickox take a dousing for their successful mission!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Les Cérémonies du crépuscule 2010 de la GRC auront lieu dans quelques jours seulement!
La Gendarmerie royale du Canada est heureuse d’inviter le public et les médias à assister aux Cérémonies du crépuscule canadien 2010 qui auront lieu du 23 juin au 27 juin inclusivement.
Les spectateurs pourront assister à divers numéros chaque soir incluant le célèbre Carrousel de la GRC et la Cérémonie du crépuscule.
Pour la première fois, les Ailes d’époque du Canada prendront part aux Cérémonies du crépuscule, et mettront en vedette deux de leurs avions, le de Havilland Beaver et le DH-83 Fox Moth. Il y aura également une démonstration des chiens détecteurs de l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada.
Les dons recueillis auprès du public iront à la Fondation de la GRC, qui contribue des fonds vitaux à des initiatives communautaires à l’appui de la jeunesse canadienne.
Beau temps, mauvais temps, les spectacles gratuits auront lieu de 19 h 30 à 21 h aux écuries de la GRC, situées au Collège canadien de police, boulevard St-Laurent nord.
Les spectateurs peuvent emprunter le circuit 7 d'OC Transpo pour se rendre sur le site. Le stationnement est disponible gratuitement à partir de la promenade Rockcliffe, mais le nombre de places est très limité.
Les commanditaires de cette année sont les suivants : Motorola Canada, CTV, Majic 100, 580 CFRA, The Ottawa Citizen, Le Droit,104,7 Souvenir Garantis, TVA, et 97,1 Planète FM.
Veuillez apporter une couverture ou des chaises de jardin, et vous vêtir en fonction du temps prévu puisque le spectacle aura lieu, sauf en cas de mauvais temps extrême. Le terrain est accessible aux fauteuils roulants. On peut acheter sur place des collations, des breuvages et des souvenirs.
Venez passer une soirée en famille et entre amis et prendre part à une tradition à Ottawa mettant en vedette l’un de nos symboles nationaux.
Pour de plus amples renseignements sur les Cérémonies du crépuscule 2010, veuillez composer le
(613) 949-8133 ou visiter le site Web www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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Les médias sont priés d’adresser leurs demandes de renseignements aux Relations avec les médias de la GRC au (613) 993-2999.
Les spectateurs pourront assister à divers numéros chaque soir incluant le célèbre Carrousel de la GRC et la Cérémonie du crépuscule.
Pour la première fois, les Ailes d’époque du Canada prendront part aux Cérémonies du crépuscule, et mettront en vedette deux de leurs avions, le de Havilland Beaver et le DH-83 Fox Moth. Il y aura également une démonstration des chiens détecteurs de l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada.
Les dons recueillis auprès du public iront à la Fondation de la GRC, qui contribue des fonds vitaux à des initiatives communautaires à l’appui de la jeunesse canadienne.
Beau temps, mauvais temps, les spectacles gratuits auront lieu de 19 h 30 à 21 h aux écuries de la GRC, situées au Collège canadien de police, boulevard St-Laurent nord.
Les spectateurs peuvent emprunter le circuit 7 d'OC Transpo pour se rendre sur le site. Le stationnement est disponible gratuitement à partir de la promenade Rockcliffe, mais le nombre de places est très limité.
Les commanditaires de cette année sont les suivants : Motorola Canada, CTV, Majic 100, 580 CFRA, The Ottawa Citizen, Le Droit,104,7 Souvenir Garantis, TVA, et 97,1 Planète FM.
Veuillez apporter une couverture ou des chaises de jardin, et vous vêtir en fonction du temps prévu puisque le spectacle aura lieu, sauf en cas de mauvais temps extrême. Le terrain est accessible aux fauteuils roulants. On peut acheter sur place des collations, des breuvages et des souvenirs.
Venez passer une soirée en famille et entre amis et prendre part à une tradition à Ottawa mettant en vedette l’un de nos symboles nationaux.
Pour de plus amples renseignements sur les Cérémonies du crépuscule 2010, veuillez composer le
(613) 949-8133 ou visiter le site Web www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
-30-
Les médias sont priés d’adresser leurs demandes de renseignements aux Relations avec les médias de la GRC au (613) 993-2999.
2010 RCMP Sunset Ceremonies Only Days Away!
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is pleased to invite the public and the media to experience the 2010 Canadian Sunset Ceremonies from June 23 to June 27 inclusive.
Each night, spectators will be treated to a wide variety of performances including the world famous Musical Ride and the signature Sunset Ceremony.
For the first time, Vintage Wings of Canada will take part in the Sunset Ceremonies, showcasing two of their airplanes, the de Havilland Beaver and the DH-83 Fox Moth . There will also be a special demonstration by the Canada Border Service Agency’s Detector Dogs.
Proceeds donated by the crowds will be given to the RCMP Foundation. The RCMP Foundation provides much needed funding to community initiatives that support Canada’s youth.
Rain or shine, free performances will run nightly from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the RCMP stables, located at the Canadian Police College on St. Laurent Blvd. North.
Visitors can access the grounds via OC Transpo route #7. Free parking is available directly off the Rockcliffe Parkway, however, space is very limited.
This year’s sponsors are: Motorola Canada, CTV, Majic 100, 580 CFRA, The Ottawa Citizen, Le Droit,104,7 Souvenir Garantis, TVA, and 97,1 Planète FM.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and be sure to dress for the elements as the show will go on, except in exceptionally bad weather. The grounds are wheelchair accessible. Food, beverages and souvenirs may be purchased on the grounds.
Spend a summer evening with friends and family enjoying an Ottawa tradition and watching a National icon perform.
For more information about the 2010 Canadian Sunset Ceremonies, please visit www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call the information line at (613) 949-8133.
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For media enquiries, please contact RCMP Media Relations at (613) 993-2999.
Each night, spectators will be treated to a wide variety of performances including the world famous Musical Ride and the signature Sunset Ceremony.
For the first time, Vintage Wings of Canada will take part in the Sunset Ceremonies, showcasing two of their airplanes, the de Havilland Beaver and the DH-83 Fox Moth . There will also be a special demonstration by the Canada Border Service Agency’s Detector Dogs.
Proceeds donated by the crowds will be given to the RCMP Foundation. The RCMP Foundation provides much needed funding to community initiatives that support Canada’s youth.
Rain or shine, free performances will run nightly from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the RCMP stables, located at the Canadian Police College on St. Laurent Blvd. North.
Visitors can access the grounds via OC Transpo route #7. Free parking is available directly off the Rockcliffe Parkway, however, space is very limited.
This year’s sponsors are: Motorola Canada, CTV, Majic 100, 580 CFRA, The Ottawa Citizen, Le Droit,104,7 Souvenir Garantis, TVA, and 97,1 Planète FM.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and be sure to dress for the elements as the show will go on, except in exceptionally bad weather. The grounds are wheelchair accessible. Food, beverages and souvenirs may be purchased on the grounds.
Spend a summer evening with friends and family enjoying an Ottawa tradition and watching a National icon perform.
For more information about the 2010 Canadian Sunset Ceremonies, please visit www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call the information line at (613) 949-8133.
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For media enquiries, please contact RCMP Media Relations at (613) 993-2999.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Swag Sales Goes Online
Vintage Wings just made swag sales a whole lot easier. As of now, anyone wishing to purchase merchandise from the Vintage Wings Shop can shop online in the comfort of your own home and PJs!
All you need is a credit card and perhaps a membership and the volunteer swag team will take care of the rest. Visit the www.vintagewingsmembers.ca and click on "Online Store" to view the wide selection of products. From t-shirts and sweater to pins and posters, we have it all.
Happy Shopping!
Monday, June 14, 2010
RCMP Sunset Ceremonies 2010
As part of the unique partnership between Vintage Wings and the RCMP, two of our aircraft will be featured at this year's Sunset Ceremonies in the National Capital Region. Flying over the event will be our de Havilland Beaver piloted by Bob Childerhose. On static display for all to see and admire will be the de Havilland Fox Moth. To learn more about he event visit the site.
Dates: June 23 and June 27, 2010
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Home of the Musical Ride - the RCMP Stables at the Canadian Police College
First Canadian EAA Convention Coming This Fall
- By Jack Dueck, Editor of Bits and Pieces, the EAA Newsletter
Canadian Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) members will finally realize an opportunity for the world’s largest recreational flying organization to spread its wings north into Canada. From September 17 through 19, EAA members will be hosting their first Canadian EAA convention. It will be held in conjunction with the Vintage Wings’ “Victoria Cross” air show in Gatineau, P.Q., just 15 minutes northeast of Ottawa...
Read more of Jack's article at the following link:
http://www.eaa.org/bitsandpieces/articles/2010-04_convention.asp
Québec Air Show, c'était magnifique
Judging by the pictures, it was yet another successful show for the Vintage Wings' Gray Ghost One Corsair and the Hawk One Sabre piloted by John Aitken and Mike Woodfield respectively.
Stay tuned for more air show coverage throughout the season.
Stay tuned for more air show coverage throughout the season.
Friday, June 11, 2010
All In a Day gives Vintage Wings clever exposure
Sitting in my car driving home last evening, I tuned into All In a Day, the three-hour talk show hosted by Alan Neal on CBC. Its a great radio show about what's going on in Ottawa and to learn about those little tidbits of trivial info - valuable or not -that you just didn't know.
Well here's one that was terribly odd but struck me as the perfect opportuntiy to promote Vintage Wings. Alan is chatting about some crazy episode of Young and the Restless (Y&R). Turns out, a segment featuring Victor Newman (good heavens, he was old when I was a teen!) has the character landing in Ottawa, Canada. Why Ottawa is beyond Alan but the segment proceeds with Victor, played by Eric Braeden (heavens, he was old when I was like 15!), waiting for a boat to go to Quebec. Gee, the producers don't know that there are, like four bridges to cross the great divide?
So, while waiting, Victor ventures of to a bar on the dock where a fight breaks out. Alan then turns this scenario over to his listening audiences and asks anyone to email in a continuation to the drama.
Well, I just jump over this one. If you can't take a boat or a car then what other means of transportation over water is available? You guessed it, a plane. And who has an amphibious airplane in this area? Well, Vintage Wings does and perhaps one that is the most iconic of any Canadian design, manufactured and operated aircraft in this country - the de Havilland Beaver. Being the cunning communications person that I am (or think I am), I take this golden opportunity to get a little dig in.
Here's what I wrote to Alan:
So while Victor Newman is swilling beer and dodging right hooks in some seedy bar in Ottawa (hmm, must be somewhere near Rockland)while waiting for a boat to take him to Quebec, out of nowhere appears a de Havilland Beaver on floats. The Beaver is owned and operated by Vintage Wings of Canada.
Victor is picked up and flown to the hangar located at the Gatineau airport where he can take a chartered flt to Quebec City if he wants. But he chooses to stick around and learn more about Vintage Wings, who just so happen, are hosting the CF snowbirds at their spring Open House on 4 July. Victor meets the Snowbirds and decides to finally retire from Soaps to become a jet jock! Hey, never too late to pursue your dreams and act your age. Who wants to never age on TV anyway.
I didn't stick around long enough to hear the end of Alan's show but at about 10 minutes to 6 pm Alan read my suggestion on air. Yahoo, mission accomplished!
Whether the Victor Newman story for an upcoming epoisode on Y&Ris true or not, it doesn't matter. I saved a few hundred buck in radio advertising fees to get our name and event out to a captive audience - the drive-home people.
Now we will happily welcome any Y&R cast and crew who show up on our doorstep 4 July, or any other day for that matter. But who we really want to see is you the Canadian public - our fellow aviation fans and the reason for why we do what we do around here at Vintage Wings.
Well here's one that was terribly odd but struck me as the perfect opportuntiy to promote Vintage Wings. Alan is chatting about some crazy episode of Young and the Restless (Y&R). Turns out, a segment featuring Victor Newman (good heavens, he was old when I was a teen!) has the character landing in Ottawa, Canada. Why Ottawa is beyond Alan but the segment proceeds with Victor, played by Eric Braeden (heavens, he was old when I was like 15!), waiting for a boat to go to Quebec. Gee, the producers don't know that there are, like four bridges to cross the great divide?
So, while waiting, Victor ventures of to a bar on the dock where a fight breaks out. Alan then turns this scenario over to his listening audiences and asks anyone to email in a continuation to the drama.
Well, I just jump over this one. If you can't take a boat or a car then what other means of transportation over water is available? You guessed it, a plane. And who has an amphibious airplane in this area? Well, Vintage Wings does and perhaps one that is the most iconic of any Canadian design, manufactured and operated aircraft in this country - the de Havilland Beaver. Being the cunning communications person that I am (or think I am), I take this golden opportunity to get a little dig in.
Here's what I wrote to Alan:
So while Victor Newman is swilling beer and dodging right hooks in some seedy bar in Ottawa (hmm, must be somewhere near Rockland)while waiting for a boat to take him to Quebec, out of nowhere appears a de Havilland Beaver on floats. The Beaver is owned and operated by Vintage Wings of Canada.
Victor is picked up and flown to the hangar located at the Gatineau airport where he can take a chartered flt to Quebec City if he wants. But he chooses to stick around and learn more about Vintage Wings, who just so happen, are hosting the CF snowbirds at their spring Open House on 4 July. Victor meets the Snowbirds and decides to finally retire from Soaps to become a jet jock! Hey, never too late to pursue your dreams and act your age. Who wants to never age on TV anyway.
I didn't stick around long enough to hear the end of Alan's show but at about 10 minutes to 6 pm Alan read my suggestion on air. Yahoo, mission accomplished!
Whether the Victor Newman story for an upcoming epoisode on Y&Ris true or not, it doesn't matter. I saved a few hundred buck in radio advertising fees to get our name and event out to a captive audience - the drive-home people.
Now we will happily welcome any Y&R cast and crew who show up on our doorstep 4 July, or any other day for that matter. But who we really want to see is you the Canadian public - our fellow aviation fans and the reason for why we do what we do around here at Vintage Wings.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Lysander to take Flight
Many turned out in anticipation of a Lysander test flight yesterday at Vintage Wings and , although the weather was still holding off the forecasting winds and rain, a few snags kept her on the ground.
Deryck Hickox and the entire maintenance team at VW have been working all day today to solve the issues that kept our poor Lysander from her inaugural flight.
Here's a status of the "fix"
- The brake system’s pneumatic pressure has been holding steady since 10am this morning, so the brake issue has been solved;
- The tail wheel was re-serviced according to John Romain in Duxford, and that seems to have solved the tail wheel taxi issue;
- The lean mixture and low fuel pressure indication seems to have been tracked down to a leaking/broken fuel primer line which is being fixed;
- The miss-reading tach seems to have been solved, and we are awaiting an engine test to confirm; and
- The high cylinder head temperature problems seem to have been tracked down to simple ground operational issues (confirmed by John Romain).
The weather looks promising for Friday, with mainly sunny skies and light winds. Pilot, Rob Erdos has indicated that he is available for the first flight late afternoon. As it stands, we are aiming for a Lysander flight tomorrow at 15:30 EDT
- notes from the VWoC Team
Quebec Air Show
"http://www.spectacleaerien.qc.ca/index.asp?page=participants&lang=EN"
Aéroport de Québec salue le retour du Spectacle aérien international de Québec les 11-12-13 juin 2010 sur les terrains de l’Aéroport international Jean-Lesage de Québec
Aéroport de Québec salue le retour du Spectacle aérien international de Québec les 11-12-13 juin 2010 sur les terrains de l’Aéroport international Jean-Lesage de Québec
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
And so it begins, the Hawk One buzz
During the 2009 season in which we celebrated Canada's centennial of flight with the gorgeously restored pristine F-86 Sabre, the team on the show tour met more family and friends of Sabre and Golden Hawk pilots than ever anticipated. More often than not, someone would approach one of the team members and pour their heart and soul out reminiscing of the RCAF glory days in the 1950s. Many of us weren't even born during that time period while others, like Dan Dempsey and Chris Hadfield can personally attest that it as these "golden" boys that inspired their dreams of flight. Still, to hear these stories from the people of that era that is not not so long ago is quite moving.
The season and all its heartwarming stories, cemented the purpose of what it is we do and why we do it. To commemorate and inspire, or in the case of Hawk One, to "relive" the golden era of flight wit ha fully restored airworthy fighter jet that was the at he pinnacle of aviation greatness in Canada.
Well, with just one show under our belt since the season began officially for team Hawk One, the stories have already begun to trickle out of the closet and into the hearts of others. We will continue pay tribute to all those men and women who served this nation during the Cold War era and, where possible, share these experiences for all to appreciate.
Here is one of many for the 2010 Hawk One season as shared by Mike "Woody" Woodfield, newly minted Hawk One team lead and Sabre pilot. He flew his inaugural air show performance in Borden 5-6 June.
"I had the opportunity to escort Beverly Barker, the widow of one of the [Golden Hawk] demo pilots, to the Hawk One Sabre on Sunday. She had tear in her eyes as she sat on the wing while her family took photos of her and her daughter reliving memories of her late husband Dave. He had a real love for the Sabre. It was truly a moving experience for me! It really gave me a feel for what this chapter of aviation history is all about."
The story of Dave Barker is a tragic one. A RCAF pilot, Barker was the only pilot to fly in all three aerial demonstration teams. First as a Red Knight (1961-1962), a soloist with the Golden Hawks (1963 and 1964 til they were disbanded) and then as lead solo of the Golden Centennaires. Sadly, Barker was killed in Comox on 15 Feb 1967 in a nine-plane formation practice when a teammate took his tail off and he was unable to get out. In fact, this was the reason the Centennaires became an eight-plane show. There was no time to work up a replacement prior to opening Expo 67 in Montreal on April 27th.
Well, Beverly and family of Dave Barker, we hope that bringing the Sabre to life will help heal wounds of those tragic endings and also to help commemorate and celebrate those magic memories.
- Mary Lee with historical references from Dan Dempsey, team historian.
Pictures of the Barker family forthcoming
The season and all its heartwarming stories, cemented the purpose of what it is we do and why we do it. To commemorate and inspire, or in the case of Hawk One, to "relive" the golden era of flight wit ha fully restored airworthy fighter jet that was the at he pinnacle of aviation greatness in Canada.
Well, with just one show under our belt since the season began officially for team Hawk One, the stories have already begun to trickle out of the closet and into the hearts of others. We will continue pay tribute to all those men and women who served this nation during the Cold War era and, where possible, share these experiences for all to appreciate.
Here is one of many for the 2010 Hawk One season as shared by Mike "Woody" Woodfield, newly minted Hawk One team lead and Sabre pilot. He flew his inaugural air show performance in Borden 5-6 June.
"I had the opportunity to escort Beverly Barker, the widow of one of the [Golden Hawk] demo pilots, to the Hawk One Sabre on Sunday. She had tear in her eyes as she sat on the wing while her family took photos of her and her daughter reliving memories of her late husband Dave. He had a real love for the Sabre. It was truly a moving experience for me! It really gave me a feel for what this chapter of aviation history is all about."
The story of Dave Barker is a tragic one. A RCAF pilot, Barker was the only pilot to fly in all three aerial demonstration teams. First as a Red Knight (1961-1962), a soloist with the Golden Hawks (1963 and 1964 til they were disbanded) and then as lead solo of the Golden Centennaires. Sadly, Barker was killed in Comox on 15 Feb 1967 in a nine-plane formation practice when a teammate took his tail off and he was unable to get out. In fact, this was the reason the Centennaires became an eight-plane show. There was no time to work up a replacement prior to opening Expo 67 in Montreal on April 27th.
Well, Beverly and family of Dave Barker, we hope that bringing the Sabre to life will help heal wounds of those tragic endings and also to help commemorate and celebrate those magic memories.
- Mary Lee with historical references from Dan Dempsey, team historian.
Pictures of the Barker family forthcoming
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Stuntman Stu puts his name to the test!
Ottawa's very own Stuntman Stu of Bob FM drop in on his birthday, of all days, to take a little thrill ride with Mike Potter in the Harvard.I don't see any extra "baggage" (wink, wink) so he must have had the stomach to handle the barrel rolls.Stu's visit was all part of my stunt to spread the word about our 4 July Open House featuring the Snowbirds. It is also a way to get the Ottawa media-lites in our front door and to appreciate what it is we are doing over here.
Follow Stuntman Stu on Twitter or his blog to learn more...about us that is.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Where the heck is the Hawk One Website?!
It's coming. A few glitches have been worked out and the new www.hawkone.ca will go live soon, promise.
In the meantime, its nice to know what is going on with that awesome jet and where might it be seen this season. This weekend she travels to Borden Ontario for her first Air Show weekend. However, A low pressure system is currently keeping her on the ground at Vintage Wings today but she should be airborne within the next 24 hrs.
Here is a team summary from outgoing team lead, Paul "Rose" Kissmann...
We are at long last about to head into the airshow season 2010 after many months of preparation. We are sporting a new look to the aircraft with the Discovery Air logo wrapped securely around the aircraft mid-section – our lead sponsor – and a new Orenda 14 engine installed and purring like a kitten – supported by Magellan. Our technical team has worked hard to bring the aircraft in line with civilian standards for potential IFR operation, and to mop up the inevitable snags that pop up after months on deck over the winter. All that to say, the aircraft is operating better than ever, and Mike “Woody” Woodfield and Will “Fat Daddy” Radiff are ready to put her through her paces with a more dynamic solo air show performance than last year.
Chris Hadfield got his “fix” with the aircraft last week with a recurrency check and flight to St Hubert to talk to 650 or so Air Cadets. As many of us found our roots there, we all feel strongly about supporting an opportunity like that, with a star like Chris. That may be the only time he flies the aircraft this summer as the Canada Day festivities are not planning to feature the Sabre at this point – we will save that for a very big day on the 4July and the Vintage Wings Open House featuring the Snowbirds - a show that promises to be the biggest aviation event in Ottawa area since the air shows of old.
Steve “Swill” Will’s quick departure in February left a significant hole in the team at the critical time of the year. Duty called to him from a surprise location, Moose Jaw and the Snowbirds. He has, in the meantime, brought the Snowbirds team through some challenges and restructuring, which include the creation of a LCol CO position and helping get the team ready for this year’s show season.
While he was busy out west, I have been trying to keep this Hawk One venture moving forward within Vintage Wings, rather than along-side like the year before. I am happy to say that we are there now, and the Sabre show will thrill millions again this year, importantly with a week long stint in Oshkosh where a million plus aviation enthusiasts will see and hear the story of the Golden Hawks and the Sabre jet in Canada. We are again going coast-to-coast with the Sabre, although with a reduced schedule to stay within our budget constraints. It is not cheap or easy to run a 50+ year old bird – but we are up to the task with the help of our volunteers and supporters.
One of our most important volunteers this season has been Jeff Hill who has worked very hard to keep our show moving along – from working with Sam Reid on music and commentary to support manuals and airshow bookings.
There are other great team members out there like Dan Dempsey, who is chomping at the bit to get back into the Sabre next year, and we will look forward shortly to see how folks like Dan, who bring such an important passion and experience to the fray, can best stay engaged with Vintage Wings.
We have a very small team this year of less than 10 folks, out of necessity, and a focused airshow presence. I think this will be the recipe to success this year, a year that is very different from 2009 but will be no less successful and will touch many people again. Best of luck to the team, and thanks again to those that stepped up to support as volunteers and sponsors.
-Paul Kissmann
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