One of the jets set to perform at this year’s Abbotsford International Airshow will be landing at the Abbotsford Airport (YXX) on Tuesday, July 26, and will be available to the media.
“Hawk One”, a historic Canadair F-86 Sabre 5 fighter jet, will stop at YXX en route from an Airshow in Medicine Hat, Alberta to the BC Aviation Museum in Victoria.
August 12 – 14, 2011
Piloted by retired Canadian Armed Forces Lt. Colonel Dan Dempsey, Hawk One is painted in the striking color scheme of Canada’s famed Golden Hawks Air Demonstration Team.
Dan will be available for interviews alongside Hawk One immediately after landing.
Date: Tuesday July 26, 2011
Location: Interested media are directed to the Control Tower gate on Tower Street at YXX.
Estimated Arrival: 1 PM. Pilot Dempsey plans to make at least one low approach and closed pattern before landing.
Contact: John Ens, Media Coordinator, Abbotsford International Airshow Ph: 604-615-6020 Email: johnens@shaw.ca
Background Information
The Golden Hawks flew six F-86 aircraft from the team’s formation in 1959 to their final appearance during in 1964. In all, over 15 Million North Americans watched the Golden Hawks’ thrilling performances at 317 shows.
A generation of Canadians remembers the excitement and pride the Golden Hawks generated everywhere they went. Their historic legacy lives on in Canada’s world-renowned Snowbirds Air Demonstration team. Keeping the history and connection alive, Hawk One often appears alongside the Snowbirds, as it will at the
Abbotsford International Airshow, August 12-14, 2011.
Hawk One is operated by Vintage Wings of Canada, and is sponsored by Discovery Air, the Department of National Defence, and by private donations.
The Canadair F-86 Sabre
Chosen by the RCAF to be its next frontline day fighter in August 1949, the F-86 Sabre served in Western Europe from the early days of the Cold War until it was replaced by the CF-104 Starfighter beginning in 1962. Built under license from U.S. aircraft manufacturer North American Aviation, all Canadian Sabres were built by Canadair Ltd at its Cartierville, Quebec plant near Montreal. When the last F-86 Sabre rolled off the assembly line at Canadair on October 9, 1958, the company had manufactured a total of 1,815 Sabres, of which 1,183 had been delivered to the RCAF.
The Hawk One team brings together a formidable group of highly experienced military and civilian professionals that includes astronaut Chris Hadfield, one of Canada’s most famous aviators. All volunteers, the team will display the Sabre across Canada in 2011, allowing Canadians young and old to “look, touch and learn” about the rich aviation heritage that helped build our nation.
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