Original Beauty

Yesterday, volunteers at Vintage Wings of Canada ascended the scaffolding around the tail section of the Hawk One Sabre to apply markings similar to those worn by Golden Hawk team Sabres during their last year of operations in 1963.  The tail section had just emerged from the paint shop where Vintage Wings master painter Korrey Foisey had stripped the “old” Centennial of Flight logo and applied a beautiful coat of Sheffield's Pale Gold - the original colour of the Golden Hawk's team

The “new” old markings were recreated by Jim Beliveau of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Dave O'Malley of Vintage Wings of Canada and cut from vinyl similar to that used for signage. Certain licenses had to be taken in order to fit the markings to a slightly different tail on the Hawk One Sabre.

A photograph of a 1963 Golden Hawk Sabre tail (23651) showing serial stenciled over access panel at bottom of tail. Photo via Dan Dempsey

Halfway up the Hawk One tail there exists a large white blade antenna which would have sliced right through the GH markings if we had made them identical to the original ones. The GH was downsized to fit above the antenna comfortably. As well, we decided to lift the aircraft serial number two to three inches higher to take it off an access panel which

Photo showing the white blade antenna which would have sliced through the GH logo on the tail. The GH was reduced to avoid the visual intrusion. This blade exists on both side of the tail. Photo by Peter Handley

After conferring with Hawk One Lead and Historian Dan Dempsey, we had the go ahead to install the graphics with the adjustments required. The new markings were applied with the assistance of Vintage Wings pilot Blake Reid and volunteer Wayne Giles.

The famous GH logo is a applied to the tail. We can see the coaxial cable connector and bolt holes for the blade antenna. When the Golden Hawks were created, their tails did not sport this logo. Photo: Wayne Giles

An early version of the Golden Hawks livery show that the the tail has only the serial, ensign and the word SABRE above the ensign. As well, the tail cap was bare aluminum.

O'Malley and Reid work out the air bubbles on the vinyl appliqué. Photo: Wayne Giles

The starboard side is complete. As a young boy, I watched the Golden Hawks fly a number of times during Air Force Day at RCAF Station Rockcliffe. In those same crowds, was another boy of the same age. His name was Dan Dempsey. Dan is now the Hawk One Lead pilot and program director. Who would have thought that these two lad would some day work on a Golden Hawk Sabre?

The Hawk One tail livery is based on the one employed in the 19623, final year of the team's existence.

L’ASTRONAUTE CANADIEN ET NOUVEAU COMMANDANT DE LA STATION SPATIALE INTERNATIONALE PARTICIPERA AU SPECTACLE AÉRIEN DE GATINEAU

GATINEAU, QC. – Chris Hadfield, astronaute de l’Agence spatiale canadienne, fera une visite lors des portes ouvertes et du spectacle aérien des Ailes d’époque du Canada, samedi 18 septembre à l’aéroport exécutif de Gatineau-Ottawa.

Chris Hadfield est un membre du conseil de direction des Ailes d’époque qui piloté le F-86 Sabre « Hawk One » pendant les événements du centenaire de l’aviation en 2009. « L’avenir de l’aérospatiale canadienne est un produit direct de notre excellence actuelle et passée. En maintenant en vie notre riche patrimoine de l’aviation nous continuons à enseigner, à lancer des défis et à inspirer les explorateurs de l’air et de l’espace d’aujourd’hui ,» a dit Chris Hadfield. « C’est si central à ce que fait et ce que représente la fondation des Ailes d’époque. »

Ces portes ouvertes existent depuis maintenant cinq ans. Cette année elles seront commanditées par la ville de Gatineau et un hommage sera rendu à trois récipiendaires de la Croix de Victoria (VC) de la seconde guerre mondiale.

En hommage à ceux qui ont mérité cette médaille, les Ailes d’époque mettront en vedette le Avro Lancaster (Andrew Mynarski, VC) et le Consolidated Vickers PBY 5A Canso (David Hornell, VC) qui appartiennent au Canadian Warplane Heritage et le Goodyear FG-1D Corsair (Robert Hampton Gray, VC) des Ailes d’époque du Canada. Tous les autres avions de légende de la collection des Ailes d’époque feront également l’objet d’une démonstration en vol au-dessus de Gatineau y compris notre bien aimé F-86 Sabre Discovery Air « Hawk One ».


Le spectacle commencera peu de temps après l’ouverture des portes à 10h00 avec des démonstrations d’acrobaties aériennes des Classic Wings de Smiths Falls, de la Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team, des Ailes d’époque et finira un passage en vol commémorant la Bataille d’Angleterre.

Un stationnement sera disponible le long du Chemin Industriel non loin de l’aéroport pour $5 par véhicule et une navette gratuite sera fournie par la Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) entre le stationnement et l’aéroport. L’entrée au spectacle est gratuite, cependant les dons sont acceptés à l’entrée principale.

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Note aux éditeurs : Les journalistes et photographes sont invités aux Ailes d'époque jeudi 16 septembre à 11h00 pour des photos et prises de vues avant le spectacle ainsi que des interviews au 1699 Rue Arthur Fecteau. Veuillez contacter Mary Lee, responsable des Relations publiques, pour confirmer votre présence à mlee@vintagewings.ca ou par téléphone au (819) 669-9603.

CANADIAN ASTRONAUT AND NEW COMMANDER OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION TO ATTEND GATINEAU AIR SHOW

GATINEAU, QC. – Chris Hadfield, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut, will visit during the Vintage Wings of Canada Open House and Air Show on Saturday, 18 September at the Executive Gatineau-Ottawa Airport.

Chris Hadfield is a member of the Vintage Wings Board of Directors and a pilot of Vintage Wings’ F-86 Sabre. “The future of Canadian aerospace is a direct product of our past excellence. By keeping our rich aviation heritage alive we continue to teach, challenge and inspire today's explorers, both in aviation and aerospace,” said Chris Hadfield. “It’s so vital to what Vintage Wings does and represents.”

Now in its fifth year of Open Houses, this year’s event, sponsored by the City of Gatineau, will pay tribute to three recipients of the Victoria Cross medal (VC) from the Second World War.

In tribute to the VC winners, Vintage Wings will feature the Avro Lancaster (Andrew Mynarski, VC) and the Consolidated Vickers PBY 5A Canso (David Hornell, VC) belonging to Canadian Warplane Heritage and the Vintage Wings’ Goodyear FG-1D Corsair (Robert Hampton Gray, VC). All other vintage aircraft from the Vintage Wings collection will perform over Gatineau including the beloved Discovery Air “Hawk One” F-86 Sabre.

The flying will begin shortly after the gates open at 10:00 a.m. with aerobatic displays from Classic Wings of Smiths Falls, the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team, Vintage Wings, and will finish with a flypast of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

‘Park and Ride’ is available along Industrial Road for $5 per vehicle with free bus shuttle service to the airport provided by Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO). Admission to the show is free, however, donations will be accepted upon entry at the main entrance.

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Note to Editors: Media are invited to Vintage Wings Thursday, 16 Sept at 11:00 a.m. for pre-air show footage and interviews at 1699 Arthur Fecteau St. RSVP with Mary Lee, Public Affairs to confirm attendance at mlee@vintagewings.ca or, (819) 669-9603.

Simcoe Article: Borden Air Show this weekend

Simcoe Article: Borden Air Show this weekend

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

SUPERSONIC CANADIAN AVIATOR HONOURED

The Lilly family with the Discovery Air Hawk One Sabre

OTTAWA – Canada’s first test pilot to break the sound barrier was honoured today at Uplands Airport in a special dedication ceremony held jointly by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Vintage Wings of Canada.

Vintage Wings of Canada and the RCMP paid special tribute to the late Alexander “Al” John Lilly dedicating his name to the Vintage Wings “Hawk One”, a fully refurbished F-86 Sabre repainted in the legendary colours of the RCAF Golden Hawks and served as the cornerstone in the Canadian Centennial of Flight celebrations in 2009.

Al Lilly was a Canadair test pilot when, in August 1950, he flew the prototype Canadair Sabre 1 breaking the sound barrier becoming the first in Canada and one of the first few North American pilots after Chuck Yeager to accomplish this feat.

Chris Hadfield, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut and pilot of Hawk One, was joined by Superintendant Greg Peters, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Heritage Branch for the RCMP, to present the dedication for members of Al Lilly’s family at a private reception at the RCMP Hangar.

Al Lilly’s distinguished career began with the RCMP in 1932 as one of the first dog masters. He later joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) chief flying instructor training pilots for the Second World War. His extensive career in aviation continued after the war with Canadair and later as Vice-President of Bombardier. He passed away 21 November 2008 at the age of 98.

“The RCMP is proud to have one of its former members honoured and to pay tribute to his remarkable and historic achievements in aviation," said Superintendent Peters. "Always a leader, Al Lilly was one of our first Dog Masters as well as an advocate for the value of aviation in policing. It is thanks to men like Al that the RCMP is where it is today.”

Lilly was inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame in 1984 with the following citation: “The application of his superior skills in test flying, leading to vital improvements in many aircraft during war and peace, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation.”

The dedication was well attended by several members of the Lilly family from Toronto and as far away as California. Pat Hassel, daughter, who currently resides in San Francisco and shares his passion for aviation, fondly remembers her father as a modest man who was not so forthcoming about his sound-barrier experience. She recounts how proud and enthusiastic her father was of flying having saved up for lessons during the Depression to pursue his dream.

“This is a tremendous honour for our family to witness and be a part of,” said Pat. “There is no doubt he’d be thrilled that his namesake has been chosen to dedicate to the Vintage Wings F-86 Sabre and will now be permanently inscribed for all Canadians to see.”

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OTTAWA – Le premier pilote d’essai à avoir franchi le mur du son au Canada a été honoré lors d’une cérémonie organisée conjointement par la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) et les Ailes d’époque du Canada le mercredi 26 mai à 10 h 30 au hangar de la GRC, à l’aéroport d’Uplands.

Pilote d’essai de Canadair, feu Alexander « Al » John Lilly a franchi le mur du son à bord du prototype Sabre 1 (19101) de Canadair en août 1950. C’est ainsi qu’il est devenu le premier pilote canadien et le deuxième pilote au monde après Chuck Yeager à accomplir un tel exploit.

Les Ailes d’époque du Canada et la GRC ont rendu un hommage spécial à Al Lilly en rebaptisant de son nom le « Hawk One », un Sabre F-86 entièrement remis à neuf arborant les couleurs des légendaires « Golden Hawks » de l’Aviation Royale du Canada (ARC). Cet avion était au cœur des célébrations du 100ième anniversaire du vol motorisé au Canada qui a eu lieu en 2009.

Chris Hadfield, astronaute de l’Agence spatiale canadienne et pilote du « Hawk One, » était en compagnie de Surintendant Greg Peters, Sous-direction des partenariats stratégiques et partimoine de la GRC, pour présenter l’appareil aux membres de la famille d’Al Lilly lors d’une réception privée au hangar de la GRC.

La carrière bien remplie d’Al Lilly a commencé dans la GRC en 1932. Il était alors l’un des premiers maîtres de chien de la Gendarmerie. Plus tard, il est devenu instructeur de vol en chef du Programme d’entraînement aérien du Commonwealth de l’ARC et il a formé des pilotes durant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. Il a poursuivi sa longue carrière dans le milieu de l’aviation après la guerre en travaillant chez Canadair et il a même occupé le poste de vice-président de Bombardier. Il est décédé le 21 novembre 2008 à l’âge de 98 ans.

Lilly a été intronisé au Panthéon de l’aviation du Canada en 1984 et on lui a rendu le témoignage suivant : « Le recours à ses compétences exceptionnelles en vol d’essai qui donne lieu à des améliorations essentielles à plusieurs avions, en temps de guerre et en temps de paix, a été grandement utile à l’aviation canadienne. »

Il y avait une belle assistance lors de cette cérémonie en l’honneur d’Al Lilly, plusieurs membres de la famille Lilly de Toronto et même de Californie étaient présents. Pat Hassel, sa fille, qui réside actuellement à San Francisco et qui partage sa passion pour l’aviation, se souvient avec émotion de son père comme un homme simple qui ne voulait pas devenir une vedette avec son expérience du mur du son. Elle raconte combien il était fier et plein d’enthousiasme pour le pilotage et d’avoir pu économiser pour se payer les leçons de pilotage pendant la grande dépression et ainsi accomplir son rêve.

« C’est un grand honneur pour notre famille de pouvoir être ici, » dit Pat. « Il serait sans aucun doute tellement heureux de voir le F-86 Sabre des Ailes d’Époque porter son nom en son honneur, nom qui sera désormais inscrit en permanence pour que tous les canadiens puissent le voir. »


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