CIAS 2011: TORONTO'S AIRSHOW starts Tomorrow - Your Education BEGINS Today!

TOMORROW THE VTOL V-22 OSPREY (inset) will make its first Canadian appearance at a Canadian air show, at CIAS 2011. Insider Jenny of CIAS, hinted about the V-22 being in this years line-up—and sure enough the Osprey's attendance has been confirmed.

If you attended school in Canada—as I did—once upon a time, you likely don't know a damn thing about the 40 year ago C a n a d i a n VTOL precursor to tomorrow's pre-show favourite. Canadian history classes at the high school level are filled with leftist teachers with typical leftist tales about political do-nothings WHILE ACTUAL Canadian achievers are condescendingly ignored.

Leftists have a fascination with dreamers, you know, instead of doers. Think Obama.

So here we go folks…

LONG BEFORE the tiltrotor V-22…there was the tiltwing Canadair VTOL CL-84.

Say what?

Starting in 1957 Canadair carried out research in military aircraft VTOL possibilities. Vertical takeoff and landing, for those not in the know.

By 1963, Canadair had the kinks worked out—and started the construction of three prototypes.

By 1965, on May 7, the first "84" flew at the hands of Canadair Chief Pilot Bill Longhurst.

The CANADAIR crowd loved its newest baby and referred to the CL-84 as the "84".

GENERAL DYNAMICS which had acquired Canadair during the CL-84 developmental process added the moniker "Dynavert".

Unfortunately, after 700 successful test flights (including one where the "84" ended up landing on the White House lawn!) and after rave reviews by over 40 international test pilots, Canada was not able to secure a single purchase order. Not even with its own Canadian Armed Forces!

The Canadair CL-84 Dynavert Project was subsequently scrapped in 1974.

One "84" crashed, and the other two ended up in Canadian museums.

CL-84, CX8402 (pictured above), was retired to the Canadian Aviation Museum (CAM) in Ottawa and sits right beside the remnants of an Avro Arrow. Have you had your irony supplements for today?

NOW, I don't know what you'll be seeing when the V-22 dazzles the CNE crowd—but I'll be seeing the "84".

That's the beauty about a country, and people, like the United States of America—Americans, I repeat AMERICANS don't ever throw away technological greatness, unlike Canada and Canadians whose history is filled with such frivolity.



The original CL-84 photo is mine (purchased) and the colourized treatment was also done by moi.

CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW 2009: Hawk One

I AM… a star-crossed lover, no more.

I FINALLY get to see and photograph a flying GOLDEN HAWK.

The wondrous Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, in Hamilton, has a static see-thru Golden Hawk on display, which is the other Golden Hawk all should see. I have some great shots of that one, but unfortunately, it can't fly.

I missed all of Vintage Wings of Canada's HAWK ONE'S appearances at every Ontario air show this year. And not by choice. The Hawk didn't even make it to Wings and Wheels earlier this year in TO after I told the whole city to come out!

A couple weeks ago, while on a movie set, I threw my DSLR in to a mirky lake and killed it. By fluke. And with no one around I also ran into the Bear-walker.

So without a DSLR to power my lenses, odds were workin' against me to see HAWK ONE during the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Powered Flight in Canada.

But I got a new DSLR, and finally I did photograph "the Hawk" (seen above)!

MY DAD would've seen many performances of the RCAF Golden Hawks. In fact, he had a signed 13 x 19 colour photo of them in formation… back in the day.

Not easy to come by.

I think these are the best Sabre colours ever.

REMEMBER: The GOLDEN HAWKS were Canada's first military aerobatics team, long before the Snowbirds, and were created to celebrate the (Golden) 50th Anniversary of Powered Flight (1959) in Canada. The Golden Hawks also helped celebrate the 35th Anniversary year of RCAF.

SOME PEOPLE…you can see right through…

…and others…well…they’ll always be a little bit of a mystery…

Fortunately, you can see right through…OR right into…this Canadair SABRE.

Remember long before the SNOWBIRDS…there were the GOLDEN HAWKS!

Formed in 1959, the Golden Hawks were created to celebrate the 50th Year of powered flight in Canada.

They were disbanded in 1964 after 317 airshow demonstrations.

The GOLDEN HAWKS pioneered the “starburst” maneuver and the use of two solo pilots working together as part of the overall team demonstration. Pretty much all aerial demonstration teams have adapted this setup since–

The GOLDEN HAWKS were famous for wrapping up their demonstration by doing a low level flyby, with canopies open, and waving at the adoring crowds.

This Canadair Sabre was made in Montreal (under license from North American Aircraft) and the Orenda engine was made in Toronto. How’s that for an all-Canadian effort!

“CANADAIR SABRES were dominant in the two major conflicts in which they were employed: the Korean War where F-86 Sabres racked up an impressive 11-1 kill record and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. In January 1966, Germany sold 90 of its Canadian Mk 6 Sabres to Iran. These aircraft were quickly transferred to Pakistan and became the main day fighter of the Pakistan Air Force.

In 1952, Jacqueline Cochran, then aged 47, decided to challenge the world speed record for women, then held by Jacqueline Auriol. She tried to borrow an F-86 from the USAF, but was refused. She was introduced to an RCAF Air Vice-Marshal who, with the permission of the Canadian Minister of Defence, arranged for her to borrow 19200, the sole Sabre 3.

CANADAIR sent a 16-man support team to California for the attempt. On 18 May 1953, Ms. Cochran set a new 100 km speed record of 1050.15 km/h (652.5 mph). Later on 3 June, she set a new 15 km closed circuit record of 1078 km/h (670 mph). While she was in California, she exceeded 1270 km/h in a dive, and thus became the first woman to exceed the speed of sound.” (Wikipedia)

::.. Remnant . .

… from RCAF days.

At the Canadian Aviation Museum in Rockcliffe (Ottawa).

(… and yes, this aircraft, a CF-104, was made in Montreal in the early 60s)

‘OLD LAKE:::

…this FIGHTER JET is a long, long, way…from its glory days, at Cold Lake, Alberta.

RIP at CFB Borden.

Yes…rest in peace…mighty ”T”.

ONE CONSOLATION only…the new generation flies above you, ole’ girl ~

..:: I :: See .::. DEAD PLANES :.::.

PERHAPS ONE day this "proud" SABRE will take to the skies again.

Right now…waiting…wanting ~