Canadian Heritage Flight

[Bandit1]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd pick your brains apart on this matter.

With a 3 ship of 104's available, a couple of CF-5's that'd still work over at Mountainview (especially if they're still painted in 419 colours), a CF-18 demo plane every year, at least a couple of functioning CF-86's in special paint schemes, along with many Spitfires and Mustangs, what would you guys think of a Canadian Heritage Flight?

Is it feasible?  Would it help increase attendance at air shows around the country?  Would it help the public realise just how rich an aviation heritage we have here in the country??

Let's discuss!

 

[observor 69]

How about we give the Snowbirds BAE Hawks first?
Replace the aging Tutors and give pilots an aircraft they trained on. Bonus to flight safety.



http://forums.air-force.ca/forums/threads/63602.0.html

 

[Bandit1]

I agree, the Snowbirds should be in Hawks.

But that doesn't take away from a Heritage Flight discussion....the planes are there, they just need to be readied for flight - no? Apart from the CF-5's...and if I'm not mistaken, those are now leaving Mountainview and heading South for refurbishment...

 

[aesop081]

How about we give the Snowbirds BAE Hawks first?

When i flew with the Snowbirds last april, i asked them about the Hawk. The answer was "i would rather not" in most cases.  Something about higher speed and keeping more of the show directly in front of the crowd.

 

[Loachman]

Being as this would come out of existing funding and personnel, what would you cut to do it?

Although, if they dragged one of the Kiowas out of Mountainview for me, I'd fly it for free and it doesn't burn much fuel and almost never breaks.

We never had CF-86s. We had Sabres. We were still using the more elegant and woody Brit name and mark system rather than a crass and tinny alphanumeric system back then.

 

[Bandit1]

Personally, I wouldn't cut anything - rather I would see this as a showcase of Canadian Military Pride worthy of an expenditure.  If you wonder where I would find the money from if I had to, I'm sure there is plenty of spending that can be cut within other, more ineffective government programs than the military.  If need be it could fall under the jurisdiction of Heritage Canada...but I know that's a long shot at best.

Essentially all we're looking at paying for here is fuel - manpower wouldn't change because the only plane still considered in service would be the Hornet, which already comes with tech crews for both east and west.  I'm certain we could still find a pilot in our Forces who could fly CF-5's, and the Starfighters team has 3 more than capable birds w/ pilots who are also more than capable.  Paint one of them in former CF colours and it'd be good to go.  All the Spitfires, Hurricanes and Mustangs also have their own crews flying and maintaining them!

I'll call them Sabres from now on! 

 

[observor 69]

When i flew with the Snowbirds last april, i asked them about the Hawk. The answer was "i would rather not" in most cases.  Something about higher speed and keeping more of the show directly in front of the crowd.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/multimedia/ej.cfm?viewmedia=3    :'(

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=FC4BBFA8-1143-EC82-2EFDE76D3A17302C

Sorry wrong finger at work. 

 

[aesop081]

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/multimedia/ej.cfm?viewmedia=3    :'(

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=FC4BBFA8-1143-EC82-2EFDE76D3A17302C

Sorry wrong finger at work. 

I know......just relaying what i was told by the pilot beside me when we were upside-down.....

No more no less......

 

[Bandit1]

Guys...we can spend all day talking about what we need and want.  Everyone has an opinion, whether it's about the Snowbirds, the Hercs, the Chinnies, etc...

What I'm talking about is something different though - heritage flight!  So maybe...can we stick to that topic??

With respect,

Bandit

 

[aesop081]

What I'm talking about is something different though - heritage flight!  So maybe...can we stick to that topic??

Yeah sorry....

I like your idea but i think that its more apropriate as a joint Government & Private venture

 

[Bandit1]

Yeah sorry....I like your idea but i think that its more apropriate as a joint Government & Private venture

I agree with you, but wouldn't the private side of it be handled by those civilians who own the planes already? 

 

[geo]

Put all those fine workable aircraft on the Air museum's DA.
The air museum already maintains a number of serviceable / refurbished WW2 aircraft that are brought out for special occasions.....
Let them look after the heritage flight.  I don't think it should be up to the CF to man maintain & fly the old birds.... IMHO

 

[observor 69]

We have a military that is restricted in it's options by a tight budget.
We have the Snowbirds that have been seen, by those qualified, to require replacement of it's aircraft.
We do not have the financial freedom to start up a Heritage Flight.
Geo has it right, look at the Museum option.

 

[aesop081]

I agree with you, but wouldn't the private side of it be handled by those civilians who own the planes already? 

edit because i missread the info at hand.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/admmat/dgmssc/ddsal/fixedwing_e.asp

 

[Jammer]

Call me crazy, but how about an R&O contact to the Canadian Warplane Heritage.

 

[Globesmasher]

The Heritage theme is a good one.
One of the best things I remember about air shows (and I don't go to them very often at all) was a long time ago back in Hamilton.
Seeing and hearing the warbirds fly was terrific - the Lancaster and the spitfire.
I would like to see more WW2 aircraft flying at airshows ... but that's just me.
To each his own ..... but the sound of those Merlins ..... well that is just music to my ears.

 

[observor 69]

The Heritage theme is a good one.
One of the best things I remember about air shows (and I don't go to them very often at all) was a long time ago back in Hamilton.
Seeing and hearing the warbirds fly was terrific - the Lancaster and the spitfire.
I would like to see more WW2 aircraft flying at airshows ... but that's just me.
To each his own ..... but the sound of those Merlins ..... well that is just music to my ears.

In spite of my strong comment earlier against the Air Force spending it's limited dollars on this idea, I do like to see the old stuff up in the air.
I spent a year with these folk getting up close and personal with the nitty gritty of airplane restoration.
I loved learning about the history and technology behind each successive generation of WWII aircraft.

http://www.lonestarflight.org/index.php?pgid=1

In fact I find the big jet display teams kind of boring after seeing them over the years and much prefer to see the older stuff flying by. 

http://www.wingsoverhouston.com/index.htm

 

[time expired]

Great idea,but I think you have forgotten something,the CF100, the
Clunk was the only indigenous design to make a significant contribution
to our defense during the Cold War period, and surely a restorable
airframe can be found and put on the top of the priority list.
                                        Regards

 

[geo]

The Air museum has a good copy

Believe you might find other decent copies, w/o engines, displayed at the entrance to some base...

 

[Bandit1]

Great idea,but I think you have forgotten something,the CF100.

Agreed!  There are a couple of them up at Borden, as well as a few others scattered around the country.  We should probably include the T-33 in there as well, given that it had been such a stawart for so many years.

And just a question...what is an R&O?