Gatineau plane event this Saturday
Air and ground crew of an RCAF Avro Lancaster. Department of National Defence collection / Library and Archives Canada
This is just a heads-up on an event of potential interest for aviation buffs. Vintage Wings of Canada is hosting something called “Wings over Gatineau” and it’s got a lot going on for the public on Saturday. According to the Ottawa Citizen:
The all-day event will feature the acclaimed Canadian Forces acrobtaic team the Snowbirds, GO Skydive parachutists and an array of vintage planes including a Curtiss P40-N Kittyhawk.
Other vintage airplanes on display include the Hawker Hurricane Mk IV, Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, Supermarine Spitfire XVI, and the North American Mustang IV joined by the Avro Lancaster from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton.
Visitors will also get a chance to see the golden supersonic jet, the Discovery Air Hawk One Sabre, as well as a collection of yellow trainers once used during the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Vintage Wings of Canada is the brainchild of former Cognos CEO and founder Michael Potter. Several years ago, I reported on a tour of the facility while visiting with a group from my local historical society. I’m no expert, but it was all very impressive. The facility is definitely worth a visit – if you like planes or history.
Vintage Wings is run as charitable foundation and operates from an airport on the outskirts of Gatineau, Quebec. This Saturday’s event has an admission of $10 per person, children 12 and under are free. Wings over Gatineau also includes the second annual convention and fly-in for members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), hosted by EAA Chapter 245, which is based in Carp (west of Ottawa). Over 200 recreational aircraft are anticipated to visit the Executive Gatineau-Ottawa Airport from 16 -18 Sept 2011.
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P.S. (as of Saturday, September 17th)
Air shows are not without risk. Shortly after I wrote this post, a serious crash during an aerial race at an air show in Reno, Nevada killed several and injured dozens.
Mind you, racing planes in tight formation arguably ups the danger factor. Nevertheless, the juxtaposition of my cheery/informational post with the sad outcome of that separate event now seems insensitive. That was not intentional and I extend my condolences to those affected in Reno.
Tags: canada, history, Vintage Wings of Canada, WIngs over Gatineau
