Most people around the world have heard of, seen, or are aware of Niagara Falls, a one-time 7 Wonders of the World place to see. There are many attractions in Niagara Falls, Ontario including the Skylon Tower which overlooks Niagara Falls, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, the Niagara Falls Casino, and Marineland to name but a few. However, there is another attraction that has quietly been gaining popularity not 10 minutes from the falls and that’s the Russell Aviation Group.

Located at a former World War II era ‘satellite’ airfield is this unique and rare group of 4 aircraft that often grace the skies of Southern Ontario. Whether they appear at an airshow individually or together, they attract attention where-ever they go.

However, once a year, the Russell Aviation Group hosts a small but wonderful airshow and the 2009 version, Friendly Foes Above the Falls, brought aviation enthusiasts out of their winter hibernation. Held at the Russell field in South Niagara in Ontario, Canada it offers a unique opportunity to see several World War II era aircraft operating from a grass runway, a rarity these days.

The 2009 show was dedicated to former World War II ace, 88 year old HCol Charley Fox, DFC, CD who sadly lost his life in 2008 in a car accident. Fox was credited with helping end the career of German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel shortly after the invasion of Normandy when, while flying his spitfire, he strafed Rommel’s black staff car.

Flying in the show was Russell’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX. A stunning example of the famous World War II British fighter that helped fend off a German invasion during the Battle of Britain. This spitfire was built in Castle Bromwich in June of 1944 and was delivered to 312 Czech Squadron of the RAF. The Russell Group website indicates that their spit, serial #912, was thought to be the first allied aircraft to land in newly liberated France after D-Day due to loose radio equipment.

The airplane also served with the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Belgian Air Force, eventually ending up as a pole mounted airplane at the Straffraenberg Air Force Base. In 1997 the spitfire was purchased in an unrestored state by Historic Flying and was eventually fully restored and is said to be more than 75% an original factory spitfire.

The Russell Group Hawker Hurricane was originally built by Canadian Car and Foundry in Quebec as a Mk IIB. However, in the early stages of the war, the airplane was converted to a Mk XII. It was saved from the scrappers hand by Jack Arnold of Brantford, Ontario in 1984 and the Hurri was eventually shipped to and restored in the UK and flew again in 1991. It was then sold to the Museum of Flying in Chino, California until the museum closed. Mr. Ed Russell purchased the airplane from the museum in 2002.

One of the rarest airplanes in the world, the Russell Group’s Messerschmitt bf109E is a unique example of the famous World War II German fighter. This 109 saw action on the channel front where it shot down a spitfire over the Thames Estuary. Though the airplane had a forced landing on the beach in Calais-Marck in 1940, it was recovered and repaired to fly again and eventually saw action in Russia on the Eastern front before being abandoned.

Found in a Russian swamp, it was recovered in the early 1990s, shipped to the UK for restoration and eventually found its home in Chino, California. There, the airplane was re-fitted with a DaimlerBenz DB601A engine and is the only flying example 109 in the world today with the Daimler Benz engine.

Rounding out the Russell collection is a Harvard Mk IIB built by Norduyn Aviation in Montreal, Quebec in 1943. The Harvard, known as a T-6 Texan in the USA, was the advanced trainer for the BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan) during World War II and flew with the RCAF until 1966. Many Harvards still exist and fly today in Canada, the USA and around the world.

During the Friendly Foes Over the Falls airshow, a variety of visiting aircraft offered airshow patrons an opportunity to see vintage aircraft in the skies and on static display both. A Boeing B-17 painted in the livery of the Memphis Belle flew several passes. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Avro Lancaster performed a pass with the Russell Group’s spitfire and hurricane, then wowed the crowd with several solo passes.

Also attending were 4 of the Tiger Boys DH Tiger Moths, four of the CHAA Harvards, 2 Fleet Finches, Cessna Crane, The Great War Flying Museum’s assortment of aircraft, a TMB Avenger and Rick Volker in his Russian aerobatic aircraft Sukhoi SU-26M. On the ground was an assortment of vintage armor and vendors as well as a full scale flying replica of the first powered airplane to fly in Canada, the Silver Dart.

Friendly Foes Over the Falls may not be the largest show of its kind, but it’s growing and well worth the drive to Niagara. Come for the show, stay for the weekend, see all the attractions, and watch these magnificent men in their flying machines take you back to an era when hero’s fought and died for our freedom of today.

For more information on the Russell Aviation Group:
www.therussellgroupairshow.com/aviation.html

For more information on the Tiger Boys: www.tigerboys.com

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