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ISSUE 136 - September 2010
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The Battle of Britain (2010)

By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
Roslin, Ontario, Canada

In the summer sky came the growl of Royce and Benz engines
as a dogfight ensued between the two famous aircraft.

Out of the blue came the whistling growl of an airplane engine. From behind the trees a single Bf109 appeared, circling, obviously taking stock of what was on the airfield below prior to launching an attack! The pilot of the 109 then banked hard right and dove toward the ground, seemingly taking aim of anything that looked like a suitable target.

The Russell Air Group Rolls-Royce powered Hawker Hurricane Mk XII, left,
the Daimler-Benz DB601 powered Bf109, the only flying example of its type, right.

A Hawker Hurricane had just taxied to the end of the runway and had completed its run-up. The pilot throttled up as the 109 came around again for another pass. As the 109 flew over top, the Hurri' pilot, now climbing his aircraft, worked his way in behind the 109 in an effort to stop the destruction.

The tail-chase is on with the Hurricane keeping station behind the '109, left.
The Hurricane, victorious, lands unscathed, right.

The mêlée between the two fighters, the agile and quick 109 and the tough and maneuverable Hurricane, lasted 10 - 15 minutes. Though the 109 pilot tried in vain to shake the Hurricane, he could not and his only course of action was to put the throttle to the wall and make for home. The Hurricane pilot, despite not shooting down his opponent, never-the-less, landed victorious.

One of many veterans on hand for the airshow being interviewed by local media, left.
The Bf109 and Hawker Hurricane perform a formation flypast, right.

This could very well have been a scene played out in the skies above England in 1940. In fact, this was the scenario in the skies over Central Ontario on a very warm, sunny day in July during the first Battle of Britain airshow at the Huronia-Midland Airport. Joining the Bf109 and the Hawker Hurricane came several vintage aircraft and an assortment of other airplanes from around Ontario. A gathering to honour those who fought for our freedom over the skies of Southern England during the Battle of Britain 70 years ago.

CHAA Harvard taking to the skies with one of many veterans who were honoured with a flight in the historic trainer, left. One of the early training aircraft for the RCAF, the Fleet Finch, right.

The airshow not only honoured the history of those who fought in the Battle of Britain, but also those who fought the Battle of Norway earlier in 1940. Though the Battle of Norway had a different outcome than the Battle of Britain, it was no less historic and those veterans who fought in both battles deserve our respect and our everlasting gratitude.

Visiting for static display, this beautiful L-39 sat on the tarmac, left.
One of the most famous of aerobatic aircraft, the Pitts takes to the air, right.

Some of those other aircraft varied from vintage trainers to 1950's jet fighters. Spectacular aircraft from across Ontario and Quebec performed in the airshow with more expected in future years as the show grows and expands. The Huronia-Midland airport, though relatively small with just a single runway, proved to be a lovely location with a great bunch of staff and airshow volunteers.

Viper North's MiG 15 UTI performed two high-speed passes, left,
and a down and dirty pass (gear coming up), right.

Viper North made an appearance with their MiG 15 UTI, a 2-place version that dazzles crowds where-ever it shows up. Flying up from Pearson (Toronto) International, the MiG 15 flew several passes, including a "down and dirty," throttling up with a roar to come around for a high speed pass. Viper North also flies an L-29 at many shows and it arrived they day before for the media day event.

CHAA with a four plane formation overhead with the first aircraft breaking for the circuit, left, followed closely by the remaining three Harvards, right.

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) brought four airplanes, flying several passes for the crowds, but also taking a number of local veterans for rides, bringing back floods of memories for some, and a thrill of a lifetime for others.

The Bf109, owned by the Russell Air Group of Niagara Falls, Ontario and flown by Rick Volker of Buffalo New York, left. The Hurricane, with Dave Hewitt piloting, off the right wing of the Bf109, right.

The Hurricane Mk XII from the Russell Air Group out of Niagara Falls, Ontario along with its sister ship and dogfight partner, the Bf109, were flown by Dave Hewitt and Rick Volker respectively. Both, though with many, many hours of flying time, had only recently qualified on their respective airplanes but you wouldn't know it by the show they performed for spectators.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Canso performed several great passes for the crowd.

Canadian Warplane Heritage from Hamilton/Mount Hope, Ontario brought their Canso and Lysander, always crowd favourites. Also appearing were two Fleet Finch aircraft, Vintage Wings of Canada's brought their P-51 Mustang and Rob Erdos flew in their P-40 Kittyhawk. Two Fleet Cornell aircraft flew as part of the show, one of which was painted in Norwegian Air Force markings, honouring those who fought in the Battle of Norway.

Carol Pilon takes to the air hanging on to the wires of the Stearman before ascending to the upper wing, left. Carol Pilon waves to the crowd as pilot Kirk Wicker taxies the Stearman in after their performance, right.

Carol Pilon performed her wing-walking demonstration atop her beautiful Stearman aircraft, flown pilot Kirck Wicker, who also performed a beautiful solo aerobatic act.. The Stearman wowed the crowd with rolls and loops and other breath-taking maneuvers with Carol positioned atop the upper wing as smoke streamed from the aircraft.

In the livery of the Norwegian Air Force, this Fleet Cornell
performed several passes for the crowd.

It's hoped that, in future years as the show and performers grow, more and more airplane enthusiasts will make the one hour trip north from Toronto to take in the spectacle. So, if you're looking for something different to do, love airplanes, and haven't visited Southern Ontario, make the trip and book the day for a trip back to The Battle of Britain.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Lysander sits quietly on the tarmac, left,
and across from it, the Vintage Wings of Canada P-40, right.

For more information on the Battle of Britain Airshow 2010 visit:
www.muskoka2010airshow.com

Vintage Wings of Canada Mustang in a level pass, left.
Rob Erdos landing the Vintage Wings of Canada P-40, right.

For more information on Vintage Wings of Canada visit www.vintagewings.ca

Canadian Warplane Heritage Canso in a nice top-side flypast.

For more information on Canadian Warplane Heritage visit www.warplane.com

One of a few vendors at the show was D-Day Wear, owned and operated by Joe Wilson, left, making a cash donation for every garment sold, such as this T-shirt logo right, to the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France in memory of every soldier K.I.A. on D-Day.

For more information visit www.D-DayWear.com

Viper North's L-29 in a nice top-side pass, left. T-28 Trojan
having a bit of a tough time with the crosswinds on landing, right.

 

Ending the show, the Bf109 heads for home against a backdrop
of Cumulonimbus filled skies, wounded, to fight another day.
By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
thestickandrudder@sympatico.ca

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