Last year saw the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario celebrate they're 40th Anniversary with a big airshow that included the B-29 Superfortress "FiFi" in formation with CWH's Lancaster, B-25 Mitchell and a P-51D Mustang from the Cavanaugh Flight Museum. An impressive sight to see.

However, one of the most anticipated returns to the air by a vintage and rare warbird was the New Zealand restored de Havilland Mosquito, now owned by Jerry Yagen and his Military Aviation Museum. The "mossie" has been flying since 2012 but made it's epic voyage to the United States earlier this year. The aircraft is now flying and will appear at the CWH Airshow June 15 & 16 and it's all the buzz!

Also flying in the airshow will be an assortment of other World War II fighter aircraft including Vintage Wings of Canada's Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI, Hawker Hurricane Mk IV, Goodyear FG-1D Corsair and P-40N Kittyhawk. These beautiful aircraft will be joined at the airshow by other fighter aircraft including the Military Aviation Museum's Hurricane and Spitfire, along with their Focke Wulf 190E and Me262. It's a rare opportunity for people to see such a large mix of rare and vintage World War II fighters and bombers all in one place.

Vintage Wings of Canada will also bring their stunning Canadair F-86 Sabre "Hawk One" in the colours of the famous Royal Canadian Air Force Golden Hawks team. This F-86 has been highly sought after at airshows across Canada and some US States and is always a crowd pleaser.

Of course, not to be outdone, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds will have all heads looking skyward watching them perform one of the most beautiful military team aerobatic displays in their Canadian designed and built Canadair CT-114 Tutor aircraft. These aging little 2-seat jet aircraft are meticulously maintained to ensure the Snowbirds offer the airshow spectator the best performance they can at every show.

Also appearing from the RCAF will be the 2013 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet. This years Hornet, painted in a different scheme than the 2012 Hornet, is piloted by Captain Patrick "Flocho" Pollen from 3 Wing, CFB Bagotville, Quebec. Capt Pollen will put the CF-18 through a series of high performance passes and manoeuvres showing off the capabilities of both pilot and aircraft.

Canadian Warplane Heritage will also fly a large number of aircraft in their fleet including the Avro Lancaster, North American B-25 Mitchell, Fairey Firefly Mk VI, Westland Lysander Mk III, North American Harvard Mk IV, Consolidated PBY-5A Canso, Beechcraft Expeditor and Douglas Dakota. These iconic aircraft are crowd pleasers everywhere they go, whether performing solo or formation passes, they're a beautiful sight to see.

Slowing things down a bit will be some flying by Canadian Warplane Heritage "Yellow Wings" fleet including the Fleet Fort, the only flying example of this aircraft in the world, the de Havilland Canada Chipmunk and Tiger Moth, and Fleet Canada's Fairchild Cornell. Cam Harrod will also appear with his stunning Fleet Finch. These vintage training aircraft are fine examples of flying Canadian history.

Also slowing the show down a bit will be an appearance by aircraft from The Great War Flying Museum out of Brampton, Ontario. Aircraft from the museums fleet include the SE5a, Nieuport 28, Fokker DR.I and their beautiful Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter. They usually fly a mock dogfight against the "Red Baron" in a tight fight in the skies over the airfield.

Appearing static are the RCAF CT-156 Harvard II, Peter Ramm's Lockheed 12, Alf Beam's North American T-28 Trojan and another 20 assorted aircraft from the CWH museum's inventory of static and aircraft under restoration. CWH will also have their merchandise tent where you can purchase anything from hats and t-shirts to models, kits and prints.

The Jet Aircraft Museum will be there selling their beautiful 2014 Cash & Dream Flights Lottery Calendar which gives you the opportunity to win one of 4 flights in their T-33, one of 2 flights in their L-29, or an assortment of weekly and monthly cash prizes for only $20. Buy one for yourself, your best friend, your father, brother, daughter son, wife or girlfriend (of course, you put all the tickets in YOUR name!)

There will be lots to see and do during the airshow so you won't have the chance to get bored, but you will have the chance to get excited, thrilled and energized. Make your way to Hamilton International Airport June 15 & 16 for one of the best warbird shows of the year. Remember, with the Mosquito making an appearance, it's all the buzz!

Canadian Warplane Heritage: warplane.com

Military Aviation Museum: militaryaviationmuseum.org

Commemorative Air Force:  commemorativeairforce.org

Vintage Wings of Canada: vintagewings.ca

Jet Aircraft Museum: jetaircraftmuseum.ca

Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association: harvards.com

Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds: rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/snowbirds/index-eng.asp

RCAF Demonstration Hornet: rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/cf18/index-eng.asp

Matt Younkin: younkinair.com

The Great War Flying Museum: greatwarflyingmuseum.com

Return to eFLYER