Last week we had a look at some of the aircraft that performed during the Waterloo Airshow. This week we return to the Waterloo Airshow to see what else graced the skies during the 2013 airshow.

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) growled their way through the sky in their Harvard (T-6 Texan) aircraft with a beautiful four-plane formation. These 70+ year old aircraft are meticulously maintained and the pilots and crews treat their aircraft like it was their own. CHAA, as they're known, fly out of Tillsonburg, Ontario and always welcome new members, as do JAM, their sister museum in London, Ontario.

Making its first appearance in Canada was "Dusty Crophopper" from the Disney movie "Planes." Dusty is a former crop dusting Air Tractor AT-301 that was restored and painted to represent the movie aircraft. Kids were thrilled to see Dusty fly about the sky and there's little doubt they'll be just as thrilled with the movie!

A very unusual appearance at the airshow was the "Smoke 'n Thunder" coinforce.com jet car, piloted by Bill Braack. The car has the ability to reach speeds in excess of 400mph though, with the shorter runway at Waterloo, Bill could only manage about 250mph. However, it's not just the speed, it's the flame, smoke and sound of the jet car that thrills the crowds. Adding to the excitement was a 'race' between Bill in the Smoke 'n Thunder jet car and Rick Volker in his Sukhoi

Other performers included local pilot Wayne Haddath in his F-1 Rocket, the RCAF with their CT-155 Hawk training aircraft, their CH-146 Griffon helicopter and their CC-130 transport aircraft Hercules.

Of course, rounding out the flying part of the airshow were the venerable Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds aerobatic display team. The Snowbirds perform across North America and, no matter where they go, they are always a popular act, in the air and then on the ground after their performance, signing autographs. Snowbird pilots are great ambassadors for the RCAF, for Canada and for aviation. Despite their aging aircraft, they never fail to perform and put on a crowd pleasing airshow.

Static display aircraft included a B-17, AC-46, C-123 and B-25 from the Yankee Air Museum. Also along the static line was the Jet Aircraft Museum with their highly anticipated de Havilland Vampire and their Viper North MiG 15 UTI, along with a Jet Provost. Martin Mattes brought his lovely L-29 Delphin and Danny Richer his Strikemaster and T-28 Trojan. The RCAF also brought their Dash 8, affectionately known as "Gonzo" and, from the US, a World War II torpedo bomber TBM Avenger.

Many vendors graced the flightline offering up aviation collectibles, paintings, photos, food and more. There's an area for the kids if you need to keep them entertained while parents watch the airshow. There really is something for everyone and the annual airshow is a popular one, despite the bad luck they often seem to have with the weather.

Every year the Waterloo Airshow gets better and better. There's fast and slow, new and old, young and young at heart. Make a point of coming to visit the Waterloo region and the Waterloo Airshow in June 2014.

RCAF Demo Hornet: http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/cf-18-demo-team/index.page?

RCAF Snowbirds: http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/snowbirds/index.page

Jet Aircraft Museum: http://www.jetaircraftmuseum.ca/

Viper North L-29 Delphin: http://www.vipernorth.ca/

Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association: http://www.harvards.com/

Jane Wicker Wing-Walking: http://www.wingwalk.org/

Gord Price Aerobatics: http://www.thedampub.ca/pub-stories/the-flying-prices

Kent Pietsch Airshows: http://www.kentpietschairshows.com/

Rick Volker Airshows: http://www.rvairshows.com/

Smoke 'n Thunder Jetcar: http://www.smoke-n-thunder.com/

Waterloo Airshows: http://www.waterlooairshow.com/

Return to eFLYER