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ISSUE 614 - December 2019
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| The Big Classics Gathering - Part II |
| By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer |
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| This week we return again to look at the Gathering of Classics Fly-in at Edenvale Aerodrome near Stayner, Ontario to have a look at more aircraft that were in attendance including the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation Fleet Cornell. |
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Last week we had a look at the Edenvale Gathering of Classics Fly-in near Stayner, Ontario, the largest fly-in in Ontario and one of the largest in Canada. Though there are many local aircraft, either based at Edenvale or at relatively local airports and airstrips, there are also many that fly in from other parts of Ontario, from east to west and north and south of the aerodrome.
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| One of the prettiest little aeroplanes that flew in was the last production Fleet Model 80 Canuck, a Canadian designed & built light aircraft. |
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A relatively rare Canadian classic aircraft is the Fleet Model 80 Canuck featuring side-by-side seating. It was originally designed for use in flight training, private/personal use and for small commercial roles such as bush flying. The Canuck first flew in September of 1945, though the prototype flew the year before. There were 225 Fleet Canucks built, with production ceasing in 1958. The last production Fleet Canuck is the one shown above, CF-JZI, and is owned & operated by former A380 Captain, Dave Muldoon.
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| If you think you see visions of a de Havilland product in this aeroplane, you're right! |
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Another rare bird, and the only one flying in Canada, is the Tiger Boys Thruxton Jackaroo. The Jackaroo is a 4-seat biplane that was originally converted from the de Havilland Tiger Moth, a 2-seat tandem biplane, by widening the fuselage to accommodate four passengers. There were only 19 of these aircraft converted, with only a handful still in existence today including the Tiger Boys example shown here. It has a cruise speed of 90mph and a range of 250 miles.
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| The classic lines of the old Aeronca Champ are unmistakable, left. The unusual looking Pipistrel Sinus, right, with those long, sleek wings, similar to a sailplane. |
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Other aircraft making the trip were a couple of Aeronca Champs, a couple of Zenair CH701s, a Harmon Rocket, a Pipistrel Sinus, a Diamond DA 40 and a classic Boeing Stearman. Regardless of the aircraft that flew in for the event, it was a busy day with well over 100 aircraft making the trip to Edenvale.
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| The Royal Canadian Navy flew the de Havilland of Canada (Grumman) S-2 Tracker, left. The Canadair, Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds Tutor, right, sitting with the Tracker in the background. |
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Also at the aerodrome is the former Canadian Air & Space Museum, now called the Canadian Air & Space Conservancy. Once housed at former CFB Downsview, they were homeless for many years when they were unceremoniously told to vacate the former de Havilland of Canada hangar. After several years in limbo, they were offered a new home at Edenvale Aerodrome and currently have a former Canadian Navy S-2 Tracker and a former CAF Canadair Tutor at the airport with more of their aircraft expected down the road.
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| One of the most famous Canadian designed & built aircraft, the Avro Arrow. This full size replica was built by museum volunteers over many years and is a stunning example of superb aircraft. |
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Of course, the most popular aircraft in their collection is the Avro Arrow full size replica. This stunning aircraft, though not built to airworthy standards, is a beautiful representation of Canadian ingenuity. Originally designed & built in the 1950s, it first flew in 1958. It was considered the most advanced aircraft of its time, with test flight speeds of 1.8 Mach+ and was expected to far exceed that speed with the development and installation of the Canadian designed & built Orenda Iroquois engine. Sadly, a close minded & short-sighted Canadian government cancelled the Arrow program and scrapped all built and factory line aircraft and ordered everything else destroyed on Februday 20th, 1959, known in Canada as Black Friday.
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| One of the prettiest cars visiting the event was this beautiful Triumph TR3A, left. Also on hand were a few military vehicles such as this Gulf War British CVRT Sabre, right. |
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There were many classic vehicles on hand such as a stunning 1959 Triumph TR3A which just happened to be for sale. This lovely little convertible sports car was built from 1957 to 1962 and evolved from the TriumphTR2 but had greater power and a better braking system. Also on hand were a few former military vehicles including a Bren Gun Carrier and a CVRT Sabre from the first Gulf War. There were dozens and dozens of vintage vehicles parked in the classic car parking, including a couple of vintage motorcycles.
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| There were food vendors on hand, such as the local Lion's Club, offering foods like burgers as well as other vendors selling aviation items from books to aeroplane parts. |
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The Edenvale Gathering of Classics Fly-in is a wonderful place to spend the day, whether you fly-in or drive in. There were also a variety of vendors from aircraft parts sellers to authors and food vendors such as the local Lion's Club, offering up a mix of BBQ'd burgers, hotdogs and Canadian bacon on a bun. You could fly in, enjoy a meal, pick up a few odds 'n ends, and then head home for the evening. It's a great place to spend a day with like-minded people all there to enjoy classic and vintage transportation. Make plans to attend the 2020 Gathering of Classics, August 10th 2020.
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| Two of the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation aircraft are the Fleet Cornell, left, and this Fleet Model 80 Canuck, right. |
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| The Canadian Air & Space Conservancy will, eventually, have more aircraft on exhibit. Their Tracker is a popular aircraft and will look good with more of their aircraft joining it in the coming years. |
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For more information on the Canadian Air & Space Conservancy, check out their website. Visit: casmuseum.org
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| If you've ever wanted a flight in a warbird, why not try a Harvard with the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association. |
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To learn more about the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association and what they do to preserve the Harvard, visit their website. Visit: harvards.com
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| Canadian aerobatic display pilot, Gord Price, flew down from the Thornbury, Ontario area on Lake Huron in his Yak 50. |
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| This Cessna L-19/0-1 Bird Dog in Canadian Army colours once flew with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Pacific Region Gliding Centre, for many years after being retired by the Canadian military. |
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| The odd looking Zenair CH701 in two different liveries. |
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| Beautiful Fleet Model 80 Canuck on final. |
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