Brantford Air Show flew high again
Report and photos by Gord McNulty, CAHS Vice President
The Mynarski Memorial Lancaster in honorary 75th Anniversary of the Dambusters AJ-B markings at CWHM Aug. 28, 2018.
The 2018 Community Charity Airshow at Brantford Airport on August 29 proved to be another exciting and successful event. This year’s spectacle, co-sponsored by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and the Rotary Club of Brantford, was held under mainly sunny skies and attracted the traditional large audience.
CF-18 Demo Hornet honouring the 60th Anniversary of NORAD at the CWHM Aug. 28, 2018.
A heritage flypast with the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster and the 2018 Demo Hornet at the Brantford air show Aug. 29, 2018.
The show was highlighted by rare combined flypast of the CF-18 Demo Hornet in NORAD 60th Anniversary colours with the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster. As part of the museum’s tribute to the 75th Anniversary of the Dambusters raid, the bomber flew in the AJ-B markings of a Lancaster crewed by two Hamiltonians, Frank Garbas and Albert Garshowitz. Their aircraft did not survive the raid and the entire crew was killed. In another impressive heritage flypast, the Commemorative Air Force B-29 “Fifi” teamed up with the Lanc.
The CWH DC-3 in ‘Canucks Unlimited’ colours took jumpers from the Hamilton Sport Parachute Club aloft to open the flying, although conditions proved too windy for a safe drop. Danny Richer in his BAC Strikemaster and Trevor Rafferty in his Rafferty Javelin were among the featured performers.
B-29 Superfortress 'Fifi' of the Commemorative Air Force fires up at the CWHM, Aug. 28, 2018.
A flypast by the B-29 'Fifi' at Brantford on Aug. 29.
A fiery display was provided by the Bone Shaker Jet Truck, powered by a 12,000-pound thrust J-79 engine. The crowd also appreciated a diverse array of static aircraft, and souvenir and display booths. Canada’s famous Snowbirds provided the traditional finale.
Cloud nine – RCAF Snowbirds in the Big Diamond formation at Brantford Aug. 29, 2018.
Check out excellent coverage by Eric Dumigan and Gus Corujo at www.airic/ca and www.gusair.com and the Brantford Expositor website.
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The CWHM Lancaster took its first flight at 1:35 p.m. on Sept. 11, 1988. To celebrate the 30th anniversary, the Lancaster took a commemorative flight on Sept. 11 at 1:35 p.m. Several local dignitaries representing Hamilton City Council and Hamilton International Airport were on board. The CWHM reports: “All passengers were very happy and pleased to have flown on the Lancaster. It was the first flight for the majority of them. Speeches, cake and presentations followed the flight.”
Congratulations to the CWHM as it celebrates a remarkable 30 years.