Jet Aircraft Museum Red Knight ‘T-bird’ among highlights of 2018 London Air Show
Report and photos by Gord McNulty, CAHS Vice President
An estimated 30,000 people flocked to London International Airport Sept. 7-9 for Airshow London, a successful event that once again delivered on its reputation as an especially impressive military air display. More than 70 aircraft, with 400 crew members, participated this year.
LCol (Ret’d) Rae Simpson (in front) flew the Jet Aircraft Museum Red Knight CT-133 Silver Star at the London Air Show, Sept. 7 2018.
Flypasts by LCol (Ret’d) Rae Simpson in the Jet Aircraft Museum’s CT-133 Silver Star, painted in the striking colours of the RCAF Red Knight, were among the highlights from a Canadian perspective. Rae made the long-anticipated first flight of the Red Knight, C-FUPP (formerly RCAF 133573), on August 26. It was a thrill to see a T-bird in the iconic and beautiful paint scheme of the Red Knight, flown from 1958 to 1970, in the skies once again.
CAHS Vancouver Chapter President Jerry Vernon advises that Rae, a CAHS member, is a retired RCAF test pilot and former senior accident investigator with the Transportation Safety Board. The successful restoration was the product of as much as 2,000 volunteer hours of work and more than $100,000 in donations. The aircraft had not flown since it was ferried from Trenton to London about 10 years ago.
Flypast by JAM Red Knight CT-133 with the Canada 150 logo on the underside at London Sept. 7, 2018.
The next, much-anticipated project at JAM will be to be repaint CT-133 C-FUPO (formerly RCAF 133500) in the colours of the Golden Hawks.
BAE CT-155 Hawk, RCAF 155217, dedicated as KB753 to Wing Cmdr John ‘Moose’ Fulton, DFC, at London air show Sept. 7, 2018.
An RCAF BAE CT-155 Hawk, in a custom camouflage paint scheme in honour of 419 “City of Kamloops” Squadron’s 75th anniversary, also graced the tarmac. The Moose insignia on the nose and registration KB799 belong to the Lancaster era of 419 Squadron.
The RCAF participation showcased the 2018 Demo Hornet and the Snowbirds among others.
A French Connection --- crew of CH-146 Griffon from 439 Sqdn., Bagotville, Quebec, with a French immersion class at London Air Show, Sept. 7. 2018.
A nifty ‘French Connection,’ so to speak, was established when the crew of a CH-146 Griffon from 439 Squadron, Bagotville, met French immersion students from St. Anthony’s School in London to discuss helicopter search and rescue operations.
DHC Dash 7 C-GVWD, decommissioned, donated by Trans Capital Air Ltd. of Toronto to Fanshawe College in June, 2017, at London air show Sept. 7.
Extensive static displays included a decommissioned DHC Dash Seven, donated in 2017 by Trans Capital Air Ltd., based at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto, to the Norton Wolf School of Aviation Technology at Fanshawe College in London.
A Sabre in Korean War colours, another beautiful aircraft, was flown by MiG Alley Air Shows of Rockford, Illinois. An Internet search indicated this aircraft, N50CJ, is a Canadair Sabre Mk 6 with a long history including service with the South African Air Force.
The U.S. military participation was notable, among other things, for a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Viper Team, the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, and more. Heavy metal was the order of the day on the static line. The lineup ranged from a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy to a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III.
A Boeing RC-135 and a Lockheed C-130J attracted attention with prominent, state-of-the-art communications and reconnaissance gear. It was a pleasure to converse with visiting American aircrew who were friendly and informative.
As if the phenomenal lineup at this not-for-profit air show wasn’t enough, there could be even more in the future. Jim Graham, Airshow London Chair, told 980 CFPL that organizers are planning to become the largest military air show in North America in the next three to five years.” Stay tuned!
2018 CF-18 Demo Hornet 60th Anniversary of NORAD colours, with Capt. Stefan Porteous, at London Air Show, Sept. 7, 2018.
Canadair Sabre Mk 6, N50CJ, MiG Alley Air Shows, Rockford IL, ex-SAAF, painted as USAF 113361, London, Sept. 7, 2018.
Canadair Sabre Mk 6 of MiG Alley Air Shows taking off at London Air Show Sept. 7, 2018.
WestJet Boeing 737-700 C-FWSY climbing out at London
Sept. 7, 2018.
Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II, US Navy VFA-101 Strike Fighter Squadron (Grim Reapers), Eglin AFB, Florida, at London Air Show, Sept. 7, 2018.
The large dimensions of the F-35C Lightning II are evident as the VFA-101 Squadron aircraft is towed at the London Air Show Sept. 7, 2018.
Boeing RC-135, with long nose radar for reconnaissance to support various operations. 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron, Omaha, NB. Sept. 7, 2018 London air show.
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, Air Mobility Command 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston, SC. London air show, Sept. 7, 2018.
Northrop T-38A Talon, 71st Fighter Training Squadron known as the
Ironmen, from Langley AFB Base, Virginia. London air show,
Sept. 7, 2018.
A U.S. Navy Boeing FA-18 Super Hornet on the ramp at the London air show, Sept. 7, 2018.
General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon, 157th Fighter Squadron Swamp Foxes, South Carolina ANG, London air show, Sept. 7, 2018.
The larger size of the US Navy Super Hornet (left) compared to the RCAF Hornet is clear in this photo of the ramp at the London air show, Sept. 7, 2018.