Summer
2008
The United States
Airforce "Thunderbirds" and the Canadian
Forces "Snowbirds", military air
demonstration teams, were this year's
headline attractions, along with the elite
and renowned Canadian Forces Parachute
Team, "SkyHawks", whose performance opened
the 46th edition of the Abbotsford
International AirShow.
America's
Ambassadors in Blue' brought speed, power,
and thunder to the skies over Abbotsford,
British Columbia on the weekend of August
8-10, with their six brightly coloured
red, white, and blue F-16C "Fighting
Falcons". An hour performance of narrated,
thrilling smoke-on precision manoeuvre
routines, demonstrating the capabilities
of their first-line fighter aircraft left
us all enthralled, entertained and a
little better informed.
Snowbirds, Canada's
Star PerformersOn the other hand, Canada's
remarkable and beloved "Snowbirds" of
Canadian Forces 431 (Air Demonstration)
Squadron, presented a quieter composition
with their eight/nine-ship team of the
venerable CT-114 Tutor jets. In keeping
tuned to the capabilities of their
charges, pilots and crews focus their
attention more to graceful ballet-style
performances of breath-taking formations
and synchronized manoeuvres, likewise
enhanced by music and
narration.
Other military
performances included the F-15E Strike
Eagle, flown by Capts. 'Ritz' Smith/"Wild"
Colfer, a CF-18 Hornet with Capt. "Billy"
Mitchell at the controls, and a USN F/A-18
Super Hornet guided by Lts. Patrick
"Pigpen" Bernhard/Damon "Profile"
Loveless. Headsets or earplugs
mandatory!!!
Premier civilian
acts that were exceptionally good with
their aerobatics included the Red Eagle
Air Sports-Talon Eagle (Dan McClung), Red
Eagle (Buck Roetman), Kent & Warren
Pietsch (Interstate Cadet/Clipped-Wing
Taylorcraft), Bill Carter and his Pitts
Special S2S.
Flypasts by Thunder
Mustangs, vintage aircraft, and warbirds
certainly captured attention of all
spectators, particularly the B-25J
Mitchell, and the A-1 Skyraider in the
USAF Heritage Flight. Unforgettable sights
and sounds.
Although an overcast
sky on Saturday hampered activities
somewhat and perhaps affected several
no-shows, but as always the show goes on,
to the delight of enthusiastic fans and
participants.
Once again, hats off
to all volunteers, and announcers; Roy
Hafeli and the 40-year veteran Bob
Singleton, without whom there would simply
be no air show. Well Done!
Story and Photos
By Ed
Anderson
Photo Captions
in the above spread.
From top left
page:
(1) Famous B-52
bomber, USAF
(2) Navy Flight
435
(3) Trio of
Harvards
(4) H5 Skyraider
Supup
(5) Stearman 2236
(6) T Mustang
nose
(7) Skyhawks 229
(8) H5 CMF planes
9) Writer
Photographer Ed Anderson
(9) F15 Mist
(
10) Snowbirds
cross
Ed Anderson has been
covering the Abbotsford International
Airshow and similar events for Air
Highways Magazine since its launch in
1995.
For other events
featuring photos and commentary by Mr.
Anderson, visit www.airhighways.com/airshows.htm