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Abbotsford
International Airshow Canadian and American military
air arms were, as usual, well represented by a wide
variety of fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft for
public display. Host aircrews were also close at
hand for questions and aviation chat. Neatly fitted
in amongst the friendly military giants - C-5
Galaxy, KC 10 aerial tanker, and the like - on
static row, were numerous types of general aviation
aircraft, with others, including warbirds, parked
on the taxiway perimeter. Lots of hardware for
everyone to look at up close. Although the
thunderous power, color and pizzazz of an American
military jet display team wasn't on the schedule
for this year, the "Snowbirds", Canada's Airshow
Team, were much in evidence with their venerable
smoke-equipped Canadair CT-114 Tutors.
Always the graceful and
entertaining aerobatic formation routines.
Hopefully the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron will
continue for many more years as Canada's foremost
goodwill Ambassadors. Jet thunder-power, however,
was by no means absent. In this respect, energetic
flying demonstrations were provided by: Captain
David J. Pletz, 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron,
Bagotville, Quebec, in a CF-188 Hornet; Lt. Ted
Steelman, piloting a USN F/A-18F Super Hornet, VA
122, NAS, Lemoore, CA; an A-10 Thunderbolt II
(Warthog), from Davis-Montham AFB, AR, driven by
Major Narc Brogan, gave airshow buffs all the noise
gratification they could handle, plus more when the
warbirds and civilian performers were added to the
mix, especially Jim Franklin in his Jet Waco. An
air superiority F-15 Eagle arrived late Saturday
for a Sunday demo performance before joining the
USAF Heritage Flight. Back for another year as an
individual performer and a participant at large was
Ellsworth Getchell of San Jose', CA and the F.B.11
Hawker Sea Fury. "RAN WH587/105" powered by an 18
cylinder Bristol Centaurus 2480 hp radial engine,
behind a large five-bladed propeller, the ex
carrier-based fighter bomber, cleanly dressed in
colors and markings of the Royal Australian Navy
is, by itself, a striking sight that draws more
than just a passing glance. But airborne, and in
the hands of it's gifted master, plane and man have
it all together in exceptional displays of raw
piston power and graceful flying epitomizing
perhaps, the essence of powered flight. The Granley Air Force evermore a
presence in the Pacific Northwest, certainly were
no less at Abbotsford. An SNJ masquerading as a
Harvard in Golden Hawk colors, a Yak 55M, a Yak 18T
and a Fouga Magister were all part of the airshow
makeup including, of course, pilots extraordinaire
Bud and Ross Granley and the clan. Also impressing the crowds, a
CH-149 "Cormorant" and crew demonstrating the
diversity and capabilities of this new Search and
Rescue Helicopter, based at CFB/19 Wing Comox,
Vancouver Island. Most shows have but a single
Heritage Flight, but Abbotsford had three. The USAF
flypast involved a P-51D Mustang , and an A-10
Thunderbolt II of the Idaho ANG. An F-15 Eagle from
Tyndall AFB, FL, joined the Flight for the Sunday
review. An F/A-18F Super Hornet from NAS Lemoore,
CA and the F.B.11 Sea Fury, made up the US Navy
Legacy Flight. A Canadian Air Force Heritage Flight
rounded out the group having a CF-188 Hornet,
wearing 80th birthday commemorative tail markings,
pair up with the 'Golden Hawk Harvard'. Other featured performers
included: Kent Pietsch, another amazing aviator in
his Interstate Cadet; sailplane maestro Manfred
Radius and partner, the H-101 Salto; countless
award winner and a crowd favorite Julie Clark,
flying her Mopar sponsored Beechcraft T-34 Mentor;
Jimmy Franklin aerobatic superstar put on an
exceptional show of his own in the 1940 Waco, let
alone the performance with his son Kyle as Wing
Walker on the World's only known Jet-Powered
Bi-Plane. Last but not least, Jim LeRoy and his "In
Your Face" spectacular aerobatics with his
"Bulldog", a 400 hp highly modified Curtiss Pitts
S2S, that simply leaves you aghast and wanting
more. And more is what we got!! - the two award
winning dynamos, Franklin and LeRoy-X Team (Masters
of Disaster), in a game of unbelievable dueling
aerobatics, front and center for twelve incredible
minutes, nonstop. The wily veteran Jimmy Franklin
showcased his unique Waco, driven by 4,500 lbs of
thrust from in excess of 2,000 hp, generated by a
450 radial and a J-85 jet power-pack slung under
the forward fuselage. The punch is phenomenal. But,
no shadows on the more recent tiger of the sky, Jim
LeRoy, who in the "Bulldog" is likewise an
extraordinary master of aerobatics. No audience
anywhere, could have been better entertained.
Certainly in my mind, the action highlight of the
show. In fact, I was so engrossed I couldn't even
lift the camera, realizing that only quality video
with sound could pay proper tribute to their
performance. Wow!! Story and Photos By Ed Anderson |
By
Ed Anderson
