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Abbotsford
International Airshow By
Ed Anderson 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. One
of this year's distinguished visitors was a B-17G
Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey". Operated by
the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force,
this immaculate and historic heavy bomber of World
War Two is on summer tour. Each year the C.A.F.
'Queen of the Skies' visits an average of 60 cities
and towns as a patriotic and educational exhibit.
Designed by the Boeing Aircraft Company, this four
engine bomber was accepted by the Army Air Corps
March 13, 1945, and served in the Pacific Theater
of Operations until war's end. Subsequently, #83514
was reassigned to photo-mapping missions as RB-17G,
and air-sea rescue service as DB-17G, after which
it was then released by the military 27 January
1959. In civilian life the B-17 became N9323Z, then
employed as a fire tanker for the next 18 years.
Afterwards the C.A.F. acquired the bomber who
undertook a full restoration program leading to
it's current configuration and operational status.
"Sentimental Journey" was also the lead ship in the
daily 'Great Warbird Flight', that included a P-51D
Mustang, "Val Halla" flown by Greg Anders, a Hawker
Sea Fury with Ellsworth Getchell at the controls,
and three Texan/Harvard trainer types, piloted by
Bud Granley, Keith McMann and George Kirbyson. All
six aircraft together, in close formation for
several passes followed by individual fly pasts,
held us all spellbound in the serenity of another
time. Just a wonderful sight, married to the
captivating sounds of powerful radial and inline
engines of yesterday's warriors and defenders of
freedom. 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 |