|
Abbotsford
40th Anniversary Air Show
by Ed
Anderson
 The
"40th Anniversary Celebration" of 'Canada's
National Airshow' should have left no one
disappointed. The organizers, performers and
participants at large offered up a tremendously
exciting and entertaining show of shows for three
upbeat vintage days, typical of an Abbotsford
August. Gates were opened to the general public at
8 am. Not long after, the waiting armada of static
posted military aircraft of many types attracted
long lines of anxious and curious visitors. Of
particular interest were the F-117A, stealth
"Nighthawk", the huge airlifter C-5A "Galaxy" and
Canada's new Search & Rescue Helicopter, CH-149
"Cormorant". Although security at the admission
gates was strict, access to the viewing of aircraft
was generally good, but guarding eyes were ever
watchful. A fact of the times,
unfortunately.
Abbotsford this
year, hosted a superb lineup of Airshow Performers
and Flying Displays. Mr. Airshow, Gene Soucy, with
the acclaimed stuntwoman/wing walker, Teresa
Stokes, flying in the Extra 330XS and the "Showcat"
Biplane, Julie Clark and her ever reliable Mopar
sponsored T-34 Mentor, "Free Spirit", Mr.
Sailplane, Manfred Radius, in his faithful H-101
Salto Sailplane, Mr. Pilot, Bud Granley, trading
off between his Yak 55M and the "Golden Hawk"
Harvard (SNJ), treating crowds to the Granley
standard of excellence in thrilling aerobatics.
Warbirds and Period types provided the nostalgia
and history at its best. Last but not least, the
Military performers raised the bar a notch or two
with impressive demonstrations of precision and
power flying. Stellar performances from two of the
best air demonstration teams in the business, the
Canadian Forces "Snowbirds" in their venerable
CT-114 Tutor's and the United States Air Force
"Thunderbirds" flying the F-16 C "Fighting Falcon",
last seen at Abbotsford in 1993, astonished the
crowds with their spellbinding but contrary styles
of performing formation and solo flying
routines.
The flying program was
launched at about 10:30 in the forenoon with
Horizon Aerosports Parachutists. The Official
Opening Ceremonies unfolded around the 12:15 mark.
Bob Singleton and Roy Hafeli did their usual
splendid job of looking after the announcing
duties. The "Snowbirds" and the "Thunderbirds"
alternated in wrapping up the day's events, leaving
the spectators to head for home at around 5:00
p.m.
The U.S.A.F. F-117A
Nighthawk from HO, A.F.B., NM, was very active this
year with an eye-catching 15 minute flying display.
A real treat, especially for the kids, young and
old. The Nighthawk's big brother, the B-2 Spirit,
stealth bomber made a flippant appearance only on
the Saturday, with several passes. Little doubt,
that all eyes were captured by this majestic but
weird looking flying boomerang with a big serrated
backside. Other military demo's included an A-10
Thunderbolt II, "Warthog", of the 357th F.S., 355th
Wing, Davis Monthan, A.F.B. AZ with Capt. Robert E.
Kiebler as pilot, an F-15E Strike Eagle driven by
Capt. Lendy Renegar from the 33rd Fighter Wing,
Eglin A.F.B. FL. The Canadian side contributed a
CF-18 Hornet of 410 SQN, 4 Wing, Cold Lake, AB,
painted up in striking Hornet colours (as in Wasp),
to commemorate this year, the 20th anniversary of
CF-18 operations in Canada. Flown by Capt. Doug
"Dewey" Clements, of Toronto Ontario, this airshow
jet will visit at least 15 sites across North
America this season.
Although Gene Soucy and
his airshow sidekick, Teresa Stokes encountered
weather delays enroute to Abbotsford causing them
to miss their Friday appearances, they more than
made up the loss on the Saturday and Sunday. They
were at their show-time best. Soucy's lead act in
the nimble Extra was followed later in the day with
he and Stokes in "Showcat".
The effervescent Julie
Clark, also a return performer to Abbotsford,
flying her " Free Spirit" a Beechcraft T-34 Mentor,
wowed the spectators, as usual, with her dynamic
'aerial ballet' show. Capt. Julie E. Clark, Navy
trained and one of the first women to fly for a
major airline, ignites the audience with her
energy, enthusiasm and love for flying airplanes,
balanced with stirring background music, song and
her heartfelt narration. Truly an award winning
performer.
Manfred Radius opted to
his low show for the Friday/Saturday performances
for lack of a high blue sky, but no mind Mr.
Sailplane ever adaptable, provided a flawless
routine.
Ellsworth Getchell "Getch"
of San Jose', CA, flew solo performances in his big
beautifully restored Hawker Sea Fury, NX260,
powered by a Bristol Centaurus-18A, 2600 hp engine,
as did Chris Avery of Midlothian, TX, in an
original "Dash-One" FG1D Corsair, N99642, pulled by
a P&W R2800 power plant. Great demos and a nice
balance to the airshow by including "Heavy Iron"
piston Warbirds.
A special highlight of the
day, was the 'passing in review' U.S.A.F. Heritage
Flight, made up of a P-51D Mustang handled by Major
General William Anders, (retired U.S.A.F.) the A-10
"Warthog" and the F-15 Eagle. Nice!!
Give 'em a good lineup of
performers, good weather, lots of parking and they
will come. Come they did to Abbotsford, in the
thousands. All indications are that last year's
attendance of 150,000 may have been well exceeded
this year. Next year, it is anticipated will be
even better, given that 2003 is the Centennial of
powered flight, which should inspire celebrations
world wide.
Story and Photos
By Ed Anderson
|
