Story and photos by Scott Jankowski
The Royal Canadian Air Force turned 100 years old this year with AirVenture celebrating its centenary all week long. The Royal Canadian Air Force was formed on April 1st, 1924, and currently flies approximately 356 fixed wing and rotary winged aircraft, has approximately 16,800 personnel, and has participated in every major conflict since World War II. The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for all aircraft operations of the Canadian Forces and also supports all missions of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Army. The Royal Canadian Air Force is also a partner with the United States Air Force in protecting continental airspace under the NORAD (North American Radar Air Defense) mission.
*Please note that except for the formation photo, these are file photos of RCAF aircraft not present at AirVenture 2024*
The Royal Canadian Air Force can trace its history back to 1914 when the Canadian Aviation Corps was formed. The present name of the Royal Canadian Air Force was established by Royal Sanction in 1924 by King George V. In the early days most of its work was non-military in the form of patrolling the forests in the Northwest part of the country a major part of its operations. In the late 1920’s and 1930’s the Royal Canadian Air Force took a more military look to it, with other agencies picking up most of the civil tasks, the air force began to rebuild. When World War II broke out in Europe, the Royal Canadian Air Force became a major player in the British Commonwealth Training Plan and became involved in all major theaters. During this time the Royal Canadian Air Force would fly such aircraft as the North American P-51 Mustang, the North American Harvard, the Hawker Hurricane, and the Supermarine Spitfire. After World War II, Canada would join NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1949 and be involved in the Korean War but in a non-combat role. In 1957 Canada and the United States would form NORAD due to the increased threat the Soviet Union posed.
*Please note the CT-128 and CC-129 are file photos of RCAF aircraft not present at AirVenture 2024*
The Royal Canadian Air Force would grow steadily though the 1960’s,70’s and 80’s operating such iconic aircraft as the Canadair CF-116 Freedom Fighter, the McDonnell Douglas CF-101 Voodoo, and the Canadair CT-133 Silver Star. The Royal Canadian Air Force would deploy aircraft to Germany as part of its NATO commitment to the defense of Europe. The CF-18 Hornet would join the force in 1982 as the primary fighter aircraft and continues to be used as the primary fighter to this day. In the 1990’s and into the 2000’s the Royal Canadian Air Force would participate in Desert Sheild, Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force, The War in Afghanistan, and Operation Mobile in Libya. The modern day Royal Canadian Air Force operates numerous different types of Maritime, Trainer and Transport aircraft that include the Lockheed CC-130J Super Hercules, The BAE Systems CT-155 Hawk, the Lockheed CP-140 Aurora, the Beechcraft CT-156 Harvard II, and the CH-139 Jet Ranger.
*Please note these are file photos of RCAF aircraft not present at AirVenture 2024*
AirVenture 2024 featured several different Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft spanning all generations. These included N667EA, a 1942 built DeHavilland of Canada DH-82C Tiger Moth, a primary trainer owned by the EAA. The next aircraft is registered CF-TAM a 1943 built Hawker Hurricane MK XII painted in the colors of 242 Squadron. The Hawker Hurricane was used extensively in the Battle of Britain as one the primary fighter aircraft. A pair of North American P-51 Mustang MK IV’s were on hand and included a 1944 built NL951HB. This Mustang wears the colors of 424 Squadron and could be found up in the Warbirds area of the grounds. The other Mustang was also built in 1944 and registered CF-VPM and wears the colors of 442 Squadron and is owned by Vintage Wings of Canada. Also owned by Vintage Wings of Canada is a 1945 built Supermarine Spitfire TR MK 1X, registered C-GYQQ wearing the colors of 442 Squadron as well. The Hurricane, Mustang and Spitfire would fly in the afternoon airshow and would also fly in formation with the CF-18 Hornet.
One of the highlights of AirVenture 2024 was a 1945 built Avro Lancaster MK X, and one of only 2 left flyable in the world and registered C-GVRA. This Lancaster is owned and operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and wears the colors of 419 Squadron. This Lancaster was converted in 1952 to a 10MR configuration and served as a Reconnaissance and Patrol Aircraft until it’s retirement in 1963. This aircraft would be displayed outside until 1977, when the aircraft was restored back to flyable condition which took 11 years and flew again on September 24th, 1988.
N146DK is a 1950 built DeHavilland T-10 Chipmunk originally built for the Royal Danish Air Force, but now wears the colors of a Royal Canadian Air Force example. This 2-seat primary trainer is owned and operated by Henning Henningsen and is based at the Waukesha County Wisconsin Airport. A trio of Canadian Car and Foundry manufactured Harvard MK IV’s were seen around the AirVenture grounds. These included the 1951 built, N47217, owned and operated by Victor Stottmeyer and is also based at Waukesha Wisconsin. Also built in 1951 is N52494, which was initially built for the Italian military. This Harvard is owned and operated by Navy Flight Trainer LLC. The final Harvard is 1952 vintage, NX7431 which is owned and operated by Kindred Harvard LLC. The Harvard is the Canadian license-built version of the North American T-6 Texan was used as a trainer.
Moving to more modern aircraft with the first being the 1957 built Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, registered N433RD. This Silver Star served in a training role with 414 Squadron from 1993 until the unit was disbanded in 2002. This aircraft is also based out at the Waukesha County Wisconsin Airport and is owned by Silver Star LLC. A 1970 built Bell OH-58A Kiowa which was previously operated by the United States Army, and is now in civilian hands and registered C-GUGG was parked on Boeing Plaza. The Canadian version of the OH-58A is designated the CH-139 and is used as a trainer. The Canadian Forces Parachute Demonstration Team better known as the Canadian Skyhawks made several jumps the week of AirVenture and used a 1971 built DeHavilland CC-138 Twin Otter with the serial number 13802. The CC-138 is used as a light transport, and in support roles such as search and rescue missions.
In 1960 Canadair designed and built the CT-114 Tutor, a two-person trainer aircraft. The CT-114 was in service from 1961 to 2000 when it was replaced by the BAE CT-155 Hawk and the Beechcraft CT-156 Harvard II. In 1971 a display team was formed flying the CT-114 and called the “2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School Formation Team” based at CFB (Canadian Forces Base) Moose Jaw AlbertaA contest was held to give the team a formal name with the winning entry being the name “Snowbirds” which reflected the mostly white paint scheme used at that time. This name would be officially adopted on June 25th, 1971, and were authorized to be designated the “Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Team” on January 15th 1975. The team was formed into its own squadron on April 1st 1978 when 431 Squadron was reactivated and renamed 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. The 80-person team currently flies 9 aircraft in its airshow routine and keeps 2 spare aircraft. The Snowbirds were the first Aerobatic Team to incorporate music in their airshow routine and are the only military aerobatic team that operates without a support aircraft. The team flew over the weekend and performed maneuvers such as the heart, downward bomb burst, solo head on crosses and the Canada burst. The Snowbirds were joined on 7/26 the CF-18 Hornet to open its airshow routine and made several formation passes together.
Making its AirVenture debut in 2024 was the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Demo Team flying its specially painted, 100th Anniversary Legacy Hornet. The 16-person team is part of the Royal Canadian Air Forces 1 Canadian Air Division with Captain Caleb “Tango: Robert being selected as this year’s demo pilot. The specially painted 1986 built CF-18 carries serial number 188774 and honors the Royal Canadian Air Forces distinct heritage; recognize its tremendous people today and generate excitement for its bright future. This special paint scheme designed by Master Corporal Kevin Kelly focuses on 4 key themes: Innovation and technology, Air Power, our people and the Royal Canadian Air Forces distinguished heritage and history. The team flew several performances while at AirVenture 2024 including formation passes with the Hurricane, Mustang, and Spitfire as well as the Snowbirds. The spare CF-18 that accompanied the specially painted CF-18 was serial number 188735 which still wears the 2021 Demo team special paint scheme. The CF-18 is still used as the primary fighter aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force but is due to be replaced by the 5th Generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in 2025. Both of the Demo aircraft were parked on Boeing Plaza when not performing in the afternoon airshow.
Also, in attendance this year was the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team known as the SkyHawks. The team was officially formed in October of 1970, with the team adopting the SkyHawks name in September of 1971. The 16-member team is based out of Trenton Ontario and is now part of the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre, AirVenture was the teams only North American appearance this year.
AirVenture and the EAA went all out in celebrating 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air Force with several unique aircraft on display as well as both of the Royal Canadian Demo Teams performing in the afternoon airshows. Several Oshkosh firsts and Oshkosh only moments were seen during this celebration. Look for more AirVenture Coverage to come, until next time, “Blue Skies To All!”.
