Royal Canadian Air Force Special Color Schemes – A 100th Anniversary Salute

Photographers include: Bob Finch, William Ellison, Ken Middleton, Scott Jankowski, Scott Zeno, Corey Beitler, Don Linn and Ken Kula 

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) came into being on April 1, 1924. One hundred years later, the military aviation command is celebrating its achievements through a series of specially themed air shows and other noteworthy events. We here at https://Photorecon.net will present a trio of articles with a copious number of photos of Canadian military aircraft over the past century, along with some anecdotes and brief historical notes.

This first of three articles will contain some of the many specially colored aircraft which help to mark milestones in Canadian military aviation history. Two more will portray aircraft from the RCAF’s first five decades of service; then the last five decades of service will follow. Most of these photos were taken during the aircraft’s operational years, however there are a few warbird photos mixed in. In the galleries, you can hover over the thumbnail for the aircraft’s type or click for a larger photo. Enjoy!

© Don Linn Photography

McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo “Lark 1” 

Tiger Meet of the Americas CF-188

The CF-18 Demonstration Hornet was and still is a colorful salute to the history of the RCAF. Jim Belliveau, a graphic artist with 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron, located at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, has helped design the eye-popping color schemes on the official Hornet demonstration aircraft for decades, reportedly starting in the 1990s. Each April, a short time before the first training flights of the new Hornet Demonstration Team, aviation enthusiasts travel to CFB Cold Lake to maybe catch a glimpse of the newest color scheme.

419 Squadron “Moose” operated this specially marked CF-116 Freedom Fighter in the late 1980s celebrating the Squadron’s history.

The Canadair CT-114 jet trainer wears colors that celebrate the RCAF’s 75th anniversary.

This 414 Squadron CT-133 Silver Star wears a commemorative color scheme marking the 40th anniversary of the Silver Star in Canadian service.

The Snowbirds are the RCAF’s jet demonstration team, flying brightly colored Canadair CT-114 Tutors. At times the use of colorized smoke added more color to their displays.