By Ursula Maxwell-Lewis
Aviation has played a large part in my life, so it’s no surprise that the Abbotsford International Airshow always attracts my attention. This year the unique Fraser Valley show celebrates its 50th anniversary on August 10, 11 and 12.
In the air or on the ground, the show offers thrills for all ages. When my children were young they’d delight in clambering up stairs of static tarmac displays to peer into cockpits, gaze in awe into the belly, or flight deck, of massive military transports like the Super Hercules, or meet a Snowbird pilot.
This year “Grumpy”, the B-25D Mitchell mid-range bomber that played a critical role with the US Air Force after Pearl Harbour in WW11, will be profiled. So will a Supermarine Spitfire Mark 1Xe, the legendary Battle of Britain aircraft which served from 1936 to1957. Both aircraft come to us from the Historic Flight Foundation in Mukilteo, Washington state. The P51 Mustang, “Val Halla”, and A-1 Skyraider will also be back courtesy of the Heritage Flight Museum in Bellingham.
Canadian and US fighters are always stars, but Bud Granley never fails to thrill audiences with hammerheads, continuous rolls, tail slides, and rolling Cubans. I can’t imagine tackling what he does.
The same goes for The SkyHawks, the Canadian Forces Parachute Team. For over 40 years Canada’s only military parachute demo team really have waved the Canadian flag. Based out of Trenton, Ontario, these guys skillfully perform aerobatic parachute formations and are in demand across North America and Europe. Team members are from various Regular and Reserve occupations in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Traditionally, the show closes with The Snowbirds zooming east to west from behind the mountains to dazzle the audience with skillful, graceful, formations in 431 Squadron’s red, white and blue CT-114 Tutors. The Snowbirds 2012 theme, “We Stand On Guard for Thee”, needs no explanation. The snowflake insignia represents the Canadian Forces strategic goal of increasing the profile and awareness of its role in the north.
My family always found that Friday was the best day to take the kids to the show to avoid the heavier weekend traffic. Take a picnic, cold drinks and lawn chairs or a blanket, to enjoy this unique B.C. experience on the tarmac at Abbotsford International Airport.
For more ticket information go to http://abbotsfordairshow.com or call (604) 852-8511. Toll-Free: 1-(855)-852-8511
Ursula Maxwell-Lewis is a travel writer and photographer. Contact her on Twitter @YouTravel or at utravel@shaw.ca