Toronto Airshow

On Friday I went down to the waterfront to catch some of the CIAS practice. Unfortunately, it was extremely hazy.
So on Saturday, I joined my brother to bike over to the Toronto Islands to watch the show from the beach. It was extremely hot, so it was nice to cool off in the Lake. But I did burn the top of my foot! Yikes.
The show was called early, as the radio indicated that rain was happening at Pearson, so the snowbirds stayed on the ground.
On Monday, I parked in a lot along Lakeshore and road towards the centre stage area. It was cloudy and grey, but the planes were pretty close.

Some of the aircarft included the A10 Warthog, a tank buster plane. I've always like the plane, with its massive gatling gun. This plane was designed to survive a hit, because it would spend its life down low on the battleground.





The MV-22 Osprey, from the Marine Corps was on hand for its first visit to Toronto. This is a Tilt Rotor aircraft, having the speed of a conventional plane, and the landing ability of a helicopter.



The Canadian CF-18 Hornet performed, and this year was done up to salute the families that support the military.





The CF also had the CP-140 Aurora, which is basically a sub hunter, making a bunch of passes down the show line.



The Canadian Armed Forces also had the Snowbirds on hand. Saturdays show never made it to the lakefront due to rain, but they were able to perform on sunday and monday.
On monday, at the scheduled time for the Snowbirds I heard over my scanner that number 7 had to turn back and pick up the backup aircraft, which delayed the show for 10 minutes. (you can see plane 10 has replaced number 7 in the picture below)



Once they got going, they only had 7 aircraft in the formation, and by the end, an 8th had joined in.







A great jet demonstration team was the privately owned Heavy Metal jet team. Flying 5 L-39 Albatros planes,



plus an amazing Mig 17.



Also in their team is a former RCAF T-33 Shooting Star, which was not at the show.









These guys had the best seat in the house during the show!



Prop planes included the Lucas Oil Pitts flown by Mike Wiskus



The Edge 540 of Pete McLeod





the Sukhoi SU-26M of Rick Volker



And the great Avro Lancaster of the Hamilton Warplane Heritage Museum, with its 4 Merlin engines, which powered the spitfire!







The Misty Blues, an all female parachute team, landed in the water to be picked up by the Police Marine Unit,



while the HMCS Shawinigan was part of the show on Saturday. Its a Coastal Defense Ship, of the Kingston Class.

Airshow Sunday

Well, what a crappy day in the weather world! Getting into the car and driving down to TO, with my bike on the back, it was raining all the way in. Getting parked, and onto the bike, still raining. Crossing the harbour on the City Ferry, and it was raining. Made it to the beach just north of the airport, still freakin raining!!
Oh well, finally saw some of the aircraft I missed on Sunday.

The anti-sub hunter of the Canadian Forces, the Aurora, was on hand today.



The Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team was on hand, and once again did a great job during their performance.









The Royal Canadian Air Cadets were on hand with both a glider and its tow plane.





The CF-18 Air Demo, with the tail done up to represent the 100 year anniversary of the Canadian Navy, recently crashed in Alberta. As a result, the Hornet Demo was cancelled. However, the CIAS was able to get two CF-18's from Squadron, who did a few flybys for the crowd.








Although I saw the Corsair yesterday, I do like the aircraft, so I include it again today.



Rob Holland was back angain today, and I always like it when they cross near the CN Tower!



And I was right at the runway, I also saw the Porter Airlines planes doing an "airshow take off", where they immediately do a left bank turn to stay out of the air show box.



This one turned while the B-25 was performing.



And of course, some shots of the Snowbirds turning over the island.





Another Canadian "team" performing on the waterfront where the Canadian Geese team!





Also out on the horizon, well, at the end of the island, was a tall ship doing a tour.

Waterfront view of the Airshow

I headed down to the east parking lot area of Ontario Place, to watch some of the CIAS. I was just to the west of the Island Airport runway, where you could see Porter Airline aircraft taking off.



Out in the distance you could see the Canadian Navy's Frigate HMCS Fredericton



One of my favourite WWII aircraft, the Voight F4U Corsair, from Vintage Wings of Canada was on hand to give a performance. The aircraft is done up to represent the plane flown by Hampton Gray, a Canadian Navy pilot who died during an attack on a Japanese ship which earned him the Victoria Cross.



It was joined by a Tutor jet done up in the paint scheme of the Golden Centennaires , which lead directly to the formation of the Snowbirds.



Also on hand was the F-16 of Viper East, from the US airforce. The viper ripped through the skies, showing its capabilities.





A suprise visit was the CC-177 of the CAF, a recently aquirred transport aircraft for the Canadian Forces.



One of the aerobatic performaces was by Rob Holland, in his MX2



And to close out the show, the CAF Snowbirds performed their typical awesome show.






From where I was, I was able to get some shots of the snowbirds flying by the CN Tower, which is always cool! Must have been fun for those in the tower to see!



More photos from Saturday are HERE.