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2012 Hamilton Air Show revs jets after 10-year hiatus


Photo: Scott Slocum; This years show stopper - the Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Photo: Scott Slocum; This years show stopper - the Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Dalia Ibrahim, staff writer

June 15, 2012 — This year, audiences are in for one of the largest gatherings of vintage aircraft in Canadian history. Come and be a part of the celebration as the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum marks its 40th year of heritage flying.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum fan Ashley Stennett at last years trial-run air show
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum fan Ashley Stennett at last years trial-run air show

After a hiatus, the Hamilton Air Show is back. 

"[It] has not been in existence for about 10 years now" said Alan Mickeloff, Marketing Manager of Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. "Last year, we knew that this was our 40th coming up and we said 'you know what, we're going to do a big air show again for the 40th anniversary.'"  

According to Mickeloff, a lot has gone into making the return a memorable one for the 40,000-plus attendees expected at the event.

"We did one [air show] last year as a trial run. We had a few logistic problems, but that is why we did it" explains Mickeloff. "We wanted to make sure that we could do it again, without a hitch. We fixed those things for this year."

Ashley Stennett is a frequent visitor of the museum and attended the "dry-run" show with her grandfather. With a fascination for the 1940's, the event was equally enjoyable as it was educational.

"My grandfather, Homer Stennett, served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 25 years" says Stennett. "He was able to revisit his past and explain which aircrafts he had worked on - including the Starfighter, Hercules C130, Golden Hawks Sabre, to name a few."

Photo: Rick Radell; The Snowbirds Demonstration Team (431 Squadron) are a Canadian icon comprised of serving members of the Canadian Forces
Photo: Rick Radell; The Snowbirds Demonstration Team (431 Squadron) are a Canadian icon comprised of serving members of the Canadian Forces

The air show will take place at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport on June 16 and 17. It will feature several performances and an array of planes on static display. 

"Our star attraction will be the B-29 Superfortress - it's the only one flying in the world" boasts Mickeloff. "It has the notoriety of being the type of aircraft that dropped the bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II."

Mickeloff says the museum is one of the few in the world that flies their vintage aircraft. Rain or shine, he says the staff and volunteers are ready to showcase the collection.

"Obviously we're planning for beautiful, sunny weather, however we can run an air show in inclement as well" says Mickeloff. "If it's raining a little bit, the air show will go on."

For Stennett, this is a once in a lifetime experience that nothing can get in the way of. 

"Weather plays a crucial factor in the overall experience of the show, however no matter the condition, it will not deter me from going."

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is a volunteer/member based organization with a large compliment of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. They hope the 2012 Hamilton Air Show will give the community a chance to recognize its founders and the sacrifices of those who've contributed to it over the years. 

For more information or to purchase ticket's to the event - visit www.hamiltonairshow.com 

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