Adventures with G-AKDN - Chapter 20

Sep 23, 2016

Categories

Aviation

Media

Article

By: Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Somehow the Hurricane escaped my bulletts and boldly taxied in ahead of KDN

The Hurricane was a sitting duck as he lowered his landing gear. I got as close as safely able and pointed my airplane directly at it and just enjoyed the experience for a moment. He started pulling away from me so I pressed the button on my control column and said out loud ‘tac-a-tac-a-tac- a-tac”. I was shooting imaginary bullets but my words went out over the radio for all to hear. I was on final approach to the famous Farnborough Airshow and flying number two behind the famous Hawker Hurricane. I couldn’t let the moment pass without taking a shot at him. Everyone on the frequency heard my voice and no one said a word. They all understood and probably would have done the same thing given the opportunity. And what an opportunity this was.

The Farnborough Airshow history dates back to the 1920’s and was one of the very first public events that KDN was displayed at in 1947. Farnborough was the first event to offer KDN an invitation to attend and was the motivation for us to plan the UK tour. The event was everything we expected. KDN was greeted as special and put on display show center right beside the Airbus A380 that put on an impressive flying display. We were pleased to see Canada had a visible presence with a large display building and every participant’s credentials were branded with Canada. KDN fit right in as the Canada Aviation and Space Museum Ambassador.

This is a world-class event with aircraft and visitors from every country. We met and visited with hundreds of people who all took great interest in KDN’s history and the Museum’s association with it. The people we met were great. Lots of children with a keen interest in aviation. They asked a lot of smart questions and were thoroughly engaged with KDN. One lady commented she had seen a news clip of Sonja Fillingham flying with me in KDN. I was surprised when she told me she was watching the news on her TV in Cape Town, South Africa at the time!

James’s wife Carolyn and two son’s Charles and William joined Karen and Me at the Royal International Air Tattoo and here at Farnborough. It was bittersweet having them here without James. He would have really enjoyed this. Karen and I departed with KDN the following Monday. It was sad to see the exhibits being dismantled and aircraft departing for destinations around the globe. It was a real accomplishment for us to have flown KDN into Farnborough 69 years after it’s first appearance. It closed a loop and for me it helped reach some closure with the loss of my KDN partner James. We can relax now for a bit and look forward to participating in some much more grassroots flying events. As it turns out in a week KDN would have another once in a lifetime reunion.

To be continued...

Canada was present with sidewalk decals giving directions.

All participant credentials were branded with Canada!

KDN featured promently in Dave Unwin's beautifully designed and written program.

Program page featuring KDN and the Chipmunk 70th Anniversary.

Big airplanes and big crowds. Apx 200,000 people attended.

Home away from home. Bombardier display building at the show.

KDN at show center with a few bit larger aircraft. Wonder if they will be back in 69 years like KDN is?

Charles ,Carolyn, William, Dave ,Karen,with KDN back at Finmere after a great time attending the Farnborough Airshow.

Author(s)

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Finding the wings to fly: Aviation opens its doors for Nunavik youth

A small plane drops presents over a snowy field full of people.

A sweet finale: Bush pilot Johnny May leaves an inspiring legacy

Skies of Fury DX for Nintendo Switch™

Newsroom: Canada Aviation and Space Museum joins national partners on search-and-recovery of free-flight Avro Arrow models from Lake Ontario

Wings on My Sleeve - David H. Tate, Captain (N) / Colonel CAF

Wings on My Sleeve - David H. Tate, Captain (Navy) / Colonel CAF

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 4

The advertisement “La liberté d’expression,” in English “Freedom of Speech,” published by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon, “Canadair Limited.” La Presse, 13 April 1954, 25.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 3

“Freedom of Worship,” one of the advertisements issued by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon., “Canadair Limited.” The Vancouver Province, 5 January 1954, 5.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 2

One of the advertisements issued by Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, as part of its 1954 Worth Defending advertising campaign. Anon., “Canadair Limited.” Toronto Daily Star, 6 October 1954, 4.

“Worth Defending” – A brief look at the 1954 advertising campaign of a major Canadian aircraft manufacturing firm, Canadair Limited of Montréal, Québec, part 1

A block of photographs showing some of the people involved in the bombing of beluga whales in the estuary and gulf of the St. Lawrence River. Anon., “La chasse aux marsouins [sic]. » Le Devoir, 15 August 1929, 6.

“The bomb that will kill the porpoise” – A shocking use of air power in interwar Québec: The bombing of the beluga whales of the St. Lawrence River, part 4

A typical pod of beluga whales, Hudson Bay, near Churchill, Manitoba, July 1999. Ansgar Walk, via Wikipedia.

“The bomb that will kill the porpoise” – A shocking use of air power in interwar Québec: The bombing of the beluga whales of the St. Lawrence River, part 3

The Franco Canadian physician / pilot Louis Cuisinier and one of the 45 or so kilogram (100 or so pounds) handmade aerial bombs with which he hoped to kill beluga whales. Anon., “La bombe qui tuera le marsouin.” La Presse, 5 August 1929, 11.

“The bomb that will kill the porpoise” – A shocking use of air power in interwar Québec: The bombing of the beluga whales of the St. Lawrence River, part 1

Several exhibition display cases, panels, and screens in a large, brightly-lit air hangar-style room with a high ceiling and tall, exposed metal walls.

Diane Pitre and Steven P. Deschamps’ LGBT Purge Stories Told at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

An Institute for Aerospace Research staff member conducting an inspection on a Shuttle Remote Manipulator System, or Canadarm, around 2000. National Research Council Canada.

“It is only with the DAIS that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye” – A respectful look at a great Canadian aerospace invention, the Diffracto DAIS non destructive testing equipment, and a bit more, part 2

$A technician conducting the first corrosion detection trial, on a Boeing Model 727 test airframe, using a Diffracto DAIS-500 non destructive testing equipment, 1992. National Research Council Canada.$