Within the top aerobatic teams the Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds have their firm place. Although not as well known in Europe e.g the US-American
Thunderbirds, the rot-white-blue painted canadian team also have many fans in the old world. No miracle – because the performance of thisr nine-ship formation is world class. Flying the Canadair CT-114 Tudor jettrainer
the snowbirds are always THE highlight of each airshow – and not only within their homeland! One more reason for us to take a closer look on the Canadian Armed Forces Demonstration Team, the SNOWBIRDS. The
Snowbirds were founded in 1971 on the CFB Moos Jaw / Saskatchewan, which is still their homebase, by the initiative of the CO`s at that time, Colonel Philip. The history of the military Aerobaticteams in Canada is even
much older. At the end of the roaring twenties a small team took shape – the Siskins – named after the biplane they were flying, the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIa. The economic crisis stopped any further
development and ended the existence of the Siskins. Lack of funding and a permanent struggle for existence distinguished unfortunately also all future Canadian Teams. Even the Snowbirds, the first official
aerobaticteam of the Canadian Armed Forces, feared their disbandment not long time ago.
After the end for the Siskins and after the end of the II. World War some insignificant teams had been created, but it became again interesting
in1959 with the legendary Golden Hawks. The seven golden Canadair F-86 Sabre jets have been particularly arranged for the ceremonies of the 50. anniversary of powered flight in Canada as well as 55th jubillee of the
existence of the Royal Canadian air Force (RCAF Their appearances were spectacularly however nevertheless those Golden Hawks were spareless cancelled on 7 February 1964 after only scarcely 4 years and altogether
317 appearances. Only three years later to the century celebration of Canada the Golden Centennaires were created. Equipped with a similar painting as the Golden Hawks however with 10 modern Canadair CT-114
Tudor jet trainers, the Golden Centennaires have been a "temporary" team. From the beginning only for accurately 100 appearances intended, the Golden Centennaires was granted a rather short existence. With
the end of the 1967 airshow season, they were dissolved and the aircraft were returned to the training units.
The teamleader of the Golden Centennaires, Wing Commander Owen Bartley Philp, was not particularly inspired of the dissolution of its team. In
1971, meanwhile promoted to Colonel, he took over the command of the CFB Moose Jaw, and on his initiative an unofficial formation team was called into life. The Canadair CT-114 Tudor were flown by the flight instructors of
the 2CFFTS (2. Canadian Forces Flying Training School) in their spare time. The first teamleader was Major Glen Younghusband. Optically the aircraft differed only by their white painting from that silver standard trainer look
out. This Outfit inspired then also the naming under this team later became world well-known : Snowbirds.
The display of the Snowbirds bewitched primarily with perfectly flown nine-ship formations. The Canadair CT-114 offers a sturdy platform for the
formation flight - for spectacular and fast solo maneuvers it missing however clearly the necessary engine power. Therefore the flight demonstration of the Canadians captivates more by elegance than by
action. No one can extract oneself from the fascination of this different way of flying. Apparently weightlessly the Snowbirds draws its circles on the sky and demonstrates impressively that one can cast a spell to the public even
far bejond the sound barrier. Not less than 23! different formations are shown during a display, the solo maneuvers are not included. Altogether the team has 11 aircraft, whereby the 2 spare aircraft are flown in each
case by the team co-ordinators.
The Snowbirds is also the only team, which gets along without transportation aircraft. From that altogether 78 man/women strong
personnel accompany 11 the team to the various shows. On up to 70 air shows on the North American continent one can admire the Canadian team - there does not remain much time for their family. During the six month's
air show season the Snowbirds returns only four times to their homebase for maintenance work. The service of each teammember is limited to maximally three years. In each year a third of the personnel changes. To
become a member of the famous Snowbirds the applicant has to log minimum 1300 hours of flying experience and additionally he must be promoted by his Wing Commander. The teamleader must at least be a
Major and must have been an ordinary member of the Snowbirds before.
Once every year the team evacuates to Comox/British Columbia for two weeks of intensive training for the new season.
Robert Kysela / managing editor
Release 4.0/2008
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