Location: Hamilton International Airport, Mount Hope, Ontario

Admission: Adult (18-64) $25, Sr (65+) & Youth (13-17) $20 KIds (6-12) $15, Kids under 5 free, per day. Photo, VIP passes in limited quantities $75 to $100 per day.

Parking: Free

It was a good spectacle to see rare warbirds flying, many of them owned by the CWHM itself with others from the Military Aviation Museum, Vintage Wings of Canada, The Great War Flying Museum, and the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group from Geneseo, NY. There were several static aircraft from the museum’s collection as well static aircraft from the Canadian Forces.

While most of the vintage warbirds flew, some only flew for one lap around the airfield and landed right away. That was quite disappointing to many, including the persons who paid extra for the photo passes. The only real exception to this was the Corsair from Vintage Wings piloted by Paul Kissman, who put in the best solo performance of the day, and the thrilling display by the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team. There also was a short mock battle between WWI replicas. There were several formations flying: WWII bombers (2) B-17s with a B-25 Mitchell, (8) Harvards, and for the closing act, the Lancaster with P-40N Warhawk, FG-1D Corsair, P-51D Mustang, Spitfire Mk XVI, and a Hurricane Mk IV. Some of the advertised aircraft did not show up due to mechanical issues, which is quite common to any airshow.

The layout of the show wasn’t bad, it was split into three main areas: a static display area that turned into a hot ramp for the flying portion, the regular field area (left of the connecting taxi ramp) with static display of jets, and vendors offering souvenirs and food, and the right side of the ramp between the taxi ramp and the hot ramp. However, once the air show started around 2 pm, and the spectator crossed over to the right side of the field, they were locked into that area. The taxi ramp was blocked off due to aircraft movement for display. The photo pit and media areas were located in the right field, quite a distance to walk, and not necessarily the best for taking photos, especially of taxiing aircraft.

There were sufficient food facilities, water was priced reasonably at $1.50 per bottle, and sanitation facilities were plentiful and well distributed.

Over all it was a good dry run by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for next year, and to correct some of the small short comings for next year’s big anniversary event. For someone only interested in vintage warbirds it was spectacular!