This weekend ( June 20th-22nd) was a Gathering/Event in Tillsonburg On. Celebrating 75 years of the Harvards and the Veterans who flew them. This Harvard fly over was the largest one since WWII and there was no way I was going to miss a piece of history like that.
I showed up to the Tillsonburg airport around 11:30pm, from the highway I could see a small sea of yellow planes as I approached and was instantly excited for the show. The sound of 11 harvards flying through the air is outstanding, nothing like you've ever heard before. This event wasn't just harvards, the majority was, but there was also a Harvard II trainer there which was a treat to see, and two T-28 Trojan's, One navy blue, and one that was White and Orange if I remember right, it was a treat to see them take off at the end of the show.
Harvard's and Hero's started off with one harvard and one amazing pilot who was making this plane do things I never thought a harvard could do. This plane was flipping tail over prop, straight up into the sky and stalling out, kicking the tail over the nose, crazy rolls, and really really low flying.. I mean .. if I had to guess, 30 ft off the ground, it was insane! After that, all the harvards took to the skies to do a couple fly by's, which was then followed up by the Canadian Harvard Aerobatics Team, who always put on an amazing show with smoke and crazy stunts! - Shutter Click ~
The Canadian Harvard Aerobatics Team come racing in from the right, smoke on, getting set up for a steep climb.
Coming straight at the crowd while in a diamond formation, pulling back on the stick and going vertical.
Pulling back, shooting straight up and back over the top for a smoky back roll.
Team comes straight over the crowds heads with smoke on, setting up to bank left and come across centre stage.
Two team members come flying in head on and cross last minute just missing one another.
The reason everyone gathered.. The 11 Harvard Tribute Pass.. what a sound and sight to see.
Rick Volker, A Harvard Aerobatics Pilot gets in his harvard and taxi's up to put on quite an impressive solo aerobatics display. Who knew the harvard could do the things he made it do!
Rick Volker, Banking hard in front of the crowd as he gains some momentum and air speed to perform some more amazing aerobatics.
Rick Volker doing a close, topside pass for the crowd and photographers.. what a photo op!
Rick Volker doing a tight inside loop stage centre.