RCAF's 100th Anniversary in Europe

However, attention was also given to this centenary in Europe. At the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), a large air show held from July 19-21 at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom, a significant delegation from the RCAF was present.
During the airshow, Lieutenant-General Eric Jean Kenny, Commander of the RCAF since 2022, along with other Canadian crew members, were presented with a birthday cake from RIAT. A large tent was set up where the public could learn more about the RCAF and its rich heritage. Visitors also had the chance to meet and photograph the official RCAF centennial mascot, Astra the eagle, symbolizing Canadian heritage and commitment to excellence.

After delivering a highly spirited solo display, the CF-188 of the CF-18 Demonstration Team joined up with Spitfire EP120, painted in the markings of 402 (RCAF) Squadron. As part of a Heritage Flight, they performed three flypasts, allowing the audience to admire both the old and new fighters. The CF-188, flown by Captain Caleb “Tango” Robert from 325 Squadron at Bagotville, was painted in a special commemorative scheme for the centennial celebrations. The Spitfire is operated by The Fighter Collection at Duxford Aerodrome in Cambridgeshire, which hosts the largest number of warbirds in the United Kingdom.

For many, the star of the show was the sole CH-146 Griffon from the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE). It was parked in front of the CC-177 Globemaster that transported it across the ocean, featuring special centennial markings on its tail. The Griffon, rarely seen outside Canada, was a welcome sight at Fairford. It had been flown to Europe in the belly of the CC-177, a flight of approximately 5.5 hours. Dismantling and reassembling the helicopter was done by members of 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, taking around 4.5 and 3.5 hours respectively. Despite the effort, the public greatly appreciated its presence.

AETE recently moved from Comox to Ottawa International Airport. However, since a new hangar is still under construction, the Griffon is currently maintained and parked at the hangar of 438 Squadron at Saint-Hubert. The 438 Squadron “Wildcats” markings have been applied to the nose of the aircraft alongside AETE’s recognizable colours. The Griffon is used by AETE for various transport tasks, including passengers, VIPs, and cargo. An interesting sidenote is that the Griffon Life Extension Programme (GLEP) is currently ongoing. This program involves the installation of new engines and a fully digital cockpit. A debate has emerged regarding the future role of flight engineers, as the new systems will manage flight limitations previously monitored by the engineers. Time will tell what will happen with this role.

Also hard to miss, thanks to its bright yellow colour scheme, was the CC-295 Kingfisher, which was part of the static display. The RCAF is preparing 19 Wing at Comox to be the first operational wing with the CC-295 for search and rescue duties. These aircraft are intended to replace the CC-115 Buffalo, which previously handled fixed-wing search and rescue missions. Since the Buffalo was retired in 2022, its tasks have been temporarily taken over by the CC-130H Hercules. The CC-295 likely had the longest journey to RAF Fairford, with a 7.5-hour flight from Comox to Iqaluit, followed by a 5-hour flight to Reykjavik the next day, and finally another 5 hours to RAF Fairford on the third day. After the show, the aircraft flew to Seville, Spain, where it will be temporarily stored at the Airbus factory where it was originally built. Once the CC-295’s test and evaluation phase is complete and 19 Wing becomes operational, 14 Wing at Greenwood will be next in line to receive the Kingfisher. Some of the stored aircraft in Seville will then return to service.

Adding to the atmosphere at RIAT was the Royal Canadian Air Force Band, which performed multiple times each day. The band currently consists of 35 full-time professional musicians who mostly perform across Canada, but they were flown to the United Kingdom to participate in the centennial celebrations. The band’s history dates back to 1946, when No. 2 Training Command decided it would be beneficial to have a professional marching band. Since then, it has undergone numerous name changes, mergers, and expansions, but continues to play contemporary music that audiences enjoy singing along to.

One of the most numerous aircraft in RCAF service was the DeHavilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk. A total of 217 Canadian-built Chipmunks served the armed forces for 23 years, replacing the DH.82 Tiger Moth as the primary trainer. The Chipmunk was even more successful in Great Britain, where over 1,000 were built. The example on display at RIAT was a former Royal Air Force aircraft, despite its Canadian colours. The most noticeable difference is the canopy, which is multi-panelled, while most Canadian-built Chipmunks have a bubble canopy. There are also several internal differences, as the Canadian models were built to withstand the harsh Canadian climate. This aircraft is operated by the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden, where it is used to teach pilots how to fly, particularly taildraggers—an art in itself.

A DeHavilland Vampire was parked in front of the two largest RCAF aircraft at the show, the CC-177 Globemaster and the CC-150 Polaris. This Vampire is owned and operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron and has flown in several different colour schemes over the years. For the RCAF centennial celebrations, it was adorned with Canadian markings, adding to the static park’s appeal. The markings represent No. 438 (Fighter) "City of Montreal" Squadron (Auxiliary), which was based in Montreal. The Vampire F.3 became the first jet fighter to enter RCAF service in significant numbers, with 86 aircraft operated between 1948 and the late 1950s. The relatively short service life was due to the rapid pace of jet development, but the Vampire was highly regarded by its pilots for its ease of flying.

Although officially designated the CF-188, the Hornet in Canadian service is often referred to as the CF-18, a designation used by the official CF-18 Demonstration Team. Their Hornet, seen here performing a highly impressive display, won the team the title of “Best Solo Jet Display” at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024—a well-deserved honour! To top it off, the aircraft was also awarded the “Best Livery” title. After the show at Fairford, the CF-188 was flown directly to the United States to perform at EAA AirVenture 2024 in Oshkosh. This Atlantic crossing was made possible with an external fuel tank under the belly and some air-to-air refuelling by the CC-150 Polaris.

To learn more about upcoming events celebrating the centenary, visit the official website at https://rcaf2024arc.ca/events-landing.

Celebrating the RCAF's 100th Anniversary in Europe