Off on vacation this week but it’s hardly a rest.  For the last 2 days I’ve been hard at work helping prepare for this weekend’s 3rd annual Wings and Wheels Festival at Downsview Park in Toronto.  This is the major fundraiser for the Toronto Aerospace Museum.

Lots of displays of classic and modern aircraft, automobiles and motorcycles.  Today was media day and the professional photographers asked for a grouping to show the idea behind the festival without the need for words.

While walking from the museum to the main display hanger, I heard a semi rumble up behind me.  Imagine my surprise when I turned to see this.

A Canadair CT-144 “Tutor” jet in the distinctive Snowbirds colours.  Seems the Canadian Armed Forces sent this trainer down from Camp Borden with a crew to put it together for display.  The Snowbirds are known the world over for their incredible aerobatic displays performed in aircraft that were built in the mid 60′s.

The crew of 5 along with a local crane operator spent all day unloading and assembling the Tutor inside the museum and they were still at it when I left this afternoon.

Tomorrow (Friday) will be just as busy as more aircraft arrive including the massive C-177 Globemaster transport.

A collection of memorabilia once owned by a A. V. Roe employee was sold by auction today to an undisclosed private buyer. Story

Containing company documents, photos, telegrams and models, the collection was purchased by a Canadian who said,

“This is a collection that belongs in Canada. All items will remain in
Canada. In due time, after study and inspection, interested
parties (reporters, historians) will be contacted.”

At least one museum was expected to take part in the bidding, possibly the Toronto Aerospace Museum where I work part-time. The artifacts would have made a nice display alongside our full-size replica.

From my collection, here’s a shot of the first Arrow in flight over Toronto.

It’s great news that this collection will stay in Canada. 

We celebrate all those who went to war.  Especially those who did not return or have passed on from illness or old age.

I attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in the park by the house this morning.  The participants get younger every year.  From Vimy Ridge all the way to Afghanistan, we gather to thank all those who fought and still fight under the Canadian flag.

A grandfather plays with his grandson waiting for the ceremony to begin.  It is vitally important that the old teach the young why we come together once a year in memory and celebration of the contribution that so many men and women have made.

Canada has such a proud military history that we need to cherish.  The thousands that died in the First and Second War reach out from their graves to welcome those who are still dying today in the defense of freedom.

I guess my work at the Toronto Aerospace Museum is responsible for how different I feel about Remembrance Day than in years gone past.  Being surrounded by reminders of how fragile the aircraft were has made me realize just how brave these men and women were.  The tail gunner’s turret from the old Lancaster bomber sits at the entrance to the restoration room.  I wouldn’t be able to fit in it and a brave young man sat in it for hours on end – cold, cramped and alone.  He could see the fighters diving at him, he could feel the flak bursting all around him.  To think that he not only did this once but day after day is amazing.

So, we gather and we remember.  We bring our children out in the cold and ask them to stand quietly.  They stare at the young cadets who form the honour guard with their ancient rifles barrel down.  They listen to the chaplain read the prayers.  They sing the National Anthem.  What is going through their young minds?  What questions do they ask their parents and what answers do they have to give?

They shall not grow old

As we that are left, grow old

Age shall not weary them

Nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning

We will remember them

More pictures are available here