2007 Friendly Foes Above The Falls

8-10 June 2007

A variety of interesting vintage aircraft, of which most were former military types, were on display at Russell Aviation Group's airfield between Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, Ontario again this year.  The Group's resident airworthy Hawker Hurricane, Messerschmitt Bf 109E, Supermarine Spitfire and North American (Noorduyn) Harvard were joined by about two dozen former fighters, bombers, trainers and civil types from the 1930s and 1940s.  A welcome contingent of aircraft from south of the border supported this growing event.

See Images '06 for photos from the 2006 event.

   It might be known as the C-45, SNB, Expeditor or by a variety of less affectionate names.  Whatever the appellation, military versions of Beech's Model 18 flying in training, light transport and utility roles were an important part of Allied air forces during the Second World War and for several decades of the Cold War that followed.  Wearing the temporary markings of a US Marine Corps SNB, C-45H N45GC from the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum at Geneseo, New York climbs out during an early morning hop.

   The very popular ERCO Ercoupe saw very limited military service only in the form of the YO-55 and XPQ-13 for test and evaluation purposes.  Another of the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum aircraft present was this example, ERCO 415-C N2389H, that carries a non-authentic but nonetheless nice paint scheme as a tribute to the men of the 99th Pursuit Squadron - the Tuskegee Airmen.

   A classic in every sense of the word, the Douglas DC-3 family has enjoyed a longevity of service matched by no other transport aircraft.  They continue to fly from airfields around the globe hauling passengers and freight with the same reliability as did C-47/Dakota aircraft during the Second World War.  The 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum's C-47A, N345AB, approaches during a flyby displaying the type's famous lines.

   Resplendent in the seldom seen but attractive paint scheme carried by US Navy aircraft operating from aircraft carriers in the Atlantic ocean during the Second World War, Eastern TBM-3E Avenger NL9584Z banks for a nice photo pass.  Ida Red is flown from Monroe, Michigan by the Great Lakes Composite Group.

   Returning this year was Boeing B-17G N3703G painted in the markings of the famous B-17F Memphis Belle. This aircraft is always a crowd favourite and is seen here seconds from a nice three point touchdown following several flypasts.

back