A micro in celebration of a
Canadian aviation
legend
The
Golden Hawks were a Canadian military aerobatic flying team
established in 1959 to celebrate the 35th anniversary or the Royal
Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the "Golden" 50th anniversary of
Canadian flight, which began with the AEA Silver Dart in
1909.
Initially a six-plane team was
envisioned as performing for only one year with the Canadair Sabre,
but the Golden Hawks were so popular after their single 63-show
season that the team was expanded. Another Sabre was added to the
team, allowing for a five-aircraft main formation with two solo
jets. They continued performing for three more seasons until they
were disbanded for financial reasons, on February 7, 1964, having
flown a total of 317 shows across North America. Government
officials said the $750,000 it took to operate the team each year
could be used better for other purposes.
Not only did the team perform the
loops, rolls and other maneuvers standard to military formation
flying, they had their own trademark maneuvers. One of the Golden
Hawks' signature stunts was a low-level flyby of the crowd with
their canopies open, waving at the spectators. The Golden Hawks
pioneered the bomb burst maneuver and the use of two solo pilots
working together as part of the aerial demonstration which
virtually every military team since has adopted in various
ways.
The plane on display here at Blockhouse Island (#23649), was
acquired by the members of the Brockville #426 Wing of the R.C.A.F.
Association and was mounted in it's current location in 1968,
in memory of all the allied airmen who lost their lives in the
cause of freedom.
This area is extremely busy at
almost all times, so beware of muggles and use stealth. Please
replace the cache as you found it and take some time to enjoy the
stunning beauty of Brockville by the St Lawrence River. The cache
contains a log only, so please bring along a writing instrument of
your own and please return it as you found it.
Cheers
CZ
*This cache
was placed for the "Welcome to Brockville: Geocaching Paradise"
event and therefore any finds and/or logged entries prior to
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 am will be deleted.
Thanks for your cooperation
CZ
