The only other country that used them was Belguim, and they retired them
quite some time ago. There are still a number in storage at CFB Mountain
View just for the team. It seems the current aircraft that they would go to
is the BAe Hawk. The same type the Red Arrows currently use.

"Canuck" wrote in message
news:TzRvk.247303$gc5.177697@pd7urf2no...

"Jon Anderson" wrote in message
...
Canuck wrote:

Wouldn't it be great if they didn't mothball the CF-18's and gave a few
of them to the Snowbirds? I know it would cost a few bucks...but...it is
time to retire those Tutors.

Don't know about that. I saw them at the Reno Air Races some years ago,
and the lack of speed and noise was rather refreshing. The slow and
graceful maneuvers were spectacular, I think the best aerial routine I've
ever seen.
I was off the airport property, a narrow strip of land along what I think
was the north boundary. Standing in line with the runway, the Snowbirds
would come swooping down in formation, low and slow enough I could
clearly see the pilots. The Thunderbirds were fast and noisy and took a
lot of airspace turning around to come back for the next pass, during
which they were more or less out of sight. Everything the Snowbirds did
was right there, up close and personal. Someday they'll have to move on,
I know, and I really think something will be lost in that move.

Just my opinion of course....

Jon

I've seen the Snowbirds several times and they never fail to impress.
Unfortunately, the Tutors are way too old and nobody else uses them any
more. To me, it would make sense to give them some of the CF-18s that have
been mothballed. Why should they collect dust when they could be put to
good use?

Nick



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