Fireballs

History

The "Fireballs" were yet another European-based aerobatic display team from the Royal Canadian Air Force. The team was first created in 1954 and with its distinctive all-red F-86 Sabre aircraft participated in various shows in Europe. The team's paint scheme lasted for a very short period only, as a superior officer eventually decided that people might mistake the team for being "Communist" and ordered the red paint stripped off.

Gallery

Canadair F-86 Sabre

Sky Lancers

History

The "Sky Lancers" were another European-based aerobatic display team from the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1955, 2 (F) Wing, based at RCAF Station Grostenquin in France, created an aerobatic team known as the "Sky Lancers". The team performed 20 shows in the 1955 season. The following year, 4 Wing based at RCAF Station Baden-Soellingen in Germany generated the team with the same name, but using a different color scheme on the aircraft and new pilots. Unfortunately, on 2 March 1956, a tragic accident occurred during a training flight and four of all five Sky Lancers' pilots were killed. The solo pilot Les "Stretch" Price was not flying with the team that day. Consequently, the RCAF suspended the further formation of aerobatic teams for several years.

Gallery

Canadair F-86 Sabre Wing 2 Paint Scheme

Canadair F-86 Sabre Wing 4 Paint Scheme

RCAF Tigers

History

The "Tigers" were a European-based aerobatic team of the Royal Canadian Air Force. In August 1953, No. 439 (Tiger) Squadron formed a four-ship aerobatic team flying F-86 Sabres. The team's first official airshow was part of the Battle of Britain memorial for Canadian personnel at the station in North Luffenham. The "Tigers" were disbanded in May 1954.

Gallery

Canadair F-86 Sabre

Blue Devils

History

The "Blue Devils" display team were first founded in 1949 at the St. Hubert station from the staff of No. 410 Squadron. This was the first Royal Canadian Air Force team to employ jet aircraft – De Havilland Vampire fighters. In 1951, the team converted to the Canadair-built F-86 Sabre, but at the end of that year the "Blue Devils" team was disbanded.

Gallery

de Havilland Vampire

Canadair F-86 Sabre

RCAF Siskins

History

The first official aerobatic display team of the Royal Canadian Air Force were the "Siskins". They were formed in 1929 in connection with celebrations marking of 10th anniversary of the first successful non-stop trans-Atlantic flight accomplished by Alcock and Brown in a twin-engine Vickers Vimy airplane. The team was composed of 3 biplane fighters, Armstrong - Whitworth Siskin IIIAs, and the team performed displays until 1932.

Gallery

Armstrong - Whitworth Siskin IIIA