The annual airshow at Boundary Bay – to the southeast of Vancouver International Airport – was a great success. Not only was the weather excellent, but the participation by international organizations and the public was first class.

The Museum flew three of its collection from Langley to the airshow – the 1940 Fleet Finch biplane, the 1955 Fleet Canuck trainer and its recently built Sopwith Pup replica. The Museum’s sales crew were kept busy with selling aviation memorabilia.

So why was the volunteer near the deadly propellor in the photo on the Home page? This Finch biplane has no built-in electrical system. That was too much of a luxury for the RCAF in 1940! So each time it goes flying the engine has to be started by a trained volunteer swinging the propeller until the engine roars into life. Special training – and steady nerves – are required for this task. But with a rigid protocol of calls and hand signals the engine can be started safely. 

A huge Canso flying boat was on display. This WW2 aircraft, based in Victoria, BC, was a common sight in these skies at one time. From the US came a trio of interesting warbirds from the Erickson Collection – a Corsair, a Bf 109 and a Grumman Hellcat. Amazing displays of aerobatics and skydiving filled the program for several hours.