Vimy Flight Team Coming to Tillsonburg

Thursday, 13 July 2017 15:18

Two Newport Eleven aircraft's that were used in the battle of Vimy Ridge will be coming to Tillsonburg next week.

The Tillsonburg Airport is getting ready to welcome the Vimy Flight: Birth of a Nation Tour.

The warplane tour has been traveling across the country since early May, showcasing two Newport Eleven aircrafts in honour of the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge and Canada's 150th birthday.

Terry Scott, Public Relations Director of the Harvard Aircraft Association tells Heart FM about the planes.

"These are replicas of the aircrafts that flew over Vimy during the conflict, they will be on static display both Monday and Tuesday, however the aircraft may take to the air Tuesday morning for some flying over the Tillsonburg region."

Scott says anyone with an interest in aviation or history will want to come out to this event.

"It's a great opportunity to see some history up close and personal, to see two aircrafts that were involved in the First World War at Vimy Ridge and obviously with the Harvard Aircraft Association to see some historic aircraft that were involved as trainers for the second World War."

The World War 1 planes will be showcased alongside the World War 2 Harvard's on Monday and Tuesday from 1 pm to 4 pm both days.

About Vimy Flight:

Vimy Flight is a team of dedicated volunteer pilots and ground support that had the honour of performing a commemorative bi-plane fly-past over the Vimy Ridge Memorial in Vimy, France this past April 9, 2017. The team is now bringing Vimy home with its Birth of A Nation Tour spanning the country from coast to coast, engaging with communities to honour our Canadian heroes of the past 100 years and to celebrate Canada’s 150th year of nationhood.

About the Harvard Aircraft Association:

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association was formed in 1985 and is a dedicated group of volunteers based at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport in southwestern Ontario. Its mission is to acquire, preserve, restore, maintain, display and demonstrate the Harvard and other training aircraft associated with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and the Royal Canadian Air Force. For more information visit www.harvards.com.