Vintage Wings of Canada a charitable foundation that takes Canadian history and a flyboy
with an enthusiasm of hot rods and you end up with a modern day fairytale that takes on
life.
Multimillionaire Mike Potter, no relation to Harry Potter, is a lifelong aviation
enthusiast and a Vintage Wings supporter, who through fate purchased a 1945 vintage
Spitfire XVI. Eight years later this aircraft is a fantastic attraction of a (growing)
collection of 13 airworthy, I say again flight capable, ready to fly, vintage aircraft at
Gatineau Quebec. This collection is quickly and silently growing into a premier aviation
history attraction for this country.
Vintage Wings did draw some unwelcome publicity through its mutual backscratching with the
Canadian Forces which drew a rebuke from Defence Minister Peter MacKay. A C-17 returning
from Afghanistan made a circuitous route stopping in New Zealand to pick up a restored
P-40 Kittyhawk free of charge.
The Canadian Forces, through the years of neglect from the Liberal government does what
it knows best, make a compromising deal, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. In my
opinion Mr. MacKay, with all the tax dollars politicians waste with this study and that,
with perks, and favouritism to friends through out the years, it is time some of that money
was diverted back to the Canadian tax payers. In this case preserving Canadian heritage.
Every government to date has failed miserably in preserving and displaying our great past.
The province of Quebec being the exception for actively keeping their heritage.
The DND also sold a partially restored Spitfire from Comox B.C. this past spring for a
$1.00.
Private individuals have put over 20 million dollars into this endeavor to restore and
make public this history of Canadian aviation. I for one think the government can help by
using the DND and over methods to help Vintage Wings. After all as a taxpayer I want to
some return on my money.
As far as the government getting involved with day to day running of it, they haven’t got
the restoration technicians, the test pilots, nor a public outreach to the general public
that is needed. This has got to be kept alive, with the hands on and educational purpose it
is currently shaping.
Potter purchased the Spitfire in California, painted it in authentic RCAF colours and
unveiled it at the Canadian Aviation museum. It thrilled hundreds.
Former Spitfire pilots, some in wheel chairs were lifted in to the cockpit, Young people
looked at their great grandfathers who flew these aircraft with awe and new appreciation
of the contribution played by Canadians during the second world war. This spectacular
opening, this sight, brought tears and great applause. It was intense and a turning point
for Vintage Wings of Canada.
Their focus gained an additional direction. commemorating Canadian history, our heroes and
educating the public, especially our young that are taught very little of our history in
our school systems. Potter became the keeper of great historical artifacts, not by want
but because it fell upon him.
Potter spent 20 million dollars, most of it his own money, between 2002 and 2005
constructing the Gatineau hanger, putting together a team of experts and buying more
planes. Result? the foundation was born.
This foundation now has nine full staff, some administrative and an air maintenance crew
headed by retired air force major Tim Leslie, who is a test pilot for the National
Research Council. It is further supported by approximately 150 volunteers, active test
pilots to restoration assistants, tour guides, teenaged cadets and even a retired
machinist. Chris Hadfield is volunteer test pilot and a member of the newly broaden board
along with two retired chiefs of air staff.
Currently three more aircraft are being restored, among them a storied spy plane, a
Westland Lysander. All are in various stages of restoration.
The foundation is focusing on reaching a wider Canadian audience. A restored Golden Hawk
F-86 Saber, a cold war fighter, is doing a summer tour. With corporate sponsors and DND
support it is flying 45 public events across Canada with the Snowbirds to mark 100 years
of aviation in this country.
This great idea of flying history is what makes Vintage Wings different from museums. When
people hear the roar of a Merlin engine as it coughs to life and then be enthralled as the
brightly painted machine soars into the air, it certainly gets their attention.
By pointing out connections to the aircraft, like the connection of disabling the Bismark
by a Fiery Swordfish like the one at Gatineau, Don Shepherd, alive and kicking Canadian is
the first Royal Navy Corsair ace, or another living Canadian ace, James (Stocky) Edwards
flew a Kittyhawk with identical marking as the one at Vintage Wings.
Museums preserve artifacts to look at, but Vintage Wings does more, they preserve the
knowledge of how to maintain, operate and actually fly historical artifacts. A sustainable
artifact.
The test pilots are not armatures going on joy ride. They are trying to understand the
relationship between handling characteristics and the machine design. Taking the highest
performance fighter aircraft or yesterday is an experience of seat of the pants flying,
remember these aircraft were produced with little actual testing time,is like teaching an
old dog new tricks. They are flying something that is out on the edge and very different
from what they are use to flying.
For them it is not just about learning to fly old planes but learning about flying.
In Bruce Cheadles own words and I echo them here “Only someone who sees and hears and
smells the Vintage Wings collection can judge whether this is a rich man’s folly or a
national treasure. Defence Minister Peter MacKay should pay a visit.”
Taken from an article by Bruce Cheadles put into my own words.
Thanks Bruce and keep up your good work.
A list of Vintage Wings planes
at 12:35 on August 8, 2009, EDT.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
A list of Vintage Wings planes, most of which are housed at the airport in Gatineau, Que.
(date of manufacture where available; airworthy unless otherwise noted):
-Spitfire MK XVI (manufactured 1945)
-Spitfire MK IX (off-site restoration)
-Hurricane MK IV (1942)
-Hurricane MK XII (1942, restoration)
-Mustang (1944)
-Corsair (1945)
-Kittyhawk (1943)
-Sabre (1954)
-Beaver (1965)
-Harvard (1952)
-Tiger Moth (1942)
-Taperwing (1929)
-Staggerwing (1943)
-Fox Moth (1932)
-Lysander (1942, restoration)
-Swordfish (1942, restoration)
-Citabria (1964)
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