The Canadian Forces Snowbirds

Describes the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, their history, aircraft, maneuvers, and team members.

To millions of Canadians, the Snowbirds are a national icon. An air demonstration team revered worldwide, Canada's aerial ambassadors have performed with precision and pride for over one hundred million spectators across North America. In breathtaking demonstrations of the courage, skill, and teamwork of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Snowbirds have wowed audiences for thirty-five years. Three years ago, action photographer Mike Sroka was granted unprecedented access to the dynamic Snowbirds team as one of their official photographers. From the beginning, he set out to capture the spirit, dedication, and hard work of the pilots, ground crew, and support staff. Sroka intended to tell the story of the Snowbirds as it has never been told before. As he traveled and flew with the Snowbirds all over North America, Sroka found the heart and soul of the elite team, as is documented in the flawless digital photographs that burst from the pages of Snowbirds. Snowbirds features a foreword by Lieutenant Colonel Steve Will, Snowbird #1 (2002, 2003, 2004), an afterword by Major I.W. McLean, current Snowbird #1, and an essay on the history and intricate workings of the team by Sroka. This essay also includes Sroka's favourite shots of the Snowbirds and information on how the action photographer bagged them. Most thrilling, though, are the 175 full-colour, exclusive images, laid out in a page-turning design that takes the reader from the anticipation of tryouts and the complex technology that keeps the Snowbirds in the air, to the determination shown on the practice ground and the high spirits of North America's air shows. With his unique talent, Mike Sroka has captured the grace and energy of the Snowbirds. See the Snowbirds' schedule for the summer and fall 2006 and access to journals from shows done by clicking .

The Red Knight is the product of 25 years of meticulous research. It is, arguably, the most comprehensive account ever written about the Canadian Air Force’s legendary solo jet-aerobatics performer. An important part of Canadian aviation history, the Red Knight is third in longevity and total number of performances among RCAF display teams. In recognition of the program’s importance, Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame honoured the Red Knight with its Belt of Orion Award for Excellence in 2020 and the Royal Canadian Mint issued a commemorative coin in 2022. The Red Knight chronicles the history of the program, from its origins in 1957 to its cancellation in 1970. Everyone who has enjoyed watching the precision, grace and beauty of aerobatic flight will enjoy this insight into the “behind the scenes” aspect of aerial displays. A fine addition to any aviation reference library, The Red Knight will be of particular interest to anyone who remembers the program or saw a performance of this uniquely Canadian display. Printed in colour, The Red Knight - Second Edition is illustrated with many rare photographs never published before. The book is further enhanced by specially commissioned works of art from noted Canadian Aviation Artist, Don Connolly. Details of the various Red Knight paint schemes are provided through aircraft profiles, also specifically created for this publication. Together, this unique pictorial collection vividly portrays the legacy of the Red Knight. https://www.facebook.com/rcafredknight www.johncharlescorrigan.com "It's hard to imagine a more comprehensive look at the Red Knight program--and at aerobatics in general." — Kirkus Reviews

This aviation handbook is designed to be used as a quick reference to the classic military heritage aircraft that have been flown by members of the Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the present-day Canadian Forces. The interested reader will find useful information and a few technical details on most of the military aircraft that have been in service with active Canadian squadrons both at home and overseas. 100 selected photographs have been included to illustrate a few of the major examples in addition to the serial numbers assigned to Canadian service aircraft. For those who like to actually see the aircraft concerned, aviation museum locations, addresses and contact phone numbers have been included, along with a list of aircraft held in each museum's current inventory or on display as gate guardians throughout Canada and overseas. The aircraft presented in this edition are listed alphabetically by manufacturer, number and type. Although many of Canada's heritage warplanes have completely disappeared, a few have been carefully collected, restored and preserved, and some have even been restored to flying condition. This guide-book should help you to find and view Canada's Warplane survivors.

For well of a hundred years, Canadians and Americans have crossed the border that separates their two countries to serve in one another’s armed forces. The American Civil War, the two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War - Cross-Border Warriors presents anecdotes, letters, and diaries by or about individuals who left family and native land to engage in these far-away struggles. There was Emma Edmonds, a woman from New Brunswick who disguised herself as a man and served as a field nurse and spy for the Yankees during the civil war; American Lucien Thomas, who flew 400 combat missions in WW II and Korea; Fred Demara, "The Great Impostor," who used his surgical skills on unsuspecting patients ... More than ninety photos, together with Fred Gaffen’s analysis of this cross-border phenomenon, complement the soldiers’ words.