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The 2015 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet is towed to the flight line after its unveiling on March 27, at 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec. Leading Seaman Alex Roy Photo
The “reveal” of this year’s CF-18 Demonstration Hornet took place at 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, on March 27, 2015.
With a paint scheme flashy enough to match its top speed, the Demonstration Hornet commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and honours the valiant aircrew and groundcrew who served during the Battle.
The aircraft was unveiled by Colonel Sylvain Ménard, the commander of 3 Wing. “This year’s theme is of special symbolism for the Royal Canadian Air Force and for us, the members of 3 Wing,” he said. “The Battle of Britain was the first opportunity for Canada to fight as an air force, and a crucial milestone in the history of our organization. I am very proud that the aircraft, the pilot and half of the maintenance team come from here [in Bagotville].”
The Battle of Britain, which took place from July to October 1940 in the skies over southeast England and the English Channel, was a turning point in Canadian, Allied and world history; it was the first military campaign won by air power alone and the Nazis’ first major defeat during the Second World War.
More than 2,300 pilots and aircrew from Great Britain and nearly 600 from other nations participated in the Battle. Of these, 544 lost their lives, including 23 Canadians.
More than 100 Canadians flew in the battle, principally as members of the RCAF’s No. 1 Squadron (later renamed 401 Squadron) and the Royal Air Force’s 242 “All Canadian” Squadron. An estimated 300 Canadians served as groundcrew.
“I was very excited to find that the Battle of Britain was going to be our theme for this year’s CF-18 Demonstration team,” said Mr. Jim Belliveau, the director of the graphics section at 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron, located at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta.
Mr. Belliveau designed the colour scheme, while actual work of painting the aircraft was carried out by Mr. Belliveau and members of 3 Air Maintenance Squadron at 3 Wing.
“Technically, this is the 25th demo team paint theme I have worked on, and being able to honour this pivotal event in the history of the RCAF with a paint scheme was something I looked forward too.”
Mr. Belliveau began the design and concept in October 2014, with the help of people near and far. “I enlisted the technical and historical aid of an old friend, Master Warrant Officer (retired) Steve Sauvé who has a wealth of information about this battle and minutiae of Second World War aircraft painting,” said Mr. Belliveau.
“As well, I worked closely with Dr. Richard Mayne, the RCAF’s director of heritage and history, who provided details and background on many aspects of the project.”
In addition to Mr. Belliveau, the design and paint team included Sergeant Stéphane Hamelin (supervisor), Master Corporal Éric Fortin (supervisor), Corporal Steeve Martel-Vallée (crew chief), caporal-chef Claude Houde (painting), Corporal Matthew Chiasson (sandblasting and painting), Corporal Jean François Côté (sandblasting and painting), Corporal Guy Lanteigne (sandblasting and painting), Corporal Jean Simon Thibeault (sandblasting and painting), Corporal Johan Bertrand-Major (sandblasting) and Corporal Pierre-Luc Martin (sandblasting) – all from 3 Wing.
“You are truly the best of the best,” said Mr. Belliveau
The top side paint scheme is patterned after the early 1940s earth tone and dark green camouflage used on Royal Air Force and Commonwealth Hawker Hurricane Mark IIs and Supermarine Spitfires during the Battle of Britain.
The tail murals highlight many key events and people related to that period of the air war. These include:
- Sir Winston Churchill, British prime minister during the Second World War.
- An aerial view of a German Heinkel He 111 bomber flying over the London dockyards.
- Flight Lieutenant Gordon Roy MacGregor, a member of No. 1 Squadron, who earned the title “Ace” during the battle and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions against enemy aircraft.
- A Canadian pilot.
- St. Paul’s Cathedral, seen through the smoke of the London Blitz.
- An iconic German fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 109.
“A lot of what this team is about this year is sharing with Canadians the history and heritage of the Battle of Britain,” said Captain Denis “Cheech” Beaulieu, pilot of the 2015 Demonstration Hornet.
“Canadian aviators like me took to the skies to help defend our Allies in their time of need. That kind of sacrifice took dedication, courage and perseverance, the same kinds of virtues that RCAF members represent today.”
“I’ll fly this aircraft with pride.”
