Since childhood I have always been interested in aeroplanes.  Especially old ones.

I built scale models and drove my parents crazy with paint fumes and the ever-increasing accumulation of historical books and magazines.   Although I never become a licensed pilot, my fascination with aviation never left.

I had long yearned to see a spitfire in the air, but never had the opportunity. Until I hopped on the ferry and attended the 2013 Comox Air Show.  It’s definitely not Duxford, but I really appreciated how well the organizers ran the event, and how serendipitous it was that the Snowbirds performed right over my head while returning home.

Tick.  One more item off my bucket list.

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the awful thing about airshows is the line-ups…

…but when things get started…

…ooh…the fast-movers arrive…

these are CF-18s

…thumbs up for Grumpy…

…and these guys may just save your life one day..

…despite not helping with our cumulative carbon footprint…

…action…

…and people doing a vital job even though it doesn’t look like it..

…welcome Aurora…

…and the Grumman Bearcat…

…now THIS is what I came for…

…can you pronounce “eliptical wing”

…personally I would have put money on the bearcat driver…

…but all came home from the mock dogfight…

As with any event, lots of folks helped on the ground…

…to help appreciate the rich aviation history at Comox…

…these fellows got the best seats in the house….

…while the air was filled with yellow perils…

…and two brothers who became close…

—while others warmed up…

…to show that professional flying means…

Precision…

Grace…

…and style