Hercules, Harvard II, CF-18 Hornet, and Polaris

Canadian Forces Base Trenton is home to 8 Wing of the RCAF and they've been known to host open houses of the base every so often, sometimes with flying displays and sometimes not. This year, they had a small but highly entertaining flying display on a beautiful Saturday, May 31st consisting of a couple of Hercules (one SAR C-130H model and one tactical airlift C-130J), a very impressive Search and Rescue demo from one of 424 Squadron's CH-146 Griffon helicopters, appearances by Vintage Wings of Canada's Harvard and Mustang IV, and closing with a BAE CT-155 Hawk trainer from 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

RCAF CH-146 Griffon of 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron

On static display were a C-17 Globemaster III, another H model Hercules, CT-156 Harvard II, CF-18 Hornet, another SAR Griffon, Beech Super King Air, CC-150 Polaris tanker, and a CC-144 Challenger VIP transport. Also on hand were multiple ground-based support units for the base, including the very neat portable cable arrest system used in conjunction with CF-18 operations.

All in all, it was only an hour and a half in length, but the aerial display did not disappoint, and the ground displays were also very interesting and informative. Well worth the drive from Ottawa to see. More photos in the gallery below, and more still in my CFB Trenton Open House Flickr album.