I took last week off from work, mostly for some down time, but also to allow me to do some warbird hunting. After a trip to Pettawawa on Monday I got the itch to do a longer trip. To scratch that itch I used the Locator…
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Locator.php
…and along with some road maps I planned a trip. This posting is display the results of my trip. I hope you enjoy the pics. I am including a number of teasers here, but also direct links to the photo albums where you will find more. If you will like to find photo albums from other road trips, airshows, museum visits, etc., I recommend you visit my Travelogue at…
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Travelogue.php
The day begins… I got up at O-dark-thirty to get ready to travel. With the camera in the trunk, some snacks in the passenger seat, and the tunes playing on the radio I left Ottawa at 6:30 AM. It took me about 1+ hours to get to the border at Cornwall. I explained to the customs agent I was doing a one-day tour looking for old airplanes. He didn’t even raise and eye brow. He must get that all the time.
He wished me a nice day and I was off into New York. My first stop was Plattsburgh. I heard the B-47 and F-111 displayed there had been relocated. When I arrived I found they were only moved across the street so I found them easily. I added the pictures to the feature photo album for Plattsburgh AFB…
http://community.webshots.com/album/547436712wNRJLx
Just north of Plattsburg is a ferry crossing over Lake Champlain to Vermont. I estimate this saved at least an hour of driving time, so the $9 bucks were well spent. I also thought about how I was going out of my way traveling over both land and water to find AIRcraft.
Once on the east side of Lake Champlain, and now in Vermont, I drove about a ½ hour south to Burlington. My destination was the National Guard. Out front of the main gate they have number of pieces of army equipment displayed including two helicopters, and in addition a F-4 Phantom II. There was also a museum which I didn’t know about ahead of time so unfortunately I did not have the time to visit.
*Note: If anyone knows the serial number of the UH-1 please let me know.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/560351337KGVwuo
The National Guard was north of the airport, and only about 15 blocks south on the north side of the airport I was able to find the Air National Guard. They have a very nice collection of aircraft including a rare F-89 and F-94! After showing the guard with the big gun my passport and business card I was allowed to photograph the displays. If you are planning on visiting have your ID ready even though the displays are outside of the perimeter fence. I photographed everything they had there, but there were spots reserved for a F-102 and C-45 which were not yet on display. Oh well… Just the reason I need to return!
http://rides.webshots.com/album/560351735wqWavO
When I left Burlington I headed south-east to the village of Middlesex. Just outside, on the north side, of the village is the motel Camp Meade. This establishment features a F-86 in the court yard surrounded by the cabins of the motel. Not far away, and not really displayed but rather stored, was an AT-11. This place is worth stopping for if on the way by, and looks like a decent place to say if you need a room for the night. The accommodations are basic, but clean and well kept. Perhaps a good overnight spot if you are on your own warbird quest.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/560352964TJOzxM
After leaving Middlesex I turned north onto the secondary roads leaving the interstates behind to look for a place called Hyde Park. I found the town and more specifically, the VFW just west of the town. It is located on top of a hill with an OH-6 prominently mounted on a pole out front within view of the road. Of course I stopped to take a picture or two.
*Note: If anyone happens to know the serial number of this helo, please let me know.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/560351534MBJqmL
After leaving Hyde Park I turned nearly due north for the Canadian border. Before this day I had spent very little time in Vermont, I think I went skiing there about ten years ago. If you are interested in seeing Vermont, then I recommend driving though it on some of the secondary roads. The views are absolutely stunning. I am sorry that I didn’t stop to take pictures, but the roads require your full attention, and I was on a schedule. You would not want to drive these roads in the winter if it can be avoided! I crossed back into Canada, Québec, at a small secondary crossing. It wasn’t much more than an office on the side of the road. The guard was very nice and I only needed to stop for a few seconds. I was then off to Knowlton, the home to the Brome County Museum which is home to a rare original Fokker D.VII. Naturally I snapped a few photos and talked to the staff. Apparently this Fokker is still covered by it's original canvas and paint! There was a rumor last year it was to be sold but the staff claim there was never any plan to sell the Fokker. I think they would be crazy to sell it as it is a real gem.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/560351927oILOys
After leaving Knowlton I headed west knowing my day was drawing to a close. I arrived in Saint-Jean-Sur-Rechelieu and then found CFB Saint Jean. The nice lady guard at the gate gave me permission to enter and photograph the CF-100 and CF-104 there. If you are planning on visiting I recommend you make an appointment ahead of time as I very nearly was not allowed access. It must have been my smile and charm that got me in.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/560351825QJWnqs
Not far from CFB Saint Jean, just a few blocks to the east, is the Royal Military College. On that base you will find a number of tanks and artillery displayed. They also have a CF-100 displayed there. There is no guard at the gate to check in with, although I would not be surprised if they have security during special events, so you may with to call ahead of time to ensure you can get in when you would like to visit. I snapped a few shots of the Canuck.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/560351055hoEDYI
I left Saint Jean and headed north to Montreal to find a CF-100 at CFB Saint Hubert. I found it on the east side of the airport, just inside the gate. I did a walk-around taking photos. It was when I was leaving that I noticed the guard, so I guess the place is low security. Even if you can’t gain access to this one, it isn’t that difficult to get a shot or two from outside the fence.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/560351740VAcCoe
Once I got back to the car I then checked my maps. I considered the possibility of heading east to Thetford Mines to photograph the CF-101 there. It was 6:30 PM at the time and I figured I could get to Thetford Mines before loosing the light around 8-8:15 PM, but then I realized I would then be facing a 4+ hour drive home. That is when my sense of good reason kicked in and I immediate selected the most direct route home to Ottawa. I arrived back home at 9:30 PM. …the day was over.
I am looking forward to any questions or comments you may have.
Mike
_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.cahttp://www.facebook.com/AerialVisualsDo you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the
The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the
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