How often have you heard the sound of a radial or old inline piston engine and looked skyward to see what the sound was coming from? Every time right?! You bet. Airplane and aviation enthusiasts alike can't not look up when they hear an airplane. It's in our blood.

Well, if you like airplanes and love warbirds, then the Canadian Warplane Heritage, Hamilton Airshow 2012 is the place to be June 16 & 17. The heritage that will be seen over the skies of Mount Hope, Ontario is something not seen in Canadian skies in many years, if ever!

Visiting the airshow is the beautiful, rare and only flying Boeing B-29 Superfortress. This superb 4-engine bomber began its tenure with the Commemorative Air Force in 1971 when it was found in a California dessert with several other B-29s. In a state of disrepair, a group of volunteers from the CAF made the trek to the desert and spent 9 weeks repairing and restoring systems so the airplane could make the trip to the home of the CAF in Texas. The airplane made the 1250 mile trip and underwent full restoration over a 3 year period and joined the CAF fleet of aircraft.

Joining the B-29 is the Commemorative Air Force's B-24 Liberator, another superb 4-engine bomber, one of only two still flying. This big bomber was obtained by the CAF in 1969 when the Mexican company that owned and flew her was looking for a replacement aircraft. CAF members managed to fund the purchase and the Liberator became part of the museums fleet of fine aircraft.

If you aren't impressed with two 4-engine bombers participating in the airshow then be prepared for another, the Military Aviation Museums B-17 "Chuckie" will also fly in the show. This beautiful B-17, one of only 13 still flying, became part of the museum's fleet in 2011 after its acquisition from Vintage Flying Museum in Texas and making the trip to Virginia on a chilly January day.

Still not convinced that that making the trip to the CWH, Hamilton Airshow is worth the effort then keep in mind that joining these three 4-engine bombers will be Canadian Warplane Heritage Museums magnificent Avro Lancaster, one of only two currently flying in the world today. This stunning Rolls-Royce Merlin powered airplane will perform a glorious flying display and what could be better than seeing four "heavies" together at one airshow!?!

Joining the B-29 & B-24 from the CAF is the Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver, a single engine, World War II dive-bomber that was produced for the US Navy. No airplane sank more in ship tonnage than the Helldiver during World War II.

From the Military Aviation Museum and joining the B-17 are the General Motors FM-2 Wildcat, a carrier based fighter that served with the US Navy as well as with the British Royal Navy under the designation of "Martlet." The Douglas AD-4 Skyraider, which saw action during the Korean War, was the replacement aircraft for the Dauntless. Finally, the Grumman TBM-3E Avenger torpedo bomber, similar to the CWH Avenger currently undergoing restoration.

The Cavanaugh Flight Museum and their Beautiful North American P-51D Mustang will make the trip and join in the airshow. This fine example of the P-51D started its life with the USAF in 1944 but was sold to the Swedish Air Force in 1947, then in the early 1950s it was sold to the Dominican Republic and served until 1984. It then made its way back to the US and into the museums fleet of fine aircraft.

Another fine selection of warbirds from Vintage Wings of Canada will also grace the skies including their Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI, Hawker Hurricane Mk IV, Curtiss P-40N Kittyhawk, North American P-51D Mustang, Westland (National Steel Car) Lysander Mk IIIA, and the iconic Canadair F-86 Sabre "Hawk One."

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