There is a group of dedicated aviation enthusiasts at Guelph Airpark (CNC4) in Guelph, Ontario who preserve, restore, maintain and fly a number of vintage aircraft including 5 de Havilland Tiger Moths, 2 Fleet Finch's, a rare Thruxton Jackaroo, a Corben Baby Ace, a Cornell (with another expected to be ready to fly this fall) an Aeronca Champ and several other beautiful aircraft.

Every year in late September, the Tiger Boys Airworks and Museum host a weekend fly-in at Guelph Airpark (CNC4). This small, unassuming airport hosts two asphalt runways (with a parallel grass runway to the 2500' main runway), the AirPark Café, the 3Point Aviation flying school where you can train on a J-3 Cub to fly tail draggers, and two hangar lines. The ambiance of the airport is part of the attraction with that vintage aviation feel to the place and some of the friendliest and welcoming people you'll ever meet at an airport.

On a cool, September morning the Tiger Boys pilots and volunteers arrived at the Airpark before sunrise and began the task of pulling aircraft out of their hangars. Airplanes were pushed out on the dew covered grass as the sun started to warm the day and more people began to arrive to assist with the day's event. The morning air was still and quiet but for the banter running between the hard working Tiger Boys members and pilots.

A few pilots begin their airplane "walk arounds" (daily inspections) in preparation for a day of flying. The first to take to the air were two beautiful, radial engine Fleet Finch aircraft, with that unique, throaty "popping" engine noise so familiar to those who know the airplane. A perfect way to start off a day of fun, food and flying!

Visiting aircraft begin to trickle in as do local area people who make the drive to the airport to enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, walk around and look at the beautiful aircraft, chat with pilots and Tiger Boys members and enjoy a beautiful, end of summer weekend. Anyone bringing their children had the opportunity to let them "fly" one of three fantastic pedal "car" airplanes.

As numbers of visiting people that arrive by vehicle increase through the morning, so do the numbers of visitors that arrive by airplane. They come in a wide variety of aircraft including a Tiger Moth, Pitts Specials, assorted Cessna aircraft, a husband & wife couple each flying their own Aeronca Champ and many other airplanes.

One of the most loved of the Tiger Boys airplanes is the iconic Tiger Moth. The DH 82C Tiger Moth, built in Canada, flew in December of 1937. Canadian built Tiger Moths were built with modifications more suitable to the Canadian climate including an enclosed canopy and cockpit heaters. They also had tail wheels, brakes, heavier axles, the lower wings had a wider walkway along with several other modifications.

Another popular airplane is the Fleet Finch, built in Fort Eerie, Ontario (Canada) by Fleet Aircraft. The Finch was utilized by Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS), along with the Tiger Moth, during World War II. The airplane was designed specifically for the RCAF and later, with modifications, the Finch 16B was built which is the model you see during the Tiger Boys Fly-in. The Finch was eventually replaced by the Fairchild Cornell.

One of the rarest aircraft in the world, and part of the museums inventory, is the Thruxton Jackaroo, which is effectively a stretched and enlarged converted Tiger Moth. This airframe actually escaped France, just in front of the advancing Germans, making its way back to England. After the war the airplane was placed in storage but in 1958 a group of aviation enthusiasts at Thruxton Aerodrome rescued the airplane and then converted it to a four seat aircraft.

Next week we'll return to the 2012 Tiger Boys Fly-in to see what other aircraft made the trip to the Guelph Airpark for a day of fun, food and flying.

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