Ottawa - Saturday morning they will take to the skies - a true Canadian tradition that will signal the start of Canada Day celebrations in the Nation's Capital and across the country. Today, they will be commemorated on Canada's newest postage stamp. Canada Post is proud to issue two domestic-rate postage stamps celebrating the achievements of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Canada's famous aerobatic team. The stamps are now available for sale in post offices across the country.
Canadian military formation aerobatic teams have played a part in Canada's distinguished military aviation history. Since the inception of the "Siskins" in the 1930's there have been many teams, all of whom have exemplified the skill and proficiency common to Canadian Air Force pilots and ground crew. The Golden Hawks and Golden Centennaires are still remembered by many people who enjoyed their exciting aerobatic displays. These teams received worldwide recognition, and their members were proud ambassadors of the men and women of the Canadian military. The Snowbirds, while performing before millions of spectators across North America, carry on the fine traditions established by their forerunners.
When the Saskatchewan government was planning Homecoming 71 - a call for all former Saskatchewaners to visit the province - Premier Ross Thatcher asked the commander of the Golden Centennaires what he might be able to contribute. The colonel suggested an air show...and a Canadian icon was born. A name-the-team competition was held among the base's elementary school children and the winner suggested "Snowbirds" - owing both to the white-painted Tutors and the popularity of Anne Murray's chart-topping song.
During the 1974 season, the colour scheme of the team's planes was changed to red, white and blue. For the first time, team tryouts were open to pilots across Canada and the Snowbirds were cleared to perform a fully aerobatic formation display. In 1977, the Snowbirds became a permanent unit of the Canadian Forces and in 1978, they became the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.
Designed by Wade Stewart and Tiit Telmet of Telmet Design Associates, Toronto, the first stamp of the pair provides a first-hand view of the Snowbirds in flight from a pilot's perspective. At first glance, the second stamp appears to show only three planes; however, a closer look reveals a number of ghosted planes representing the Snowbirds' nine-plane formation, a hallmark pattern of this world-famous flying team. Multiple layering and other special techniques transform simple photographs into translucent painterly images to create an almost ethereal view of the Snowbirds in flight.
In recognition of this special issue, Canada Post has worked together with the Royal Canadian Mint and the Snowbirds to create a limited edition Canadian Forces Snowbirds Stamp and Coin Set. This distinctive collectible set, which comes in a metallic box in the shape of, and embossed with, the Snowbird's logo, includes a 99.99% pure silver $5.00 double hologram coin, a pair of mint-condition 51ยข stamps, a Souvenir Sheet of the stamps, an information booklet containing stunning photographs and many historical facts about the Snowbirds, and a numbered plaque. Only 25,555 numbered sets have been produced.
On March 27, 2006, the souvenir sheets used in the set were loaded into two CT-114 Tutor jets by Sergeant Dave Scharf and Master Corporal Terry Allain, and taken into the air as part of a Snowbirds' routine formation flying training exercise. The jets were piloted by Captain Gregg Wiebe, Standards Pilot, and Captain Jody McKinnon, Snowbird 11. During the one-hour training mission, the Souvenir Sheets withstood up to five "G" and 120 degrees of bank as the jets flew at airspeeds in excess of 300 knots in wingtip formation. Flying the Souvenir Sheets more than 350 kilometres over the beautiful snow-covered Prairie landscape around Moose Jaw was both exciting and historical for the Snowbirds and Canada Post.
Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and a downloadable high-resolution photo of the Snowbirds stamps is in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day Covers will be available at participating post offices, can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail-order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA call toll-free: 1-800-565-4362 and from other countries call: (902) 863-6550.
Media requiring further information should contact:
Cindy Daoust
cindy.daoust@canadapost.ca
(613) 734-4258
