A familiar sound from the Second World War will once again echo over Toronto on Remembrance Day, with several historic aircraft taking off from Tillsonburg for a special aerial tribute.
For nearly 25 years, the City of Toronto has invited the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association to participate in its annual Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Each year, three or four Second World War-era Harvard aircraft depart from Tillsonburg and fly in formation over Toronto. During the flypast, the pilots perform the Missing Man Formation over each designated location, an aerial salute honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
One of the participating pilots is Allan Paige, a Toronto resident who has taken part in the tribute for several years.
Paige says flying the historic aircraft over the city on Remembrance Day is one of his most meaningful flights of the year, adding that it's a privilege to honour those who served by keeping the aircraft flying.
The Harvard played an important role in Canada's military history during the Second World War. It was the primary advanced, single-engine training aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force to prepare more than 130,000 aircrew through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
With its distinctive engine roar, the Harvard became a familiar sight and sound at more than 200 training locations across Canada.
The annual Toronto flypast continues that legacy, connecting Canada's aviation history with the nation's ongoing commitment to remembering those who served and sacrificed.
Scheduled flypasts: (subject to change based on weather and aircraft maintenance)
Flypast over Burlington Cenotaph – 10:45am
Flypast over Toronto Old City Hall Cenotaph – 11:05am
Flypast over East York Civic Centre Memorial Gardens - approx 11:10am
Flypast over Sunnybrook Veterans Centre - approx 11:20am
Flypast over York Cemetery Cenotaph - approx 11:30am
*The plan is for a 4-plane formation flight, but 3 planes may end up taking to the skies.
