4 WING COLD LAKE: A Canadair F-86 Sabre, known as Canada's premier jet fighter of the 1950s, will be unveiled bearing a new paint scheme of the original Royal Canadian Air Force Golden Hawks' (1959 - 1963) colours here at 4 Wing Cold Lake.
The F-86 Sabre, known as Hawk One, has been completely refurbished and repainted and will form part of the Centennial Heritage Flight - a commemorative flight that will perform across the country throughout 2009 to celebrate the Canadian Centennial of Flight.
Graphic designer, Mr. Jim Belliveau, has overseen the painting of the aircraft and is responsible for the research and development of the Golden Hawks paint scheme and the adaption of the Centennial of Flight logo into the paint scheme. Mr Belliveau is a member of the Hawk OnePaint Team, which is headed by Master Corporal Craig Harris, an Aircraft Component and Structures (ACS) Technician from 1 Air Maintenance Squadron (1 AMS).
Warrant Officer Dave Scharf, from the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE), has overseen the maintenance of Hawk One and his team, comprised of other members of AETE and 10 Field Technical Training Squadron, has conducted maintenance on Hawk One while it is staying at 4 Wing.
Media are invited to see and photograph the newly restored and painted jet at 11 a.m. on 15 December, 2008. Both Mr Belliveau and WO Scharf will be available for interviews about the project at this time. Also, Sgt Tony Hoople, an ACS technician from 1 AMS will be available for interviews.
The Sabre was purchased and is owned by Vintage Wings of Canada and has received in-kind support from the CF for the painting of the jet by 1 AMS, and the assistance of AETE for maintenance and airworthiness expertise. -30-
Note to Editors: Interested media must contact Captain Nicole Meszaros via response to this e-mail between 8 a.m. 9 a.m. on December 15, 2008; media will be met at the 4 Wing Military Police building at 9:45 a.m. and escorted into the general restricted area of the base on this day.
For more information about Canada's Air Force celebrating the Centennial of Flight, visit
www.airforce.canadiancentennialofflight.ca. For more information about Hawk One, visit www.hawkone.ca