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South Okanagan Photos

CF 18’s buzz into South Okanagan

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On Sunday  two Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-18 Hornet fighter jets did flyby to honour the 100th birthday of Second World War veteran John Stewart Hart in Naramata

Squadron Leader (Retired) Hart is believed to be the last surviving Canadian Battle of Britain pilot living in Canada. During the Battle of Britain-which ultimately saved the United Kingdom from disaster at the hands of Nazi Germany early in the war-he flew the famous Supermarine Spitfire with the Royal Air Force.

Squadron Leader (Retired) Hart’s actual birthday is September 11, but the flyby is taking place on September 18 in conjunction with the 76th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The flyby will occur over Squadron Leader (Retired) Hart’s residence in Naramata, B.C. at 2 p.m. PDT, and will be conducted by aircraft from 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron from 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta. The aircraft will fly over at an altitude no lower than 1,000 feet. Flybys by RCAF aircraft are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure public safety at all times.

Credit: Shawna Michaud
Credit: Shawna Michaud

Quick Facts

  • Squadron Leader (Retired) Hart originally hails from Sackville, N.B, and joined the Royal Air Force in January 1939.
  • Squadron Leader (Retired) Hart served a numerous RAF squadrons, including No. 614 Squadron, No. 613 Squadron, No. 54 Squadron, No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, No. 67 Squadron and No. 112 Squadron.
  • In addition to his service in the Battle of Britain, Squadron Leader (Retired) Hart also saw action in Burma and Italy. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on June 22, 1945 and released from the RAF in 1946.

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