Skyfest50 delights aviation enthusiasts

It was a big weekend for aviation fans at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope.

Skyfest50 brought plane buffs up close to historical aircraft, with several of them taking to the skies each day for a short flight.

The two-day event, available only through advance tickets sales of 2,000 per day, was quickly sold out for both Saturday and Sunday.

Along with the museum's own robust collection of planes, the event saw such classics as a P-40, P-51 Mustang, as well as Canada's CF-18 fighter make the flight to Hamilton.

Although not flying this weekend, the famed Lancaster bomber was open to the public to gain a rare glimpse inside, creating long lineups for the opportunity.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in celebrating its 50th year in operation.

Barry Gray is a Hamilton-based photojournalist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: bgray@thespec.com