Marville France

The Sky Lancers

Daniel Dempsey

It is indeed fortunate that Tony Hannas had taken the prevailing conditions into account that day and had elected to increase the safety margin of the team by conducting the practice well above altitude. His airmanship likely saved the lives of both BR Campbell and Gerry Theriault who had been flying at the back of the pack and had been forces to push down out of the formation. It was a valuable lesson learned for all.

At the time of the accident, the team had already performed publicly three times since starting a concentrated training regine on the 12th of April - at Chaumont on April 25th, 4 Wing Baden on May 6th for the Chief of the Air Staff, and 3 Wing Zweibrucken on May 13th for Minister of External Affairs Lester B Pearson. Fortunately they were able to continue their schedule on July 17th with a show at Auxerre, France. The team was a big hit at the show in Metz Fescaty on July 31st, home of 1Air Division HQ, so much so that the USAF Acrojets (T-33 team) and the RAF Hunter Aerobatic Team of 54 Squadron followed them back to Grostenquin for a party! It was undoubtedly during this social affair at the 2 Wing Officers' Mess that someone came up with the brilliant idea of doping a composite team flight for some publicity shots. The next day they made it ahppen. With BR Campbell and Len Eisler flying their normal wing positions, they were led by an RAF Hunter and the USAF slotman in the box - perhaos the only time in history three air forces have done loops and rools together in the same diamond formation.

Although August was quiet for the team, they did several big shows in September. These included Volkel, Holland (September 2nd), Tours, France (September 11th), Dusseldorf, West Germany (September 18th), and Grostenquin, France (September 20th), winning praise for Canada at every location.

With their final shows in Dortmund, Germany and Cambrai, France on the 2nd and 6th of October respectively, the 2 Wing version of the Sky Lancers disbanded - it was time to pass the public relations role to 4 Wing Baden-Soellingen.

Reprinted from "A Tradition of Excellence - Canada's Airshow Team Heritage" courtesy Dan Dempsey. - Web Site -