Wings and Wheels coming this weekend

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association’s annual Wings and Wheels event is slotted for this Saturday at the Tillsonburg Airport. Organizers ask that attendees access the airport from Cranberry Line due to the volume of traffic. (File Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Vintage aircraft and cars combined make one of the largest car shows in the area.

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association’s annual Wings and Wheels event is scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Tillsonburg Airport. Last year’s event attracted between 4,000 and 5,000 people to see 600 vintage cars, plus the Harvard aircraft. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One change this year is that patrons are being asked to access the airport from Cranberry Line and Airport Road, as the volume of attendees can cause traffic if everyone enters from Highway 19 at Airport Road.

If the event is rescheduled due to weather, organizers will reach out through social media and news outlets to spread the word.

Asked about the success of the event, John Britton, Harvard association vice-president, said it’s a combination of factors. The event has been going on for several years, so car show patrons know it’s the second weekend in Tillsonburg. The Harvard rides are another draw – last year there were 35 to 40 – plus there are food vendors and a kid’s zone.

“It’s orientated towards families,” he said. “There’s a lot of appeal for different folks.”

Tillsonburg Cruisers help organize the car portion of the show.

Wings and Wheels is the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association’s largest fundraiser of the year. Britton explained it takes $5,000 to $8,000 to keep these vintage trainers flying. In addition, annual fuel costs exceed $50,000, on top of building maintenance and restoration costs.

The association likes to keep at least four of its eight Harvards and one Yale flying.

“The air shows usually like four planes flying in a formation,” Britton said.

The association is close to getting CFB-BZT in the air for a fifth plane. The Canadian Car and Foundry company in Thunder Bay built this plane. It last flew in 1961-62, and was donated to the association by former president Greg ‘Buzz’ Tyrell.

“Everything has been checked over, corrosion was addressed, the engine rebuilt and a new propeller installed - it’s a beautiful airplane,” Britton said.

Admission is by donation. Vintage cars pay $10 for registration.