The Merlin Roar of a Spitfire
 

The founder of the Cognos high-tech company and air aficionado Michael Potter is graciously hosting a Spitfire fly-by tribute for WWII air veterans this Monday, August 4 at the Canadian Aviation Museum in Ottawa.

With over 100 participants arriving from across North America for this tribute, the Spitfire will be sporting the Royal Canadian Air Force 421 Squadron camouflage markings. It’s scheduled to make several passes (weather permitting) before landing for a 1:30pm ceremony.

Veteran pilots who wish to reserve seats should call (613) 741-7970 or send an e-mail message to admin@sussexcapital.com .

The Canadian Aviation Museum is located at 11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa Ontario.

After Action Report
 

I wasn't there of course, but this appeared in the Ottawa Sun today. Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 5, 2003
Spiffy Spitfire pays tribute
Ex-Cognos boss Potter unveils patriotic paint job during fly-by

By MATT WOOD, Ottawa Sun


It's an unmistakable sound.

The rumble of the fighter plane that helped decide the outcome of World War II.

The 1945 SL721 Spitfire, piloted by former Cognos CEO Michael Potter, flew past the Canada Aviation Museum yesterday afternoon as a tribute to those who flew and serviced the legendary aircraft.

Potter unveiled the new paint job on his Spitfire, the only flying version in Canada, in front of more than 1,500 people, including several hundred veterans and at least 25 former Spitfire pilots. The plane now bears the markings of the Royal Canadian Air Force's 421 Red Indian Squadron to pay tribute to the Canadians who sacrificed so much flying the aircraft.

"They had to set aside the most gut-wrenching fear," said Potter of the pilots who engaged daily with Germany's air force, the Luftwaffe. Spitfire pilots faced a 40% chance of being hit on each sortie, 15% of being injured and 3% of being killed.

"That absolutely defines courage," said Potter.

The Spitfire played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain, repelling the Luftwaffe and shifting the balance of air power in the Allied forces' favour.

After the fly-by, Potter encouraged the veterans to sit in the cockpit. For Col. "Cy" Yarnell, it was the first time he had done so since 1945 and he said it brought back good and bad memories.

'EASY PLANE TO FLY'

"It hasn't changed a bit," he said of the instrument panel and flight controls. "It was an easy plane to fly, it responded beautifully. What a gorgeous piece of machinery.

"Its guns could spit out a potent sting too."

Yarnell led a group of four Spitfires that escorted the Allied Forces armistice party to Copenhagen on May 8, 1945. When they landed at the air base, members of the Luftwaffe were still there as Germany's surrender had only been announced that morning.

Yarnell flew more than 850 hours over two tours with one confirmed kill, one probable kill and more than 20 damaged locomotives.

Oxford Station's own Andy MacKenzie flew with 421 Squadron during the war and had eight kills, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943 for shooting down three planes in one sortie. He also served during the Korean War and spent 18 months in a Chinese prison.

"I didn't realize I was that good," he said, joking with the huge gathered crowd. "And I'd do it all again."

CAMARADERIE

Five days after D-Day, MacKenzie was shot at by U.S. anti-aircraft guns, forcing him to land near Utah beach. When the colonel in charge of the guns realized the mistake, he asked the Canadian pilot to join him in the mess tent.

They agreed to not talk about what had happened to their superiors "over a bottle of red label."

It's that type of camaraderie the pilots remembered fondly yesterday, and Potter said the huge turnout by the public was a show of respect for the former aces.

"People care, they remember what these guys did," he said.