"In honour of the Canadian Naval Centenary, we are pleased to bring a celebration of technology, skill, history and military appreciation to 12 Wing Shearwater on September 11th and 12th, 2010,"  said Executive Director, Colin Stephenson. "We are thrilled to return to the Halifax area where our long history of family entertainment began and to the home of Canadian Naval Aviation.  It will be a year of special performances as we have secured some truly inspiring aircraft appearances."

"We are so grateful for the excellent relationship we have developed with the Nova Scotia International Air Show and are very proud to be hosting them in 2010," said Colonel Sam Michaud, Wing Commander 12 Wing Shearwater.  "This year's Air Show will be a wonderful opportunity to highlight Canada's Naval Centennial and to inform the public of the long-standing and successful partnership between maritime aviation and the Navy."

The heart of Nova Scotia Air Shows for several years has been the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and SkyHawks. These demonstration teams, coupled with the stunning demonstration of the power and maneuverability of the CF-18 Hornet and the many other participating regional military aircraft form the foundation for a terrific display.

The Canadian Army, represented locally by Land Force Atlantic Area, will send a large contingent of soldiers and equipment to enhance the spectator experience through Army static display.  Younger fans will be able to experience "Army-style" face painting, obstacle courses and rides in armoured personnel carriers.

Along with these crowd favorites, highlights of this year's Air Demonstration are sure to be the "Hampton Gray" Corsair, the Hawker Sea Fury and the Fairey Firefly; three great examples of Canada's Naval Air Heritage and all very challenging to bring to Shearwater as performers.

Vintage Wings of Canada (VWC) is pleased to be bringing one of their prized vintage naval war birds, the Lt. Robert Hampton Gray Corsair, as a part of their Grey Ghosts tour of Canada. The Corsair was flown by several Canadians in World War II in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.

VWC has painted this aircraft in honour of Lt. Gray and his legacy as the Canadian Navy's only Victoria Cross recipient of World War Two. Celebrating a hero like this is an important part of the Air Show's mandate: "Remembering the past and educating the public."

The Hawker Sea Fury was a British fighter aircraft developed in 1943 for the Royal Navy to be a carrier-based fighter during the Second World War.  A total of 74 Sea Furies served with the Royal Canadian Navy and flew from the aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent from 1948-1956. The Sea Fury FB11 flying in the Air Show is the same model that flew from Shearwater.

The Fairey Firefly FR1 currently being restored at the Shearwater Aviation Museum (SAM) was one of 64 aircraft that served with the Royal Canadian Navy's 825 and 826 Squadrons at HMCS Shearwater and flew from the aircraft carriers HMCS Warrior and Magnificent from March 1946 to February 1953.  The Firefly was the Royal Canadian Navy's first strike-reconnaissance fighter and formed the backbone of Canadian naval aviation.

This Firefly was retrieved from Eritrea in 1993.  It has been in restoration by volunteers at the SAM for 17 years.  Its planned completion date to flying condition is early September.  Air Show organizers intend to unveil this aircraft and have it flown at the Nova Scotia International Air Show.

The NSIAS website is the hub of all Air Show information, providing detailed ticket information as well as all invited and confirmed performers. See details by visiting us on the web at www.nsairshow.ca. From the website fans can sign up for our new eNewsletter and let Show organizers keep you informed.