Snowbird One Arrives at B.C. Aviation Museum

0:00It's April 1st. This is Vancouver News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. This week, the legendary CT-114 Tutor Jet, number 175, rolled into the BC Aviation Museum as its permanent home. Known as Snowbird 1, it led Canada's famous Snowbird's aerobatic team, starting back in 1971, over 55 years ago. The plane made a epic 3,500-kilometer trek from CFB Borden in Ontario, arriving Tuesday after battling blizzards and rough. Weather across the country, museum folks cramed it off the truck, reattached the wings, tail, and landing gear, even though it picked up some road ground along the way. This 60-year-old bird first shown as the lead solo in the Golden Centenaires for Canada's Centennial in 1967, then trained, hundreds of pilots and ground crews before retiring in 2000. Aviation fans lit up social media with 55,000 views tracking his journey, and dozens showed up to cheer it in.

1:01Former Snowbird's pilots, like Dan Dempsey, call it the most significant tutor ever, a symbol of national pride that future generations can touch. Now they're fundraising halfway to $60,000 for transport, reassembly, and restoring its original 1973 livery, though. Only one like it in Canada, BC Ferries waved over 500 bucks in fees, and military crews helped out big time. Come August long weekend, expect an open house with Snowbird's alumni signing autographs, a big unveil, and even a fly pass tying into local. Celebrations, keeping this slice of sky history alive for everyone.