Doomsday is coming to London, Ont.
Known for attracting a stellar lineup of military aircraft, this year’s Airshow London SkyDrive will include rare fly-bys of the U.S. Air Force E-4B airborne command post – nicknamed the “Doomsday plane.”
A modified Boeing 747 designed to carry the U.S. president and other decision-makers in a national emergency, the aircraft is equipped to stay aloft for up to a week with aerial refuelling.
Gerry Vanderhoek, Airshow London’s director of flight operations, believes this is the E-4B’s first time in Canada. While the aircraft will not be landing in London, it is scheduled to perform fly-bys on Sunday, Sept. 15.
The E-4B is just one of the major attractions Vanderhoek and his team have lined up for Airshow London 2024, running from Sept. 13-15.
“We are celebrating two big anniversaries this year,” he told Skies. “The RCAF’s 100th anniversary is bringing us the (Royal Air Force) Red Arrows; it’s their first time here in London. They’ll be accompanied by their Airbus A400M supply aircraft. The RCAF centennial is also bringing us the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team – it’s their first time in London, too.”