A Nation Soars

August 2016 - At our Canadian breakfast at Oshkosh we were treated to a brief presentation about the plans to construct two replica Sopwith Pups at the Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley, British Columbia, and ship them to France for historical flights over Vimy Ridge. Vimy was Canada’s first “joint initiative” of World War I. Upon the Pups’ return, there will be a cross-country flying tour and many more educational activities.

In collaboration with National Geographic, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and the Federal Government of Canada, three documentaries are being produced under the overall banner of A Nation Soars, and they will be broadcast on the Canadian Public Affairs Channel (CPAC). The first in the series will air at 9 p.m. EST on Sunday, October 30 and the second on November 6 at the same time.

The first documentary, “Drawn to Victory,” relates the tale of the many young Canadian pilots who made the supreme sacrifice in order to produce the maps so vital to the Allied efforts.

“Wings of Courage,” the second installment, will cover the efforts to build the aircraft with the assistance of postgraduate Air Cadets, who can relate to the excitement that the early aviators around the same age must have felt 100 years before.

The third documentary, “Flight Path of Heroes,” brings the two stories together, covering the flights, Vimy, and the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge and Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Materials are being produced for use in schools, and half-day teacher workshops are being planned for tour stops along the way.

Canadian actor Dan Aykroyd will narrate the three-part documentary.  Learn more about A Nation Soars.