Island Excursion, an incidental sighting for why I wanted to I come here.

A mere 5 minute drive north of our hotel, stands the town of Sidney, a picturesque community with a population of just over 11,000. From the travel brochures, there was a lot to see and do, including the views of the Gulf/San Juan Islands and all of the marine activity in the Salish Sea, which was breathtaking. However, it was what we couldn't find advertised that caught the attention of my wife, as we drove down the main drag....

To some, it might be hard to tell exactly what she saw, but once she pointed it out me and with the brief time I looked, I knew exactly what it was. Trying to contain my excitement, I asked her to circle the block, so we could check it out more closely. She coyly agreed. Around we went and when the last corner was turned, one of my childhood dreams became a reality....

....and I came face to face with a Canadian legend. As a child, I was always fascinated by this plane, among a few others. Quickly, but safely, I stepped out of the just parked rental car and ran across the road. My nerves were shaky, but I had to capture this moment, for as long as time would allow....

I would offer up just what this aircraft is, but instead, I will let the dedication plaque speak for itself....

I stopped after reading the plaque and bowed my head. With my mind's voice, I thanked all of those Canadair employees who built this and all of her sister aircraft, silently paid my respects for those who flew and serviced these planes, but most importantly of all, my admiration to those who made the effort to save and preserve this one example I was laying my eyes on.

The brief story behind the Canadian Sabre is this; it was a license built North American F-86 with Canadian modifications, known as the CL-13. Six variants or Marks were produced from 1950 through 1958, totaling over 1800 built. Canadian Sabres would serve during the Korean War, flying in USAF livery and designated as F-86E-6-CAN. With a long service life in overseas service, the last CL-13 was retired from active duty in 1980, with the Pakistan Air Force. For more reading, check this dormant site out http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p86_22.html

In World of Warplanes, the Canadair CL-13 isn't in the current version of the game, but the North American F-86 Sabre is, as the top tiered American Fighter. However, through the use of imagination or a custom skin creation, that little detail can be changed to suit the player.

So, if you happen to come to Vancouver Island, find the time to come up/over to Sidney. Located at 9831 4 Street, ANAVETS #302 is worth the visit http://www.unit302.ca/ even if you stay outside to marvel at the aircraft, naval guns and for the tanker still inside of me....

Turns out, we needed some local material to find out about this place and it's displays....

We left the plane and continued on with our day's activities, but later that night, we came back and I captured some very surreal beauty shots, returning this reality back to my dreams....