Sandspit residents had a chance to see a couple of retired air force jets up close this week.
Airport manager Bob Ells says it was a real thrill to see the planes. The jets, called Hawker Hunters, were produced during the 1950s and early 60s, said Mr. Ells. Originally, planes of this design were built for the British Royal Air Force, but these two served with the Swiss air force until 1995.
They began their retirement with a Swedish museum and aerobatic team. A Victoria company, Northern Lights Combat Air Support, bought four of these planes to be used as targets for air defense exercises.
The planes landed in Sandspit the evening of March 11 as part of an air force training exercise. They planned to launch from Sandspit and be intercepted by planes from Comox, but their part in the exercise was cancelled due to weather. By lunch the following day, the planes were gone.