RCAF 101st Anniversary Lapel Pins

 

Following a well-established CFB Borden tradition, commemorative pins were produced again this year to mark the anniversary of the birth of the Royal Canadian Air Force on April 1st, 1924.  The tradition of producing buttons or lapel pins featuring a different theme aircraft each year goes back more than four decades in Borden, “Birthplace of the RCAF.”  Today, the tradition is kept alive through the efforts of 441 (Huronia) Wing, RCAF Association - Barrie.

 

The aircraft that was selected for this year's 101st anniversary is the McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo (yes, 101 for the 101st!). After the cancellation of the Avro Arrow in February 1959, Canada urgently needed a fast, all-weather interceptor to meet the continued threat from Soviet manned bombers. By late 1959, the RCAF selected the Voodoo as the aircraft that best met the nation’s requirements. In June 1961, 66 nearly new CF-101B Voodoos were purchased from existing USAF stocks. The deal transferred the aircraft to five front line squadrons and an Operational Training Unit (OTU), replacing obsolete CF-100 Canucks.  The Voodoo served with the RCAF as an interceptor until it was replaced by the CF-18 Hornet in 1985.

 

RCAF 101st Anniversary lapel pins are now available at a cost of $5.00 each (+ shipping) through 441 Wing RCAFA.  Note that a small selection of previous years' pins is also available.  Contact Norm Marion, (705) 686-3941, norm.marion@amtelecom.net