2571) Red Knights Aerobatic Squadron, Canada: The Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) has issued $30 (Thirty Dollars - CAN) Proof Silver and Colour Coins celebrating the legendary aerobatic squadron: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2022:
The Royal Canadian Mint has issued Silver Proof and Colour coins celebrating one of Canada’s most prestigious aerobatic squadrons.
The Header/Banner shows the Obverse & Reverse of the $30 Silver Coin against a background image of a "Red Knight" aircraft. The logo of the Red Knight is at top left and the Header is titled "Red Knight" at top right. The Maple leaf logo of the Royal Canadian Mint is at bottom left
Before the Snowbirds, there was the "Red Knight squadron" who, from 1958 until 1969, delighted spectators across Canada and the United States with awe-inspiring aerobatic displays.
The Red Knights Squadron - A Brief:
A forerunner of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the Red Knight originated in Trenton, Ontario, and was active from 1958 to 1969.
Although it was originally authorised to perform in just three air shows, the Royal Canadian Air Force Training Command’s solo aerobatic performer proved to be a hit with spectators and went on to make more than 600 air show appearances throughout its 12-year run.
Its ability to perform manoeuvres within the confines of an airfield made it well suited for air shows in small communities and venues that could not accommodate larger display teams.
For the first three years, the Red Knight consisted of a single aircraft, a pilot and a support technician. Ultimately, a total of 17 pilots and two aircraft types—the T-33 from 1958 to mid-1968 and the Tutor in 1968 and 1969—took up the mantle of the Red Knight.
The base of operations moved to RCAF Station Saskatoon in 1959, RCAF Station Portage la Prairie in 1961 and RCAF Station Moose Jaw in 1964 before returning to CFB Portage la Prairie in 1967.
At the end of that air show season, the Red Knight was awarded the Centennial Medal for its “valuable service to the nation” after completing more than 100 performances, including flypasts and air shows alongside the Canadian Armed Forces Golden Centennaires during Expo 67.
Budget cuts and a fatal accident resulted in the program’s untimely cancellation in early 1970.
But the Red Knight will always hold a special place in Canadian aviation history as a prolific performer and one of the longest-running military aerobatic displays—in fact, its total number of performances is third only to today’s Snowbirds and CF-18 solo aerobatic displays which have been ongoing since 1971 and 1983 respectively.
Colour variations:
A few variations on the standard Red Knight colour scheme were introduced through the years—for example, the Tutor was painted vermillion red (instead of the original day-glo red) and had a white line that stretched from nose to tail.
As for the Red Knight insignia, it started out as a black silhouette of a knight’s helmet in 1959. the more colourful version was introduced in 1961 and served as the emblem for the remainder of the Red Knight program.
The CT-114 Tutor is the same aircraft type that is currently used by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.
The Red Knight was among the 2020 inductees to Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) as the recipient of the Belt of Orion Award for Excellence.
The Aircraft flown:
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) solo jet-aerobatic performer was equipped with the T-33 Silver Star (or “T-Bird”, CT-133) and later, the CT-114 Tutor, which were decked out in a bright colour scheme, iconic red.
Four T-33 aircraft were part of the Red Knight program from 1958 to 1968.
One of them, RCAF serial 21574 (1961 to 1964), is on display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, where visitors can get a close view of its day-glo red paint scheme and the Red Knight emblem on its nose.
Another of the original Red Knights, serial 21630, is on display in Saskatoon and there are several other tributes to the Red Knight across Canada.
The last remaining Tutor to have served as the Red Knight, RCAF serial 26153, is now on display in its original Golden Centennaires colours at the CFB Borden Museum.
Following its Red Knight tour, this same Tutor served six years on the Snowbirds, including as Snowbird 1 in 1975-1976.
The Obverse and Reverse of the $30 Silver Coin placed side-by-side
These aircraft, along with the distinctive knight’s helmet emblem have been colourfully recreated on this 99.99% pure silver celebration to the legendary Red Knight Squadron, whose show-stopping manoeuvres inspired a generation of air enthusiasts and enriched Canada’s aviation heritage.
The Reverse of the $30 (Thirty Dollars - CAN) Silver Proof Coin includes vivid colour depictions of the two aircraft types that each served as the mount of the Red Knight, namely the T-33 from 1958 to 1968 and the Tutor introduced in 1968 and 1969.
The maple leaf backdrop is also historic since it is based on the pre-1965 RCAF Roundel, which can be seen on the T-33’s fuselage and wings in this design.
The Red Knight’s distinctive helmet with a golden plume was displayed on the aircraft’s nose from 1961 to 1969.
The Obverse of the $30 (Thirty Dollars - CAN) Silver Proof Coin features the repeating laser-engraved Red Knight emblem and the effigy of late Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) facing right.
The Red Knight emblem is subtly laser-engraved where this repeating element catches the light when the coin is tilted.
The year of issue "2022" is placed along the top edge, and the denomination "30 DOLLARS" is also engraved.
The specifications of this Silver Coin are:
Country: Canada; Year of Coin issue: 2022; Coin Theme: "The Red Knights Aerobatic Squadron"; Coin Denomination: $30 (Thirty Dollars - CAN); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 62.69 grams or 2.0 Oz; Diameter/Size: 50.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P) with applied Colour; Mint: Royal Canadian Mint (RCM); Mintage: 6,500 pieces; Edge: Serrated; Designers: David Oram (Reverse), Susanna Blunt (Obverse); Packaging: Black clamshell with black beauty box.
- These large silver Proof Coins are specially encapsulated to accommodate their diameter and presented in a faux leather matte black custom case accompanied by a numbered (serialised) Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
- The issues contain a mix of frostings. The colour-over-engraved elements make a vivid impression on the Coin’s Reverse, where they’re set against the maple leaf backdrop and surrounded by a mirror finish. For an extra touch, a more matte frosting sets the Red Knight’s white smoke trails apart.
- Historical liaison was provided by authors J.C. Corrigan and D.V. Dempsey.
- To represent that timespan, the Canadair-built T-33 Silver Star is shown performing a manoeuvre alongside its eventual replacement, the Canadair-designed and built CT-114 Tutor (background).
- Accompanied by the red, gold and white, Red Knight emblem, both aircraft are painted in their distinctive red colour schemes of the 1960s and set against the RCAF Roundel’s (pre-1965) maple leaf.
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