Canuck wrote:

Wouldn't it be great if they didn't mothball the CF-18's and gave a few
of them to the Snowbirds? I know it would cost a few bucks...but...it is
time to retire those Tutors.

Don't know about that. I saw them at the Reno Air Races some
years ago, and the lack of speed and noise was rather
refreshing. The slow and graceful maneuvers were
spectacular, I think the best aerial routine I've ever seen.
I was off the airport property, a narrow strip of land along
what I think was the north boundary. Standing in line with
the runway, the Snowbirds would come swooping down in
formation, low and slow enough I could clearly see the
pilots. The Thunderbirds were fast and noisy and took a lot
of airspace turning around to come back for the next pass,
during which they were more or less out of sight. Everything
the Snowbirds did was right there, up close and personal.
Someday they'll have to move on, I know, and I really think
something will be lost in that move.

Just my opinion of course....

Jon