Early RCAF Golden Hawks

Everyone knows the Canadian demo team “The Golden Hawks” flying the North American Sabre jet in the 1960s. What is less common knowledge is why the team was called Hawks.

As these recently discovered photos illustrate the team was originally formed in the early 1940s flying the Curtiss P-40 Hawk. The displays of the team were used to gather public support for the Canadian was effort.

In 1944 the team converted to the North American P-51 Mustang. Like the P-40s the Mustangs were painted gold overall giving a very striking effect. The team flew the Mustang until 1958 when they were issued the F-86 Sabre jets.