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Barnstormers Logo ISSUE 313 - February 2014
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National Warplane Museum 2013 Airshow - Part II

By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
Watford, Ontario, Canada

Beautiful Beech C-45 showing off her top-side.

Last week we had a look at some of the training aircraft, fighters, bombers and transports that performed during the 2013 Geneseo, National Warplane Museum Airshow, "The Greatest Show on Turf." This week we return to Geneseo and visit with other performers and the airshow.

National Warplane Museum's Aeronca L-16A, left
and Piper J-5 painted up to represent a L-4, right.

We turn the clock back again to have a look at some other light aircraft that were operated for military service and training such as the Piper L-13 "Grasshopper," Aeronca L-16A, Piper J-5 and the Erco Ercoupe. These aircraft are not fast, not by any stretch, but they weren't utilized for their speed rather for their small size and ability to operate from small airstrips, get in and out quickly and relative quietly, performing liaison and observation duties. After-war civilian versions such as the Aeronca Champ, Chief and Piper Cub are still sought after today by those who enjoy that true "stick and rudder" type of aviation.

The Huf's and their beautiful Cessna T-50 Bobcat will be missed!

One aircraft that was a constant at the airshow was Tom Huf's beautiful Cessna T-50 Bobcat, also known as the "Bamboo Bomber" and the Cessna Crane. This lovely looking twin engine wooden aircraft was well known in Geneseo and Tom always participated in the airshow. Sadly, Tom and his wife, Elaine, who was also a pilot, were both killed while flying the Bobcat when they and their aircraft went down during Thunderstorms just miles from their home airfield in Pennsylvania. They will be very missed at the airshow and in aviation circles. May they rest in peace.

"Skipper" showing off both his and the Harvard's ability with a nice aerobatic display.

The Harvard/T-6 is a popular warbird for many pilots.  It's still somewhat affordable, all things considered, has fighter qualities about it, and is aerobatic.  As a training aircraft it was very successful and was used by the US, as well as Allied air forces, to train fighter pilots as previously mentioned.  Today many are used for aerobatic display and for teaching aerobatics.  John "Skipper" Hyle showed off the aerobatic ability of the Harvard/T-6 flying his Harvard "J's Bird" in a wonderful display during the airshow.  John thrilled the crowd in the sky above the airfield, trailing smoke, and with that familiar Pratt & Whitney growl the Harvard/T-6 is so well known for.

Rob flying the airplane sideways through the air, left. 
A VERY low pass by Rob in the MX2, right.

Another aerobatic display pilot who flew an amazing display during the airshow was Rob Holland in his zippy and rugged MX2.  Rob dazzled the crowd with his stomach turning, g-pulling aerobatics, doing things you never would have thought an airplane could do.  Rob's unique and dazzling dance in the air always impresses the crowd and even has other pilots heads turned skyward.

CWH Lancaster on take off roll from Geneseo's grass runway, left.
Awesome angle of bank on the Lancaster as she comes over the airport, right.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum flew their stunning Avro Lancaster through an assortment of passes showing off the beautiful lines of the bomber.  It's not often you have the opportunity to see such a large 4-engine aircraft operate from grass these days and it was quite a sight to see... and hear!  Many people commented that they'd love to see the Lancaster back again and that, maybe one day, it'll happen WITH the Mosquito next time.

CWH Lancaster with Vintage Wings of Canada's Spitfire
and Hurricane in a nice Rolls Royce formation pass.

One of the more historic displays was that performed by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Avro Lancaster flying several formation passes with the Vintage Wings of Canada Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI and Hawker Hurricane Mk IV.  These three Canadian aircraft, with a combined 6 Rolls Royce engines, had all heads looking up and shivers running down the backs of many.  Originally, there was to be a de Havilland Mosquito participating in the formation however, the Mossie was, unfortunately, not available.  Regardless, the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane were impressive enough and enjoyed by all!

B-25 "Georgie's Gal" taxies past before taking to the air, left. 
"Georgie's Gal" in a level pass, right.

Liberty Aviation Museum's beautiful B-25J "Georgie's Gal" put on a nice display including making a couple of bombing runs with super pyro displays lighting up the grass on each pass.  This B-25 was built in 1945 and, since being struck off strength with the military, has seen many owners and several different liveries.  She 'landed' at the Liberty Aviation Museum in 2011 and spent more than a year receiving both mechanical and cosmetic restoration finishing up as the beautiful B-25 you see today.

Manfred Radius in his Salto sailplane performing aerobatics, left. 
Inverted just before cutting the ribbon just feet above the ground, right.

Manfred Radius puts on a super display of aerobatics in his graceful Salto Sailplane.  Manfred and is Salto make aerobatics look both elegant and graceful, but inside that cockpit he's pushing his body through both positive and negative g's throughout the performance.  Though there's no nighttime airshow at Geneseo, Manfred also offers a night aerobatic display, replacing the wingtip smoke with pyrotechnics. 

National Warplane Museum's C-47 takes to the air with jumpers, left. Out they go, right, heading ground-ward on silk, the jumpers make their way back to earth.

In May of this year the National Warplane Museum's C-47 "Whiskey 7" will head to Europe to take part in D-Day anniversary memorials, including a para-drop over Normandy, France, returning some 70 years after she led the second wave of aircraft dropping soldiers on France during the airborne invasion.  This beautiful C-47 is flown and maintained by very dedicated crews and pilots.  Those who 'jump' from her honour the memory of her wartime achievements, as well as the achievements of the brave young men who jumped from her so many years ago.

The "Zero" takes to the air, left, gear coming up.
The "Val" just off the ground on take off, right.

The "Japanese" made an appearance with two of their World War II aircraft, a Val and a Zero.  Well, not really.  These two aircraft are actually modified versions of other aircraft.  The "Zero" was a Canadian built Harvard made to look like the famous Japanese "Zero" from World War II and is owned and flown by Douglas Jackson.  The "Val" is a modified BT-13 and is owned by Ken Laird.  Both these aircraft took part in the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and both flew several passes during the airshow including the "Zero" in formation with the P-40 as well as both the "Zero" and "Val" in formation together.

"Skyboss" in a top-side pass, left, and on final, right.

Another popular warbird that has been seen at Geneseo several times in the past few years is the beautiful FG-1D Corsair "Skyboss" from the American Airpower Museum along with P-40 "The Jacky C" and B-25 "Miss Hap."  The "Skyboss" Corsair is one of more than 60 surviving Corsairs in the United States alone, including those still flying, static museum and restoration aircraft. 

Running up the flightline so all could see were a number of beautiful classic and vintage cars including this Alfa Romeo, left, and Chevrolet Special Deluxe, right.

During the airshow there was also a parade of vintage & classic cars that ran the length of the flightline so everyone could get a look at them and so the owners/drivers could show off their pride and joy.  There's as much pride in the restoration, maintenance and ownershp of classic and vintage cars as there is with aircraft restorers and owners and that was especially evident with the beaming smiles on their faces and the care these folks took with their vehicles.

Two other Canadian aircraft that participated were this gorgeous Stampe, left,
and Boeing Stearman, right.

If you're looking for something to do on a warm summer weekend in July, drive or fly into the beautiful grass strip at Geneseo, New York and join the National Warplane Museum for their 2014 Airshow.  See and hear the sights and sounds, enjoy a fantastic weekend around friendly folks, classic cars, assorted vendors and gorgeous airplanes.  It really is "The Greatest Show on Turf!"

A great old gal, "W7" - National Warplane Museum's C-47

National Warplane Museum:  1941hag.org

One of several re-enactor jumpers who will take part in the "Return to Normandy" project in May of 2014.

Return to Normandy Project: rtn2014.org

Often referred to as "the beautiful bomber," Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's spectacular Avro Lancaster.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum:          warplane.com

Liberty Aviation Museum's beautiful B-25 "Georgie's Gal."

Liberty Aviation Museum:      libertyaviationmuseum.org

"The Jacky C" P-40 from the American Airpower Museum.

American Airpower Museum: americanairpowermuseum.com

Vintage Wings of Canada's Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI taxies out in the thick grass and uneven ground with a technician on the tail to avoid a nose-over should she hit a rough spot.

Vintage Wings of Canada:     vintagewings.ca

Rob Holland in his MX2 in knife-edge flight across the flightline at low altitude!

Rob Holland Airshows:          ultimateairshows.com

Manfred Radius puts on a beautiful show in his Salto sailplane and, at the end of his show, always offers thanks to the crowd!

Manfred Radius Airshows:     radiusairshows.com

L-39 Albatross of the Warrior Flight Team, flown by Mark "Crunchy" Burgess.

Warrior Flight Team:   warrioraviation.org

This vintage aircraft was built in Canada as a Harvard but converted to represent a Japanese Zero and used in the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!"

Japanese Zero:             tora101.com

"Skipper" flying his Harvard, trailing smoke, in an aerobatic display.

Air Corps Aerobatics:             aircorpsaerobatics.com

Charlie Lynch taxies out in the big brute TBM Avenger

Lynch TBM Avenger:  Visit the Yak Attack Airshow Team Facebook page

Nate Palermo's lovely L-16 in a level pass

 

YO-55 (Erco Ercoupe) used as a JATO testbed by the USAAC at one time.

 

The loss of the Huf's and their beautiful Cessna T-50 Bobcat will be felt by many.

 

One used in the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!" this replica Val looks very much the part!

 

National Warplane Museum's little L-21 "Grasshopper," a Korean War Veteran.

 

Canadian Boeing Stearman that made the trip from Burlington, Ontario for the airshow.

 

The C-45 co-owned & flown by the National Warplane Museum's president, Austin Wadsworth & museum Board member Richard Ash.

 

Liberty Aviation Museum's B-25 "Georgie's Gal" in formation with
American Airpower Museum's P-40 "The Jacky C."

 

The power-house of the Royal Canadian Air Force,
and Royal Air Force, the Avro Lancaster.

 

Ground shot of the "Val" on the grass along the flightline.

 

Looking up, at an angle, at the big TBM Avenger.

 

Both sides of the nose & exhaust stacks of P-51 Mustang "Quick Silver."

 

The "Zero" and the "Val" in formation

 

Don't miss the 2014 National Warplane Heritage Airshow -
"The Greatest Show on Turf!"

 

By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
thestickandrudder@execulink.com

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