July 26, 2014

Propwash Party

PT-26, PT-19, Harvard

One weekend this last May the skies over the little town of Justin, Texas were treated to the sights and sounds of vintage airplanes. The numbers in attendance were not staggering but the uniqueness of the types is what made the day. Fairchild trainers, liaison Stinsons, North American trainers and the Boeing B-29 made appearances. One shiny beauty stopped people in their tracks... the Ryan STA. Which one had people asking "what is it?" most often?  That would be the Travel Air 5000. One of two know to exist! Enjoy the photos below from the small airfield of Propwash in the hangar that houses Cowtown Aerocrafters.

Travel Air 5000
B-29 Fly over

L-5

L-5

T-6

PT-19

T-6

Ryan STA

May 31, 2014

Warbirds Over the Beach 2014 Airshow Report

Plenty of photos and great coverage of the Warbirds Over the Beach 2014 can be found over on Warbirds News.  Hats off to Richard Mallory Allnutt for the fantastic photography!

Follow this link.... http://www.warbirdsnews.com/airshow-news/warbirds-beach.html

Links - Military Aviation Museum

May 29, 2014

Planes of Fame - Chino Airshow 2014 Photos


The Planes of Fame - Chino Airshow 2014 was couple weeks ago and I have been anxiously awaiting Britt Dietz Warbird-Photos.com web site to post his amazing photography from the show.  The wait is over!  This is a MUST SEE for any Warbird enthusiast!

Follow this link and enjoy... http://warbird-photos.com/gallery.php?Airshow=2014-POFAirshow-1

Hats off to Britt Dietz for all the photos!  Thanks!

Link - Britt Dietz Warbird Photos - Planes of Fame

May 4, 2014

Flying Legends - Video Trailer for 2014

The Planes of Fame - Chino Airshow is this weekend and as soon as I find a link to photos I will post one.  Across the pond the Flying Legends airshow in Duxford has excitement building.  Check out this newly released trailer for that show!


May 3, 2014

CAF Moving to Dallas

 Interesting news that the Commemorative Air Force is relocating it's headquarters to Dallas from Midland.  The move to Dallas Executive Airport (formerly known as Red Bird Airport) will take place over the next year or so.

For a great article and photos check out the article using the link below...

http://milaviate.com/2014/04/30/2177/

March 27, 2014

Spitfire Mk1a Airborne

Over at the PlaneTalk forum Brian Marshall has posted photos of the first post restoration flight of a rare Spitfire Mk1a.

To see Brian's other photos follow the link below.  Nice shooting Brian!

http://forum.planetalk.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11344

March 1, 2014

Canadian Lancaster to the United Kingdom

Great news was posted on WarbirdNews.com that the Canadian Warplane Heritage Lancaster bomber will be flying to the United Kingdom later summer.  The sights and sounds of TWO Lancasters in the air together will be spectacular!

Read the story here...

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/warbird-collections/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/kind-opportunity-lancasters-flying-formation.html

February 23, 2014

Kermit Weeks Flies the Curtiss Wright CW-13R

Kermit Weeks has purchased the Curtiss Wright CW-13R from the late Don Carter.  This unique and rare airplane was saved from Bolivia, restored in San Antonio, Texas and purchased by Mr. Carter who based it in Sonoma, California for a few years.   Kermit recently flew the CW-19R for the first time.  Check out the video below of the flight.


January 26, 2014

North to the Orient - Erik Lindbergh

Recently announced on Erik Lindbergh's Powering Imagination web site is his plan to fly the Orient again like his famous Grandparents, Charles and Anne Lindbergh.

The Lindbergh's Lockheed Sirius
 
The news brief below was taken from the Powering Imagination web site...

North to the Orient
In 1931 Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh took off for a groundbreaking flight from the US to China, via Canada, Siberia, and Japan. This flight showed the world the potential for aviation to bring the world together. This journey was immortalized in Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book: “North to the Orient” and was also captured in the photos from this 30,000 mile journey that were immortalized in an extensive photo essay in National Geographic Magazine.
In 2016 to commemorate the 85th anniversary of his grandparents’ flight, Erik Lindbergh plans to retrace this journey in a plane powered by biofuels. This adventure will show the possibilities that new sustainable power technologies create, and it will allow Powering Imagination to directly bring its message to Canada, Siberia, Japan, and China. While this flight is a tribute to the original, Erik plans to continue beyond the terminus of the original journey to connect with more people in new locations.
In conjunction with the journey, a feature documentary on this flight will also be filmed for global distribution. The documentary will cover the adventure, the message of sustainability, and the cultural connections between the people along Erik’s flight path. Planning for the 2016 departure starts in 2014!


Should be an exciting trip to bring aviation and new technology back to mainstream news!

Links - Powering Imagination - Lockheed Sirius






January 7, 2014

New Home for Cessna Airmaster

Preparing for departure

Cessna Airmaster NC25485 now has a new home in Deer Park, Washington with Chad Vanderhoof.  Kelly Mahon did the honors to fly the ship to its new home.  NC25485 was purchased from the Russell Williams collection and flown across Washington State yesterday.  Congrats to Chad for reviving and flying this rare ship. Hope you see many happy hours ahead flying the 165hp antique!

Time warp!
New owner Chad (on left) with vintage airplane pilot Kelly (on right)
Kelly enjoying a 1930's view of the mountains
Already attracting a crowd at its new home

January 5, 2014

World War One Aircraft - The Vintage Aviator

Old Rhinebeck's Nieuport
Just within the last couple of years I have taken greater interest in the aircraft of World War One - The Great War.  A visit to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome was one spark that lit the fire.  If you have not visited Old Rhinebeck it is a MUST SEE for any aviation enthusiast!  Another spark was my wife giving me the book Ghosts of the Great War by Phillip Makanna.  It is a spectacular photographic book on the subject.

In recent years the aircraft rolling out of the shop at The Vintage Aviator in New Zealand will keep Great War aircraft flying for years to come.  They build and rebuild aircraft for their own collection and for other museums/collectors all over the world.  Hats off to Peter Jackson (famous director of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit) for spending his money through The Vintage Aviator to rebuild and build those airplanes. They even building some of the engines from scratch!  Visit their awesome web site for an in depth look at their aircraft projects.

My uncle sent me an email this week with a link to an airshow put on by The Vintage Aviator.  The photographs are high quality and put you right in the action amongst these rare ships.  Take a look at these amazing aircraft on display.  Follow the link below.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/message/1385149639/Photos+from+The+Vintage+Aviator+Ltd%27s+Remembrance+Day+airshow

To further research World War One aircraft we recommend the WW1 Aero journal - http://ww1aeroinc.org/

Links - Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome - Ghosts of the Great War - The Vintage Aviator

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