OD/NG wrote:
I don't want to get into specifics of what I've heard, but needless to say, there might be a few surprises with airplane(s) that one would not normally expect. One thing to keep in mind, whether it is this airshow or any other one, anytime you start inviting large numbers of multi-engined bombers, that takes a large amount of money out of the budget for other aircraft. Take for example, a B-17. One B-17 would cost about as much as 4 single-engine fighters, possibly more, since they are a highly desired airshow aircraft. For the same cost of having 6 B-25's, A-26's, etc., you are effectively decreasing the budget for 12 single engine fighters - with everything else being equal.
Of course everything revolves around the airshow budget. I don't know how much money that PoF/Steve H. are budgeting for this year, or how much sponsorship help they are getting. That will LARGELY determine the airshow budget, and consequently, the numbers of warbirds they can invite and pay for. There are exceptions with weathly, individual owners that will bring aircraft at cost, for just fuel alone, but that is not the norm and pretty rare once you start talking about either extremely rare or multi-engined aircraft like medium/heavy bombers.
Any way you slice it, however, this is going to be one spectacular airshow! If anybody hasn't attended a Chino airshow in the past, this would be a good year to start!
Interesting to hear about the unexpected! Unexpected is great for POF coming from someone that goes every year and gets used to seeing the same west coast based planes show up. If you're still referring to B-25's, I take unexpected to be planes that aren't seen around SoCal often. Sure that's more pricey, but worth it to see 25's that don't make it out here often (quality over quantity).
One thing about POF is their starting number of warbirds is the most of any show in the states, saving money for "type" gatherings while still keeping variety. Steve also has connections with a lot of these organizations which more than likely helps cut down some of these costs (I'll bring my planes to your show if you bring yours to mine type of relationship).
Re Sentimental Journey, I was under the impression that the theme might be more based around bombers rather than just B-25's and couldn't think of any other 17 that would show up. The cost to fly it from AZ to Chino along with Maid in the Shade might be more reasonable than trying to get a further away B-25, if in fact they want a 17 present.