Warbird Information Exchange

Hello Vlado:

You raced Moonbeam for a couple of years back in the 1990s, and ran her pretty hard one year. Did you find that low level high speed turbulent environment to be especially hard on her airframe or systems? I've had my racing friends occasionally comment on various fasteners and other components loosening up or breaking under the stress of running so hard close to the ground.

Have you ever had any regrets about subjecting Moonbeam to the stresses of racing?

Thanks...

Neal

Neal:
Very sorry for the delayed reply. Blame it on work, Xmas, wix being down, etc.

Regards your question. I had no concern about airframe stress at low level at Reno. Over the years, flying air shows, I've encountered some hard bumps during my normal display routine. In fact, some of the hardest bumps were during cross country flights in hilly terrain.
However, one hard bump that was hit, was from crossing into the wake of Seafurys. Other aircraft did not have as hard a jerk-roll-bump as the Seafury. Finally, I did not experience any fastener or component loosening. All was fine at each post flight.

My plan was to win my category & that was accomplished. I had a high time engine on board. It was appropriately sent in for overhaul after Reno.

Hope this helps,
VL

Thank you Vlado.

I had kind of assumed that your answer would be something like this, but was curious to hear from somebody who did have some serious Reno experience. You did seem to have been enjoying yourself out there...