Trainers that Gathered in Arizona

cadet77 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:34 pm

Here are a few trainers that gathered at fly-ins and air shows in Arizona at Casa Grande and Williams-Gateway (Phoenix-Mesa Gateway).

Stearman Fly-in at Casa Grande, AZ

Pratt & Whitney R-985

Pilot and student seating.

T-6 line-up at Williams-Gateway, AZ

N3N-3 at Williams-Gateway, AZ

BigGrey · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:58 pm

Great pics cadet77. Thanks for posting them.
I had my first Stearman ride in Mike's white one and Mac's red 450 is the first one I got to do take-offs/landings/pattern work in.

Les

Ryan Keough · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:24 pm

When did these photos take place? I noticed Mike Walsh's Stearman (Chino Navy) and was just curious!

The Inspector · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:12 am

I've often wondered why someone doesn't paint his STEARMAN in recall markings, BIG black and silver checkerboard all over, every field had at least one to recal students if the weather was heading downhill and they needed to get back home pronto
:?:

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Great pictures! The Stearman was the very first airplane in which I did aerobatics in. It brings back a lot of good memories. Man, I miss that plane!

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

The Inspector wrote:

I've often wondered why someone doesn't paint his STEARMAN in recall markings, BIG black and silver checkerboard all over, every field had at least one to recal students if the weather was heading downhill and they needed to get back home pronto
:?:

I remember seeing a Stearman in that exact paint scheme. I saw it maybe 10 or 20 years ago in a magazine, but I don't know if the aircraft still exists, much less if the owner repainted it. Cool scheme though!

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:21 am

I like the last one!!!!! The rest :vom:

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:45 am

That last one #20 is one of those funny looking Stearmans.,

astixjr · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:17 am

There is a Stearman painted with the Recall scheme at Creve Coeur Airport here in St. Louis. It is very cool and it really works. The owner, Les H. is under contract to to fly it whenever the FAA shows up on the field. There is a photo of it on one of the WIX forums but I'm not sure where to find it. Maybe Mark Nankivil or Tulio posted the photo?

When I see photos like the ones Cadet 77 posted, it sure makes me miss my life in Arizona. :cry:

I have countless wonderful memories of flying in a three ship Stearman formation with Bud and Gary Abrams. I wonder if the Black and Red 450 is still owned by Leroy? Williams-Gateway in July....I'll bet that was a "hot ramp".

JimH · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:37 pm

It would be kind of funny to know when these photos were taken since mac has been on the road since January...

Jim H

cadet77 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:44 pm

Thanks for the comments and questions.

Ryan and JimH,
The photos of the Stearman trainers were taken in 1997. The Stearman trainers did an annual fly-in at Casa Grande for a number of years, but now gather in southern California each spring. The number of flying Stearman trainers remains fairly high today because of the durable welded steel tube fuselage and conventional wood wings and fabric covering.

N3Njeff,
The N3N-3 and T-6 line-up were taken in 1995 at Williams-Gateway. As for the N3N-3 and its longevity as a trainer, few remain today as flyers. There are still a number of N3N-3s in non-flying condition around the valley. Sadly most of the N3N-3s suffered heavy corrosion in the aluminum fuselage center section, lower wing attachment areas, aft fuselage area and forward fuselage hopper tank area from constant exposure to the materials delivered on the forests, orchards and fields. :cry:

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:12 am

warbird1 wrote:

The Inspector wrote:

I've often wondered why someone doesn't paint his STEARMAN in recall markings, BIG black and silver checkerboard all over, every field had at least one to recal students if the weather was heading downhill and they needed to get back home pronto
:?:

I remember seeing a Stearman in that exact paint scheme. I saw it maybe 10 or 20 years ago in a magazine, but I don't know if the aircraft still exists, much less if the owner repainted it. Cool scheme though!

I am almost certain that I saw one painted in those colors at the Flying W airport in South Jersey -- perhaps 5 years ago. It was really cool and I wish I shot a pix. No idea where it is now, though. jb

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:29 am

cadet77 wrote:

Thanks for the comments and questions.

Ryan and JimH,
The photos of the Stearman trainers were taken in 1997. The Stearman trainers did an annual fly-in at Casa Grande for a number of years, but now gather in southern California each spring. The number of flying Stearman trainers remains fairly high today because of the durable welded steel tube fuselage and conventional wood wings and fabric covering.

N3Njeff,
The N3N-3 and T-6 line-up were taken in 1995 at Williams-Gateway. As for the N3N-3 and its longevity as a trainer, few remain today as flyers. There are still a number of N3N-3s in non-flying condition around the valley. Sadly most of the N3N-3s suffered heavy corrosion in the aluminum fuselage center section, lower wing attachment areas, aft fuselage area and forward fuselage hopper tank area from constant exposure to the materials delivered on the forests, orchards and fields. :cry:

Yep, know all about it

Family owned airplane for 39 years. Flying numbers are almost 100!!!!
Would love to see more N pics if you have any?

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Trainers that Gathered in Arizona

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