Watsonville (CA) Airshow Sept 02, 2011

[jdvoss]

A few snapshots ffrom this past weekends airshow. The photos were taken on Friday (09/02) which is "arrival day" for the aircraft. Picture perfect weather; 76F, clear blue sky and a cool breeze coming off of the ocean. Nice!!!

[Mike]

A few snapshots ffrom this past weekends airshow. The photos were taken on Friday (09/02) which is "arrival day" for the aircraft. Picture perfect weather; 76F, clear blue sky and a cool breeze coming off of the ocean. Nice!!!

Nice shots.

The only thing you forgot to mention is that there wasn't a Watsonville Airshow on Friday, as they didn't fly the evening show. Probably the final nail in the coffin for me attending Watsonville, I doubt I'll bother in future. The number and quality of aircraft attending gets less and less each year, and with them scamming me the cost of entry on the Friday evening only to not make any effort to run the advertised show meant that I spent a thoroughly enjoyable weekend chilling out in Monterey and Carmel instead of spending any more time at Watsonville.

[k5083]

Is that last "SNJ" really a Harvard Mk. II?

August

[jdvoss]

Mike:

The Watsonville Airshow, which has been going on now for 40+ years, has ALWAYS been a three day event and is advertised as such. The Friday before is always the "arrival day" for the aircraft and as you say there are no events whatsoever...never has been. One must still pay for admission and it is a fantastic day for those individuals who are into photography without having to deal with hoardes of spectators. Easy parking, all food concessions are in operation and 1% or less of the weekend attendance. Living a a mere 30 minute drive from Watsonville I would not miss FRIDAY for anything!!

John

[Mike Halbrook]

It always used to rain when I went to these shows in the 1980s.
Speaking of the 1980s, I can see the "California Warbirds" AT-6D
behind the Bearcat. Got about 20 hrs in that beast in the 1980s.

[jdvoss]

You are so right as numerous shows were cancelled because of rain or heavy fog. Last year (2010) they changed the date of the airshow from Memorial Day Weekend (late May) to Labor day weekend for that very reason. A good decsion by the powers that be !!

[Mike]

Mike:

The Watsonville Airshow, which has been going on now for 40+ years, has ALWAYS been a three day event and is advertised as such. The Friday before is always the "arrival day" for the aircraft and as you say there are no events whatsoever...never has been. One must still pay for admission and it is a fantastic day for those individuals who are into photography without having to deal with hoardes of spectators. Easy parking, all food concessions are in operation and 1% or less of the weekend attendance. Living a a mere 30 minute drive from Watsonville I would not miss FRIDAY for anything!!

John

John,

http://www.watsonvilleairshow.org/flyin ... e=schedule

The schedule CLEARLY shows a Friday evening airshow From 6.30-8.00pm. When I arrived at about 5.00, having driven up from LA in the afternoon, the aircraft were parked out on the ramp ready. At about 5.30, the smaller aircraft all fired up and taxied away, I assume to the hangar, canopy covers went on the others, and word was that the show would not be taking place. The weather was fine, so what was the reason?

Call me picky, but when I turn up to an event advertised as an airshow, pay the entry fee and parking, and there is no issue with the weather, it it unreasonable of me to expect to see an airshow?

[WarbirdRadio]

I flew over on Friday (but couldn't afford to stop) headed to Monterey. Looked like a lot going on... Maybe next year.

Matt

[jdvoss]

Hello K5083:

Thanks so much for your note. I believe that you are correct in that the subject SNJ is indeed a CCF built aircraft. It has the registration number of N7522 with a BuNo of 91044. It "may" be a Mk.IV Harvard. Can anyone out there in WIX-land offer correct info...? I've attached a side view of the subject A/C with identifying nos.

[Roger Cain]

Yes, Jim Booth's SNJ was built as a Harvard 4. Living in this area he wanted an authentic paint scheme, which was provided by William T. Larkins, in the way of a photograph he took back in the good ole days.

Not to add fire to the air show discussion, I've attended this show and only missed one of them since 1974. In that time, there usually was a Friday night show unless weather caused it to be cancelled, and according to Mike there was no fog for this to happen. Fireworks were also a big part of the Fiday night show back in the 80's and 90's, I attneded many of those too. I did not arrive until Saturday this year.

[k5083]

Thanks. I couldn't read the N-number in the originally posted pic, but knowing now that it is N7522U, registry data confirms it is a Harvard IV.

I figured it for a Harvard by the rear canopy shape and what look like holes for the heater inlets behind the exhaust. The framing of the middle portions of the canopy is more typical of a Mk.II but of course those can easily be swapped between aircraft.

Not too common anymore to see a Harvard painted up as a T-6/SNJ. Made me do a double take.

August