Warbird Information Exchange

Air show hopes to make history with warplane fleet
February 19, 2008
by James Hawver
Gannett News Service

Phone calls have been coming from England, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Editors at aviation magazines from around the world want to know more about the potential of a historic reunion planned for the Geneseo Air Show this summer.

Frank Schaufler, air show coordinator, has been trying to assemble the largest fleet of Curtiss P-40 Warhawks — recognized for the shark mouth painted on the nose — since World War II.

"This is bigger than Monroe or Livingston counties," Schaufler said. "This is bigger than anything in New York state. It's bigger than anything in the country."

All 13,738 of the P-40s were built at the Curtiss factory in Buffalo from 1938 to 1944.

Although P-40s were used by Allied forces throughout World War II, they are well known for their use by a group of 99 American pilots who volunteered to go to China in 1941 to help fight invading Japanese forces. The airmen became known as the Flying Tigers. In the summer of 1942, the Flying Tigers were incorporated into the U.S. Army Air Forces.

Four of the six living Flying Tigers, who range in age from 92 to 95, already have told Schaufler that they would attend the air show, which runs from July 11 to 13 at the Geneseo Airport on Route 63.

Schaufler has been in contact with all but one of the 25 owners of P-40s in North America still capable of flight.

But the price of getting the planes to the show may stand in the way of making history, Schaufler said. Owners of the P-40s on the West Coast are charging at least $1,000 per hour of flight. Some estimate they will need 10 to 13 hours to fly one-way. The 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum, which runs the show, is seeking eight sponsors to pledge $30,000 each to bring the P-40s together.

Schaufler announced the plans Monday at the Greater Rochester International Airport, which is housing a P-40 that was built in 1941. Wreckage of the fighter was discovered in 1995 in Russia and was purchased by Gerald Yagen of Virginia Beach, Va., who had it restored in New Zealand. Andy Michalak of Easton, Md., flew the plane to Rochester on Saturday and will fly it back next week.

He said this P-40 will return again for the Geneseo Air Show, and he would be honored to fly it again as a member of the select fleet.