General Electric Air Research Demo, Schenectady, NY 1946

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:31 am

Discovered this over on Brian Locketts page, his father took these back in 1946. There are some pretty neat pics

General Electric Air Research Demonstration, Schenectady, New York, June 22, 1946
http://www.air-and-space.com/19460622%20GEARL.htm

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 8:46 am

Cool peek into the past showing what was hot 65 years ago. Wonder what folks 65 years in the future will think of our 'GEE WHIZ' stuff from today? :wink:

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:10 am

Those last pictures show the building that the Empire State Aerosciences Museum now own. I have lots of great memories of going to airshows at that airport but nothing like those shots. Wow, what a great treasure those are.

Edit: Guess I should get the name of the museum correct....

Tim

John Kerr · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:01 am

Outstanding photos. What a display. Can I dream of being there with a current digital camera?

tom roberts · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:53 am

Now that's an air show.

airknocker · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:28 pm

The Empire State Aerosciences Museum has on display a photo of the B-29 performing a flyby with the jet deployed and all four props feathered!
http://www.esam.org/
Here's Eric Dumigan's tour of ESAM:
https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/3832627 ... m?h=b33d6a

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:00 pm

tom roberts wrote:

Now that's an air show.

What is sad is that it is hard to imagine an airshow with such variety of active duty or test bed aircraft at it now or in the future. I started going to airshows in the mid 80's and it seemed like the after 1991 static and air displays really took a dive as far as active military aircraft, But I spent most of the mid 90's on an aircraft carrier so i missed a lot of airshows stateside.

Tim

airknocker · **Posted:** Sat Mar 31, 2012 4:51 pm

One of the best airshows was in the mid-80's at Schenectady when ESAM was just under development. The local tv station WRGB, the ANG and other community organizations advertised the show as inviting all active military pilots from the Capital District, They accumulated numerous contacts from families with members from all the services. Insread of the usual DOD requests for display aircraft, invitations were made through the pilots to their individual bases. Since the military budget was healthier back then, commanders were able to assign pilots/aircraft to SCH for the event without the customary redtape. It not only allowd a diverse flightline, C-5A to F-16 and just about everything in between choppers, trainers, abour two dozen all tolled, but local media had a field day interviewing these sons and daughters of Upstate NY familes. All the services were represented and demonstrated the interest in shows at SCH. Unfortunately, over the years several shows were washed out and events of major size became more difficult.
ESAM has relied on smaller programs, flyin breakfasts, school tours, veteran reunions, military&car cruises along with corporate funding.

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

Amazing photographs! There were some great photos in the 1937 March Field airshow as well.

Chappie

51fixer · **Posted:** Sun Apr 01, 2012 7:56 am

The YP-59A shown is under restoration to fly at Planes Of Fame in Chino.

airknocker · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:56 am

I forwarded these photos to the acting Curator, Ray Davis, of ESAM and received this reply and additional info:

Thanks for sending these photos! We show a film of this event on a continuous loop in the GE room of Gallery II. Having these photos will add to that exhibit. Also, thanks for your comment regarding our progress. Volunteers and staff like to know that their work is appreciated. I’ll pass your comment along. I hope you’ll be able to come visit us sometime soon to see all that we’ve done. We’re planning and scheduling the acquisition of three airplanes to the collection: a MiG 15, a Supermarine Scimitar (one of three existent and the only one in the US) and a Douglas Skynight. All three are being transferred from the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and are in great shape. The Intrepid is getting the Space Shuttle Enterprise from NASA/Smithsonian and so had to make room for it.

airknocker · **Posted:** Sat Apr 07, 2012 1:14 pm

Here is a comment on the ESAM Facebook page concerning possible future airshows:

Empire State Aerosciences Museum
Unfortunately, development of the properties immediately adjacent to ESAM has made it significantly more difficult to obtain FAA clearance to bring in big air show contenders like the Blue Angels.

We love air shows too, though..., and continue working to make another one happen! Although we can't say for certain how long the process will take, keep an eye on this page and/or our website - we'll be sure to share information on future air shows as soon as it becomes available.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:20 am

John Kerr wrote:

Outstanding photos. What a display. Can I dream of being there with a current digital camera?

I often wish I could do something similar, digital camera, both video and still, whil in a B-17 over Europe circa 1943.... Those would be some interesting shots!

airknocker · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:52 am

The above mentioned aircraft are on the way to ESAM:
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article ... to-2835722

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General Electric Air Research Demo, Schenectady, NY 1946

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