Chanute Airshow, Rantoul, IL

[RickH]

The Collings TA-4 Skyhawk is on its way to Rantoul, IL this weekend where it will be one of the featured performers at their airshow.

[Bill Greenwood]

Man that brings back memories, mostly bad ones, what a hole that place was especially in the winter! I went to technical training for mechanics there in 1969. They did Otave Chanute no favor in naming that place after him. Our state was paying a certain fee to the base, so the Air Force recieved more money the longer enlistees from each state stayed. Since we represeted $$ to Chanute, they did not tell us that those who were A students finished the course early and were sent home. I was easing along with a B average, when someone had a good heart, perhaps it was one of the civilian instructors, and told me about working the system. With extra study early in the morning I was able to pull my average up to an A and left there two weeks early as an honor graduate. We did not have much petty harrasment like in basic training, the food was edible, but sleep was pretty sparse and it was a depressing place. I had a low grade fever every day the last couple of weeks, could not afford t drop out for sick call. When I got back to Austin and went to my Dr. he told me I had Mono even before the blood test. When the test result came back he said I had the most severe and advanced case of it he had ever seen. I was in bed for weeks, and weak and slugish for months.

[EDowning]

Bill Greenwood wrote:

I was in bed for weeks, and weak and slugish for months.

Some things never change...I had no idea you were there in the late 60', did you enlist? That must have burned to the core of your liberal soul, in the vietnam era.

As a side note, Clyde Zellers is doing his aerobatic SNJ airshow routine there, it is not to be missed, one of the best WWII aerobatic routines you will ever see.

[RickH]

Eric, Bert Zeller is flying the Skyhawk.

[EDowning]

RickH wrote:

Eric, Bert Zeller is flying the Skyhawk

That is a strange coincidence. More importantly, are you bringing the Scooter to Midland? I really want the chance to fly a "heritage" flight with it.

[Taylor Stevenson]

That'd be a great looking formation!

[RickH]

Eric we've had a discussion with a promise from Old Shep to get back to us but so far, no joy. I'm planning on following up myself this week.

[spookyboss]

The AC-47 is going to be there.

[RickH]

You going to Chanute, SpookyBoss, or Midland ?

[spookyboss]

Both ! Rantoul this w/e,then KC, CAF end of Sept., and most likely out to the west coast for some more shows.

[RickH]

That's great, be sure and look the guys up and let them know who you are.

[RickH]

The Skyhawk flew a successful and well recieved display today !

[Bill Greenwood]

Rick good to hear everything went well for you there and hope it is same for all pilots this weekend. We are all due some good news.

[mustangdriver]

It is awsome to see an A-4 flying at these airshows. I saw it fly at KPIT two years ago.

[RickH]

Apparently Sunday's show was even better and they flew some formation with Clyde Zellers in his T-6. Our pilot flying the A-4 is Bert Zeller. Kind of spooky.