Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:07 am
richkolasa wrote:I only started going to Geneseo in 98 after the split. Can anyone compare the late '80s-early '90s Geneseo shows to Duxford? I would assume that Dux has many more fighters, but did the heavies put Genny up there? How did crowds compare?
Rich
The old shows between say 88 and 93 were massive. Duxford would definitely have more fighters, but at Geneseo between those years it was typical to have 5 B-17s, the Lancaster, and sometimes a B-24. In addition there would typically be about 3-4 B-25s, maybe an A-26, 3-4 C-47s, maybe 3 C-45s. For fighters, they had their P-40, usually 5-6 P-51s, a Wildcat, a Corsair, a couple TBMs, sometimes a P-47, or the Helldiver. Not to mention the number of trainers they would get. I know they've had 25-30 T-6s, tons of Liason and PTs as well. In addition, the entire airworthy fleet of the CWH show up.
I know around that time they would get at a minimum of 150 warbirds showing up. The current shows at Geneseo are about half of what they used to be back from the early 90s. But, I remember going to the shows in 95, 96 at Geneseo and being able to count the warbirds on one hand. I hope it'll continue to grow and become the same as it used to be.
Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:59 am
My only trip to Geneseo was '91 - over 125 Warbirds...fantastic.
For a Heavy Bomber enthusiast, to see an arrow-head formation of 5 B17's, followed by a B24 AND a Lancaster...heaven in the air.
Liked it so much I joined the NWM. I did attend later shows in Batavia and one in Horseshead. (Another story for another thread, please.)
Still hoping my work/travel schedule match up with the Geneseo weekend soon.
Love "The Greatest Show on Turf" moniker...
For a Heavy Bomber enthusiast, to see an arrow-head formation of 5 B17's, followed by a B24 AND a Lancaster...heaven in the air.
Liked it so much I joined the NWM. I did attend later shows in Batavia and one in Horseshead. (Another story for another thread, please.)
Still hoping my work/travel schedule match up with the Geneseo weekend soon.
Love "The Greatest Show on Turf" moniker...
Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:07 am
I have a VHS tape of that show my uncle took with 5 B-17s a B-24, and a Lanc in formation...just WOW! 
Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:29 pm
TimAPNY wrote:Geneseo is a really great time! But to compare it to Duxford is a bit unfair.
I really enjoy the show, but I always look forward to the end of the show when the crowds leave and the crews and AV-Nuts hang out and eat some good food and drink some beer / Wine and talk late into the night. That is what I think makes Gennie so great and unique!
Tim
Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:10 pm
Jerry O'Neill wrote:And to clarify one thing, I believe the Imperial War Museum, who owns Duxford, doesn't have much that actually flies, so it's mainly a static display of IWM equipment. It's Duxford's tenants that fly their aircraft, so in reality, a mix of the NMUSAF and several private collections that fly their aircraft would make Geneseo more like Duxford, but the actually history and buildings at Duxford would still make it more unique. History actually happened there, Geneseo was created 20 plus years ago.
Jerry
Pretty much, Jerry. RAF Duxford was built in 1918, IIRC, and the Belfast Truss hangars date back to then.
THe IWM is a strictly static, conservation museum. AFAIK, they've only 'operated' one aircraft, which was for administrative reasons, when the RAF's Messerschmitt Bf 109G 'Black 6' was based there. Otherwise all the flying is done by private operators.
And the IWM is a lot more than aviation - they have tanks and a couple of boats, too; the Gibraltar Gun, the 1940s prefab house, and so on.
Cheers,