airshows of the past

[Nathan]

I've heard many times here of airshows that are no longer held. Was wondering what airshows were considered "warbird" airshows?

Also what shows are no longer with us?

I can think of the wings of eagles shows in Elmira and the Scranton Pa show. Although the latter was more of a modern aircraft show. So yeah those where my only local airshows I could get to. Sadly they are no more. Although Binghamton NY does host a airshow. But its usually small and there were a few years they did not have it. They also only have the show for one day...usually Saturday which means a large croud!

[AIRIC]

Muirkirk Ontario, once home of the Swordfish. A mini Geneseo.

Eric

[DenverWarbirdFan]

There was an r/c airshow-meet called Aviation Expo that was hosted by Byron Goberson in Ida Grove, IA (later Ankeny, IA) from the late 1970's- mid 1990's. Mr. Goberson had recreated an entire WWII reenactment...all 1/5th scale. Tanks, boats, aircraft carriers that would catch on fire, everything. Some Zero's would actually launch from the carrier. They had r/c B-25's that would drop bombs on a 1/5 scale railroad/oil refinery that would catch on fire. They had for a long time the largest r/c plane in the world- a B-29. There would be mock dogfights where a Corsair would shoot down a Zero and the Zero would catch on fire in mid-air! Usually about 20 or so airplanes in the air at a time.

Of course, these were all Bryon Originals models. But it was an amazing show and way ahead of it's time. Especially the pyrotechnics. There were several full scale appearances as well. Usually Reg Urschler would show up in the P-51D "Gunfighter" at the end of the show as the flag was being raised on the 1/5th scale Iwo Jima. Sometimes a B-25 or two would show up as well. The Blue Angels were even there one year. Sadly, the show ended after numerous accidents (There was at least one death during a CAF Tora, Tora, Tora performance) that brought the show to a hault.

If you search for "Byron Originals' Striking Back" on youtube...there are some great videos of it.

[Nathan]

Sadly, the show ended after numerous accidents (There was at least one death during a CAF Tora, Tora, Tora performance) that brought the show to a hault.

what happened?

[DenverWarbirdFan]

I believe one of the T-6's crashed during the show, killing the pilot. There were also a couple incidents with r/c models losing control and crashing into the crowd.

The show was incredible...even if you weren't into aviation, seeing a 1/5th scale WWII battle right in front of you was awesome.

[cg51]

I had it on tape once, it was an awesome show, the B29 was cool, if i remember it took a few guys to fly it.

[richkolasa]

Dutchess County Airport in Poughkeepsie, NY used to have an Autumn Warbirds show in October. I think 1998 was the last one, sometime around there. It was a good event, Vlado was there, Jim Beasley (Sr and Jr), the late Steve Snyder, the late Bill Dodds, Kalamazoo stuff, MAAM, and some unusual stuff (like a white Folland Gnat one year). Probably the best was the four-ship missing-man with the P-38 (Tallichets), P-40, P-47 and P-51 (edit: it might have been an F4U rather than P-47, I'll have to dig out my slides). The Kalamazoo Jug was usually there. Hellcat, Tigercat, MAAM Martin 404, Nine-o-Nine and the Lib...really good stuff.

Another great event was Frederick, MD, which was usually the 2nd weekend in August. Gorgeous airport (home of AOPA), great people, superb show (about 70% warbirds, 20% civilian performers, 10% modern military). POLITICIANS ended that, some dopy woman mayor I think single-handedly wiped it out, without any support from the business community. She was ousted the next year I believe, but the damage was done.

I do see a Frederick, MD event on the schedule this year, anyone know anything about that?

Rich

Last edited by richkolasa on Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[DenverWarbirdFan]

I had it on tape once, it was an awesome show, the B29 was cool, if i remember it took a few guys to fly it.

YouTube links:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBz8_5hvxWM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xNmLJju6nc

I have it on video as well. I need to transfer to DVD so I don't lose it.

More Info:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_55687 ... tm#5568714

[Brad]

BRECKENRIDGE!!!!

The ultimate warbird airshow! Nothing has ever come close. Harlingen, Geneseo, Oshkosh, nothing holds a candle to the old days of Breckenridge!

[cg51]

I had it on tape once, it was an awesome show, the B29 was cool, if i remember it took a few guys to fly it.

YouTube links:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBz8_5hvxWM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xNmLJju6nc

I have it on video as well. I need to transfer to DVD so I don't lose it.

More Info:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_55687 ... tm#5568714

Denver, Thanks

[Nathan]

BRECKENRIDGE!!!!

The ultimate warbird airshow! Nothing has ever come close. Harlingen, Geneseo, Oshkosh, nothing holds a candle to the old days of Breckenridge!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moXEah3VVB0

[bdk]

The airshow I miss the most is anything without a stupid jet car racing an airplane.

[k5083]

Windsor, Ontario's Airwar 1974 show. Unfortunately a one-time-only event because of the death of its host/organizer later that year in a Mustang crash. PeterA and I were there, maybe some other old farts on the forum as well. The roster included:

11 Mustangs
2 Hellcats
2 Bearcats
4 Wildcats
3 Lightnings
3 P-40s
3 Corsairs
Spitfire
P-63
P-64
Avenger
Dauntless
Sea Fury
Firefly
Fieseler Storch

Hamilton, Ont. hosted some great warbird shows in the 70s and 80s as well.

August

[C170BDan]

BRECKENRIDGE!!!!

The ultimate warbird airshow! Nothing has ever come close. Harlingen, Geneseo, Oshkosh, nothing holds a candle to the old days of Breckenridge!

AMEN, PREACH IT, BROTHER BRAD!

I am starting to scan in all my Breckenridge photos to start a web page to link all the gallery pages together! 1990 Is the first of many...

http://picasaweb.google.com/dtlinn/Breckenridge1990#

There was NOTHING like it!

[Steve T]

Also fondly recalled, the "three-and-only" NWM Wings Of Eagles events held at Genesee County Airport, Batavia NY, 1994-96. Too many highlights to note, but suffice it to say that the fact that the airstrip was paved did not detract from the event!

S.