Robert Baranaskas killed in P-40 -Mastic Beach 5Apr09

[lmritger]

When visiting my wife's family in Plainview a couple years ago, we went over to the 56th Fighter Group restaurant for lunch and I brought my camera along. Good thing, too, because while we were waiting for our crabcakes, we were unexpectedly treated to a couple flybys from Bob and Chris in the P-40 and P-51. My wife thought I had lost my mind as I dashed outside with my camera and got a few shots... it was a real treat, and I was thrilled to finally see this P-40 in action, after seeing it online and in magazines for so long.











I am terribly saddened by Bob's loss, and offer my sincere condolences to Chris and the rest of his family.

Lynn

[the330thbg]

first off., an obvious tragedy!

secondly., any witnesses.., does anyone know what happened?

On the news last night in NYC they stated that he was performing aerial acrobatics off the beach of Shirley, LI.

thanks and warmest regards,

Last edited by the330thbg on Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

[P51Mstg]

News is not to be trusted..... Always someone saying Aerobatics, "stunt plane", "it was a Cub" (even if it was a 747), engine sputtered, pilot in trouble, crap like that.....

Mark H

[the330thbg]

Point taken!

[P51Mstg]

Of course I can't edit my own posts, but to finish, if you read this one which talks about it more..........

You also get the "nose dive", "corkscrew", and "spun out of the sky"...

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-li ... ?track=rss

Newspeople need to go to a "basic aviation seminar"...... If they described auto accidents like they do plane crashes, the news would be a lot more entertaining.....

Mark H

[kalamazookid]

What a terrible loss. One of the true great gentlemen I've met in the warbird movement. My condolences to the family.

[Jesse C.]

What a loss. Thoughts and Prayers to his friends, family and the warbird community.

Vaya Con Dios

[Michel Lemieux]

Terrible loss to the community......

Condolences and prayers to the family.

[Jase]

Oh god, words fail me. Bob & Chris (It's difficult to think of one without the other) were honest and genuine ambassadors of the warbird community. Too often, pilots can have an ego that is larger than life. This was emphatically NOT the case with Bob, he was one of the nicest most down to earth people it has ever been my pleasure to meet.

He will be sorely missed. Chris, Cynthia, and family, our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you.

On behalf of CAF/National Capitol Squadron and its members & staff: Godspeed, tailwinds and blue skies, Bob.

Last edited by Jase on Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

[the330thbg]

[CH2Tdriver]

They have recovered Mr. Baranaskas. The P-40 is still in the water marked by a buoy. The weather is really bad here today to perform a recovery of it.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffo ... 9642.story

Pete

[the330thbg]

yah, nasty stuff outside.

I was sick when I heard this news yesterday. Sunday was SUCH a beautiful day.

The G*Ds are mourning our loss today.!!!

in the article.., did they really have to say.., 'some remains recovered'??

geez.., must be an 'ex' POST reporter doing the writing!

[Django]

HORRIBLE!

Godspeed.

[MattP38]

This is such tragic news. I never met Bob, but he sounds like a gentleman. I understand the loss his family feels at this time only too well. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

[krlang]

HORRIBLE!

Godspeed.

Wow, after 4 pages of being out of the loop, I wanted to write something, but everyone had said it all too well. What a terrible loss to the Northeast warbird community. The stories over the years were always good ones.

Especially, the story of Brian's Proposal.

I also loved the fact that he used to "commute" in the P-51, I had heard he liked to stay at home during the local shows.