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Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:16 am

I understand that Bob DeFord's full-size Spitfore replica is there now along with the Corsair and the two P-38s.

Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:57 am

Its here! ALong with loads of warbirds, the ramp looks fantastic tonight out here! Its going to be a good weekend.

Sat Aug 22, 2009 8:53 am

That's cool that Bob's Spit is there, and also cool that the Bearcat is up and going again. Brandon and Ken, please tell Bob I said howdy.

Gary

Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:05 am

BDK, what did you think of Bob's Spitfire? :-)

Gary

Sun Aug 23, 2009 9:46 pm

Anyone have pics to post yet?

Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:37 pm

retroaviation wrote:BDK, what did you think of Bob's Spitfire? :-)

Gary
Sorry Gary, wasn't there and didn't see it at Chino on Friday either, although I wish I had. A good friend of mine built some parts for it and I understand it was built to a very high standard.

The folks I talked to (reasonably knowledgeable warbird folks) didn't realize it wasn't a real Spitfire.

Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:43 pm

Pictures to come tonight or tomorrow. darn Good Show!

Imagine this, all these flying at one time in the air:

B-25, C-53, F7F, F6F, F8F, (4) CJ-6's, (2) P-38's, Zero, P-51, F4U4, and the "Spitfire", all flying in the same airspace performing at the same time!!!

Mark Drew had "Susi-Q",an excentally restored T-28 on Display, along with 3 others, 2 of which flew in the show.

Couple of T-6s / SJN's

Clay Lacy's DC-3 was there.

And so many more...

Amazing Sight to see! It was a Spectacular show, and I just want to say thank you to the EAA Chapter 723 for all their efforts to bring in so many warbirds for the show.

Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:11 pm

noizeedave wrote:B-25, C-53, F7F, F6F, F8F, (4) CJ-6's, (2) P-38's, Zero, P-51, F4U4, and the "Spitfire", all flying in the same airspace performing at the same time!!!


There were some HUGE gaps in the display slots. One was at least 15 minutes with nothing flying today. The Navion flybys were a joke, they were doing 5 minute circuits (I timed them) & that *missing man* thing could have been a disaster, the guy totally stalled/stopped as he pulled up & just ran out of puff. So many people near me did the sharp intake of breath thing my ears almost popped :shock:

& I got a pic of the firehydrant thing in the middle of the taxiway ;)

At the pilot briefing on Saturday morning the airboss(?) told everyone to be ready to go 3 acts before your slot. I don't think many managed it. It's nice when the next act starts the display as the previous one leaves. There were a few where one slot finished the next guy was taxiing out...

Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:22 pm

They had a "FAA" "stop" because of of an "Incursion" the FAA wanted them to remove some people prior to letting more go.

Then the EAA wanted the WWII planes launched early to compensate and so we all were sitting there awaiting....and nothing.....We got up late after all!

It was sad.

, and Yes, the firehydrant rocks! Please post the picture here to share, or email it to me and i will!

Any WIXers other than us around at the show?

A guy did come up to me and Donate to us all original NAA manuals for the B-25. Here's the list:

1 B-25C/D Maintenance Manual, Mint! no bends or folds on corners or the cover.

2 B-25C/D Flight Manuals, Leather Bound

1 B-25 G Flight Manual, Leather Bound

1 B-25 H Flight Manual, Leather Bound

A stack of 1943 NAA Service Newsletters

B-25 J Wiring Diagram and an empty NAA / B-25 Binder.

Needless to say this man earned a flight!

Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:27 pm

Here ya go Rick,

THis must be the same guy who installed the hydrant.....He was appearantly fired right after painting the lines on this road.....

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Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:41 pm

noizeedave wrote:They had a "FAA" "stop" because of of an "Incursion" the FAA wanted them to remove some people prior to letting more go.

Then the EAA wanted the WWII planes launched early to compensate and so we all were sitting there awaiting....and nothing.....We got up late after all!

It was sad.

But that doesn't explain 5 minute circuits, where was the turn for downwind..... Santa Barbara?

I know what I'll be doing back at VNY this week.. we have an oil shut off valve that er, doesn't. It was leaking oil most of yesterday, but hadn't leaked at all over night when I looked at it this morning :? & I didn't get to see it after the plane landed this afternoon as I hit the exit gate just about the same time the mains touched down at the end of the slot. 8)

Future Fire Hydrant in the middle of the taxiway:
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Actually there are 2 of them, heres the other one:
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Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:50 pm

Theres another one, with the hydrant installed that you missed. Ill get taken tomorrow and post it!

Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:07 am

I always wondered where our airport manager got his idea from. No fire hydrant, but we have a sewer clean out sticking up in the taxiway at 5c1. I begged the manager to let me move it before they poured concrete around it (only needed about 3ft.) to no avail. Oh well someday he's gonna have to buy somebody a prop (or more)

Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:50 am

Here are a few shots from the show.

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Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:03 am

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The man in the Scooter is the last living man from Mt Suribuchi, Iwo Jima, from the original 18 men on the mountain top during the flag raising. He spent the airshow with our crew. Very nice man with historic stories to share!

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What can you say....Beautiful!

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Our C-47 Progress!
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