Denton TX 1984

67Cougar · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 2:56 pm

How many of you remember the warbird shows at Denton TX back in the mid-80s? Great shows - small airport, short runway, grass fields, great clean background, and 100+ warbirds at each show. Great access, during arrival days you could get within 150-200 ft. of the runway, and free access to the parking areas. Man, it was great.

Here are some shots from the 1984 event. Highlights were 5 Avengers - they did fly together, but never got into a formation that could be photographed. PBY-6A N16KL was there, before it was destroyed. 4 B-25s. 3 A-26s. It was a lot of fun ....

K5DH · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:03 pm

I was there! Yep, there were some fun air shows at Denton back in the day. Good times!

Cheers,

Chunks · **Joined:** Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:02 am **Posts:** 361

Love the pics thanks for posting. By far my favorite is the pic of the real yellow rose! I have a great pic of her in my hangar. When I get down there next week I'll scan it in and post it. Anybody remember "Laiden Maiden"? :shock:

Chunks

Ztex · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:29 pm

Great stuff! I have some pics of the Blue Angels A-4's at Denton. Great place for a show!

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:33 pm

Great shots! What's the story on the Ju-52? Is it the same aircraft the CAF currently owns?

SN

67Cougar · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:22 pm

Yep, the Blues were there in 1985. I've got a selection of shots from that show, to be posted in the near future. Only Blues show I ever saw where the aircraft took off and landed seperately due to runway size.

These shows were back when the CAF was considering Denton as their new HQ (before Midland came up). I was told by multiple people, and saw articles in the local paper (Denton was my home town) that the only reason Denton was not chosen was the city council's refusal to pay to widen Airport Road frm 2 to 4 lanes. Less than a mile of blacktop cost Denton a lot of revenue and prestige in the long run!

Ztex · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:27 pm

Yeah I think the CAF would have been better off if they would have moved near either San Antonio or DFW. Midland is just a long way from everywhere and there is no other draw. At least Harlingen had Padre Island and Mexico...

Looking forward to seeing your Blues pics!

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Steve Nelson wrote:

Great shots! What's the story on the Ju-52? Is it the same aircraft the CAF currently owns?

SN

It is the aircraft formerly owned by the CAF. Jerry Yagen bought the CAF's -52

Steve Rister · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:42 pm

I was there in 83 & 84. Shot video of both shows. Remember each plane getting waved off like a carrier take-off upon taxing out. Not sure if that was 83 or 84 though.

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:14 pm

I could have bought that L-1 from the ALG about then and............kick me in the butt here!

Glen · **Posted:** Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:17 pm

Wow this is Soooooooooooo Cool ! in the 19Th Picture of the 2 AT-6's I am the one setting the Back Seat of the Porchagese T-6 . it belong to Victor Bilbo ! That was my very First War bird Ride !

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:46 am

Quote:

It is the aircraft formerly owned by the CAF. Jerry Yagen bought the CAF's -52

D'oh! I forgot Mr. Yagen had purchased it. Thanks for smacking my brain into gear!

I remember seeing that aircraft at the Goshen IN airshow back around 1991..only time I've ever seen a "Tante Ju" fly.

SN

C170BDan · **Posted:** Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:26 am

I was just a kid but went in 84 & 85... maybe more. These were my first Warbird/CAF shows until we discovered Breckenridge. Right after these shows I started buying up magazines and reading about who owned the Warbirds and who flew them. Really was the jumping off point of my interest. Many "firsts" there... first time to see the B29, Hellcat and more. Alan Preston brought over his Corsair. Jay Cullum was there with his P-51. Buck Ridley with his Corsair. Now you have me digging thru my pictures to find the ones from Denton!

Thanks for posting the pics!

Rogue · **Posted:** Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:52 pm

Nice to see the uncensored "Yellow Rose" :roll:

Can't wait to see more from the good old days.

Ztex · **Posted:** Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:21 pm

Yellow Rose! one of my favs!

They did do a good job in the censoring department...

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Denton TX 1984

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