Warbird Information Exchange

Ah. They had chairs and a podium in the hangar, and all of the planes were parked outside, except for a few, but yeah, roped off.

Thanks again for all the great pictures folks, looks awesome!

I guess this was the event:
http://www.airventure.org/news/2010/100 ... ering.html
For k5dh
http://www.eaa.org/apps/galleries/gallery.aspx?ID=355

WIXers, it's been a tiring but fun last two days (including the 4-hour drive home), but your patience will be rewarded. Timewise I'm gonna' work backwards, so don't lose me now.

Friday's highlights included Dan K., Bear, and Bear's friend Jeremy getting the VIP tour courtesy of David S. with the Warbird Heritage Foundation.

Starting with the AD-1, here's yours truly getting ready to stuff his big backside in the office. This is not like getting into an airplane--this is like climbing Mt. Fuji (Observant WIXers will note the amount of oil I'm trying to avoid; Dave assured me this was the clean side ).




And then bugging Dave with as many questions as I could dream up to extend my stay. I really REALLY wanted to crank her to life...




But Bear was patiently waiting his turn to play hero (Dang I take good pics):







But the fun was just getting started. Next thing I know the four of us are stuffed in a jeep and heading for the NE corner of Wittman...the nether regions of aviation's greatest event (Work with me here; I'm trying to bring you all along for the ride).

Pic 1: We approach the runoff for 18/36




Pic 2: Dan laughs in the face of imminent danger as our steely-eyed driver misinterprets the flagman's directions as a "Yes", a "No", a "Maybe?"... oh forget it, GO, MAN, GO!




Either Collings now owns an F/A-18, or we've just landed where mere mortals don't belong.




Behold: The Scooter. Getting seated in this machine is an entirely different experience. A female Olympic gymnast would do well. Full-grown male is a different story. The ejection seat is hot, so get snagged on anything black & yellow and off you go into the wild blue. Here's Bear contemplating his chances of getting in.




Applause.




It doesn't look like much, but Dan K is bigger and clumsier. I even went barefoot, just so my sandals wouldn't snag something lethal on the way out. Somehow I knew that getting in must be the easy part. Bear was kind and didn't take pics of that process.




Dave gave me a minute with the canopy shut. It's hot, cramped, and visibility forward isn't real great. I have newfound respect for all Scooter drivers.




While there, Dave demonstrated installing the special attachment for the huffer. The man definitely knows his way around Scooters.






All too soon it was time to head back to reality. On the way we caught up with the F-4 being towed (somewhere).








Wish y'all could've tagged along. Hope the pics help a little. Many, many thanks again to Dave for sharing the fun!

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

As of Friday the PB4Y was a no-show.

Would you settle for just a PBY?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Nice day today besides the rain

The Zero

Sea Fire

Thunderbird

Texas Raiders
Will post more tomorrow. It's been a long day.

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There are only two types of aircraft -- fighters and targets

Just some random bits:


Blind in 60 seconds.









Taylor schmoozin' the judges.






Well, what did it sound like to you?






I understand it...I just don't get it.







Gotta' love round.

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

I concur completely.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Did I do OK, boss?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

WOW, thanks for ALL the great photos. makes being in Teaxas a little easier.

Sad to see the weather would crap out for the big warbird shows. Took a flight in the Trimotor and shot the show from the north end due to a knee that is slowly giving out on me.

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

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The air resounds from the Rolls-Royce roar!
To an enemy the warning is dire: here only eagles soar,
and the last thing he'll see is a mirrored Spitfire!

Osprey!!

And now that I'm awake here's some more pics from yesterday.

Yak 3

P-38

Skyraider

Corsair



Mustangs

P-40

Gary Sinise in Panchito unfortunately he looked the other way just as I took the pick. He put on a great concert
later on definitely want to see him again
First year with the wife. She enjoyed it so much this year that we are going to try to stay for the week and camp there next year.

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There are only two types of aircraft -- fighters and targets

Thank you Dan K. for the Waco UPF and Thunder Mustang shots plus LIVE BAIT, etc.

You know, we better set a goal right now for 2020 in getting our Kingcobra in the show.


...then there's that little old man down in Arkansas who might have a Sea Wolf under some tarps in the barn...

My cool cuz Caroline aka Capt Blaze flew her T-38B in from Shepard AFB.
You shoulda took her picture!

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Don't touch my junk!!