Wings Over Houston 2011

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:29 pm

Ok, so I'm going to probably drag this out too long, but here's a shot at a WIX report on WOH 2011.

I got to the airport before sunrise, but still managed to get off late. Probably should not have stopped to take pictures, and had to do some resurfacing on our runway thanks to our ever-present gophers...

Heading out Eastbound I was treated with spectacular weather and a great view. I'm not one that demands a smooth ride, but the air was VERY smooth.

Bill Greenwood would be happy to know that his helmet is still getting a lot of use. The only thing he might not like is that the thoughts in between the helmet have not been significantly altered...

I used good ole' map skills to navigate out... a GPS would be out of place in this kind of bird...

The previous photo was the town of Shiner, for those who have never seen it... and this is it on the sectional.

There's a refinery east of Hallettsville, as I switched over to a new sectional...

Which happened to be particularly easy to spot...

Next installment coming soon.

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:36 pm

When you get close to Houston, the grass starts getting greener...

and I hit my last major landmark before entering Bravo airspace.

Ellington Field was particularly easy to spot, as was the fact that I was arriving later than intended.

This photo was shot just south of Houston Southwest airport - a place I still intend to go back to someday. I thought the Dutch Wings gift shop was pretty neat the last time I was there.

Slooooowly making my way across the big city. I had a headwind all the way that was a bit more than I would have liked.

At last, I'm finally in position to call up the airboss to get in.

But because I was late (argh!) I got to hold for a bit and watch Kirby Chambliss in the Red Bull aerobatic aircraft.

More coming!

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:33 pm

Airshow boss RR was pretty nice to me considering, and after a bit more of that... and several turns in the hold I got to set up for runway 4 with the Heavy Metal jet team taxiing out and Kirby finishing up.

And lest anyone think I was really that close and on short final - I have a good zoom!

I do have to say that the Snowbirds are a very impressive team, and my favorite of the North American military jet teams.

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 6:44 pm

Ok, ok, so y'all are probably tired of the shots of the trip over by now. :wink:

Time for some warbirds. That's what this site is all about, right?

Pulling up on a ramp that looks like this is fun!

and then to see that this is just about to take off... amazing!

and this is starting up next to you!

Tora! Tora! Tora! is good, but the real thing is better!

Something tells me that the Zero wasn't being pushed that hard even in these aerobatics, but it's still amazing to watch.

Of course we like Tora, too.

and the Blastards...

Ryan

muddyboots · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:08 pm

Great pics! It must be something to watch an airshow from the air lol!

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:38 pm

Now remember, these photos are still from Friday.

This is one of the MAIN reasons I like to go to Wings Over Houston... Tim Landers (a fellow WIXer) and his Legends and Heroes Autograph Tent. I was glad I got to Houston in time to at least lend a token hand towards helping set this up.

A friend - Mr. Miles brought his L-3 "Bad Bug" and was there with the autograph tent as well. I was more than a little disappointed that I couldn't park with him next to the tent, but I didn't know the proper channels to go through and couldn't get it done.

After setting up the tent, several of us went over to the Flying Legends collection, and I got to meet WIXer Rob Mears with one of his favorite kind of aircraft...

A beautiful Corsair.

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:30 pm

One more Corsair shot:

and close enough to touch the Zero

What an amazing hangar!

it's fun to see airplanes you've only read about

and yes, there's at least one plane on the ramp there that needs a new paint job... and it doesn't have a tiger mouth.

I will admit to thinking of Gary Austin as I walked past these birds

Another Corsair

I was thinking that this would be an excellent way to teach children their numbers... if they were just parked in a different order...

Or maybe, seeing as how we are close to the Johnson Space Center, that's just an appropriate countdown to a great airshow.

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:39 pm

A pretty pony...

Bearcat

Corsair again.

Air Force Phantom... Wish it had been Collings.

and some guy that knew everything I asked about these bent wing thingies...

The SB2C is a particular favorite of mine since it bears the USS Franklin markings and my great-uncle was on board the ship.

And yeah, I know some people really disliked the fact that the Heavy Metal Jet Team displaced the Vietnam act (me included), but they did fly a really decent show.

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:43 pm

A few Heritage Flight shots...

The F-4, P-47, and P-51 approach the airfield...

and Viper West dives in to join...

and the Snowbirds get in on the act...

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:55 pm

I had a really good time talking with another WIXer - Trey C. - and Trey, if you ever come down to SA and I'm free, make sure you ask me to go on an L-5 flight.

I'm all for wearing helmets, but that pesky helmet just kept showing up... :lol:

Galveston Gal

Helldiver again.

and a big chunky thing

it was fun to see the differences between the tail turrets on the B-17s present.

and this shot is for all of my fellow WIXers who I know this will edify...

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:01 pm

This is I think the best shot I could get of Red Tail.

Some T-6s arrive.

and '51s break to land.

I'm probably one of the few people that got a shot of the Lodestar flying...

Because there were some precautions taken with the squadron being extra careful with the last of the CAF Lodestars. This is definitely their baby, and they ended up towing it in just to play it safe.

Ryan

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:19 pm

Trainers and Liaisons rows.

The other L-5 arrives. I knew it was going to be trouble when I saw the sharksmouth. Kids love 'em...

I seriously should paint a sharksmouth on ours until we get it into an authentic paint scheme. I mean, ours isn't authentic anyway right now, and I know that the sharksmouth would draw 50% more kids to the plane... :wink:

G'night y'all. Will try and get Saturday's pictures later.

Ryan

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:37 pm

Good to finally meet you Ryan. I never really left my booth the entire time I was out there. I wanted to get over to your plane and have a look.

Bear · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:55 am

Nice photo report Ryan!! :supz:

Elroy13 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:01 am

Well done Ryan!!! Great pics! :supz:

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