This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Top 5 Warbird airshows US & other

Thu Jul 08, 2004 12:31 pm

I'm looking for the BEST Warbird airshows. I'd like to see your top 5 for each, maybe more, in order.

A) In the North America (US & Canada)
B) Europe
C) Other


My Guesses would include
CAF @ Midland, PoF @ Chino, , Geneseo, .
The Fighter Collection (Duxford)

Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:21 pm

1 Geneseo
2 Geneseo
3 Yankee Air Force
4 Yankee Air Force
5 Yankee Air Force

Sorry boys I need to get out more.

Eric

Airshows

Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:51 pm

I have only been to ones in the US but I am thinking past and present... So as far as the US shows go...

Breckenridge was the best of the past. Chino is the best of the present. I have it on my list to make Midland this year. Really enjoyed the Indy Corsair gathering... a good variety was in attendance for that one. Oshkosh is good at bringing out the best Warbirds but not everyone that flies in displays their Warbirds in the show. Anyway... top of the list is Chino because they have the rarest stuff flying and the flybys and displays are great.

Wish I could have made Wanaka and wish I could make Flying Legends, Thunder Over Michigan and Geneseo!

Fri Jul 09, 2004 11:25 am

From personal experience, for Warbirds, No.1 would be Flying Legends, Duxford. I have heard that the top list includes Wanaka and Chino.

Second (personal knowledge pick) would be any Shuttleworth show where they put up any of their warbirds. Venue and quality of flying give Old Warden and Duxford shows the edge, and the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden, is, I believe, No.1 venue in the world for vintage flying. So good, a upstate New Yorker copied it (Old Rinebeck). However I have to add that I've not been to any N.American airshows, so I can't comment firsthand.

I think the warbird fan's 'must see before I die' at the moment would read something like this (in no particular order - you HAVE to get to 'em all!):
Wanaka
Flying Legends
Chino
CAF

You'd want to get to:
Old Warden
Rinebeck
Oshkosh
Reno
For other reasons than sheer numbers of warbirds flying...

Two places I've been very impressed with the local acts, who can't compete internationally in terms of sheer numbers, but give the local crowd a buzz (and that's worth seeing and enjoying) are:
RAAF Point Cook (Melb, Aus.)
Canadian Aviation Museum, Canada Day (WIXers a bonus!)

But one thing I enjoy is the difference. I'm missing Legends this year, and I don't mind, as I'll be getting to some other great great venues, and having seen the show for about 15 years (since it was Classic Fighter) I was, frankly, bored with it all. (I know, amazing.) A break and some other stuff will revitalize the juices for the next one. Old Warden is though, the place I'd really, really miss if I couldn't get to it.

Did I mention Old Warden? Good.

Cheers

Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:11 pm

I haven’t mad Rhinebeck yet :? And I only live about 1 1/2 hrs from it, sad :(

But I have open dates this summer, so maybe this will be the year.
How about making a WIX event of it?

Fri Jul 09, 2004 5:12 pm

Here We Go,
First of all, Are there more than 5 warbird shows in each category?
Past Or Present?

A)Present
Geneseo (HAG)
MAAM WWII Weekend
Sun&Fun/Oshkosh
Aerospace America in OKC does a nice job also I saw the Shackleton there
SORRY! Ive never been out west!

A)Past
Geneseo (NWM) 1990,1991,1992
Batavia (NWM) Snort and John Ellis (Dancing Cats)
Elmira (NWM)
Manchester, NH (New England Escadrille) Both B-24s together, c'mon Kermit Keep em flying


B)
Flying Legends WOW The Big Balbo
Old Warden is like going to Rhinebeck for the first time all over again


I have been going to Rhinebeck for 20 years, the airplanes and people have changed a little bit (Except for Stanley), Its a wonderful place to hang out , DONT HESITATE, GO!!!

Mon Jul 12, 2004 3:17 am

The shows that I miss the most from the past were the unlimited air races that used to be held at Mojave airport,Mojave,California.It was a great show held at a very interesting location and it was a whole days drive closer to my home than Reno is!I guess that you cant have it all,oh well!(approx 1+1/2hr drive from home} :shock: adios to you all!..Tim..

Also,

after Reno,Chino is hard to beat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I've seen a few awesome shows at Nellis A.F.B. Nevada,The late U.S.M.C. airbase of El Toro,
California and Miramar N.A.S.,California and best of all,Admission to these was free of charge!Thank you Uncle Sam :P

My two cents worth

Tue Jul 13, 2004 4:12 am

Have done a few shows over the years. My two favourites being the Midland, TX and Duxford, UK shows. Both are great, major dif being one is done the American way while the other is done the British way...

However those photo-passes at Midland are realy something!

/Nicolai
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