National Warplane Museum

[phil65]

https://nationalwarplanemuseum.com/airshow/

Phil

[whistlingdeath77]

You would think they would drop the “ drive in” nonsense

[p51]

You would think they would drop the “ drive in” nonsense

They're lucky they can even do that.
The Olympic Flight Museum in WA state couldn't even get one of these drive in shows done, which should have taken place this coming weekend...
While I fully support protective measures for the pandemic, this is the same state that won't curtail any protests because somehow, people can't catch COVID while carrying picket signs but they can while standing the same distance apart outside watching planes flying?

[Warbird Kid]

We'll be there! I hope with the recent restrictions lifted in NY State, the show is a little more relaxed and closer towards the regular show setup. (As much as it can be anyway). I'm quite annoyed at the show setup for this year, but I'm trying to remember that if we don't support the show THIS year, it may not happen next year. At least that's my fear.

I truly hope for a "Second Renaissance" of shows for Geneseo and the NWM like in the late 80's and early 90's, and with enough support, maybe its on the horizon.

[bmoran]

Canadian Harvard #2 had a landing excursion into the corn field. Pilot OK.

[JohnB]

The Olympic Flight Museum in WA state couldn't even get one of these drive in shows done, which should have taken place this coming weekend... :cry

Meanwhile on the eastern side of Washington, the Historic Flight Foundation had a very successful "Fly Day", giving two groups of award winning Girl Scouts flights in the DC-3 (piloted by a female captain) with low density seating and several Stearman rides.
With people out on the ramp and the hangar doors wide open, no one seemed too crowded.
In the late afternoon, the B-25 flew as well.

[Warbird Kid]

Back from another great Geneseo Airshow! Saturday was definitely the better of the two days for the show. There was still a cloud overcast which helped keep the overall temperature down. Our group consisted of my father and myself (the regulars) but also included my uncle (who used to frequent the legendary 80s/ 90s shows with my father), my aunt, the gf, and five more of my parent's friends. This was the first time everyone was attending the show and not just dropping us off.

In short, the show was light... lighter than I've ever seen it, but I actually wasn't that dismayed. Compared to me 4 or 5 years ago, looking at a much larger show and still being sad I wasn't around to witness the gigantic shows of the past. This time around I was just glad to be back at D52 and able to share it with so many more people!

From what I gathered, NWM wasn't even going to have the show until they confirmed the F-22 demo. And the big shocker for our group was how much we actually enjoyed the drive-in setup. It was like tailgating and still having a great view of the show. There really wasn't any sort of restrictions I saw in place, and everyone came and went as they pleased. Especially down to check out the flightline. My sincere goal is 2022 will be a banner year, with alot more private aircraft flying in and show aircraft booked. Not to mention hopefully they will have some sort of hybrid show, where there is a drive-in setup, but also a portion that is the more traditional chair & umbrella row.

I didn't take a ton of shots but hope you still enjoy!

MMB was out in all her glory but she didn't fly due to having her paperwork outdated IIRC. Word I heard is that NWM wants to continue to lease and fly her, selling rides, but the Tallichet family doesn't want to in the wake of the Nine 0 Nine accident. So she's apparently going to Palm Springs in the fall. Hoping something changes. Geneseo needs a B-17.





We had a pair (well three if you include the Tallichet C-47 too) on the field! Luck of the Irish looked beatiful!





And W7 looking beaten but flew great too!



The C-45 was also on display but I did not see it fly either.





US Army or NG brought out a Blackhawk and Chinook that were really cool to see there.



Rob Gilman's BT-13. I didn't run into our buddy this year, but there is always next year!



And this lovely SNJ that snuck in right before the show on Staurday!





The sole PT-17 at the show. I'm sure we'll see many more next year!



The NWM's L-21 Super Cub. Or at least I think it was there's. I'm not seeing it listed on there website.



Three out of four of the CHAA's Harvards that put on a great show! I thought they disbanded or something? Either way it was awesome to see some friends from the north. I hope its a sign to see more Canucks come down next year! But where is the fourth?



Upon landing one of the wings hit the corn and spun into the crop. Damage seems light and hopefully relegated to only the impacted wing.



A BUEATIFUL Fokker D.VII replica put on a wonderful demonstration that is now based at the museum there. (I of course didn't get a photo) but I did get a shot of it's new stable mate, a DR.1! And I heard about either acquiring or building an S.E.5.A! Not to mention the Great War Flying Museum was greatly missed as well.



And of course I just had to go through the hangar. Enjoy!

[Thomas_Mac]

Your trip report is much appreciated! I have missed these types of posts since everything got shut down. Looks like they have a lot of viable projects in Geneseo.

[DH82EH]

Thanks for the report Chris.
Really sorry, to not have this weekend, as a part of my summer
I can't see anything stopping a significant group of Canadians attending next year.
I'm helping a guy complete an actual Canadian veteran Stearman. It's geting close and it's gonna be beautiful!!
Yellow never looked so good.
CHAA should just borrow the wing from the T-6 parked in that hangar. It's looked like that for 25 years

Hope to see you again friend. Give my best to your Dad.

Andy

[Michel Lemieux]

Hoping for a return of the greatest grass field show in the world!

Never been.....but man the pics I have seen in the last 15 years.....

Thank you so very much for sharing!

[G_MAN400]

Terrible news losing another east coast b17.

[Warbird Kid]

Your trip report is much appreciated! I have missed these types of posts since everything got shut down. Looks like they have a lot of viable projects in Geneseo.

You're welcome! My pleasure! I only wish I had documented the trip more thoroughly! And they certainly do! One recently finished aircraft of there's was the immaculate Staggerwing that was restored off site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alJRpWEf8zw

It was started by Mark Lightsey of AeroCraftsman and was completed by Nando Mendoza of West Coast Air Creations. But now it appears its owned by Granger Haugh at Flabob. Perhaps NWM had it restored and then sold it to bankroll / fund the Museum? Anyone have anymore info on this?
https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/eaa-airventure-news/eaa-airventure-oshkosh/07-03-2019-Beech-Staggerwing

Thanks for the report Chris.
Really sorry, to not have this weekend, as a part of my summer
I can't see anything stopping a significant group of Canadians attending next year.
I'm helping a guy complete an actual Canadian veteran Stearman. It's getting close and it's gonna be beautiful!!
Yellow never looked so good.
CHAA should just borrow the wing from the T-6 parked in that hangar. It's looked like that for 25 years

Hope to see you again friend. Give my best to your Dad.

Andy

You guys were missed ALOT! I'm sure 2022 will be a banner year! Now all I have to figure out is how to efficiently trailer the Jeep up there! The "old man" is well! Cant wait to see the new creation you guys have been working on!

Hoping for a return of the greatest grass field show in the world!

Never been.....but man the pics I have seen in the last 15 years.....

Thank you so very much for sharing!

You're quite welcome! I don't know why, but I just have a feeling that Geneseo is poised to start hosting larger shows in the coming years. Have no idea if it will happen. And if it does, if it will be: 2, 3, 5, or 10, years away, but I feel if the museum continues to operate, and hopefully grow, it will prosper and become more popular again. They say its all about location and attitude, and Geneseo certainly has it.

Terrible news losing another east coast b17.

Well I wouldn't fret just yet. At least until the plane actually departs for the west coast. But it wouldn't be the first time it's flown west, only to return to Geneseo.

Last edited by Warbird Kid on Fri Jul 16, 2021 8:08 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Warbird Kid]

Here is a running list of the aircraft that are based in Geneseo. I'm sure I'm missing a few, and would be happy to edit the list with anymore info.

Airworthy:
B-17G "MMB"
C-45 "W7"
C-47
L-16 x2
L-21
Navion
Aeronca (privately owned)
Fokker DR.1 (privately owned)
Fokker D.VII (privately owned)
Cessna 150

Static Display:
F6F Hellcat (replica)
MXY-7 Ohka (replica)
He-162 (replica)
C-47
C-119
C-130
T-33
Culver Cadet (RAF markings)

Stored / Disassembled:
B-23
AT-6
BT-13
J-5 Cub
Eurocoupe
V-77 Reliant
AN-2
Culver Cadet

Its hard to tell which of the stored / disassembled aircraft are the priority for the team there. I'm sure we could see the J-3, AT-6, Eurocoupe, or BT-13 finished with some funding and time.

Last edited by Warbird Kid on Fri Jul 16, 2021 8:42 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Mark Sampson]

I went to my first airshow at Geneseo in 1984 and was immediately hooked. I was a member (in all its iterations) until 2011 or so and attended just about every airshow, rain or shine. Then I moved away, life is like that, and haven't been back. I'm glad to see that they're still active- I was in Rochester last Saturday but could not attend the show. Per their FB posts they are mostly working on keeping "W7" flying, a proper use of their limited resources. But those projects in the hangar do't appeared to have been touched in ten years... I feel sorry for the poor old B-23, waiting patiently for someone to step up with half a million dollars or so to bring her back. And I've always wanted to see the Staggerwing since its restoration, a shame that it's gone.
But thanks for posting the pictures; they bring back many fond memories. And next year I may get to spend a little more time in NY State and get to visit Geneseo again.

[rcaf_100]

Three out of four of the CHAA's Harvards that put on a great show! I thought they disbanded or something?

The Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team (CHAT - http://www.canadianharvards.com) is a separate team with privately owned Harvards that did indeed disband recently.
The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA - http://www.harvards.com) is still alive and well

CHAA should just borrow the wing from the T-6 parked in that hangar. It's looked like that for 25 years

The 'T-6' is actually ex-RCAF Harvard Mk II 2668 that ironically spent some time stored at Tillsonburg in the 60's after it was purchased along with ~25-30 other Mk II's out of Fingal by Hicks & Lawrence.
I'm organizing the effort to get 3830 back home, but it doesn't involve using that wing