A Century Later

LEST   WE   FORGET

The War To End All Wars

1914-1918

Major Mustang Milestone at 2017 Sun ‘n Fun

(above)  Gleaming in the morning sunshine, Crazy Horse 2 is one of a pair of hard-working two-seat P-51 Mustang trainers flown by Stallion 51 Corporation.  Here, N351DT is seen taxiing in at Bartow Municipal Airport, Florida during the airport’s open house in December 2014.

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For fans of North American’s famous P-51 Mustang who are within driving distance, or even a last minute flight away, an event of note is planned for the 2017 Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo at Lakeland, Florida.  This year marks 30 years of P-51 pilot training at the well-known Kissimmee, Florida-based Stallion 51 organization and they have organized a mid-week Mustang gathering at the six-day Sun ‘n Fun event to mark the achievement.

During this year’s Fly-In and Expo, which runs from 4 April to 9 April, Sun ‘n Fun will present its usual broad array of educational activities and ground displays as well as its traditional afternoon air show each day.

Word has it that some 30 P-51s will be in attendance this year with most aircraft arriving at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport on Wednesday 5 April.  A segment of the Thursday air show is set aside for P-51 flight ops and as many aircraft as possible will take to the sky for flypasts, aerobatics and a USAF Heritage Flight display.

Such large-scale themed warbird events are few and far between these days.  Neither are they in any way guaranteed in the future so take advantage of this opportunity while you can.  This one should prove to be memorable indeed.

For more information about the 2017 Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In and Expo (4-9 April):

http://www.flysnf.org/#

For those interested in Stallion 51 and its flying activities:

http://www.stallion51.com

(above)  Stallion 51 two-ship departure.  Crazy Horse 2 leads N851D Crazy Horse as the formation roars down the Bartow runway for the short flight back to Kissimmee Gateway Airport.  Such formation takeoffs are certainly not uncommon whenever the great fighter aircraft of bygone days gather for public display.  With 30 P-51s scheduled to appear, more than a few scenes like this will likely be witnessed at Sun ‘n Fun.

Bravo Zulu US Coast Guard Aviation!

Today, 1 April 2016, marks the 100th Anniversary of US Coast Guard aviation.  Seldom receiving the level of attention given to the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, the Coast Guard is, nonetheless, one of the armed services of the United States.

Normally part of the US Department of Homeland Security in peacetime, the Coast Guard’s maritime responsibilities ensure that the service is always engaged in operational activities.  Whatever the mission might be, aviation assets and personnel are often integral to the success of the service’s taskings.

A century of service is no small accomplishment and US Coast Guard aviation aircraft, personnel and displays will be in evidence at many air shows and events across the nation this year.  Making things even more interesting, some 16 aircraft are to receive retro paint schemes from the past 100 years for the celebrations.

Find out more about Coast Guard operations firsthand at one of the events this year.

For more information concerning events and dates: http://centennial-cgaviation.org/index.php/events/

(above) One type you won’t see this year, or again for that matter, is the Dassault HU-25 Guardian.  The type gave good service to the Coast Guard from early 1982 until the autumn of 2014 when the last example was retired.  Offering high transit speeds as well as modern electronics and sensors, the HU-25’s replacements are decidedly slower, but more versatile, CASA / EADS / Airbus HC-144A Ocean Sentry and ex-US Air Force Alenia C-27J Spartan turboprop transports.

US Airways 767 Service Ends

Yet another era in commercial aviation ended with the last passenger flight by a US Airways Boeing 767 on 12 February 2015.  The aircraft, 767-2B7ER N252AU, completed round-trip service from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Charlotte, North Carolina on 12 February 2015.

The airline operated a dozen 767-200s since 1997 when USAir became US Airways.  USAir inherited six of the aircraft from Piedmont Airlines, which had used them on its Charlotte-London, UK route, when the two airlines merged in 1989 and added six more between 1990 and mid-1993.

US Airways' merger partner, American Airlines, flew its last transcontinental 767-200 service when 767-223ER N319AA completed a flight from Los Angeles, California to New York City, New York on 8 May 2014.  That service is now flown with Airbus A321 aircraft.

Note: Pending the issuing of a single operating certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration, expected sometime in 2015, American Airlines and US Airways continue to operate separately.

(above)  One of US Airways’ last remaining Boeing 767s at the time, N250AY climbs out smartly in the early morning sun from Orlando International Airport, Florida on 6 February 2015.  Less than a week later, this 767-201ER was reportedly in storage.  It may not be the end of the line, however, since N250AY is apparently available for sale or lease.

Get ‘em While You Can: US Airways Birds Go American

With the last of the big US airline mergers – US Airways and American Airlines – well underway, aircraft of the former US Airways are shedding the familiar red, white and blue paint of the last 10 years for the most recent American Airlines paint scheme.  American’s new look, introduced in January 2013, was first applied to an ex-US Airways aircraft – an Airbus A319 – in January 2014.

Former US Airways aircraft, the vast majority of which are Airbus A319s, A320s and A321s, are scheduled to be painted in the new scheme by mid-2016.  That’s little more than a year from now so get out and capture some aviation history near you soon.

(above) Some 90 Airbus A321s were operated by US Airways when its fleet was transferred to American Airlines Group in September 2013. The first example entered service in January 2001 and, although the two airlines are now one, deliveries against the most recent order placed by US Airways continue.  In this view, crew and passengers aboard a fairly new N570UW, in service since October 2013, are minutes from arrival at Orlando International Airport, Florida in August 2014.

(below)  Eventually, the ex-US Airways A321s will be repainted in the new American Airlines scheme displayed here.  This aircraft, N126AN seen during an early morning departure from Orlando in February 2015, is not one of them but is representative of 65 A321s ordered by American and was handed over to the airline in October 2014.  The large wingtip winglets make American’s new A321s instantly distinguishable from the transferred US Airways machines.

BBQs and Birds of the Manufactured Variety

Despite ongoing technical problems with Google stuff, I've finally found a way to post a pic from a recent multifaceted event held at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Florida.  Watch for a review in the, hopefully, not too distant future.

70 Years Young

For anyone familiar with central Florida weather, summer afternoons are usually punctuated by rapidly building thunderstorms containing incredible amounts of lightning and rain.  The mornings, however, are generally dominated by great flying weather – blue sky and light winds.  The other day was no exception and your unaware scribe, dropping by Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM), was fortunate enough to arrive with only seconds to spare.  The lads at Stallion 51 were returning to their home base from a two-ship P-51 excursion and at least one useable image recorded the event for posterity.

(above) Two North American P-51D Mustangs, N851D and N351DT, are part of the small fleet of working warbirds at Kissimmee Gateway-based Stallion 51.  Both were built in 1944 at the height of the Second World War and converted to two-seat, dual-control trainer configuration during their civilian use afterward.  In this view, N851D roars over the photographer for a short final approach to Runway 15.  Seventy years ago, when N851D rolled off North American’s Dallas, Texas assembly line, the P-51 was making significant contributions to the Allied war effort in the European, Mediterranean, China and Burma-India theaters of operation.  The white and black stripes, shown to advantage here, were identification markings adopted for use on Allied aircraft of all sorts during Operation Overlord.  The largest seaborne invasion in history was launched on 6 June 1944 to liberate Europe and the stripes were still in use in August.

Military Aircraft Formation Teams over Florida

The annual Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo was held at the beginning of this month at Lakeland, Florida.  Lakeland Linder Regional Airport has been home to the event since the first fly-in was organized in 1974 and this year continued the tradition of assembling a very large number of aircraft for inspection by large audiences over six days.  The US Navy’s Blue Angels aerobatic team and the US Air Force F-22 Raptor were present but US military aviation was otherwise conspicuously absent as the post-sequester trend continues.  Those who rescue, restore and display warbird aircraft filled some of the void and several formation teams took to the sky with former military trainers.

(above)  Representing the other side in the 45-year Cold War, two groups unite for this flyby.  Leading this formation of prominent Warsaw Pact trainers are two Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainers – N139TB (119) and N239PW (239) – of The Hoppers display team and three Aerostar IAK-52TW trainers flown by the Aerostars aerobatic team.

(above)  The three-ship Aerostars team derives its name from the name of the Romanian firm which continues to produce the Yakovlev Yak-52 primary trainer as the IAK-52.  Available in tricycle or conventional landing gear configuration, this version, the IAK-52TW, derives its variant suffix from the tail wheel clearly visible as N621TW leads N252TW (right wing) and N718PH in a maneuver.

(above)  The North American AT-6 Texan advanced trainer of Second World War fame remains a popular warbird type today and its aerobatic abilities are familiar to millions of air show spectators today.  In this view, the four-plane Aeroshell aerobatic team is caught in a ‘diamond’ turn.

(above)  Known as the AT-6 in Army Air Forces service and the Harvard when wearing the blue, white and red roundels of British Commonwealth air arms, North American’s famous trainer was the SNJ when assigned to US Navy or Marine Corps units.  Six early SNJ-2 aircraft are flown by the GEICO Skytypers for their multiplane, modern version of traditional skywriting and for full aerobatic displays at air shows.  Here they are seen reforming during one of their aerobatic shows.

(above)  They’re back.  After a disappointing 2013 air show season, the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is back in the spotlight with their Boeing F/A-18 Hornets.  The Blue Angels six-ship ‘delta’ formation heads for the midpoint of a roll with the team’s two-seat bird nearest the camera.

Warbirds at Orlando

Several unique and interesting former military aircraft flew into Orlando Executive Airport, Florida for public display between March 20 and March 23.  Most were Commemorative Air Force birds or aircraft associated with that organization and they were part of a CAF tour of Florida communities which began in late February.  The tour is built around the only flying Boeing B-29 Superfortress in the world and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the aircraft’s return to the sky in 1984.

Some accompanying aircraft have been replaced during the six-week tour but all of them help raise public awareness of vintage aircraft restoration and operation efforts, warbird museums and provide a physical link to veterans who flew or supported aviation operations during the Second World War and during the period since that global conflict.  The tour also allows members of the public to experience most of the aircraft in their element during local flights while helping to fund their continuing operation.

The B-29 will return to its home in Texas in early April and is scheduled to embark on a tour of Arizona, California and Washington in mid-May.

(above)  A welcome visitor to Orlando Executive AP was Douglas EA-1E Skyraider N65164 from the Cavanaugh Flight Museum at Addison, Texas.  A stalwart single-seat attack type during the Korean War and Vietnam War, the big Skyraider was further developed to carry out a multitude of roles.  The A-1E, known to US Navy and Marine Corps aircrew before 1962 as the AD-5, was a multiplace version used in the attack role and as a platform for electronic warfare and airborne early warning work.

(above)  This very nice North American AT-6D Texan was also on the ramp.  N36 is associated with the Commemorative Air Force through its pilot, Colonel Tom Malone.  Orlando Executive is no stranger to T-6s as it was a major Army Air Forces base during World War II with at least a few Texans flown by its support squadron.

(above)  The CAF’s Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver is seen taxiing in following a local flight.  The only airworthy example in the world, N92879 represents a design which had, by the end of the Second World War, become the standard Navy scout-bomber.  Although early versions suffered from design, performance and handling flaws, the bugs were worked out on later variants.  However, the SB2C’s reputation continues to suffer at the hands of authors today.

(above)  One of the unsung support types of the Second World War and two decades which followed was the Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor.  The type served in the training, light transport and photo-reconnaissance roles with the US Army Air Forces, US Navy and Allied air arms during WWII and in the postwar years.  This CAF aircraft, N70GA, is a postwar civilian D18S and is painted in the wartime camouflage and yellow markings applied to Royal Air Force training and support aircraft.  The black/white identification stripes were applied to all Allied aircraft operating in the United Kingdom when Operation Overlord – the invasion to liberate Europe – began on 6 June 1944.

(above) The star of the tour for most is Boeing B-29A Superfortress FIFI.  The B-29 was the ultimate AAF heavy bomber of the Second World War and is synonymous with the strategic bombing campaign against the Japanese Home Islands during the last year of the war.  The final blow was delivered by two B-29s – Enola Gay and Bockscar – which dropped a single atomic bomb each on targets in Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively in August 1945 to bring WWII to an end.  A few of the many who turned out on 23 March are seen waiting for a chance to look around inside N529B.

(above)  Complex for its time, the B-29 still requires a good amount of ongoing maintenance over 70 years later.  In this view, FIFI gets a little attention around No. 1 engine following a local flight.

A Glimmer of Hope for Air Shows in North America

Far from the major headlines of the day, an announcement on 22 October should bring a smile to air show organizers and volunteers, folks associated with the charitable organizations which air shows support, aviation enthusiasts and taxpayers who like to see their military up close.

The US Navy’s aerobatic team – the Blue Angels – and the US Air Force Thunderbirds will be back in action for a full show schedule in 2014 as will Army, Navy and Air Force parachute teams.  That’s how it stands at this point in time.

Also announced was a reduction in static display aircraft at air shows compared to years preceding the 2013 sequester and the near elimination of flyovers at mainly non-aviation events.

Boeing VC-25 Pics from Orlando

President Barak Obama paid a quick visit to Orlando, Florida yesterday to address the annual national convention of the 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans service organization.  Not wanting to miss a chance to photograph a USAF VIP bird, my better half and I headed over to Orlando IAP (KMCO) and were not disappointed when Air Force One arrived.

The typical late morning summer weather of central Florida added to the attractive VIP paint scheme which is worn by many of the aircraft assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews-NAF Washington, Maryland.

Boeing VC-25A 92-9000 is one of two 747-200B series aircraft flown by the 89th AW’s Presidential Airlift Group.  Now well over two decades old, their replacement has been under consideration by USAF planners for some time.  With a decision still somewhere over the horizon, the VC-25s will continue to carry presidents to domestic and international destinations for many years to come.

Inspiring a New Generation?

As the years pass, there seems to be fewer opportunities to light the fire of enthusiasm in aircraft and aviation among youngsters.  Historically, airports and air shows provided aircraft viewing opportunities which captured the imagination of most children and steered many toward a career or lifelong interest in military or civil aeronautics.  As this blog is being written, many airports have become no-watch zones. Air shows seem to be in good health in most parts of the world and particularly so in Europe.  In North America, however, a substantial number of air shows in the United States have succumbed to sequester-related Department of Defense budget cuts which eliminated all support of civilian air shows and led to the nationwide cancelation of military base open houses.  Air shows in Canada, supported in considerable strength over the past 35 years by the US DoD, have been downsized somewhat.

However, there is a new 3D film on the verge of release which may create a new generation of young aviation aficionados.  Planes, a computer-generated story of a crop duster aircraft (aerial application aircraft in today’s terminology) – Dusty – aspiring to become a big league air racer, is The Walt Disney Company’s latest animated offering.  Scheduled for release on 9 August, the cast of characters includes historic air racers, executive types and military aircraft of yesterday and today.

Even the most serious aviation enthusiasts should, at least, find themselves entertained while a welcome new generation of aviation ‘geeks’ may very well be born.

Note: The following images were captured by Krista Swan-Tachauer during arrival/practice day events prior to the Waterloo Air Show held at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, Ontario in June 2013.  Special thanks go out to Diana Spremo, General Manager of Media & Marketing, and the hard-working media support folks for their efforts in making the following photos possible.

(below)  Supporting the advertising effort for Planes, Dusty has been brought to life.  Originating as an Air Tractor AT-301 aerial spray aircraft, Dusty is seen here taking off and taxiing with Rusty Lindeman of Texas-based Rusty’s Flying Service at the controls.  The paint scheme approximates that of the movie’s star but N3159D is not powered by the proven Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine which equipped the AT-301.  Instead, Dusty is pulled along by an equally reliable Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine engine and is officially known as an AT-400A.  Dusty is scheduled to be at several air shows this year with his final appearance scheduled for the November 2013 Stuart Air Show in Florida.