Sunday, May 27, 2007

Millville Air Show

We could not have asked for a better day to attend the Millville Airshow. Temps around 85* a nice breeze blowing all day and a big tent to provide shade. Mary and I along with John and Kim had VIP passes thanks to the DRBA. The original plan was to fly in and spend the day then high tail it outta there for KILG as soon as the air boss would let us go. After watching the weather and the chance of storms I was on the fence if to fly or drive. I read on the forum yesterday about taxi and hold time around .7 of an hour. Heck that's longer then it takes me to fly there or home (20 minutes each way). The decision was made to drive.

We started early meeting at KILG at 8:15 and heading for the bridge. A nice drive to Millville and easy access to parking. WE walked through the static displays then made our way for the VIP tent to snag good seats. We ended up right out front with a clear view to the blue angles aircraft and about center of the field. I posted the schedule of events and some info on each pilot or demonstration team.

Gates open at 9 am with Program commences at 11:10 am
0900 - Gates Open to Public
1120 - Opening Ceremonies
1140 - Red Eagle Air Sports Teaser
1150 - USAF-ANG KC-135
1200 - Greg Poe MX-2 Teaser
1220 - L-29 Demo
1227 - Warbird Flight B-25s
1240 - Rob Holland Ultimate II Demo
1255 - USAF-ACC B-1B Flyby (2-ship)
1303 - FAA Firetruck Demo
1308 - Tim Weber Geico Extra 300
1323 - L-39 Demo
1337 - P-51 Demo
1347 - USAF F-15C Eagle Demo
1400 - USAF Heritage Flight
1415 - Greg Poe FAGEN MX-2 Demo
1427 - Warbird Flight(P-47,P-51,P-40,F4U)
1440 - Red Eagle Air Sports
1500 - Blue Angels C-130 Demo
1515 - USN Blue Angels
1630 - Airshow Ends

Red Eagle Air Sports - Magic in the Air!
Providing a singular blend of low-level precision formation and solo aerobatics with fascinating transitions, Red Eagle Air Sports is nationally known for it’s eye-popping, spectacular performances



Tim Weber's Geico Extra 300
The aircraft of choice for Tim is the German built Extra 300. The Extra 300 is an unlimited-class composite monoplane stressed to handle even the most demanding maneuvers. With over 300 horsepower and a roll rate in excess of 340 degrees per second, this aggressive mid-wing aircraft provides the performance and looks to make it an instant crowd pleaser.


Rag Wings & Radials
Rag Wings & Radials' B-25J is restored as "Panchito" that served with the 396th Bomb Squadron, 41st Bomb Group, 7th Air Force, stationed in the Central Pacific. Also flying in the group was the Mid Atlantic Airfield Museum (Reading, PA) "Briefing Time" and Tom Duffy's recently acquired B-25.


The North American B-25 was one of the most famous twin engine medium bombers used during World War II. It was produced in greater numbers than any other American twin engine combat aircraft. No doubt part of it's heroic stature derives from its namesake, the outspoken Gen. Billy Mitchell who proved once and for all that bombers could destroy targets, and that wars would nevermore be decided only on land or sea. The B-25 achieved worldwide fame on April 18, 1942 when sixteen B-25's under the command of Lt. Col. James Doolittle were launched from the aircraft carrier HORNET and attacked Tokyo in a daring raid.

Allen H. Smith III L-39C Albatross
Allen is a native of Wynnewood, PA just west of Philadelphia and has been flying since he was 17 years old. After graduation from Lower Merion High School he entered Penn State University at College Park, PA as part of the first Pre-Med class to graduate through the Hershey Medical Center. During his freshman year he literally bumped into the Naval flight recruiters that were on campus and offered to take him for a ride. The hop was in a T-34B, just like the one Allen now owns, and after just 15 minutes of aerobatics, Allen’s life was changed forever. He passed all of his testing and medical exams that same week and sworn into the Navy at the age of 17 as part of the AVROC Flight program. In very quick order Allen changed his major to Aerospace Engineering and started taking flying lesson at the local airport.

Today Allen is a retired Vice President of Engineering for Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals in St. David’s PA . Along with his son Chris they live in Glenside PA and own 2 immaculate museum quality aircraft. The first, a NAVY T-34B with a 285 hp engine that had 1650 hours TTSN in 1974 when the FAA zero timed the plane after Allen’s restoration. Most T-34’s have between 7 to 11,000 hours on them. Their second plane is a Soviet L-39C Albatross Jet Fighter that they imported directly from Estonia, Russia in late 1996. Allen and Chris spent 1950 man-hours, and most of 1997 & ‘98 restoring the L-39 to better then new condition with all new US avionics and electrics.

Marine's Dream FG-1D Corsair
Along with Tom's TBM-3E Avenger, the 2007 Wheels & Wings Airshow and Car Show would like to welcome "Marine's Dream" and the TBM to this year's event!
Tom will also static display
his newly acquired P-47D Thunderbolt and B-25 Mitchell in attendance with his L-4, Beech Staggerwing, Cessna 170, Grumman Widgeon, and SNJ during the event as well.


Warbirds Over Long Island Robert & Chris Baranaskas
Everyone in attendance is certain to enjoy P-40 Warhawk, SNJ-5 Texan, and P-51D Mustang that are owned by this family.
Following in his father’s footsteps; Bob learned to fly at the age of 17. He is a Commercial Pilot with Single, Multi Engine Instrument Ratings and has a Formation Waiver.
Bob developed a real passion for flying the same "Warbirds" his dad flew in WWII after purchasing his SNJ-5, a WWII Naval Advanced Trainer. He soon added a PT17 Stearman, an open cockpit WWII Army Air Corps Primary Trainer and eventually a P51 Mustang, the ultimate WWII Fighter, to his collection of Warbirds".

USAF F-15 Eagle Demonstration Team
The F-15 West Coast Demo Team is just one of the six single aircraft Demonstration Teams assigned to Air Combat Command (ACC). The Team is comprised of one Demo Pilot (Captain Tony "Baron" Bierenkoven), nine Maintenance personnel, and four Flight Safety Officers. The Aircraft themselves are not assigned to the team, but are actual operational fighters from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
The U.S. Air Force’s Air Combat Command Single-Ship Demonstration Teams perform precision aerial maneuvers, demonstrating to the public the unique capabilities of the Air Force’s high performance aircraft. ACC Single-Ship Demonstration Team members also exhibit the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. Check out http://www.stevesairshow.com/ Video by Airshowfansh
.

Jim Beasley Jr.
One of the most effective aircraft of World War II, the North American P-51 Mustang was first developed to meet a British requirement of 1940. Needed desperately because of the grave situation in Europe, the project was completed ahead of the 120 day schedule set by the United Kingdom. The first Mustangs were powered with Allison engines, but while this engine performed well at lower altitudes, power output rapidly declined above 12,000 feet. This power problem prompted North American to look at the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine to power the Mustang. The Merlin engine was found to perform extremely well at all altitudes and rapidly increased the flexibility of the aircraft. The P-51B was the first variant to use the Merlin engine. Check out http://www.stevesairshow.com/ Video by Airshowfansh


US Navy Blue Angels
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, Blue Angels, is stationed at Sherman Field, NAS Pensacola, Florida. The squadron is scheduled to fly 70 air shows at 35 locations in the United States during the 2007 season. The squadron spends the winter (January through March) training pilots and new team members at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, California. The mission of the Blue Angels is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting and to represent the naval service to the civilian community, its elected leadership and foreign nations. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. VIDEO T
hanks John for shooting the video!