Planes of Fame Air Show: The Night Before

[Bomber_12th]

Although I attended the Planes of Fame air show back in May, I didn't take very many photos during the show itself, but rather I did get a few from the night before the event, walking around the airport.

This year's theme was "The Mighty 8th Air Force", and going along with that, the air show organizers planned on having the largest gathering of P-47 Thunderbolts. A couple had to cancel at the last minute, unfortunately, but they still assembled four flying examples, and Yanks rolled over their P-47D for static display (airworthy, but not flown). This same aircraft can be seen in my "Yanks" thread.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_1_zps12f3f707.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_1_zps12f3f707.jpg.html)


There were two C-47's and a C-53 in attendance.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_2_zps802302f0.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_2_zps802302f0.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_7_zpsf77512fd.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_7_zpsf77512fd.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_8_zps7590e997.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_8_zps7590e997.jpg.html)

[Bomber_12th]

The air show also brought together two B-17's, which even in the U.S., is rare for an air show.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_5_zpsc417d472.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_5_zpsc417d472.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_4_zps6eb207f8.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_4_zps6eb207f8.jpg.html)


The only flying PB4Y Privateer flew in from its home in Arizona. This aircraft of course used to be a water bomber, but the nose modification and lack of blisters you see are a result of the aircraft's service in the Coast Guard following WWII. It is currently finished in the basic markings it wore while part of the U.S. Coast Guard. (This is one of the few photos I took on the day of the air show)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_6_zpsae64a036.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_6_zpsae64a036.jpg.html)


Three B-25's attended the show - these being the Planes of Fame's "Photo Fanny" (as seen below), Westpac Restoration's "In the Mood", and Aero Trader's "Pacific Princess".

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_3_zpsf0c0c735.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_3_zpsf0c0c735.jpg.html)

[Bomber_12th]

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http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_11_zpsacfadc6a.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_11_zpsacfadc6a.jpg.html)

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[Bomber_12th]

Plenty of these things there:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_12_zps5a82affa.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_12_zps5a82affa.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_13_zpsd00fba12.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_13_zpsd00fba12.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_14_zps06a8359e.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_14_zps06a8359e.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_15_zpsf654032c.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_15_zpsf654032c.jpg.html)

[Bomber_12th]

Planes of Fame's very rare P-51A Mustang, the only one currently flying (without taking into account the two A-36's that are also flying, and the P-51A/P-51D hybrid which is "Polar Bear").

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_16_zps10d868cf.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_16_zps10d868cf.jpg.html)


The Friedkin family's P-51K "Fragile but Agile" is sporting Hamilton Standard prop blades and spinner now, making it look like a D-model, as the Aeroproducts prop assembly had a problem occur earlier this year, requiring Steve Hinton, who was flying it at the time, to make a dead-stick landing with the aircraft. The same reliability issue with the Aeroproducts prop blades was present back during WWII, and was the reason for many K-models having their Aeroproducts prop assemblies and nose cones replaced in the field with the Hamilton Standard prop blades and nose cones from B/C/D models.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_17_zps1e55982d.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_17_zps1e55982d.jpg.html)


This aircraft was perhaps the biggest draw for me, though it didn't fly - it's the only airworthy original P-26 Peashooter, and the only surviving example outside of the Smithsonian.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_19_zpsbed79b65.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_19_zpsbed79b65.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_20_zps1e4c8241.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_20_zps1e4c8241.jpg.html)

[Bomber_12th]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_21_zps31355d0f.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_21_zps31355d0f.jpg.html)

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http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_23_zpsa5933cc1.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_23_zpsa5933cc1.jpg.html)


Rudy Frasca's replica/reproduction FlugWerk FW-190, on long-term loan to Planes of Fame, who flies it regularly.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_24_zps9198208a.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_24_zps9198208a.jpg.html)

[Bomber_12th]

This is the Commemorative Air Force SoCal Wing's Hellcat, one of very few which flies today. The day prior, I was up at Camarillo, visiting the Wing, and was almost put to work helping get it ready for the show.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_27_zpsacb50cf5.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_27_zpsacb50cf5.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_26_zps86c9c5cd.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_26_zps86c9c5cd.jpg.html)


This is Jim Slattery's recently restored F7F Tigercat, done by Westpac Restorations. It is an absolute stunner in person, and an award winner. He's got a second Tigercat, being done in the same markings but with different cowl numbers, at Fighter Rebuilders at Chino.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_28_zpsdc402efe.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_28_zpsdc402efe.jpg.html)


And here's another of the few photos I took on one of the days of the air show itself, showing a very cool scaled-down Fieseler Storch replica.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_29_zps31b46ea0.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/POF_Show_Img_29_zps31b46ea0.jpg.html)

[AussieMan]

Some great shots there John.

[Bomber_12th]

Thanks Pat, it was an amazing experience.

On the first day we were out there, with them knowing one of the guys I was traveling with and knowing we were coming, we got to tour the Aero Trader hangars and the projects they're working on. I'm not at liberty to share any photos from inside the hangars, but here's the one photo I got of Aero Trader's "Pacific Princess", with our little rental car under its wing (which we put about 750-miles on, through our 5-day warbird-themed travels). Another part of our trip took us out to Aero Trader's desert storage facility, and out there it was 102-degrees F, and after leaving the car sitting in the sun for a few hours, it's temp registered 129-degrees F when we got back in it! In the background of this photo, you can see how hazy/dusty it was that day - it was our first full day out there, and the winds were blowing 60-70 mph - clouds of dust/dirt everywhere.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Pacific_Princess_zps415da0a9.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Pacific_Princess_zps415da0a9.jpg.html)

[Bomber_12th]

Additionally, here are some photos from my visit to the Camarillo airport and the Commemorative Air Force SoCal Wing.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_1_zps77a68532.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_1_zps77a68532.jpg.html)

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http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_4_zps8be18883.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_4_zps8be18883.jpg.html)

[Bomber_12th]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_6_zps71236aec.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_6_zps71236aec.jpg.html)

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[Bomber_12th]

While we were there, Steve Barber showed up to fly the Mustang. We didn't stick around to watch it start up/fly, but it roared overhead as we were eating dinner at a nearby restaurant a bit later. : )

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_10_zpsd30aa87c.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_10_zpsd30aa87c.jpg.html)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_11_zps087aab5c.jpg~original (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/Bomber_12th/media/Yanks/Planes%20of%20Fame%20Air%20Museum/Cam_Img_11_zps087aab5c.jpg.html)

[lefty]

John, these are great shots - I am deeply envious !

If I ever get back to California, Chino is a must !

[PrivateCustard]

What an utterly fantastic collection of shots.....and aircraft.

Hope you guys over the pond are taking good care of Snafu! We miss her greatly over here. :frown:

[stansdds]

Very nice! :applause::applause:

[Panther_99FS]

Johnny_T,
Some GREAT shots here....! :wavey:

[Bomber_12th]

Thanks guys! It definitely felt like "warbird mecca". Also it was a bit surreal to see, and in some situations meet, some very well known individuals in the warbird community, which of course are Chino regulars - people I've idolized.

PrivateCustard, it was awesome to see the P-47G "SNAFU"! I've had a real interest in that aircraft and I followed it closely through its most recent restoration in the hands of TFC. I've been delighted by its distinctive paint scheme, though I loved it when it was "Little Demon" as well - one of the first warbirds restored in accurate WWII markings, back when it was owned by Ray Stutsman. As I'm sure you know, the aircraft is now owned by the Friedkin family, otherwise known as "Comanche Fighters", which own an absolute airforce of warbirds (including 7 Mustangs, 5 Spitfires, 2 F-86 Sabres, 2 Bearcats, P-38, G-32, Duck, Hellcat, Corsair, Wildcat, etc.) which they keep the majority of located at their private warbird airfield in Texas. They are certainly great caretakers, and at least some of their warbirds are taken out to various shows around the U.S. - mostly in part due to their being the backbone of the present Horsemen aerobatic team.

Regarding TFC, they are known not only for restoring and operating warbirds, but of course also being active in the market of selling warbirds, when they can get the right price for them, and using the funds to continue to put into other projects. In the last year they've sold the P-47G, the P-40B, and now the Hellcat, from what I've heard - I believe it may have been purchased by Rod Lewis. They have however taken delivery of their highly-polished P-40C, the one that could be seen at the Chino/Planes of Fame air show last year and the year before that. It is slated to be flying at Legends!

[PRB]

Great pics John. I love the little Cessna with the shark mouth in the background of the B-25 photo! :)

[roger-wilco-66]

Great shots, again! These treats are definitly on my list now, for a USA trip!

Cheers,
Mark