Gathering of Mustangs

[ANDY M]

Today started the pre-show setup, and there are already a few birds here.
Early morning shot
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs001.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs002-1.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs005.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs010.jpg

[ANDY M]

Rickenbacker is home to the 162nd OANG air refueling wing.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs004-1.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs008.jpg

They have a bunch of KC130's at one end of the base, the other end of the field is FedEx and air freight.

That's all for today, more to come. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs008.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey! That's my old airplane! Got 2000 hours in that beauty in both seats plus 38 combat missions during the '91 war. Man, she still looks good!

One time on takeoff from Incirlik, Turkey with a new copilot, I decided to show him what the KC-135R could do with all that power. We were light-ish, about 160K gross, and I used MAX power for takeoff. I briefed my copilot to retract the flaps FIRST and then the landing gear because the jet was going to build speed fast and I didn't want to over-speed the flaps. (The gear had a higher speed limit than the flaps.) So, I lined'er up on the runway, ran it up to 70% power with the brakes on, checked all four and then released the brakes and commanded "set MAX power" to the copilot. He set MAX and we were off like a raped ape. I rotated her just off the runway and said, "FLAPS UP" and then "GEAR UP." Up they came as I held her down flat at about 50 feet off the runway. I stopped trimming nose-down at 250 knots and then jusy held the nose down with arm force as we approached 300 knots, still 50 feet off the deck. As we got to the far end of Incirlik's runway and close to the max indicated airspeed of 340 knots I saw a guy jogging on the perimter road and we were about to blow his head off. I said, "HEY, LOOK AT THAT GUY!" and the guy stops jogging and just stares at this big gray bird bearing down on him at 330 knots. My crew broke out laughing at the poor jogger and I let the nose start coming up for the grand finale: a zoom climb. The four fans were growling hard on the air and I let the nose come up and up until I had to look out my side window to confirm what my artificial horizon was telling me. I stopped her at 65-degrees nose high and let her eat as we went upstairs at 300 knots. My navigator saw the artificial horizon and said, "HOLY [censored], 65 DEGREES NOSE HIGH, WHOOOOOO!!!" As the speed bled off below 300, then 280, then 240, 220, I kept the nose coming back down and we leveled-off at about 8,000 feet above the north end of the base. As we were climbing out I heard an F-15 pilot, who had been waiting to take-off with his flight of four Eagles, say "Hey, look at that guy" on the Command Post radio I was monitoring. (Control Tower in the other radio.) I assumed the F-15 guys had never seen a fat/not sexy old KC-135 do anything like that. We roared up to cruise altitude and flew on to England for an overnight before coming home to the states. Later that evening a second KC-135R crew showed up in England from Incirlik and they said guys were running out from under airplanes and out of hangars when I was accelerating down the runway--they could tell I was doing something special--and the second KC crew was still breathless at the acceleration/climb demonstration I had performed. Ah, she was a great bird. Nothing like 88,000 pounds of thrust in a light-weight airplane and clearance for an unrestricted climb. Don't ask me about the times we played "spaceman" between refuelings over the Turkey/Iraq border.

Thanks for posting that KC photo Andy.

[mockingbird812]

"Nothing like 88,000 pounds of thrust in a light-weight airplane "

Works for cars, works for jets. Great story. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[SS427]

Great story Bill! That would have been a ride for sure.

Andy, you are killing me already. There was just no way I could make it with all the other trips I have made this year. Sucks as this would have been a show to end all shows. I pray that these guys stay safe and have a great week at the show and no accidents happen. Keep the photos coming.
Rick

[Charley Lillard]

I wish I had hauled the 55 there..... arrgh.

[Mr70]

Ha!

[Xplantdad]

Ah...so that explains your last "trip" over my house...LOL http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[budnate]

NICE!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[427TJ]

By the way Andy, my friend's P-51D couldn't make it to the Gathering because they found metal in the engine oil screens recently and the Merlin had to come out and be fully rebuilt. I think it was bearing failure on either the crank or rods but I can't remember which. He and the owner hopped on the airlines and are there spectating (and drinking beer and BSing with the rest of them).

[ANDY M]

The planes and crews started to arrive in force today.
Here's an opening taste of the Thunderbirds, making a pass over the airfield.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangs035.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangs035.flv)

[ANDY M]

These are some of the new arrivals

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs033.jpg
P-40 Flying Tiger
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs032.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs031.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs028.jpg

[ANDY M]

A few more...
B-25
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs027.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs026.jpg

Rare Wing-tip tanks
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs024.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs021.jpg

Trainer

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs019.jpg

[ANDY M]

Static display of Sherman tank. There will be a lot of stuff on display, but most of it won't be out til Thurs. or Fri.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs025.jpg

Last one til Friday http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangs016.jpg

[ANDY M]

One last thing, I got to shake hands with Jack Roush, who flew in with "Old Crow". Looks different in a flight suit, but a true gentleman who loves to meet and greet folks. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Highlight of my day.

[Woj]

Excellent pictures. I belong the the Air Guard Unit in Mansfield and we will be bringing a C-130 to the show tomorrow. I'll be hanging out there on Saturday. Should be a great show.

I was preflighting a 737 today at Port Columbus and a P51 did a low pass. Man the sound of that Merlin still gives me goose bumps.

Phil Woj.

[SS427]

You dogs!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Charley Lillard]

ARRGH !!!!!! http://www.yenko.net/attachments/291676-55proj602_7.jpg

[Woj]

Hmmm! Looks like a P-57?

Phil Woj.

[Charley Lillard]

55

[Belair62]

That car or whatever you would call it is just nuts Charley.

[Belair62]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't ask me about the times we played "spaceman" between refuelings over the Turkey/Iraq border.

[/ QUOTE ] Spill it or BAN.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Man the sound of that Merlin still gives me goose bumps.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have an old paperback of my dad's called "Sigh for a Merlin" about the Spitfire's WWII battle record. That title says it all.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Don't ask me about the times we played "spaceman" between refuelings over the Turkey/Iraq border.

[/ QUOTE ] Spill it or BAN.

[/ QUOTE ]

Go far away from the flight corridor so as to not be seen by other jets and to avoid possible collision.
Put away anything that might fly around inside the airplane, such as flight gear, navigator's gear, cans of pop, etc.
Aircraft Commander (me) remains strapped firmly in seat, everyone else heads to the back of the plane which is as empty as a bowling lane.
Lower the nose and accelerate to 300-plus knots airspeed.
Gradually raise nose until about 40-60 degrees nose high, full power.
As speed comes down through about 280, slowly push yoke forward until you feel the G go to zero--G-meter confirms zero G. Whoops and hollers eminate from crew.
Maintain weightless condition (zero G) by holding yoke forward and very gradually adjusting so as to keep G-meter pegged at zero. Any sudden moves of the yoke and someone--someone floating in zero G in back--could get slammed onto the cargo deck. Whoops and hollers continue.
As nose goes through the horizon and aircraft enters dive, slowly reduce throttles to idle while maintaining zero G with very, very gentle yoke movements. (Jet makes a big upside-down U in the sky.)
Squint eyes as the decades of dirt and dust are rise off of the floor of the jet. Yes, all the dirt comes out of every crack and crevice in the 40-year old airplane's cockpit and heads for the pilot's eyes. Tastes like dirt too. Whoops and hollers continue.
As nose reaches about 20-30 degrees nose-low and speed begins to build back up, ease the yoke back so as to gently 'set' crew back on cargo floor without drawing any blood. Whoops and hollers from floating crew die down.
Repeat by popular demand.
Total time of complete weightlessness was about 45 seconds if done right, just like the NASA KC-135 zero-G trainer known as the "vomit comet." No one ever barfed when I did it.
(Note: Best to run one (of four) refueling pump and open the refueling manifold valve during maneuver so as to maintain positive fuel pressure and not cavitate any fuel lines or starve an engine. Hydraulic system low-pressure lights will blink from momentary cavitation but can be ignored in this case.)
That is all, over and out.

[70 copo]

Charlie,

Contact the show's officials today. Show them what you have. I think that with the right people involved your car could still get there, but they would have to fly it, since the USAF is involved as a major sponsor a MAC hop to Wright Patterson or directly to Lockborne (Rickenbacker) could be arranged if the right officials are contacted.

Today is the meet and greet show starts tomorrow.

I am 25 minutes from the show. Would not miss it for the world. Your car belongs there.

http://www.gml2007.com/

[ANDY M]

That was Jack Rousch making that pass at Port Columbus.
I just happened to be there to see it. I was shuttling rental cars back to Rickenbacker. There were 2 Mustangs, Old Crow piloted by Rousch, and another Mustang that he recently sold, but I didn't catch the name or the new owner.

[Xplantdad]

Cool stuff Bill! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[PeteLeathersac]

THE Chttp://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gifhttp://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gifLEST!!!

Any Spitfires there yet...or coming?.

And great story Bill!.

~ Pete
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Belair62]

Great story Bill....at first I thought you were going up to SR 71 heights with that tanker !!

[SS427]

I came across this that I had forgot I had if any one needs one this week out there. It is a P51B/C assembly/service manual.


http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n300/ricknelson427/IMG_1774.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n300/ricknelson427/IMG_1775.jpg

[mockingbird812]

[ QUOTE ]
That was Jack Rousch making that pass at Port Columbus.
I just happened to be there to see it. I was shuttling rental cars back to Rickenbacker. There were 2 Mustangs, Old Crow piloted by Rousch, and another Mustang that he recently sold, but I didn't catch the name or the new owner.

[/ QUOTE ]

The original "Old Crow" was flown my C.E. "Bud" Anderson of the 357th FG. He was a triple ace in WWII and Chuck Yeager was HIS wingman. I have met this fine American on several occasions and his stories will blow your mind. His recount of each kill is incredible. See his awesome web site (http://www.cebudanderson.com/biography.htm) . You can spend hours on it. It is very well done.

BTW, he and his son flew a combat sortie together in Vietnam. His son is a retired Viper driver here in the valley.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v697/mockingbird812/canttalk.jpg

[ANDY M]

Thursday was good news and bad news. It rained. We needed the rain, but the airshow didn't.
Today was nothing but blue skies and sunshine.
Arriving at dawn, this is what I saw coming in, static displays for the show.
C-130, C-17 and C-5A
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday004.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday005.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday007.jpg

[ANDY M]

Parked out on the tarmac, 2 F-15 Eagles

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday001.jpg

Thunderbirds
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday008.jpg

F-22 Raptor Demo Team
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday003.jpg

[ANDY M]

Big warbirds. B-17 Flying Fortress

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday009.jpg

British Lancaster bomber

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday010.jpg

[bkhpah]

The CRAZY HORSE P-51 summer home for years was Latrobe airport. You could always tell when CH was in the air. It makes the most wonderful noise...BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[ANDY M]

P-38 Lightning. There are 2 of them here, one flying and this one, "Glacier Girl" that is static.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday011.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday013.jpg

P-40 War Hawk, aka Flying Tiger.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday015.jpg
Starting to get real busy on the tarmac, making unobstruced pics hard to take.

[ANDY M]

Now for the Mustangs. Lots and lots of Mustangs. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif 100 Mustangs take up a lot of space. Here are some selected shots. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday018.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday025.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday022.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday026.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday027.jpg

[ANDY M]

More Mustangs

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday029.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday030.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday031.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday032.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday034.jpg

[ANDY M]

A few more for the die hard fanatics.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday036.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday039.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday041.jpg

[ANDY M]

Finally, some live action parting shots:
P-47
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday042.jpg

P-38
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday045.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday047.jpg
Last one.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday050.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[427TJ]

Great pics Andy! Wish I was there but I am on a Puerto Vallarta layover instead.

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
Great pics Andy! Wish I was there but I am on a Puerto Vallarta layover instead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow...that must suck http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


Thanks for the pics Andy

[47Hammer]

Great pictures, that must have been a blast! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[budnate]

thnx Andy...100 stangs showed up, wow, now that would be a killer cackle fest, fire them all at once...sweet music.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
That was Jack Rousch making that pass at Port Columbus.
I just happened to be there to see it. I was shuttling rental cars back to Rickenbacker. There were 2 Mustangs, Old Crow piloted by Rousch, and another Mustang that he recently sold, but I didn't catch the name or the new owner.

[/ QUOTE ]

The original "Old Crow" was flown my C.E. "Bud" Anderson of the 357th FG. He was a triple ace in WWII and Chuck Yeager was HIS wingman. I have met this fine American on several occasions and his stories will blow your mind. His recount of each kill is incredible. See his awesome web site (http://www.cebudanderson.com/biography.htm) . You can spend hours on it. It is very well done.

BTW, he and his son flew a combat sortie together in Vietnam. His son is a retired Viper driver here in the valley.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v697/mockingbird812/canttalk.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

I read Bud Anderson's book a few months ago and it is fantastic.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsfriday010.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

If you think a Mustang sounds good you should hear a Lancaster go overhead.

[Eddie M.]

[ QUOTE ]
P-38 Lightning. There are 2 of them here, one flying and this one, "Glacier Girl" that is static.

Was this the p-38 that was buried in ice?
Thanks for the Pics http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[SS427]

Glacier Girl is in fact the P-38 that they dug out from under the ice in Greenland. Neat story, only wish they could retreive more of them.

[Jeff Murphy]

Here's one Mustang that wasn't there:

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/292277-Goodwood-Air-5.jpg

Ferocious Frankie named for wife of American ace Wallace Hopkins. 8 German kills.

[Jeff Murphy]

Somebody asked for a Spitfire?

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/292278-Goodwood-Air-6.jpg

Probably the most famous Spitfire still flying as it has never been fully rebuilt. 7.5 German kills.

[Jeff Murphy]

And for the first time at the Goodwood Revival, they had a full complement of US Navy fighters too:

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/292280-Goodwood-Air-1.jpg

A mid '45 built Spitfire, with Grumman Hellcat, Wildcat and Bearcat, plus a North American Harvard/Texan trainer.

[Jeff Murphy]

And of course a Hurricane:

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/292281-Goodwood-Air-4.jpg

[Jeff Murphy]

They also had this cool Ryan PT22 Recruit trainer:

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/292282-Goodwood-Air-3.jpg

[Jeff Murphy]

And in some ways the coolest plane they had there:

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/292285-Goodwood-Air-2.jpg

A C-47 Dakota that was a participant in D-Day, dropping paratroopers behind German lines. It was fully restored and they allowed you to go inside.

[Woj]

Wow, that is some sobering history on these planes, and I'm sure that is only the tip of the iceberg. Great shots. Wanted to get to the show, but this is one too many airshows this year.

Phil Woj.

[SS427]

It always amazes me about this site. So many Muscle Car lovers and just as many Warbird lovers with new ones popping up every day! Jeff, thanks for posting those pictures.

[Jeff Murphy]

No probs! My grandfather engineered/built Mosquitos and Catalinas at the Boeing plant in Vancouver and one of his closest friends was a Hurricane/Spitfire pilot. Tough not to like these planes.

Every time I see a P-51 fly by at low altitude I feel like the kid in the movie "Empire of the Sun" and want to jump up and down yelling "Cadillac of the Sky!!!" just like he did. BTW that P-51 was, in fact, Fabulous Frankie.

As an aside, I think my kids will end up liking them too. At the British Science Museum, which is about a 10 minute walk from my house, they have an extensive collection including a complete, disassembled Spitfire display, a Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet, the Schnieder Trophy winning Supermarine S.6B and a bunch of other cool stuff. I'm actually using a cutaway RR Merlin to teach Max how an internal combustion engine works http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Glacier Girl is in fact the P-38 that they dug out from under the ice in Greenland. Neat story, only wish they could retreive more of them.

[/ QUOTE ]

GG is rumored to have sold recently for $11,000,000. Now every P-38 guy thinks his airplane is worth 11 mil. Sound familiar guys???

[70 copo]

As for the warbirds and the popularity here, to me that is simple. The Musclecars/Supercars are the "war birds" of the automotive world. Like the fighters were to transport airctaft musclecars are to normal street transportation.

For the musclecars and Supercars the "kills" happened on the tracks and on the street. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[SS427]

To compare Glacier Girl with some other P-38's would be rediculous. She has no was history but is still in a class all by herself.

I followed GG's discovery and restoration very closely from the beginning days and I would be willing to bet that there was close to $11M in total cost investments in it. I doubt anyone made much money on her. I thought I remembered $2M in just the discovery and recovery alone.

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
To compare Glacier Girl with some other P-38's would be rediculous.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. GG is far and away the most impressive P-38, perhaps the most impressive Warbird restoration overall. But as we see in the car world, once the bar is set that high every other guy thinks his car (airplane, boat, etc.) is now worth much more than it is.

I saw GG at the Reno Air Races two weeks ago and it is breathtaking.

[olredalert]

------Couldnt make it to Columbus but went to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo to get a fix. While I would rather have been in Coloumbus the Air Zoo is a really great museum........Bill S

[ANDY M]

OK guys, a have decompressed enough to post the pics from the big show on Saturday and Sunday. Only 35,000 were on hand Friday for the "dress rehersal", so I wansn't totally done by the end of the day.
Just so you know, I was a volunteer worker for 6 of the 7 days the GML was in town. My sole job was to be the gatekeeper of the back door to the air opps/ media building.
The original control tower building, which dates back to the Lockborne AFB days, (late 40's to mid 90's), was re-activated for this show. The GML show headquarters started in a stripped bare building with nothing but folding tables and chairs, electric but NO running water, in a building that housed the air opps, FAA, P-51 pilot and crew check in, media check in and interview rooms, and called it the "Welcome Center".
The front door was far enough away from the main gate that strangers weren't that big of an issue.
The back door was open to access by anyone at the show, so keeping out the curious spectators looking for bathrooms with flush toilets, parents with kids that wanted to see the control tower, people who were in need of information, etc. kept me busy from 0700 to 1530 when I was relieved. There were 100k plus on Saturday, and about 100k again on Sunday. Wore me out pretty good.
Anyhoo, here are so more pics and vids from the show.
Aside from all of the warbirds that I wanted to photograph but couldn't, me only regret was not getting anything of the F-22 Raptor demo. I could watch that show every day and still be amazed enough to forget to use my camera. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

Saturday at sunrise C-5A.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat001.jpg

B-17's on the apron.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat002.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat005.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat007.jpg

[ANDY M]

Opening show with 5000 sq. ft. Flag, with the Red Barron airobatic team. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat008.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat009.jpg

[ANDY M]

Some perspective on the size of the show.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat010.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat011.jpg

[ANDY M]

P-41A, the only one known of 310 built to still exist. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat014.jpg

Waiting to take off on the flight line for a big flyover.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat001-1.jpg

P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, P-38 Lightning, P-63 KingCobra and P-47 Thunderbolt.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat002-1.jpg

[ANDY M]

I'm still tring to get the hang of the video feature on my camera, so here goes. Most are pretty short. What a sweet sound. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangsSat016.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangsSat016.flv )

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangsSat017.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangsSat017.flv )

[ANDY M]

F-15 Eagle, solo. Soon to be replaced by the F-22 Raptor, there will be a few refitted to the new "Golden Eagle" program, so this bird will keep on flying. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangsSat018.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangsSat018.flv )

[ANDY M]

Heritage flight of 2 Mustangs with the Eagle.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangsSat019.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangsSat019.flv )

3 Mustangs with the Eagle.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangsSat019.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangsSat019.flv )

Mustangs with the new F-22 Raptor. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangsSat021.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangsSat021.flv )

[SS427]

P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, P-38 Lightning, P-63 KingCobra and P-47 Thunderbolt.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/GatheringofMustangsSat002-1.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]


What a line up!!!! Need to add a Super Corsair, Bearcat, Hellcat, Seafury and a few others to the line up for a complete woodie! I would love to hear the sounds of all of them flying overhead at once. Anyone who has not heard some of these Warbirds fly overhead cannot possibly have a complete appreciation for them. Like nothing you have ever heard. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

Thanks for posting Andy!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[ANDY M]

Sadly, the end of the show, heading for take off for the big finish.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangsSat003-1.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangsSat003-1.flv)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/th_GatheringofMustangsSat005-1.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a146/ameyers215/?action=view&current=GatheringofMustangsSat005-1.flv)

Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this show happen, who only got a t-shirt and cap that we would have paid for anyway. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif to the morons with the Franklin County Sheriffs for the worst traffic in the history of Columbus. Only you could make a Buckeye football game seem more enjoyable to go home from. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif

[Eddie M.]

Great Job....Thanks Andy http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[copo69]

It was a great show. We had no problems with traffic coming or going, got there at 0930 left at 1700. Andy, what happened to the P-38 as we saw it on the Jumbotron idling on the flightline but it never flew. First time seeing a Raptor fly....very impressive. Also, thanks again, Andy. Greg

[ANDY M]

There were numerous mechanical failures during the show. The Air Force sends 2 of each fighter that will be demo'd, including the F-22. I saw one of the F-15's in the hanger on my way out. Logistics was another big problem. In order to stay on schedule, many aircraft had to be towed from the viewing area during the show. Very slow process, and a bit dicey safety-wise.
Many people thought that all of the Mustangs would do a massive fly-by. This would have taken over an hour to get 75 planes airborne, assembled into a formation, perform the fly-by, and then landed safely. IF nothing went wrong, all of the aircraft were parked on a "hot" apron away from the public, and all of the planes had been serviced and fueled in a timely fashion. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif
Good luck indeed, as the Brits would say. At $300+ per hour for flight time, and each plane would have to be up for an hour and a half or so, not gonna happen. Might as well try herding cats. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
www.airshowbuzz.com (http://www.airshowbuzz.com) will have more video posted in the days to come. They were a sponsor of the show. Sort of a youtube for air show lovers.
Greg, it was a pleasure to meet you and Andrew, I'm glad that you enjoyed the show.

[Woj]

Andy,

Great coverage of the show. Wish I could have made it. I flew a C-130 in the Cleveland Airshow this year when I hadn't planned on it and just couldn't make more time for the KLCK show. I'm sure it was a blast.

Thanks for the coverage and photos of the "super aircraft" reunion. This won't go on forever.

Phil Woj.

[SS427]

Andy,
I want to publically thank you for the care package that I received from you today. That went way above and beyond and was a great surprise and I will be busy for several days to come. Very nice of you to take time out from your busy volunteer schedule to put that together. This site has really brought a lot of people together with similar interests as well as people who want to help others with no strings attached. Great group of guys. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[ANDY M]

Rick, all I did was pay for the postage. The event program and mags were "donated" by the pilot welcome center. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif The event patch was a gift, but I have no place to sew it on to, so it's yours. (They were handed out to the pilots/owners and crew, not for sale to the public).
Lucky for you I had the job of guarding the door to that room. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[427TJ]

Thanks also from me Andy for the great pics and video. Yet another event I could not attend but could do so "virtually" via photo and video posts. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[SS427]

[ QUOTE ]
Rick, all I did was pay for the postage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Andy,
Some things do not have to have a monetary value to be of great appreciation and value to others. It was still a very nice gesture on your part now quit being so modest and thanks again. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[ANDY M]

I guess this could have gone in the airplane pictures thread, but follow this link:
http://maxair2air.com/07AIR/GML-G2G/01.html

These are the pics taken by the pro's, the kind that end up in calendars. Enjoy. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif