2010 Reno Air Races - Picstream #2 Saturday 9.18.10 (14 Pix)

Making the T-6 racer 'Gunslinger' sparkle in the Saturday morning sunshine

  Saturday was a great day at the 2010 Reno Air Races - the weather was ideal and there was a lot great racing to watch too. Like in the picture above, a lot of time is spent by the race teams working on and cleaning up the airplanes. And as I've said before, being in the pit area to see all the work being done is simply amazing.

 The big story for me continues to be the way Jimmy Leeward has kept The Galloping Ghost alive in the Unlimited Class. The race on Saturday was an easy win for the highly modified P-51 Mustang, giving lots of hope to the idea that it can be a real contender. The big test will be the final race of the day on Sunday against the seemingly unbeatable Strega; the 'always-a-contender' Rare Bear; and possibly the very fast Voodoo. However, after pulling up and out of the race on Saturday, Voodoo's ability to race today may be in question.

 Here's a quick batch of pix from the day showing the wide diversity of flying machines, both in the air and on the ground, that make Reno's Stead Field a great place to be in mid September...

The first race of the day on Saturday was Formula One, and here the Biplane Class airplanes are watching as they are getting staged and waiting their turn.

Polar bear, and early A model P-51 that was crashed in Alaska back in 1944. It was eventually recovered and rebuilt, with first flight in 1985. It was a very nice addition the heritage-oriented fighters that were racing.

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Video: Sean Tucker And The Blue Angels - Yeah Baby!

 After this video, you really need to watch the Sean Tucker at Chicago 2010 cockpit video, even if you already have : )

The Thunderbirds Rock, But I Think They Need Some New Paint!

My idea for some hot new 'Superstar' paint for our beloved Thunderbirds

A modified picture of the current Thunderbirds paint scheme.

I've been a fan of both the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels since I was a kid... how are you not a fan of intensely disciplined jet aerobatic teams that make huge noise, fly insanely close together, and represent the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy? I've also been very fortunate to have seen both teams within the last year, and in the process, I've come to one simple conclusion: the Thunderbirds need some new paint.

 As I mentioned in last week's Thunderbirds CoolPix post, when I saw team perform at Sun-n-Fun this year, the sky was a bit hazy and very white, which made the airplanes very unimpressive looking. The show was great, but I couldn't help but wonder how much more visual impact those intensely blue F-18's from the competition would have looked in that same same sky. So, I thought about it enough to finally let those thoughts boil over and fall out of my head onto the computer screen. As seen above, I present my baseline concept for a high impact, 'Superstar' paint scheme for the Thunderbirds.

 I traced the outline of the F-16 from the picture used in the CoolPix and then colored it in based on a design I had worked out on a simple top-view drawing (from a 3-view) using a very red-white-blue theme. Keep in mind I'm a very 2D guy with drawings... it's not a perfect representation here. I call it the 'Superstar' theme since 'stars' are integral to the concept. The one big star on the center of the wing becomes a focal point, and when added to the other stars on the top side makes a perfect 13 stars to represent the 13 original colonies. I technically consider the big star as just one even tho the center of it is a blue star. And, I haven't worked out a bottom view yet, but it would just entail some small evolutionary changes to the pretty awesome 'Thunderbird' already in use.

 The modified picture below my drawing shows the current paint scheme for comparison. It's set on the same gradient background to give a little idea of how they both contrast in different sky colors. BTW, the original pic had some noticeable vapor steaks going over the wings that I removed from behind the airplane, but are still there obscuring the USAF markings a little. I also haven't worked in the details of the USAF markings and Thunderbirds logo into my drawing, other than the United States Air Force running down the side of the intake. There's be many details to work out if a design like this was to be adopted, but overall, I'm extremely pleased with the way it looks. I think it's a tremendous improvement.

 I was gonna put up a poll to get your opinion on the concept, but even tho AirPigz is getting some pretty good traffic these days, getting people to vote in a poll is a lot harder than it should be. Maybe the poll software isn't working right... please let me know if you've had trouble with other polls. I guess my way of thinking is: why wouldn't you vote in a poll that takes 2 seconds to let you let your opinion be known. I'm a bit of a power-opinionator tho!

 Anyway, this time around I thought I'd just ask for you to leave a comment if you have strong feeling pro or con on this concept. I'm always loving me some feedback : )

CoolPix - UAV: General Atomics Unmanned Aircraft Triple Play!

(click pic for hi-res)          General Atomics MQ-1 Predator

 Like it or not, unmanned aircraft are fast becoming a large part of the workforce in the U.S. Military, and you can be sure we're gonna see them showing up in general aviation applications in the future. General Atomics-ASI is the company responsible for the best known aircraft, the MQ-1 Predator. To the casual observer, it's easy to confuse the MQ-1 with their other popular UAV, the MQ-9 Reaper (formerly known as the Predator B), so I figured a quick visual lesson using some big CoolPix images would be a great way to learn their differences. Plus, I've added their logical extension of their UAV program, the jet powered Avenger that's currently in development.

 MQ-1 Predator (inverted V-tail): Wingspan about 48 feet, max weight 2,250 pounds; powered by Rotax 914F (115 hp); cruise speed about 100 mph.

 2,000+ mile range, 24 hours endurance, service ceiling 25,000 feet. Over 350 built.

(click pic for hi-res)          General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper

 MQ-9 Reaper (Y-tail): Wingspan about 66 feet, max weight 10,500 pounds; powered by TPE331 turboprop (900 shp); cruise speed about 200 mph.

 3,200+ mile range, 14-28 hours endurance, service ceiling 50,000 feet (typical operations at 30,000 feet). Approximately 30 built (exact number unknown).

(click pic for hi-res)          General Atomics Avenger UCAV

 Avenger (in development): Wingspan about 66 feet, payload 6,000 pounds; powered by Pratt & Whitney PW545B turbofan (4,800 pounds thrust); speeds around 460 mph.

 20 hours endurance, service ceiling 50,000 feet. Prototype built and flying, with number two aircraft (slightly larger than prototype) in development. Avenger includes some stealth in the design, and is a combat-oriented aircraft with internal weapons bays.

CoolPix - Airshow: Thunderbirds F-16 And A Big Blue Sky!

(click pic for hi-res)

 Wow! A Thunderbirds F-16 up-close against a big and beautiful blue sky - what an awesome sight. Especially when you click this CoolPix to make it really big. This Air Force photo was taken as the airplanes were arriving at Hickam AFB in Hawaii for the 'Wings Over the Pacific' show in September 2009.

 I can still remember following along back in the early 70's when General Dynamics was developing the F-16. My dad subscribed to Aviation Week and Space Technology back in those days, so while a lot of other 11 year olds were playing tag in the neighborhood, I was learning about new airliners and military aircraft, in great detail, in the pages of that awesome weekly magazine.

 I also remember how the F-16 changed the game for me by not only having amazing performance, but by having a look that was pure sex appeal. I hadn't seen anything this beautiful in a jet military fighter in... well, ever! And here we are, 40 years since this shape was drawn on paper, and it's still one sexy looking airplane!

 The Thunderbirds put on a great show with their F-16's, but I noticed something interesting when I saw them at Sun-n-Fun this past April. It was a fuzzy, hazy, white-sky-overcast kind of day when I saw them, and it was interesting how little the airplanes stood out against that sky. It was an excellent show to watch and hear, but I was thinking if they had been that other team that flies those blue F-18's, they would have been easier to see. So, I had an idea. Maybe the Thunderbirds need a new paint scheme. That's when I decided to put my overactive thinker to work and design an all new, kick butt paint scheme for our beloved Thunderbirds. All the basic work is done, and I must say it looks pretty stinkin' hot to me. Unfortunately, it's not ready for you to see just yet. Hopefully I'll have it done here before long, but I want to be sure it looks really good in the rendering so the Air Force will be so impressed that they'll want to get to booking some time in the paint shop asap : )

CoolPix - Modern Military: Barksdale B-52 Via Grissom KC-135

(click pic for hi-res)

 My incredible ride with the 74th Air Refueling Squadron in a KC-135 based out of Grissom Air Reserve Base (Indiana) on July 21st gave me the opportunity to capture this ultra-cool image of the Barksdale Air Force Base (Louisiana) B-52 that we had just finished refueling. This view was beyond stunning to see in person, and I hope that by making it available to you as a CoolPix, you'll feel a little more like you were there too. If you missed my 56 pic mega-post of the KC-135 ride, you should check it out now, I'm pretty sure you'll like it!

 Of the 744 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers built, almost 80 remain in service yet today. It's hard to believe that the airplane has been in service with the U.S. Air Force since 1955. Even more amazing is the idea that it's possible that some of them will still be in service in 2040, almost 80 years after the last ones came off the assembly line! The B-52 is a very important part of the U.S. Military, both past and present. I was very fortunate to be able to see one on this beautiful day, and to capture this awesome image. Enjoy.

Video: Inside Look - CAF's New Engine Project On The B-29 FIFI

 Even tho the Commemorative Air Force B-29 FIFI had an extremely successful first flight with its new engines on August 5, 2010, the secondary test flights on the 6th revealed some issues with the number 2 engine that led to it being grounded. Even with this setback, it's still an amazing and fascinating project worthy of our respect and appreciation. This video shows some of the work it took to get the airplane back to the point that it could fly again. Hopefully they'll have the problems worked out soon and FIFI will be back in the air bringing honor to those who have served!

CoolPix - Airshow: Blue Angels 'Fat Albert' JATO(!) At Reno 2009

(click pic for hi-res)

 With the 2010 Reno Air Races less than a month away (September 15-19) I figure it's a good time to look back at a cool moment from the 2009 event. Even tho this CoolPix isn't from any of the racing, it is from the airshow part of Reno. It's also kinda special since they told us the Blue Angels were only going to do one more show after Reno with Fat Albert, their Lockheed C-130 Hercules support aircraft, demonstrating the supercool JATO big-kick-in-the-butt takeoff. It turned out to be a great opportunity to get a fab pic with the clear blue sky and the mountains in the background. Plus, I was just really glad to get to see it as I don't think I'd ever had the chance before. They're still using Fat Albert, but the JATO shows are over forever now.

 Apparently the JATO rockets are in short supply these days as they really aren't being used like they were back in the day when many military aircraft would eat up massive amounts of runway while belching enough smoke to give an environmentalist an instant heart attack. In fact, if you can handle looking at high pollutin' beasts from the past, check out the CoolPix of the B-47 JATO - it's crazy! NSFEW (not safe for environmental wackos)

 Anyway, it was a wonderful treat to watch Fat Albert spew fire and make some sweet noise at Reno last year. I'm hoping to be able to make the trip out west this year too, which would be great because the Canadian Snowbirds are scheduled to perform. I haven't seen them in years, but I have loads of memories from the 80's when I saw them many times. Graceful, precision aerobatics with up to 9 airplanes in formation... go Canada!

 2010 Reno Air Races - September 15-19

KC-135 Ride! 434th ARW (Grissom Air Reserve Base) + Thirsty B-52

(56 pix:  intro, followed by detailed account of refueling flight with a B-52) 

 On Wednesday, July 21, 2010 I had the extreme pleasure of getting to go along on a KC-135 refueling flight operated by the 74th Air Refueling Squadron, which is part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, based at the Grissom Air Reserve Base near Peru, Indiana. That puts Grissom ARB is about 60 miles straight north of Indianapolis, and about 50 miles south-southwest of where I'm at in Warsaw, Indiana. It was a special 'social media' flight that gave me and other folks from outlets like Indy Transponder, Flight Line Internet Radio, My Sky Mom, myTransponder and more, the opportunity to see an air refueling mission up close and personal. Wow! I must say it was an awesome experience!

 Back in the 80's I lived on a small, country airport about 40 miles from Grissom, and at that time they had a lot of A-10's operating off what was then an active Air Force Base. They had a training route that ran right by the airport and I'd see them having fun practicing low level ops on a pretty regular basis. But eventually the A-10's were moved away, and in 1994, the 'active' part of the base was closed with operations being changed over to a 'Reserve' base. I must admit that I was clueless as to what that all really meant except that when I'd drive by on the way to Indy in the last 10 years, I didn't ever notice much activity like back in the day. Fortunately, my visit on that gorgeous Wednesday about four weeks ago showed me that not only is Grissom alive and well, with quite a bit of activity (that a simple drive-by would likely miss), but they are doing a truly excellent job as well.

 I also learned that the Air Force Reserve is made up of people who typically work one weekend each month plus a two-week stretch during the year. The Reserve also has some people working full-time, and then they've got some private (civilian) contract workers as well. Grissom ARB has a mix of all three, with about 2,000 in total. Grissom is the largest employer in the local area and has an economic impact of about $100 million each year. There really is a lot going on there! Plus, the refueling service provided by the 434th has a direct and significant impact on the active Air Force fleet. This is essential work that keeps the Air Force flying. A total of 16 KC-135's are officially stationed at Grissom, but often, some of those airplanes are actually deployed around the world along side the traditional Air Force.

 The other thing I learned on this day was just how impressive the people and equipment are that operate out of Grissom. The KC-135 I rode on was built in 1962, a year after I was born. Honestly, that airplane looked like it only had 200 hours on it, it was that clean! And you can be sure it has worked its tail off over the years (and continues to do so still today)... the maintenance done at Grissom is spectacular. Plus, everyone we came in contact with was doing a great job, and the air crew we had was friendly and very professional. It was all impressive and very encouraging. I felt very proud to know that the people serving in the Air Force Reserve are serving this country at the highest level, and for that, I say Thank You!

 Of course, one of the most exciting parts of the trip was to get to see a B-52 tucked in nice and tight getting a big drink of JP-8. It was at least twice as cool as I could have imagined. The next 50+ pix tell the full story of my ride with the fine people of the 74th Air Refueling Squadron operating out of Grissom ARB.

 The morning started with an 8:00 am briefing that gave an overview of the work by the Air Force Reserve in general, along with details of the work and workforce at Grissom. That was followed by emergency procedure info related to the upcoming flight. The stiff guy in the helmet against the wall never said a word, probably because we has just a dummy dressed up in a flight suit : )

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Honoring WWII Patriots: CAF B-29 FIFI Flies Again! (With Video)

 The Commemorative Air Force B-29 'FIFI' is back in the air!   photo: Mark Russell via CAF

 I put up a detailed FIFI post back at the end of June when we thought that the CAF’s Boeing B-29 Superfortress was going to make her first flight since 2004. As it turned out, there were delays getting the FAA to certify the airplane ready for flight, but that’s all in the past now... Yesterday, August 5, 2010, a little before 9 am, FIFI and her new engines left earth for the wild blue yonder!

 The 39 minute test hop of the world’s only flyable B-29 went on without a hitch. The modified and updated Wright R-3350 engines performed as hoped, and should make keeping this historic aircraft in the air much easier than in the past when the original versions of the engines were used.

 And, while it’s great to see an amazing piece of work like the B-29 back in the air, the real value comes from what this airplane can do to bring honor to the patriots of WWII that fought and gave their lives for the United States.

 A big thank you goes out to Jim Cavanaugh for the significant financial support, and to the dedicated CAF members who have supported and worked on this important project. Welcome back FIFI, you are a beautiful sight to see!