OSH15 Dawn Patrol CoolPix... Corsair And Mosquito (11Pix)

(click pic for hi-res)  A great Dawn Patrol sunrise at OSH15 on Thursday July 23

 This summer has been a real blur for me as I've been working to build a new online business... today I launched www.loudflowers.com, high-resolution flower images printed exclusively on vibrant aluminum sheet. The ads I placed here today are designed to drive a little traffic that direction as I start off from ground zero. If you like my work there, I encourage you to spread the word, and I hope you stay tuned because I have an aviation derivative of Loud Flowers in the works. In early 2016 I plan to launch BleedingEgdeArt.com with an upscale collection of aerospace images that should be pretty cool : )

 But this post is to share 11 pix I captured on Thursday July 23rd at OSH15 (the best OSH ever!) of a Corsair and the Mosquito while on a Dawn Patrol photo mission in the warbirds area. And all of these images open up to the big CoolPix size, so I think you'll enjoy the journey!

(click for hi-res)  Man and machine prepare for an early morning mission

(click pic for hi-res)  Sun, smoke, and fire... the Corsair comes to life!

(click pic for hi-res)  Two of the four Corsairs heading out for this morning mission

(click pic for hi-res)  The Mosquito with its nose pointed into the western sky

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I Love Hot Air Ballooning! (Carolina Balloon Fest 2014)

(click pic to enlarge)  My view lifting off at the 2014 Carolina Balloon Fest in Statesville NC

 I've been very fortunate to get quite a bit of exposure to hot air ballooning in the last 2 years since my son-in-law Mitch has a commercial balloon rating and an basket with two envelopes, a 77,000 cubic foot and a 90,000. It works out well for me to be crew and chase vehicle driver when he has rides to fly... and now I'm in training in hopes of getting my rating before too long as well. I've been a fan of ballooning since I was about 12, so finally getting the chance to fly this way is tremendously satisfying.

(click pic to enlarge)  Note the parachute vent top being cycled thru the open position

 Mitch participated in the Carolina Balloon Fest again this year, and I was there helping him out some. I even got to go flying as the pictures here show! My wife and I took the opportunity to turn it all into a small vacation by heading over early in the week to visit the Biltmore mansion, and to just get away... and then Friday and Saturday I helped Mitch some with the balloon. The pictures are from Saturday morning when most of the approximately 55 balloons in attendance took to the skies.

 It was a beautiful morning for some lighter-than-air flying! And while the surface winds were nice and light, the winds at just 300 feet were scooting right along at about 14mph. Ballooning really teaches you that the wind is a far more complicated partner in flying than the typical fixed wing pilot understands. In addition to the vast difference in wind velocity that morning between the surface and 300 feet, there was about a 90 degree shift in the wind direction as well. It sure makes for some interesting flying!

 Btw, I didn't even take my DSLR camera on this vacation, so these pix are from my Galaxy Note II... the same phone that went thru the mower blades a few months back and didn't even get a scratch on it! Fortunately, my Otterbox Commuter case gave up its life to totally save the phone!

(click pic to enlarge)  We're departing the launch area... hot air ballooning sure is colorful!

 It's looking more and more like ballooning will be my point-of-entry back into having my own flying machine since for less than $10,000 you can fetch up an airworthy set up, and sometimes you can even get in the air for substantially less. You have to look around a bit and know what you're looking for, and obviously a very affordable set up most likely has much of its useful life already used up. But compared to my $25,000 to $40,000 Piper Cub desires, ballooning can be quite affordable.

(click pic to enlarge)  Looking into the sun at the balloons that launched ahead of us

(click pic to enlarge)  Looking away from the sun at the balloons that launched after us

(click pic to enlarge)  Just above the trees as we navigate toward a landing spot

 Hot air ballooning is challenging and a lot more work than I'm guessing most fixed wing pilots understand... and I love it!

(click pic to enlarge)  Another launch pic... this time with the sun shining over the owl

(click pic to enlarge)  This 'When Pigs Fly' balloon landed near us... Pigs of a feather?

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Must See Video: THE CUBS 2 OSH STORY - 75th Anniversary Gathering In Hartford, WI

click here to download the digital version for half price (just $4.50)

 If you've been paying attention you know I'm a big believer in the Piper Cub as the perfect pure-flying-pleasure airplane. If you aren't convinced of the Cub's 'best airplane ever' status, then watch the video trailer above for THE CUBS 2 OSH STORY, and then I hope you'll either buy the digital download or the DVD of the 32 minute professionally-produced video. You can buy the DVD (with the digital download) for $19.99 or by using the special AirPigz link you can buy the digital download for just $4.50, half its regular price.

 The Cubs 2 OSH Story chronicles the 75th anniversary gathering of Piper Cubs at Hartford Wisconsin back in 2012. Filmmaker Ryan Dembroski has put together a very high quality video that captures the beauty of Cub flying along with the personal stories that really show how the Cub has connected with aviators in a way that honestly no other airplane ever has.

 I very highly recommend that you purchase the Cubs 2 OSH video in one form or another... your love for aviation (and the Cub) will benefit greatly!

click here to download the digital version for half price (just $4.50)
click here to order the 32 minute DVD for $19.99 (includes digital download)

 The trailer below for the Cubs 2 OSH video features the man behind the event (and Cub Air Flight at Hartford) Steve Krog. He shares how the Cub has impacted his life since he was just a kid... truly a life-long love affair!

 I was at Hartford back in 2012 for the Cubs 2 OSH event, and Ryan's video definitely captures all the magic of this very special gathering! Definitely a must-see video : )

 Check out these posts for more on my experience from Cubs 2 OSH: 

Lots Of Cub Yellow At Hartford Wisconsin For 'Cubs 2 OSH'
75 Piper Cubs At Hartford Wisconsin! CoolPix 2Fer

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Reno 2014: Sunday 9-14-14 - Voodoo 1st, Czech Mate 2nd, And Precious Metal Disqualified??

(click pic for hi-res) Thom Richard and Precious Metal on the Unlimited Gold race takeoff 

 
 With a 2,050 mile drive ahead of me, I left the 2014 Reno Air Races just minutes after the Gold race on Sunday. But I stopped about an hour down the road to post a picture to celebrate that I watched Precious Metal easily capture third place behind another win for Steven Hinton (in Voodoo) with Sheman Smoot in Czech Mate taking second place... Strega was unable to race and Rare Bear was out of the race after just one lap. But when I checked the race results at reports.airrace.org I saw that they were showing Precious Metal disqualified in the Gold race with this note: "DQ by Contest Committee for showline cut".

 Uncertain of what was going on and confused by how such a thing could have happened, I decided to just continue home and post once I understood the situation. I'm home now and I still don't understand how Precious Metal was disqualified (which moved Dennis Sanders and Dreadnought into third place) and in fact my quick research of the situation makes me think there is a really big mistake taking place here. Hopefully soon there will be some info available that will either clarify what really happened, or maybe even reverse the situation.

 Regardless, Team Precious Metal did a fantastic job of getting the airplane into the Gold race and they have so much to proud of for their efforts. It was a great experience for me to be so close to the action in the PM pit, and I can verify that the team worked really hard and effectively in the quest for the Gold race. 

 I'll have more info on this confusing situation once it's available.

Reno 2014: Saturday 9-13-14 - Precious Metal Advances To The Sunday Gold Race!

(click pic to enlarge)  A little American flag flying over the PM cowl Saturday morning

reports.airrace.org

Watch the Sunday Gold race live with LiveAirShowTV

 Saturday morning was a relatively easy day for the Precious Metal crew as the airplane was pretty well dialed in for the Silver race later in the day. However, even a dialed in airplane still gets a lot of detailed attention in preperation for a race, but at least there's wasn't a frantic push to solve large problems. The race today was just after noon and PM had no trouble winning over a collection of Sea Fury's, P-51's, a Corsair and a Tigercat. PM posted a winning speed of just a few ticks under 438mph which is almost 4 mph faster than in last year's Gold race on Sunday. At this point it seems safe to assume that Thom has some power in reserve to push PM up the ladder in the Gold race.

(click pic to enlarge) A long view thru Reno heat as PM lands after winning the Silver race

 There were some very interesting developments then later in the day in the Gold Heat 3 race just after 4pm. Steven Hinton in Voodoo pulled out in front with Tiger Destefani in Strega chasing him but at a much higher altitude. This race was really about these two P-51's as Rare Bear, Czech Mate, Dreadnought and Sawbones weren't really able to keep up. Voodoo pulled fairly well ahead for a few laps but Tiger was almost able to close all the gap by the time they passed the home pylon on the final lap... HOWEVER, the posted (still unofficial at 7:55pm PDT) race results indicate that Tiger and Strega were disqualified for not maintaining course altitude. I expect there's a lot of discussion going about this and it'll be interesting to see on Sunday how it's all shaken out.

(click pic to enlarge)  Thom Richard and PM after winning the Saturday Silver race

 Stevo in Voodoo finished today's race with a speed of 492.525mph, a little over 10mph faster than his 2013 Gold race winning speed of 482.074, and Tiger was just barely (JUST BARELY!) behind him at the finish, so these two P-51's have continued to prove they have all the right stuff to race the fastest at Reno. But if Tiger and Strega are out all together, then it'll leave Voodoo as the beast to beat. Plus, Tiger had a Mayday (with a safe landing) right after the finish and Strega may be unable to race Sunday no matter what.

 Regardless, Thom in Precious Metal has his work cut out for him in pushing the Griffon powered P-51 to its fastest race speeds ever in Sunday's Gold Championship race... it's gonna be fun to watch!

(click pic to enlarge)  Safety briefing in the pit with the Precious Metal crew today

 The journey for the Precious Metal Team at Reno 2014 has been long, challenging, and fairly eventful... but with Sunday now right around the corner, Thom and the airplane are ready to give it a great run for the Gold!

Let's go racing!

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Reno 2014: Friday 9-12-14 - Precious Metal Continues Journey Toward The Gold Race

(click pic to enlarge)  Rolls Royce Griffon powered P-51 Precious Metal: race number 38

 In case you didn't get the memo, my coverage of Reno 2014 is focused on Thom Richard and his Rolls Royce Griffon powered P-51 known as Precious Metal. It makes the effort here for me a lot easier when I don't have to keep running from end to end of the pit area to try and give a bigger view of the wide range of air racers at Reno... and I'd say it's working since I'm not feeling like I've been run over by a bus. At least not yet anyway! Fortunately, Thom has given me some great access to the PM pit to gather lots of info and pix, most of which won't be shared until after the races.
 

(click pic to enlarge)  Thom on the ladder and the phone... always, always issues to solve

 I think it's easy to be drawn to Thom and this unique airplane, and I think the journey this team takes every year at Reno is very entertaining. I figure that's good for the unique world of air racing, and I enjoy putting some extra attention on their efforts.

(click pic to enlarge)  That big Griffon engine gets lots and lots of attention everyday!

 Thom's journey toward the big race on Sunday continued today, but it included a twist. The Silver Unlimited race today was the one that he needed to win to move up into the Gold division, but Tiger Destefani, racing in Strega, cut a pylon on Thursday which put him in that same race with Precious Metal today. I don't really understand the rules in play here, but the bottom line is that Thom didn't have to win today's race (since Strega was also racing) he just needed to come in second, which he easily did. Tiger in Strega had no trouble winning today's race which, as I understand it, moves him back into the Gold fray. Thom now needs to win the Silver race on Saturday to put him in the Gold race on Sunday.

(click pic to enlarge)  A unique wide angle view under the Precious Metal wing

 As we move into the race weekend, the journey for Team Precious Metal toward the big Gold Unlimited race on Sunday is still moving forward and remains optimistic... so let's go racing!  #lowfastleft

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Reno 2014: Thursday 9-11-14 - Precious Metal Wins Bronze Unlimited (CoolPix 2Fer)

(click pic for hi-res) Thom Richard will advance after winning the Bronze Unlimited race

 So, it wasn't a surprise that Thom Richard and Precious Metal easily won the Bronze Unlimited race today against two P-51's and a Corsair, but then again, everything has to work to win any race at Reno. PM sounded like she was running great but barely breathing as she easily out paced the closer-to-stock competitors. Thom finished the race with a speed of 359mph while the other P-51's, Sparky and The Rebel, were neck and neck at 319mph, and the Corsair Korean War Hero came in last at 310mph. To see the full race results for all races, go to reports.airrace.org.

 A better test and challenge for Thom will come on Friday afternoon in the Silver Unlimited race. If Thom wins that race then he's back in the right division to compete against Voodoo, Strega, Rare Bear, Czech Mate (etc.) - so tomorrow's race will be one to watch for sure.

(click pic for hi-res) Some fire out both sides of the Griffon on the Bronze race start up

 Here are a couple CoolPix images from just a few hours ago... one as Precious Metal fired up for that Bronze race and one right after with Thom looking rather happy with the result. Note the fire coming out the left stacks in start up pic... and the heat waves showing that there was a lot more fire on the right side that we can't see. Thom kept cranking when the fire showed up and after another 10 seconds or so the engine was running and all the fires had been blown on thru. These big ole engines are awesome!

More to come from the 2014 National Championship Air Races!

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Reno 2014: Thursday 9-11-14 (Precious Metal Looks Ready To Race)

(click pic to enlarge)  Precious Metal is prepped for a test flight Thrursday before noon

 My 35-hour-long drive from Indiana to Reno went very well with my arrrival just after sunset Wednesday evening. I was able to check in at the Precious Metal pit and hung around for a couple hours as they worked well into the night to replace the carburetor with a fresh one sent up from their home base in Kissimmee. It's very fortunate that the Mayday on Tuesday was a fuel related issue and not one with the engine grinding itself up. As I write this, Thom has Precious Metal in the air for a test flight to confirm that the changes made overnight are completely successful.

(click pic to enlarge) Wednesday night as the Precious Metal Team works, works, works

 The Mayday issue kept PM from being able to qualify in the traditional manner before the deadline, so the plan is to follow Plan B which means that Thom will have to race in the Bronze Unlimited Class and win there, then move on to the Silver Class and win there to be back up in the Gold Class with the big boys. It's a very doable plan and one that actually allows for a lot of excitement along the way as well as plenty of opportunity to tweak the airplane after relatively easy races... plus there's the opportunity to keep the other teams guessing about the status of the racer : )

 The weather is great and the 2014 National Championship Air Races are in full swing... Let's go racing! 

 Be sure to watch the LiveAirShowTV video updates AND watch the races live with them if you can... click LiveAirShowTV for the details.

Monday LiveAirShowTV report

Tuesday LiveAirShowTV report

Wednesday LiveAirShowTV report

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Video: LiveAirShowTV Report From Reno 2014 - Sunday 9.7.14 Practice Day

 Qualifying for the 2014 Reno Air Races starts Wednesday but there's a lot already going on at Stead Field as the teams are busy with race prep and practice. LiveAirShowTV is on-site and filed this report from Sunday's activities.

 And remember, if you aren't able to make the trip to Reno, LASTV will have live brodcasts starting on Friday September 12th.

 I'm leaving tomorrow at noon to make the drive west and hope to arrive Wednesday evening to get started gathering loads of behind-the-scenes details of Thom Richard and the Precious Metal team as they aim for Gold in the Unlimited Class. Let's go racing! #lowfastleft

Video screenshot: no fly day for defending champion Steve Hinton in the P-51 Voodoo

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Video: LiveAirShowTV Will Take YOU To The Reno Air Races! (+ Precious Metal DeskTop Pix)

2014 Reno Air Races: September 10-14

 I'm fortunate to be able to squeak in another trip 2,050 miles west to the Reno Air Races... it'll be my fourth time driving there in the last six years of attendance. Driving is actually the cheapest way for to make the trip happen, tho it brings a special kind of fatigue. Anyway, getting to Reno is not something everyone can do, but LiveAirShowTV will take anyone there that has a computer and some internets to tap into!

 The video above gives you the details on when and how to catch the LiveAirShowTV coverage of the 2014 National Championship Air Races. Their coverage is fantastic and turns your inability to make the trip to Reno no big deal as you get to experience so much of the action right from home. They also have daily recap videos for you to check out if you can't find the time to watch the races as they happen. It's all an amazing opportunity to be part of the world's fastest sport! I will add however, NOTHING beats being on-site at the races! 

LiveAirShowTV

(click pic for hi-res)  Precious Metal and Thom Richard in the Gold race at Reno 2013

 I'm including another Precious Metal desktop image from the Gold race at Reno 2013. This time cropped in close for great detail! I'm planning for most of my 2014 Reno coverage to be focused on Team Precious Metal and Thom Richard as he returns with loads more Griffon power under the hood and another year of airframe tweaks. This really could be the year that PM shows that she's truly a contender for Reno Gold!

 Hopefully I'll have some nice pix and info to share during the races, and then afterward I hope to be able to share a very detailed post with much more behind-the-scenes info of what made Team PM tick at Reno 2014. Til then, I hope you'll consider downloading a free desktop pic of Thom and his mixmaster P-51 to put on your desktop as Reno fast approaches. #lowfastleft

Thom Richard and Precious Metal in the Gold race at Reno 2013:

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