RIP Jane Wicker and Charlie Schwenker

Today we lost 2 GREAT people in a horrible crash at the Vectren Dayton Air Show. The scene is one that will be hard to forget. I was unable to go on Friday and watch practice and had prior engagements for today, but planned to go on Sunday. I will be staying home now. Its not just because they died. Today was a horrible day before they climbed into the Stearman Bi-Plane. On lap 3 of the 24 Hours of Lemans there was a terrible crash which claimed the life of Allan Simonsen. Later I learned of 2 more racing drivers that passed on tracks as well. Wolf Silvester at the Nuerbergring in Germany and Jeffrey Bower in an SCCA race at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. I didn't know any of the drivers, but we all shared a love of racing. I did have some contact with Jane Wicker and as the air show community is fairly small it hurt badly. Just one of those days where you need to just put things in perspective. Thats what I'll do Sunday.

I took this photo last September at the Cleveland Air Show. RIP.....

We Interrupt our Airshow Series for the Great Story of Spitfire 944

I could type a bunch on this but I think its better to just let you watch. Fantastic!

Our Airshow Part 10: Low Flying High Speed RNZAF Boeing 757

Who says the airshow needs to be all overpowered jets?

I do!

Presenting the Boeing 757 which has AMPLE power to put on a show. Just look at the climb after the high speed pass and listen to those engines wail. The RNZAF has 2 of these which were purchased in 2003 after being retired by Transavia. Yes this jet was sent to an airplane graveyard to die. Thanks to the RNZAF to bringing this back to life so we can watch her.

As an aside I spent 10 glorious days in New Zealand back in 1987 and was present to see the Concorde make its first appearance to that country. While completely exhausted I went on the roof of our "hotel" with everyone else in the building to watch the Concorde arrive with an escort of A-4's. It was one of the coolest things I saw while staying in the outskirts Auckland for several days.

So if you happened upon this post I hope you take a few minutes to check out the previous 9 "acts" in our airshow. Don't worry I have many more to come!

Part 9 of our Airshow gets an RAF Avro Vulcan for some Private.....

This video is of a Avro Vulcan and was shot on August 19, 2012 while doing a PRIVATE show in England...Think about that for a moment... Private? Well obviously not only the intended viewers but many others saw and HEARD the howl. While 2013 is the last year this beast is supposed to continue flying there is a chance it might get extended. I'm crossing my fingers that XH558 will live long and prosper....

Suck Squeeze Bang Blow.....

What were you thinking????