Petaluma Ca, November 11

[O.P.]

http://www.petalumaveteransflyin.com/index.htm

I'll be there with Dan Dugan. Looking forward to seeing some bay area wix cats there too.

[Mike]

I'll be at Nellis that day, so sadly will have to give it a miss this time.

[Roger Cain]

I've been to two of these past events and almost nothing showed up. Two years ago, the only two Warbirds to take part were Duane Doyle's T-28 and of course Kent had his own plane on display, along with a few EAA experimental aircraft. Will this be any different for $20 a head?

I'd like to see at least a partial list of planes that will actually be there. The page shows about every type of warbird in existance, but none actually confirmed. I hate to make the long drive for nothing again.

Had to edit my poor spelling, twice.

[O.P.]

Hi Roger!

I went to an airport day there last year, not sure if it was the same thing though, and the only warbirds were Dan Dugan and Ron Rich's T28's, and we came in together. It was pretty cool seeing Ron do a carrier deck turn right in front of the resturant diners out on the patio though. He shook that whole end of the building. The guy who runs the store there put on a pretty good spread. Nice guy.

One thing that is different this time is, we're getting there a day early, and get the ole transportation, lodging, food,ect. Real airshow kinda stuff. So I think this is different. In fact, now that I think about it, it's veterans day, and Dan, Ron, Tony, and Duane usually make passes down main street during the parade there every year.

I guess we could give Kent a call early next week and see who has confirmed. It'd be cool to see you out there, but I'm with you, thats a long haul for regular ole airport day.

[Roger Cain]

Orvis, Did you make this event, or did the rain and overcast keep you away? If so, what showed up?

[O.P.]

Orvis, Did you make this event, or did the rain and overcast keep you away? If so, what showed up?

Hi Roger!

We went over on friday. The Livermore contingent was there. I saw Kents list, and it was good, but, the weather scared a lot off. A few did flybys while we were on the ramp, but they decided not to stay, the weather was looking bad. They took us over to a military museum in Petaluma. Then we went over to the VFW for a dinner and a talk. We heard stories from, and got to talk to, a Tuskeegee Airman and a P-38 ace. That was cool. And we pretty much met each other there.

The next morning was the show, and it was cool, people came out to see the planes despite the cold weather. It cleared up around noon. We set out at 1 and made passes over the parade and back over the airport. That was a blast. We managed to make it back to lvk before everything closed in again. All of it was a blast. I would have took a lot of pictures and film, but I was actually flying a lot of the time I want to go back out over the mothball fleet again at that altitude with my camera one of these days.

Kent put on a good show! I hope he does it again next year. The folks in Petaluma were great too! They went out of their way to show us a good time. A lot of good sponsors. (Think gas. Lots of gas) I think there will be a bigger showing next year if the weather is good, and, now that everyone knows that there is gas, and a lot of it.

When we were parked, a T-6 pulled up alongside us. After everything was secured, Dan introduced me to Stu and his wife. We talked for awhile, and he said that he hadn't flown that T6 from the front seat in 3 years. That was interesting. He said he mostly flies his Mustang. Mustang? Thats cool! (Yes, I am that retarded) "Which one is your's?" I ask. He looks at me like I am retarded, and says "Merlins Magic." Right about then, a couple of cells fired correctly and I realized who I had been talking to. Heeehehee. Oh well,,,I would figure Stu thinks I'm a pretty thick one. He talked to me for a long time though. He and his wife were very nice to me and we talked several times during the next day.

Good news! Merlins Magic should be fixed and on a truck back home as we speak! Coolio! (I gotta get to Reno)

I had lunch with Dan and Tony when we got back. He told me that the Bearcat was going to Texas. And Tony told us a lot of cool things. The NorCal/Bay Area warbird scene is only going to get more and more awesome in the next couple of years.

And, Annnnnd, one of the cool Livermore cats offered to check me out on the Yak. "Just show up and we'll do it." Freakin cool man! Me gonna be a Yak pilot too! YeeeeeHaaaa

I love Livermore! I love the Livermore group! I am one lucky SOB.

Planes at Petaluma
T28B (King of all airplanes)
P51
T6
Yaks
L29
BT13
Stearmans
Amphibians (Corvette one too! That dude is way cool.)

There were more.
Thanks Kent and Petaluma! It was a great time! I hope you can do it again next year.

[Roger Cain]

Thanks for the update Orvis, By the list that you posted, I don't think I missed much, pronbably just the local regulars. For all the Dream Machine shows you've probably attended at Half Moon Bay, I'm suprised you didn't catch Stu's name right off the bat. He has always attended just about every air show we have around here.