Emil & Rata

[Mike]

On Saturday I went to Seattle for the Flying Heritage Collection's 'Eastern Front Fly Day'. The Bf109E and I-16 Rata were flown by John Penney ('Rare Bear' race pilot) and Carter Teeters.

It was good to see the '109 in the air at last, having last seen it on the ground at a Wattisham open day a few years back. Due to engine issues it never flew in the UK, finally taking to the air a couple of years ago in the US.

It was also great to see a Rata in the air, the only one I'd seen previously was the static example suspended above a doorway in the Naval Museum in St Petersberg.

It's interesting to note that these are both ex-Tim Wallis airframes (as are the FHC Spitfire V and Oscar)

[spookythecat]

Those are some nice shots. Hope you enjoyed your visit! I never expected i'd have been at the fly day and tried to spot you but never did.

[Mike]

Thanks for the advice Al. I was at the front of the enclosure reserved for paying FHC visitors, a good spot for the flying as you'd recommended. A shame the sun didn't shine, but I'll certainly be back to see some more of the excellent collection in the air.

Oh, and the 88mm Flak gun was an unexpected bonus!

[The Inspector]

Very nice shots Mike! Did you hear the 'ringing' sound from the Diamler? 262crew and me think it must be the supercharger configuration, and the really cool short stacks on the RATA! I was under the weather and huggin' the mattress all weekend so didn't do FHC or the trip to Olympia.
Come on over to FHH on the West side some weekend, I'm the old fat kinda gimpy guy with the white beard and usually, a B-25 ballcap.

[rreis]

Two of my favorite aircraft! Thx for posting, what an excellent way to start the day!

[Mike Halbrook]

I saw pictures of these on my wife's photography forum (along with comments about the poor shooting conditions). Knowing how small a BF-109E is, the Rata must be tiny. The lines around the cockpit remind me of the Gee Bee racers.
Top views of the Rata make it look like it is made of milk chocolate
It is great to see these aircraft flying, interesting to think that I saw my first warbird (P-51D) fly in 1967,
and other than an active duty A-1E, I did not see another fly until 1985. The drought seems to be over.

[Roger Cain]

Nice pictures Mike, considering the sky you had to deal with.

[Pat Carry]

Very kool.

[airnutz]

Very nice Mike! Would've loved to have heard that pair mixing it up!

[Mgawa]

Wonderful post and it is pleasure to see camarad and tovarish in the air

[Lynn Allen]

Well done Mike......

[gary1954]

Great pictures. Even shows the flying attire of the pilot of the 109. Curious as to why one would fly an old warbird in an attire that is not suited for the possibility of an in-flight or post crash fire. Not that I really care, I just wouldn't do it.

[Mike]

Great pictures. Even shows the flying attire of the pilot of the 109. Curious as to why one would fly an old warbird in an attire that is not suited for the possibility of an in-flight or post crash fire. Not that I really care, I just wouldn't do it.

Thanks folks.

Gary, John Penney was wearing a full, tan-coloured flying suit and what appears to be a Campbell hard helmet, I'd say that was appropraiate attire for the task.

[bdk]

Excellent work as usual Mike. Even in the best of conditions shots as good as that are hard to get!

[mlenoch]

The coolant doors on the 109 are full open in all the pix. Any problem with that system?
Thx,
VL