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Made it out to the Career Expo today to support and help recruit with the Civil Air Patrol. While there, I got to say hi to a lot of my Airshow acquaintances including Carl Best and Karen, the usual suspects from the CAF Marshalling Detachment, and got to meet Dean & Bill from the VFM crew finally. I didn't take many pictures because all I had was my phone, but here's what I got.
Sadly, the DFW Wing and Cold War Air Museum weren't able to make it due to extremely dense fog at Lancaster (where's the oil burners when you need them?), so the number of aircraft this year was quite a bit smaller than previous years. However, we did get to see the re-appearance of the QU-22 that was under restoration at Addison (one of only 2 flying in the world) and I must say that big GTSIO engine up front looks ODD.
General View of the West Ramp, Carl's T-6 in the background in front of the Navy C-40A. Karen's O-2 is to the right of the QU-22 with a Bonanza next to it (didn't see who's it was). The Mayperl boys are to his right with their An-2. Behind Karen is a CAP C-182 with the GA-8 Airvan assigned to Addison to its left and a Navy T-6A Texan II.
Second shot showing the An-2 in shadow.
85-1364 TXANG C-130H(SKE). Looks recently painted, but all but the #3 prop look like they haven't seen any TLC in a long time as all of the Ham-Stan logo stickers were gone and the dark grey tips were badly faded.
The Lady of the Hour, "Chuckie" looking great in the afternoon sun. She left a bit latter than they planned, but the departure was quite a site with a photo Bonanza leading Chuckie and Carl bringing up the rear.
Here's a selection of my photos from the Expo. It's a shame the Lancaster folks got fogged in. We were sure looking forward to seeing that Corsair and R4D-6S this year.
Here's a ghostly view of AA Hangar #2 before the event. The DC-3 "Flagship Detroit" can be seen at the left side of the hangar, giving an idea of just how big the hangar is!
Dawn at DFW:
Navy T-6B from TAW-5, Whiting Field, Pensacola FL:
Carl Best and his AT-6:
Texas ANG C-130 arriving, with a female pilot and female crew chief!
US Navy C-40 taxiing in. This is a 737-700 series airframe set up as a cargo combi aircraft with the big forward cargo door. This is a brand-new aircraft with only 30 hours on the clock!
The CAP's nifty Airvan! What a neato unusual airplane!
Gotta love the Antonov. . . what a flying dinosaur! I didn't know until this event that the engine is a Soviet copy of the Wright R1820.
The beautiful "Pacific Prowler" arriving:
Definitely the most unusual plane at the event: the Beech QU-22B!
Karen in the "Oscar Deuce", cranked up and ready to head out after the event:
I kinda like this shot of the '17 from under the wing of the '25:
And for those of you who think Mahaffey never smiles, you're wrong!
And for those of you who think Mahaffey never smiles, you're wrong!
Cheers, y'all! [/quote]
I've been given such a wonderful opportunity by Doc and Chuckie to fly this magic carpet. I know what a lucky guy I am. Even if I never get to fly her again, I'm still blessed to have done it at all!
Patrick Mahaffey B-17 "Chuckie" B-25 "Pacific Prowler" DC-3
That's a great event for the local kids. I brought the cub to it one year and it was great. I was 17 with a 60 year old, 65HP aircraft with no electrical system, and nothing but a handheld for communication, landing in one of the busiest airports in the nation. Quite an experience